PSG v The Arsenal Weds 7 May 8pm, Parc es Princes

[Mac76]

So I thought it might be worth having a thread on this game :rolleyes: :lol:

3-0 Dembele hatter (he's fit again apparently)

Clearly Arsenal have to play a whole load better, not least in the first half an hour

If PSG are as sharp as last week a turnaround will be very difficult, especially as we look vulnerable at the back these days.

And if they score again our lack of striking firepower will make things really difficult

I think we all know the side he will play but if things aren't working in the first half, I'd like to see him change things around at HT and put Tierney at LB and move MLS up the pitch where he can really be causing them problems

[Marc Overmars]

Based on last week I don’t see us getting the better of them and fully expect us to be played off the park once more. We’ll get chances but do we really have enough confidence to take them?

Might be another 16 years till we’re at this stage again so I don’t want to be too downbeat. Let’s fucking do this, if we go out let’s give it everything. Don’t want to be talking about not creating enough and slow ponderous football after the game.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

3 - 1 Saka, Merino x2

[Mac76]

3 - 1 Saka, Merino x2

so if it's 3-1 that's two own goals by Merino right? ;)

[Mac76]

oh and if someone can fix the typo in the heading to Parc des Princes be my guest :lol:

[Letters]

Based on last week I don’t see us getting the better of them and fully expect us to be played off the park once more. We’ll get chances but do we really have enough confidence to take them?

Might be another 16 years till we’re at this stage again so I don’t want to be too downbeat. Let’s fucking do this, if we go out let’s give it everything. Don’t want to be talking about not creating enough and slow ponderous football after the game.
:gp:

I hope we win, tbh,

[Mac76]

:gp:

I hope we win, tbh,

Two commas?! :faint:

[HCZ_Reborn]

There was a term used by Arsenal fans a lot around the period 10 + years ago

Heroic failure

Lost at Home to Bayern in 2013, beat them in Munich but went out on away goal rule

Same with Monaco in 2015.


And between those, we got a draw in Munich after losing at home again to them

Feels like it could be one of those nights again. The away goal rule is no longer in play (which is good, I thought it was a ridiculous and arbitrary rule) but a one goal lead in normal time would take us to extra time and even pels. We could also get a draw that would see us lose outright on aggregate


I have a feeling we won’t lose, but also that we won’t go through. I hope I’m wrong about one of those things

[Letters]

Two commas?! :faint:

Desperate times...

[Mac76]

Starting lineup as expected, COYG

[Marc Overmars]

Come on you Gunners!! :pray:

[Letters]

Come on you Gunners!! :pray:

:gp:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Starting lineup as expected, COYG

Dunno, was concerned that Timber wouldn’t be fit and that Arteta would persist with Trossard up front

But glad neither appears to be the case.

[Niall_Quinn]

1-4 coming up.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

PSG : Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquninhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Barcola, Doue, Kvaratskhelia
Subs: Safonov, Tenas, Ramos, Dembele, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Zaire-Emery, Beraldo, Tape, Mbaye.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Merino, Saka
Subs: Neto, Setford, White, Tierney, Zinchenko, Trossard, Jorginho, Sterling, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal FFS

[Niall_Quinn]

3 - 1 Saka, Merino x2

You missed one - Saliba, 1-4

Bit pissed at allowing them the one, but that's what you get for fucking around in your own pen box.

[Niall_Quinn]

Donnarumma, SHIT!
Hakimi, SHIT!
Marquninhos, SHIT!
Pacho, SHIT!
Nuno Mendes, SHIT!
Joao Neves, well okay then, he's decent enough.
Vitinha, SHIT!
Fabian Ruiz, SHIT!
Barcola, LOL
Doue, SHIT!
Kvaratskhelia, we'll deal with him.

[Niall_Quinn]

German ref? Oh good.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Come on boys......we can do this !!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a chance for Rice.

[Niall_Quinn]

Open goal Declan FFS!

