Arsenal vs Tottenham 15.01.2025 KO 20:00

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don’t know where we go from the last few matches. Going out of the fa cup, and all but going out of the league cup doesn’t bother me, not a jot. Getting to the point where we’ve run the first team into the ground so much that the loss of Gabriel Jesus is seen as a major blow…that bothers me tremendously.

I’ve heard people on here say we should change the style of play, well that would have been nice a month ago. But without Saka and Nwaneri it’s rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic rather.

One or two injuries I can simply put down to luck, but Saka, Nwaneri, Jesus and the fact that Odegaard is clearly playing with an injury and is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off again puts it firmly in the box of mismanagement. This dickhead manager of ours says we have a thin squad and yet looks to try and compete in all competitions, why were the reserves not put out either against Newcastle or United (in my view preferably both games).

Now…we have a North London Derby where if Spurs weren’t in such shocking form themselves, they’d have to be the favourites for. Simply because they have goalscorers and we don’t.

They can’t defend for shit, so the only thing i think we can do is pub a goal and defend a 1-0 lead. Which let’s be fair we’d be doing even if everyone was fit.

[Mac76]

0-3 Solanke hatter

[IBK]

I don’t know where we go from the last few matches. Going out of the fa cup, and all but going out of the league cup doesn’t bother me, not a jot. Getting to the point where we’ve run the first team into the ground so much that the loss of Gabriel Jesus is seen as a major blow…that bothers me tremendously.

I’ve heard people on here say we should change the style of play, well that would have been nice a month ago. But without Saka and Nwaneri it’s rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic rather.

One or two injuries I can simply put down to luck, but Saka, Nwaneri, Jesus and the fact that Odegaard is clearly playing with an injury and is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off again puts it firmly in the box of mismanagement. This dickhead manager of ours says we have a thin squad and yet looks to try and compete in all competitions, why were the reserves not put out either against Newcastle or United (in my view preferably both games).

Now…we have a North London Derby where if Spurs weren’t in such shocking form themselves, they’d have to be the favourites for. Simply because they have goalscorers and we don’t.

They can’t defend for shit, so the only thing i think we can do is pub a goal and defend a 1-0 lead. Which let’s be fair we’d be doing even if everyone was fit.

The reserves point is debateable. There is an argument to say that putting out teams to try to win each game is important for momentum/team psychology. I don't think you should throw a semi final where there is a chance of winning a cup, and the Manure game was an attempt to re-set after the Newcastle shit show that we should have won. We have undoubtedly been unfortunate with injuries, but player fatigue is not IMO an excuse for failing to convert so many chances. If there is a criticism to be made, its that schedule or not, we are undercooked up front. I am beginning to think that this is more the result of club policy/owners insistng on sales to fund long term acquisitions than the manager not wanting to sign any forwards.

[HCZ_Reborn]

The reserves point is debateable. There is an argument to say that putting out teams to try to win each game is important for momentum/team psychology. I don't think you should throw a semi final where there is a chance of winning a cup, and the Manure game was an attempt to re-set after the Newcastle shit show that we should have won. We have undoubtedly been unfortunate with injuries, but player fatigue is not IMO an excuse for failing to convert so many chances. If there is a criticism to be made, its that schedule or not, we are undercooked up front. I am beginning to think that this is more the result of club policy/owners insistng on sales to fund long term acquisitions than the manager not wanting to sign any forwards.

I don’t recall saying it was an excuse that fatigue was responsible for missed chances. But it will partly factor in if we are less than fully fit tonight


From my perspective though, these cups are simply not significant enough to imperil an even slim chance of winning the league. If you put reserves out and they lose, it’s not the same as the first team losing and it’s not that mental baggage that the first team are carrying.

Plus no one believes that we a) have a Squad that can compete in four seperate competitions b) Really thinks we can win the champions league. The laser focus from the outset should have been on the league. Unless Man City are punished with relegation (and whilst it’s possibly it’s unlikely). It’s probably going to be our only chance to win the league for the next 5-10 years this season. I’m not furious with Arteta for no reason, but it’s not just him it’s him and the board. They don’t care about finishing higher than 4th…and seem to be willing to gamble on fans being replaced by tourists and customers at the ground.

[Marc Overmars]

2-2

Probably the usual batshit NLD.

[Letters]

I hope we win, tbh.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Absolute must win game!

Whoever is left alive to pull on the shirt needs to stand up and be counted for this one.

[Marc Overmars]

10/10 performance needed for Havertz here. Only way to make up for that atrocity the other day.

[Mac76]

I am beginning to think that this is more the result of club policy/owners insisting on sales to fund long term acquisitions than the manager not wanting to sign any forwards.

