Arsenal v Everton. 19th May. 16:00

[Marc Overmars]

Probably won’t be straight forward, I’m sure we’re ready for the beach now and may struggle to find some rhythm. Saying that, if we don’t win this and there’s a miracle at the Etihad, I’ll be giving up on football. :lol:

2-1.

Come on West Ham, do it for Declan. :bow:

[HCZ_Reborn]

City are going to win Sunday and there’s really no point pretending to ourselves otherwise

They’ve only dropped eight points since losing at Villa in December

18 wins from 22 games

[Letters]

Yeah, it's done. But all we can do now is win our game - it's what we've been doing anyway. Finish on 89 points, 28 wins from 38 games. It's pretty impressive. Maybe we'll get a miracle at The Ethiad but it seems vanishingly unlikely. Which is why cheats like City should be stopped. Sport shouldn't be this predictable. In brief...

I hope we win, tbh.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Yeah, it's done. But all we can do now is win our game - it's what we've been doing anyway. Finish on 89 points, 28 wins from 38 games. It's pretty impressive. Maybe we'll get a miracle at The Ethiad but it seems vanishingly unlikely. Which is why cheats like City should be stopped. Sport shouldn't be this predictable. In brief...

I hope we win, tbh.

Yep. We’ve taken it to the last game of the season which is more than I would have expected after the Villa game

We can say if only we had won that but then who knows then if we’d have beaten Spurs, United etc

Last season we let ourselves down, I cannot say the same this time. I’m disappointed but mainly because I think we’ve had a good enough season to deserve the title….

[Letters]

I think pointing to the Villa game is misguided. It was one slip all calendar year, holy shit give them a break, they've been basically flawless otherwise.
It's the West Ham/Fulham double header over Christmas which is where we lost the initiative BUT I think just saying "if we'd won those then we'd be champions" is simplistic. Sport doesn't work like that. Results affect subsequent results. Maybe it was those two losses which inspired the subsequent run. If we'd won those we'd have been leading from the front, there would have been different pressures which could have affected other results. Overall I reckon you end up pretty much where you deserve to. I'd argue we deserve to be champions, we would be but for being up against the best PL team in history. And everyone knows how they got there. So fuck them.

[Marc Overmars]

It was the first half of the season really where most of the silly points were dropped. The fact we’re unbeaten in all the big games makes this a tough pill to swallow. So you’re really just looking at a select few games being the difference, for me Fulham taking 4 points off us was something that could easily have been avoided.

Would we have been as consistent with the pressure of being leaders though? Who knows.

Satisfied with the season overall and I have no reason to believe we won’t challenge again next year. Last season I felt we could struggle to challenge again but we’re a pretty solid team now.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I think pointing to the Villa game is misguided. It was one slip all calendar year, holy shit give them a break, they've been basically flawless otherwise.
It's the West Ham/Fulham double header over Christmas which is where we lost the initiative BUT I think just saying "if we'd won those then we'd be champions" is simplistic. Sport doesn't work like that. Results affect subsequent results. Maybe it was those two losses which inspired the subsequent run. If we'd won those we'd have been leading from the front, there would have been different pressures which could have affected other results. Overall I reckon you end up pretty much where you deserve to. I'd argue we deserve to be champions, we would be but for being up against the best PL team in history. And everyone knows how they got there. So fuck them.

Difference of opinion. The Villa game was lost during a title run in. We were in a title run in despite the West Ham and Fulham results.


And largely it’s what you do in the second half of the season that counts. For example the double winning season of 01/02 we only won five of our first 12 home games before going on a 13 game winning run.


Again, I’m not going down that whole we fucked it up road but a game you lose in April is more crucial than two you lose in December.

Simply because there are far more variables open in terms of outcomes half way through the season

[Mac76]

0-3 Calvert-Lewin hatter

[HCZ_Reborn]

0-3 Calvert-Lewin hatter

Sadly those days are probably behind him. I say sadly because I think before the injuries he’d have been an excellent signing for us

[Letters]

Difference of opinion. The Villa game was lost during a title run in. We were in a title run in despite the West Ham and Fulham results.

And largely it’s what you do in the second half of the season that counts. For example the double winning season of 01/02 we only won five of our first 12 home games before going on a 13 game winning run.

Again, I’m not going down that whole we fucked it up road but a game you lose in April is more crucial than two you lose in December.

Simply because there are far more variables open in terms of outcomes half way through the season

I don't disagree with any of that, but I find it harder to criticise them too harshly for the Villa one - given that it was the one slip in an otherwise basically flawless run.
The games over Christmas were easier games which we really should be winning. Villa are in general harder opponents. Still should be beating them at home, but you can't win every game.
Unless you're City apparently. And, as discussed, we all know how they've got there so, as I may have said: fuck them!