That could change the whole match.

[Mac76]

Rice has to score that

[Marc Overmars]

So close. Rice probably should have hit the target.

[Niall_Quinn]

But good start - we are going straight at them and they can't handle it at all.

[Niall_Quinn]

Lucky bastard didn't have a clue about that.

[Marc Overmars]

Donarumma saves at point blank FFS

[Marc Overmars]

Already significantly better than the first leg.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ref's playing it on the level so far. Long may that last.

[Marc Overmars]

Fucking hell, what a save from Donarumma

[Niall_Quinn]

You cunt - this should already be put to bed. Just keep it up - they only have 2 decent players.

[Letters]

Where the fuck was this team last week?
Come on, Arsenal!

[Niall_Quinn]

If Odegard has decided to come out of his shell, PSG are in big trouble.

[Mac76]

Shot from Ode :faint:

Amazing save unfortunately...

[Niall_Quinn]

Where the fuck was this team last week?
Come on, Arsenal!

Exactly - should have slaughtered them. They aren't very good.

[Marc Overmars]

We’ve got to score from this pressure you feel.

Can’t allow them to settle.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ig we keep this pace we win easy. If we slow it down and do that pitter patter BS - we lose. Simple as.

[Niall_Quinn]

They are so ordinary - let's just smash these frogs.

[Niall_Quinn]

Good reffing!

And good commentating - why are they only noticing last week's cheat ref now?

[Niall_Quinn]

So the linesman is bought, but the ref seems okay so far.

[Niall_Quinn]

We can't afford Odegard if he's going to do that. Sub him the next time he does it.

[Letters]

Shit!
Well left, Raya!
:sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

PSG hit the post!

[Niall_Quinn]

That ALL came from Odegard not ding SIMPLE things properly.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nuno Mendes yellow.

[Marc Overmars]

Just like that they hit the post with their first foray forward. We’ve really got to score first to have any chance.

[Niall_Quinn]

Yes - yellow. Correct. If we'd have had a decent ref last week it would have been totally different.

[Niall_Quinn]

These commentators are fucking ridiculous. They could see the ref cheating last week. NOW they are hinting at it a week later. Why not have the balls to call it at the time?

[Marc Overmars]

Odegaard has to shoot there. Did all the hard work.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Odegaard needs to visit a psychiatrist, can't be any question about that.

[Niall_Quinn]

I wonder why Saliba thinks he has license to give the ball away like that. I thought he was one of the best in the world? It's unacceptable.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Saliba as usual.

[Niall_Quinn]

Raya has started his antics - shut that down!

[Niall_Quinn]

Diving French bastard. Lino is bribed.

[Niall_Quinn]

Come on MLS! This is the CL - can't be doing that!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yellow for Rice.

[Niall_Quinn]

Raya is a MASSIVE liability - he just got Rice booked with one of his suicide distribution jokes.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 Ruiz, fuck.

[Mac76]

Damn

[Marc Overmars]

That’s that then.

[Letters]

:doh:
We’ve been absolutely thumping them, but you have to put the ball in the net.
They have. We haven’t :shrug:

[Niall_Quinn]

That's ALL Raya - he gets the assist on that one. Twat! Knew he'd cost us.

You CANNOT carry players with that level of indiscipline. He's totally changed this tie with his bullshit, despite the efforts of the other lads. Utter CUNT!

Okay, so we're out - because we don't have a goalkeeper and it has been obvious for months. But Arteta decided to sell the decent keepers we had.

[Marc Overmars]

Quite galling because we’ve put everything into it so far. If you don’t score though…can’t complain about what happens next.

[Marc Overmars]

Ah yes here we go, caught so high up the pitch and inviting the tie to be killed off.

[Niall_Quinn]

I suppose that could be their one goal and that could be the obvious Raya shit. Now he'd going to get credit for shot-stopping, when he gets EVERYTHING else WRONG.