I think it's both tbh, though the owners' reluctance may be growing due to our underwhelming transfers in the summer - a panic-buy goalie who was cup-tied for the League Cup, an injury-prone LB who once again can't defend and a midfield bovverboy who's so short of the mark that we're now looking to spend another £50 on Zubimendi

We need to throw everything we have at getting Sesko in in January or if not in thd summer, he's scoring regularly which none of our players are

[IBK]

I think it's both tbh, though the owners' reluctance may be growing due to our underwhelming transfers in the summer - a panic-buy goalie who was cup-tied for the League Cup, an injury-prone LB who once again can't defend and a midfield bovverboy who's so short of the mark that we're now looking to spend another £50 on Zubimendi

We need to throw everything we have at getting Sesko in in January or if not in thd summer, he's scoring regularly which none of our players are

I think Zubimendi is a 6, rather than Merino, who is supposed to be an 8. I also think that Zubimendi is primarily intended as a replacement for Partey - particularly with the former's passing range.

I agree with you however that Merino has been underwhelming, and from the owner's perspective money wise, he was an addition to Partey, Rice; Jorghino and a very large MF wage deficit - not to mention was probably sold to the club by Arteta to be a box crasher/goal provider. Wouldn't surprise me if the owners feel that if Arteta spends the money available further back, then that depletes the fund available for our forward line. I think also that Arteta's strategy has undoubtedly been to build from the back forwards, so a summer striker signing was probably supposed to be the final jigsaw piece (with further signings dependent upon sales). We will wait to see whether the longer term approach will be tweaked now Jesus is gone.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

10/10 performance needed for Havertz here. Only way to make up for that atrocity the other day.

A hat trick at WHL still wouldn't be enough to wipe out the pain of watching him (and Jesus) masquerading as strikers for the past 2 years.

However I really pray he finds form and scores today, and if wishes were horses, there is someone else in this world that's as foolhardy as Arteta and makes us a semblance of an offer.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think Zubimendi is a 6, rather than Merino, who is supposed to be an 8. I also think that Zubimendi is primarily intended as a replacement for Partey - particularly with the former's passing range.

I agree with you however that Merino has been underwhelming, and from the owner's perspective money wise, he was an addition to Partey, Rice; Jorghino and a very large MF wage deficit - not to mention was probably sold to the club by Arteta to be a box crasher/goal provider. Wouldn't surprise me if the owners feel that if Arteta spends the money available further back, then that depletes the fund available for our forward line. I think also that Arteta's strategy has undoubtedly been to build from the back forwards, so a summer striker signing was probably supposed to be the final jigsaw piece (with further signings dependent upon sales). We will wait to see whether the longer term approach will be tweaked now Jesus is gone.

If we're so crazy about the Real Sociedad team of yesteryears that we're recreating their midfield, why don't we just go a step further and get the coach that put them together.... honestly Arteta lacks imagination.

As for Partey, I'd take him over Jorginho as cover and want him to stay, but again, unlikely to happen with the kind of wages he can command in Saudi (Africans are known for many things, but accepting pay cuts definitely isn't one of them ;) )

[HCZ_Reborn]

To a degree, all managers go with what they know. Wenger bought a lot of French players because that was the market he knew and more specifically he knew Manu Petit from his days managing Monaco. Mourinho brought a load of his Porto players with him to Chelsea. I care less about how imaginative it is than if it works.

Now Sociedad weren’t setting the world alight when these three were playing together but an excuse can be made that they were quite young, from what I could see from heavily edited video clips a lot of passing triangles. But the other question to ask is where does Rice fit into things with this trifecta.

The other factor with Partey is whilst no one knows for sure, there’s a distinct possibility that he’s the player being investigated for sexual assault claims. Whilst I don’t want to sound cynical about a serious crime (or more precisely serious allegations) if he is the guy and we’d frozen him out whilst he was still anonymous he would have cause to sue the club under employment law for unfair treatment. It kind of would help to have him be some other club’s problem (assuming it is him, and there’s no confirmation that it is)

[IBK]

To a degree, all managers go with what they know. Wenger bought a lot of French players because that was the market he knew and more specifically he knew Manu Petit from his days managing Monaco. Mourinho brought a load of his Porto players with him to Chelsea. I care less about how imaginative it is than if it works.

Now Sociedad weren’t setting the world alight when these three were playing together but an excuse can be made that they were quite young, from what I could see from heavily edited video clips a lot of passing triangles. But the other question to ask is where does Rice fit into things with this trifecta.

The other factor with Partey is whilst no one knows for sure, there’s a distinct possibility that he’s the player being investigated for sexual assault claims. Whilst I don’t want to sound cynical about a serious crime (or more precisely serious allegations) if he is the guy and we’d frozen him out whilst he was still anonymous he would have cause to sue the club under employment law for unfair treatment. It kind of would help to have him be some other club’s problem (assuming it is him, and there’s no confirmation that it is)

Good point about Rice. if we are buying Zubimendi then this suggests that Arteta is not plannning to play Rice in what in my view is his most effective position (6).