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don't disagree with any of that, but I find it harder to criticise them too harshly for the Villa one - given that it was the one slip in an otherwise basically flawless run.
The games over Christmas were easier games which we really should be winning. Villa are in general harder opponents. Still should be beating them at home, but you can't win every game.
Unless you're City apparently. And, as discussed, we all know how they've got there so, as I may have said: fuck them!

It’s not about criticism though. It’s about reality

The reality is that the Villa defeat proved more costly than the other two. Might that be harsh given we won fifteen out of seventeen since the start of the year? Yes for sure, but given City’s relentlessness it’s also the cold hard reality.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not going in defeatist tbf because I don't see the point.

4-0.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Not going in defeatist tbf because I don't see the point.

4-0.

Probably realistic scoreline for both us and City

[Mac76]

Not going in defeatist tbf because I don't see the point.

4-0.

something tells me we'll find it tough - if DCL doesn't get his hatter as I've predicted ;) then maybe it's a close 2-1

although if our guys find out at HT that Citeh are 4-0 up it may make them relax and we'll get a performance like last year's drubbing of whoever-it-was

[Letters]

It’s not about criticism though. It’s about reality

The reality is that the Villa defeat proved more costly than the other two. Might that be harsh given we won fifteen out of seventeen since the start of the year? Yes for sure, but given City’s relentlessness it’s also the cold hard reality.
But had we won those games over Christmas the we could have afforded a slip in the run in.
It was those results, and the relentless City juggernaut, which meant we had to be perfect in the run in and any slip was fatal.
But as I said, if we’d been clear at the top there would have been different pressures. That could have affected other results. Who knows.
If it all adds up to 89 points then there won’t be any “what ifs” from me even if City do get their expected win to wrap up the title.

[HCZ_Reborn]

But had we won those games over Christmas the we could have afforded a slip in the run in.
It was those results, and the relentless City juggernaut, which meant we had to be perfect in the run in and any slip was fatal.
But as I said, if we’d been clear at the top there would have been different pressures. That could have affected other results. Who knows.
If it all adds up to 89 points then there won’t be any “what ifs” from me even if City do get their expected win to wrap up the title.

We would have been a point clear at the top, and who knows if we would have gone on the run we did

As I’ve said more than once, half way through the season is far too early for any game to prove crucial….

[Letters]

We would have been a point clear at the top, and who knows if we would have gone on the run we did

As I’ve said more than once, half way through the season is far too early for any game to prove crucial….
True, but it was that period when I felt we lost the momentum in the race.
We were top at Christmas and then after those two games I felt at the time we were all but out of the title race.
But I can’t fault the response to that.

Chelsea on course for the women’s title, pipping City on GD.
It’s a sign! COYI!

[Niall_Quinn]

It’s not about criticism though. It’s about reality

The reality is that the Villa defeat proved more costly than the other two. Might that be harsh given we won fifteen out of seventeen since the start of the year? Yes for sure, but given City’s relentlessness it’s also the cold hard reality.

The cold hard EXPECTED reality. Should have been a surefire 3 points in the bag against that shitty Villa bunch, but we bottled it. In fact we bottled it inalmost every game in the run in but got away with it because we were up against truly shitty opposition. We've been pure shite in the run-in. But better pure shite than the pure shite we were facing. And that's the reality. The gypos are shit too. The whole league is a pile of shit. But they are the best turd on the pile and they've proven it four seasons in a row now. Maybe next year we'll stink a little less and float to the top.

[HCZ_Reborn]

The cold hard EXPECTED reality. Should have been a surefire 3 points in the bag against that shitty Villa bunch, but we bottled it. In fact we bottled it inalmost every game in the run in but got away with it because we were up against truly shitty opposition. We've been pure shite in the run-in. But better pure shite than the pure shite we were facing. And that's the reality. The gypos are shit too. The whole league is a pile of shit. But they are the best turd on the pile and they've proven it four seasons in a row now. Maybe next year we'll stink a little less and float to the top.

You’re absolutely right


Compared to the hazy drink sodden misrememberings stored in your frazzled hippocampus about how football is played, it’s been unforgivably shit from start to finish.

[Letters]

The cold hard EXPECTED reality. Should have been a surefire 3 points in the bag against that shitty Villa bunch, but we bottled it. In fact we bottled it inalmost every game in the run in but got away with it because we were up against truly shitty opposition. We've been pure shite in the run-in. But better pure shite than the pure shite we were facing. And that's the reality. The gypos are shit too. The whole league is a pile of shit. But they are the best turd on the pile and they've proven it four seasons in a row now. Maybe next year we'll stink a little less and float to the top.
You don’t half talk some shit :lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

No Saka (Martinelli comes in and Trossard moves to the right) he’s not even on the bench


Timber however is

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Raya; Whte, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli
Subs: Ramsdale, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Timber, Nketiah, Kiwior, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Zinchenko

Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Young; Garner, Gueye, Onana, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Virginia, Crellin, Keane, Beto, Godfrey, Chermiti, Warrington, Hunt, Dobbin

[HCZ_Reborn]

First time Saka hasn’t featured in a league game since 8th October last year

[Ollie the Optimist]

If city are to win their game, I hope they are winning comfortably by half time.