He's a good shot-stopper, but that's all.

[Niall_Quinn]

Just keep going - this lot are shit. Keep the pressure on them and they will collapse.

[Niall_Quinn]

Merino is doing okay. He's finding the right positions. He'll get a couple I think, if he just keeps at it and the rest of the team keep up the pressure.

These Pais fucks are lucky cunts - totally destroyed yet a goal up, because we have a shit keeper.

[Niall_Quinn]

Timber's limitations are being exposed. Merino is good, Saka is good, but they are lacking that third input with the required quality. I wonder if White would be the solution now?

[Niall_Quinn]

Need a goal before HT - can't let these slimy little fucks get away with a 1-0 lead having been raped and robbed.

[Marc Overmars]

We overplay so much. Just don’t have enough players willing to drive and take shots on.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bought lino intervenes again - he's making it obvious.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I'm beginning to give up.

Enrique had done his homework pretty well and Saka hasn't had a shot in +30 minutes.

We're really a dimple side to neutralise if one has watched us all season.

Our only unknown quantity is Nwaneri who Arteta never gave a chance, how sad.

[Niall_Quinn]

We overplay so much. Just don’t have enough players willing to drive and take shots on.

I don't agree for this match - I think we've passed forwards a lot. At pace. But Raya fucked us up the arse and injected confidence into the vermin.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We need a beast performance or a solo run from somebody. Or the usual bail out card, a defensive error

The system won't get us back into this game.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm beginning to give up.

Enrique had done his homework pretty well and Saka hasn't had a shot in +30 minutes.

We're really a dimple side to neutralise if one has watched us all season.

Our only unknown quantity is Nwaneri who Arteta never gave a chance, how sad.

We've had 4 chances - all of which should have been converted. We've nailed these faggots. But if you don't take your chances,..

Suppose it could go back to January - striker needed.

[Niall_Quinn]

We're making chances. It'll come. Provided nobody does anything stupid and gives them another free goal. Looking at YOU Raya - CUNT!

[Mac76]

Our need for a striker has never been so obvious

[Letters]

Quite galling because we’ve put everything into it so far. If you don’t score though…can’t complain about what happens next.
We have played well tonight, but ultimately we don’t look dangerous enough going forward.
Every time PSG break they do so with pace and look like they can punish us. That’s the difference

[Niall_Quinn]

Come on boys! Let's just put these queers to bed.

Obviously don't get in the same bed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 HT.

Us. :lol:

Wasted energy.

[dazthegooner]

Nearly a tap in from the sticker we signed next season

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If only we hadn't tweaked the system with Trossard in the first leg and allowed Merino and Rice do their thing unhindered.

We really should have tried someone else in that Partey role.

[Niall_Quinn]

Our need for a striker has never been so obvious

Yeah, it's a problem. But Merino is doing pretty damn well as a stand-in. But he's not Shearer. We'd be killing these mincers if we had a striker.

HT - dirt French cunts slime in with a lucky lead. Assist to our resident cunt Raya.

[Marc Overmars]

We’ve played well but for all the bluster we could be 2 or 3 down.

We’re not good enough and won’t be until Arteta reconstructs the forward line.

[Niall_Quinn]

If only we hadn't tweaked the system with Trossard in the first leg and allowed Merino and Rice do their thing unhindered.

We really should have tried someone else in that Partey role.

We bought into the PSG myth. But you can see with your own eyes how ordinary they are.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We bought into the PSG myth. But you can see with your own eyes how ordinary they are.

I knew that from day one, if we play our game, we'd likely prevail.

Unfortunately this manager is just so listless and unimaginative.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'm thinking Calafiori has to come on, difficult to see what mad bastard will pull a goal out of nowhere otherwise.

[Niall_Quinn]

So - at this level - I'm saying PSG are shit and they are, at this level. But at this level, shit is damn dangerous. They are a hype machine, like the spik lot, but that doesn't mean they haven't spent two quadrillion quid with their stolen Mid East cash. Open the door for them and they'll walk in. HELLO Raya!