[HCZ_Reborn]

Good point about Rice. if we are buying Zubimendi then this suggests that Arteta is not plannning to play Rice in what in my view is his most effective position (6).

Yes. And whilst Zubimendi is a better passer of the ball than Rice, even if Rice at 8 receives the ball in a more timely fashion his ability to do something with it is limited.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Sterling, Havertz, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Martinelli, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia.

Tottenham Hotspur: Kinsky, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.
Subs: Austin, Reguilon, Richarlison, Maddison, Johnson, Lankshear, Moore, Olusesi, Hardy.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I haven’t even got the energy to complain about the side being put out. I think Sterling is useless but ultimately neither Trossard nor Martinelli can play on the right

And there’s only so creative you can be with system/formation changes with just over 72 hours between games

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

An energy sapping, morale sapping, form sapping loss would be quite handy here.

1-0 Havertz.

[HCZ_Reborn]

An energy sapping, morale sapping, form sapping loss would be quite handy here.

1-0 Havertz.

Energy, morale, form ?

You can’t sap what isn’t there

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sterling, just stick it in mate.

[Mac76]

Sterling doesn't shoot or get a pel

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Shitttt...didn't know we were playing at home....I'm really getting old now.

A third straight home loss would be unbearable but its also added pressure on the boys.

A win could really kickstart something positive.

[Mac76]

fucking short corner

[Marc Overmars]

Started very well.

Need to score though or those doubts will creep in.

[Mac76]

The ref needs to book a spud, they're fouling all over the pitch

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trossard's shootting. :rose:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Started very well.

Need to score though or those doubts will creep in.

Fingers crossed but seems like they've all had brain transplants.

We just need to make it count with a goal or preferably 2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gabriel. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Raya saves from Kulusevski!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We lose the ball just once and they almost score.... ths is why we need to make the dominance count.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 Son, Deflected goal. :doh:

[Mac76]

All going to plan :good:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Why don't we have just one player in the club that can do this.

[Mac76]

Why don't we have just one player in the club that can do this.

And what's annoying is Spuds shouldn't have him either, he's just the dumbest player in the world to stay with such a loser club

[Mac76]

Non-Arsenal player booked for kicking the ball away :faint:

[Mac76]

Trossard does Porro and now Porro looks injured

Pity

[Marc Overmars]

Classic.

Arteta. :wave:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Don't think the ref should have stopped our attack for Porro's "injury".

[Mac76]

Don't think the ref should have stopped our attack for Porro's "injury".
Agreed, it wasn't a head injury

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Odegaard is playing really well today...he seems to find himself against spurs.

[Mac76]

Odegaard is playing really well today...he seems to find himself against spurs.

I thought he wasted that free kick, another looping ball which didn't lesd to a goal, the spuds keeper's just punching everything away

[McNamara That Ghost...]

GABRIEL!!!!

[Mac76]

MLS :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I thought he wasted that free kick, another looping ball which didn't lesd to a goal, the spuds keeper's just punching everything away

Yeah I agree, his crosses are usually pointless but his movement today has been excellent and he isn't giving the ball away unless its in the air like you pointed out.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

GABRIEL!!!!

My God, what would we do without this guy....a hero!!!

[Mac76]

Gettin!

[Marc Overmars]

Let’s face it, Gabriel is our best bet these days.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That'll be a Solanke OG won't it?

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Apparently it wasn't even a corner...that should make it hurt more for Spurs :lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

That'll be a Solanke OG won't it?

I was about to say we should make a cheeky bid for him :lol:

[Mac76]

Harsh boolong for Havertz

[McNamara That Ghost...]

TROSSARD!!!!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Redemption for Trossard......finalllllllyyyyyy!!!!

[Marc Overmars]

GET IN!!

[Mac76]

Leo! Leo! Leo!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I was about to say we should make a cheeky bid for him :lol:

We signed a number 9. :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

The pass and spot from Odegaard was also brilliant!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-1 HT. :bow:

[Mac76]

Good first half overall, we played well enough to deserve the lead

Just need to come out in the second and really not let them back in

[Mac76]

The pass and spot from Odegaard was also brilliant!!!

it was

[Marc Overmars]

Need to kill this off early in the second half otherwise another sucker punch is always possible.

[dazthegooner]

Spuds still complaining about the corner for the first goal…. If we win this 2-1 should we offer to replay the match? :haha:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

The best 1st half performance we've seen from the team in ages, led by Odegaard, Partey and of course the fearless Gabby.

Hopefully the boys keep up at it in the 2nd half and a win sparks something in this team.

Also we need to beware of getting a red....and here I'm talking directly about Havertz.