Not sure I could cope with another 87th minute winner from them to win the league

[Marc Overmars]

If city are to win their game, I hope they are winning comfortably by half time.

Not sure I could cope with another 87th minute winner from them to win the league

Yeah that would be absolutely shit. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rice scuffer. :lol:

[dazthegooner]

Not as bad as Tommy's header earlier.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Good chance for Martinelli.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Calvert-Lewin hits the post!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 Everton. doh:

[HCZ_Reborn]

1-0 Everton Gueye

[Letters]

Oh piss off :lol:
Not that it matters any more

[HCZ_Reborn]

Well it does. Finishing Five points behind City puts us back to where we were last season

[McNamara That Ghost...]

TOMIYASU!!!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

1-1 Tomiyasu

[Marc Overmars]

Got to step it up even if it’s very unlikely to happen.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I've seen enough to think I don't really like this Partey, Rice, Odegaard midfield.

We play better I think with Jorginho in there.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

John Cena's theme song!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yellow for Tarkowski.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yellow for Doucoure.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We've been really poor tbf.

[Marc Overmars]

Clearly on the beach.

I just hope for the sake of their reputations City win their game if we fail to win this.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'm going to be so pissed off with the players if they don't do the job here.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Smith Rowe hits the bar!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

HAVERTZ!!!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Came close to being chalked off

[dazthegooner]

Think we got lucky Stuart Attwell must be pissed off the ref gave it :good:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-1 FT. Did our job in the end, fuck everything else.

[dazthegooner]

The Premier league the best league money can buy!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Yeah I agree. I think we all knew that City weren’t going to be caught but we did what we could anyway

That second half of the season performance was incredible.

[dazthegooner]

We won 16 of our last 18 games can't do more than that. (well apart from 18 out of 18 :( )

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'm going to be so pissed off with the players if they don't do the job here.

I don’t think the players weren’t trying. We unfortunately lack that player to unlock defences that sit deep.

[Niall_Quinn]

Didn't watch because I knew the results in advance, like any observant person did. Did see that Villa got thrashed by Palace. It was over when we lost to Dick's comedy outfit. And the performances just kept getting worse as the run-in unfolded. The record will say we won all our final games. I say play those games again and literally all of them could just as easily be lost. There's definitely something new, more resilience. But it's razor edge while the gypos have actual authority. That's the next step up, winning whilst being in control. Rather than barrelling down the final track and hoping to stay on the rails. You could fluke a title that way, but not against opponents who know how to steer. I reckon if things keep going in the direction they are, in 3-4 seasons (albeit the constant changes that happen in football) we might be able to put up a title challenge and mean it. The gypos outscore us and it counted in the end. We lacked the striker that could have made the difference. Defence is in good shape though. Something to build on.

[Marc Overmars]

I think we knew the game was up and that energy definitely transmitted itself from the fans to the team. Foden’s early goal pretty much killed any crumb of hope.

I had suspected today was going to be a bit of a slog and it turned out to be the case but I’m happy we managed to nick the win in the end.

Anyway, it’s been a good season and with 28 wins chalked up I don’t think we can really be too downbeat although it does feel like crap right now. This is clearly a team that is ready to win the title and now it just comes down to a new signing or two and ensuring we don’t start next season with the same kind of stodgy performances we saw in the first part of this season.

Roll on August.

[Letters]

2-1 FT. Did our job in the end, fuck everything else.

Pretty much.
And I take HCZ’s point about 5 points like last year, but the score at The Ethiad must have come across from the crowd. But I’m glad we did our bit.
89 points. 28 wins from 38. There were slips here and there but aren’t there always? We’ve only lost out to the best side in PL history. And everyone knows how they got there. So, and I can’t stress this enough, fuck them.

[Mac76]

something tells me we'll find it tough - if DCL doesn't get his hatter as I've predicted ;) then maybe it's a close 2-1



:bow:

[Letters]

:lol:

[Mac76]

It was a pretty good day yesterday, always good to have the last game of the season at home and good weather for a few jars beforehand - and after

While I had no illusions whatsoever we'd win the league, it was at least a genuine possibility, which made the game more interesting, until Citeh went 3-1 up

Not our greatest performance but as we have lately, we made sure and engineered the win - the players' and Arteta's disappointment afterwards was palpable, but we know by now they will hold that thought and come back stronger next season

Well done to all of them - it's been a good ride and with a few well-chosen signings, we should hope to win something at least next season.

[Letters]

:gp:

[dazthegooner]

Got the new 24-25 home shirt this morning now I’m going to party like it’s 1989 :scarf:

[Letters]

The new shirt is up for grabs now? :unsure:

[dazthegooner]

It’s the first time since 1989 that the cannon is on the shirt. (But then you probably knew that :))