Saliba - he's been well off form for the last months. If he's what we think he is then making those kind of mistakes at this level is one of two things. One, he can't give a shit provided he gets the money, now he's arrived - well sell to Madrid. Two, it's just a genuine mistake. But a genuine mistake in 72 laps of Monaco in F1 means crashing into the barriers! Why can those drivers NOT make those mistakes but our world-beater makes them? Same solution - sell. Not good enough. Not acceptable. THESE are the games wher you deliver your A game. His A game is not good enough.

Odegard - well. Sell.

Raya - SHOOT! Just put that cunt out of his misery.

Everyone else, except maybe MLS on two occasions (but 18, stepping up, allowed) put in a shift.

Those three who couldn't make the level - they have turned an easy win into a struggle.

Arteta SURELY sees this?

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Barca largely entrusted their fate to a 17 year old in both legs. Yeah I know he missed a lot of chances in the 2nd leg but imagine what Inter would have done to them in both legs without Yamal's energy and wizardry.

Arteta just sits on his thumbs, trusts whatever 11 he puts and hopelessly hopes the system prevails. Even when it's crystal clear one of them is on a depression binge!

Signs of a born loser.

[Mac76]

the other problem is, the more it goes on, we'll run out of steam and have little on the bench other than Leo and Tierney, even Nwaneri's not looked so great lately

[Marc Overmars]

Just please get the next goal and make it interesting Arsenal.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I'm thinking Calafiori has to come on, difficult to see what mad bastard will pull a goal out of nowhere otherwise.

We clearly need some inspiration and someone who isn't a herd thinker.

[Niall_Quinn]

Barca largely entrusted their fate to a 17 year old in both legs. Yeah I know he missed a lot of chances in the 2nd leg but imagine what Inter would have done to them in both legs without Yamal's energy and wizardry.

Arteta just sits on his thumbs, trusts whatever 11 he puts and hopelessly hopes the system prevails. Even when it's crystal clear one of them is on a depression binge!

Signs of a born loser.

Yamal is another media hype product. He has nice hair. But not much else. Fucking Jamie Vardy could do more than him.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We clearly need some inspiration and someone who isn't a herd thinker.

Yeah exactly, that's what he does tend to provide.

[Mac76]

We clearly need some inspiration and someone who isn't a herd thinker.

trouble is Cala's also very capable of a catastrophic Zin-like error

[Marc Overmars]

Really hope we don’t pile forward early and leave space for them to kill us. At least get a foothold back in the game first before any kitchen sink jobs.

[Niall_Quinn]

`Just beat the pulp out of thee fucking useless cunts - will you? Stop pretending they are serious opposition. Just steamroller them.

[Niall_Quinn]

And sub Odegard and put Nwaneri on - now. If you have the balls.

[Niall_Quinn]

Timber is another one who can go. We can do better than him.

[Niall_Quinn]

Partey is playing fucking brilliantly. Everyone else needs to step up to his level.

[Niall_Quinn]

Saka need to stop falling over at the slightest touch. I like this ref. Saka should be smart enough to know he won't buy bullshit.

Dembele warming up, good, hope that shitkicker comes on for somebody useful.

[Niall_Quinn]

Timber hasn't got the frequency.

[Niall_Quinn]

White for Timber now please!

[Mac76]

Dembele warming up, good, hope that shitkicker comes on for somebody useful.

yeah, he's only scored 33 goals this season, no problem :good:

[KSE Comedy Club]

Now it’s back to passing round the back again ffs.

There is no hope for this team it seems :ilt:

[Niall_Quinn]

I LOVE Kiwior's forward pass under pressure. Merino fucked it up though.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Good to see we’ve started the second half with a real killer intent……


Oh, I must have been watching a film, sorry.