BTW I hadn't realised how badly injuries are affecting the Spuds.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Need to kill this off early in the second half otherwise another sucker punch is always possible.

I agree.

I can almost certainly say this game won't end 2-1

[Mac76]

Apparently it wasn't even a corner...that should make it hurt more for Spurs :lol:

:haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kane theme song. :bow:

:haha:

[Mac76]

so much holding on Sterling there but ironically we still win a corner

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Unlucky Havertz.

[Mac76]

Saliba :bow:

Son :pal:

[Mac76]

I'll say it again, MLS :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Havertz header straight at Kinsky.

[Mac76]

Havertz header straight at Kinsky.

then plays a lame pass to Sterling in the box

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

then plays a lame pass to Sterling in the box

Honestly its just tiring.

[Mac76]

we need Martinelli on for Sterling soon

[Marc Overmars]

Come on Havertz. Just pub one in and all will be forgiven.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sterling off, Martinelli on.

[Mac76]

we need Martinelli on for Sterling soon

me :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

we need Martinelli on for Sterling soon

You'd think that someone playing for his future would be more convincing.

Anyway, lets hope Martinelli can take advantage of tiring defenders.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Was Havertz appealing for handball on Kinsky? :lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

You'd think that someone playing for his future would be more convincing.

Anyway, lets hope Martinelli can take advantage of tiring defenders.

You can’t give what you don’t have to give.

Sterling isn’t the player who tormented us when he was at City. He’s not even really the player at Chelsea two years ago. His pace has gone

[McNamara That Ghost...]

MLS joins the foul throw legends at this club. :bow:

[Mac76]

Foul throw :lol:

[Mac76]

Partey FFS

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rice hammers Kinsky.

[Mac76]

lame shot from Ode

[Mac76]

Havertz klutzes it up in tthe box

[Mac76]

Gabriel :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Tierney on to play up top.

Our squad. :lol:

[Mac76]

Sonofabitch off, Richarlison on

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Well at least pur tormentor in chief Son is off.

[Mac76]

Tierney on to play up top.

Our squad. :lol:

quite like that tbh, Teirney's good going forward

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Tierney on to play up top.

Our squad. :lol:

He's actually one of the best players at hitting the ball cleanly in the club....maybe why our coach hates his style of play with so much passion :lol:

[Mac76]

Saliba :bow:

[Mac76]

Gabriel :bow: :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Oh Odegaard.

[Marc Overmars]

FFS. Would utterly galling if we don’t see this out. Should be out of sight by now.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Odegaard undoes all his good play with that miss....wow...even Havertz would have had a chuckle.

[Mac76]

Zin coming on - Arteta going for the draw :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Porro hits the post!

[Marc Overmars]

Porro hits the post :sick:

[Mac76]

Porro hits the post (sorry I was feeling left out)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-1 FT, GET THE FUCK IN!!!

[Marc Overmars]

FT!!

Big three points.

[Mac76]

Yes !!!

Spuds :haha:

Angeball :haha:

Arsenal :bow:

[dazthegooner]

Great result still doesn’t change the fact we need a striker

[Letters]

Everywhere they go! :lol:

[Letters]

How the utter fuck are we still in this title race? :haha:

[Mac76]

How the utter fuck are we still in this title race? :haha:

No idea but some great performances today, albeit it's easier to score against a suicide team like Spuds

[Niall_Quinn]

Listened to it on the radio. Actually preferred it because I couldn't see any of the negative, boring stuff so the game sounded entertaining. Must win, did win. Effectively 7 points behind Liverpool and 8 ahead of city so game on.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Definitely didn't see that ending 2-1... great performance from a lot of players and nice to see them wanting it again.

Hopefully more of this attitude in the next few games

[Marc Overmars]

Great result still doesn’t change the fact we need a striker

The fact we were so much better than them and could still easily have not won remains concerning. Our forward line is in desperate need strengthening.

[HCZ_Reborn]

OG moves above Saka to become the sixth highest goalscorer for Arsenal at the Emirates

[dazthegooner]

The fact we were so much better than them
and could still easily have not won remains concerning. Our forward line is in desperate need strengthening.

TNT said themselves Hererzt isn’t a centre forward we desperately need to sign one though cannot see it happening in this window

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Great result still doesn’t change the fact we need a striker

Only an idiot would watch this game and say we don't need a striker as a matter of urgency.

[dazthegooner]

Only an idiot would watch this game and say we don't need a striker as a matter of urgency.
Well I’m sure Artera must have been watching:lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

27th win over Spurs in the Premier League

19th home win over them in the PL

12th home win over them at the Emirates in the PL (not a happy hunting ground for them :lol:)

[IBK]

So happy with this result. Spurs were pants.

What's more to be said about our finishing/need for a striker?

I hope that this is not a one off - and the result of players being well up for a NLD. We need to get a similar result on Saturday.