[Niall_Quinn]

yeah, he's only scored 33 goals this season, no problem :good:

Well I saw him play - hyped bullshit. He's also playing in a league filled with fags.

[Niall_Quinn]

Doue is fucking shit - it's hilarious. He;s almost as bad as that Bercola cunt.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bracola - it's incredible how a player that bd can land a job in supposedly serious team.

This lot are fucking useless - get into them, fuck them up!

[Marc Overmars]

Doesn’t seem like we’ve come out for this half with any belief.

[Niall_Quinn]

Skeley booked for falling over - first serious mistake by the ref. Wonder if the bent lino had a hand?

[Niall_Quinn]

Doesn’t seem like we’ve come out for this half with any belief.

Nah - it's a bullshit start. Hopefully not planned. Because if it is... Well, not that again!

[Niall_Quinn]

Why are we putting the corners into the keeper?

[Niall_Quinn]

Very frustrating, it's like a boxer trying beat a queer by discussing aesthetics.

[Mac76]

Doesn’t seem like we’ve come out for this half with any belief.

well Sake for one must be wondering why he bothers with no-one in the middle to put his crosses away

[Niall_Quinn]

Odegard is fucking done. We can't carry him.

[Niall_Quinn]

well Sake for one must be wondering why he bothers with no-one in the middle to put his crosses away

His wander across the box vs Madrid bought 2 free kicks - so there's that.

[Letters]

Sigh.

[Mac76]

His wander across the box vs Madrid bought 2 free kicks - so there's that.

yes he needs to give that a try here

[Niall_Quinn]

No, no, no - can't allow that from Martinelli - what level do they think they are playing at, a throwaway Palace? If only this team treated Palace like they did PSG - then there would be no questions. Only professionalism.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Looks like going down doing fuck all then. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another save from Donnarumma.

[Letters]

This fucking ‘keeper!
Good effort from Saka

[Marc Overmars]

Great effort from Saka

Another good save from Donnarumma :(

[Mac76]

perfect shot from Sake but perfect save from Donnarumma, that guy is unreal

[Niall_Quinn]

Getting fed up of Saka's diving now.

[Niall_Quinn]

perfect shot from Sake but perfect save from Donnarumma, that guy is unreal

It's not a perfect shot of the keeper can get it

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Penalty to PSG. Jesus.

[Letters]

Utter bullshit penalty

[Mac76]

pel to PSG, MLS 'handball'

[Marc Overmars]

Penalty to PSG

Ridiculous giving that

[Niall_Quinn]

Now the cunts in VAR are trying to wrap it up. Being queer, they gave it,. Hopefully they'll get cancer.

[dazthegooner]

Fucking cheating ref.

[Niall_Quinn]

They always wanted the queers to win.

[Mac76]

It's not a perfect shot of the keeper can get it

it was as good as he could have managed from there but took a perfect save to stop it, the two aren't mutually exclusive

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Did VAR check the Saka chance?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Raya saves it!

[Mac76]

dreadful pel from Groucho Marx, what a tosser

[Marc Overmars]

Raya saves

[Letters]

Raya :bow:

Justice done.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Bullshit handball rules in Europe.

And one of the worst penalties of all time. Good.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Now his brain cells start working and he starts using subs.

What a joke of a manager.

[Niall_Quinn]

Califiori and Trossard are not game changing subs. And that's where it lies. Lack of squad depth.

Well done Raya - he's a great shot stopper. Shit at everything else.

Why, oh why, was that pen given? That should be investigated.

Shitpile Dembele, overhyped piece of shit is on.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Now justice has been done from that cocky little shit cunt penalty - we need to get on with scoring 2 goals to stay afloat

[Marc Overmars]

Are we going to make this interesting now?

My guess is no.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Bullshit handball rules in Europe.

And one of the worst penalties of all time. Good.

TBF, I actually felt it was a penalty. Your hands shouldn't be that extended....he wasn't jumping I think.

[Niall_Quinn]

I can't believe we haven't scored against this colander. It's a bit embarrassing. If we can't beat these tossers then who can we beat?

[KSE Comedy Club]

Are we going to make this interesting now?

My guess is no.

Seems not, just more of the same useless shit

Oh ffs

[Mac76]

3-0 it's over :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-0 Hakimi. That was so slack.

[Marc Overmars]

Great finish

Game well and truly over

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Terrible from Partey.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Players have shit the bed second half. Didn’t even look like they were trying.

Absolutely pathetic end to a pathetic season.

Are these “the fuggin standards” that Arteta kept banging on about :shrug:

[Marc Overmars]

Played 2 semi finals this season over 2 legs and about to draw a blank for the 4th time.

Says a lot about this team.

[Niall_Quinn]

Fuck, we just got thrashed by a bunch of faggots. We GAVE them the goals and unfortunately, Partey, who has been great - fucked up.

Everyone fucked up in the end. And easy win turned into a loss. Because we decided in our mind we couldn't compete at this level against easy pickings. We bought the hype. Just like we bought ePalace match not important BS.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

SAKA!!!

[KSE Comedy Club]

lol, consolation goal being checked

[Marc Overmars]

Saka gives us hope

[Mac76]

I'm not interested in blaming any of the players, this is all about Arteta not signing a striker

but we just got a goal back though :good:

[Niall_Quinn]

And NOW they score.

We have seen this before.

[Mac76]

Saka ...

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm not interested in blaming any of the players, this is all about Arteta not signing a striker

but we just got a goal back though :good:

No it isn't. I mean that's important - no denying it. But the players you put out there, on 200K a week, have to stand up. And they didn't. That's not good enough. ow do you take that money and not be perfect when it counts? That's what you are getting the money for.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Saka, what a miss.

[Marc Overmars]

Fucking hell Saka, that was it

[Niall_Quinn]

Saka =- open gaol. Did that several times against Ipswich. Momentum. It is SO important.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Funny how everything good is coming from the subs.

[Marc Overmars]

PSG definitely feeling some nerves. We’ve got to apply pressure here and most importantly stay composed.

[Mac76]

Saka should've been running at Mendes all game, the guy's been on a yellow for about 75 mins ffs

[Niall_Quinn]

We have had a rock solid defence all season and suddenly - this. It's super worrying. It means the mentality at the club is ALL WRONG.

And NOW White for Timber - LOOOOOOOOL - what the fuck do you think he is going to do in the last few minutes? That's fucking (deserves to be shot) stupid.You make the tactical change when you think the tactics can have. chance to play out! But with ZERO opportunity for those tactics to play out - WHAT'S THE PLAY?

[Mac76]

Cala's been injured for ages and still didn't get round to having a haircut

[Marc Overmars]

Saka should've been running at Mendes all game, the guy's been on a yellow for about 75 mins ffs

Why do that when you can cut inside and pass sideways?

[Niall_Quinn]

GREAT coaching from Arteta at the start. TERRIBLE coaching once the game went against us.

[dazthegooner]

Could have been worse could’ve been sterling

[Mac76]

Why do that when you can cut inside and pass sideways?

:lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Well we've finally got a terrible ref in Europe.

[Niall_Quinn]

I can't believe we haven't bitch-slapped these fudge-packers. This was one of our easiest games of the season and we fucked it up. All in the head and the head of this club is fucked up.

[Niall_Quinn]

I fucking hate the French! I was born there.

[Mac76]

Well we've finally got a terrible ref in Europe.

the refs in the last two home games were awful too

[Niall_Quinn]

This is SOOOOOOOOOO embarrassing - to lose to these chocolate stuffers.

[Mac76]

5 mins ET - I'll let you decide if it matters

[Marc Overmars]

5 mins ET - I'll let you decide if it matters

Could play another 90 mins and I’m not sure we’d be closer to scoring a 2nd

[Mac76]

Saka put Merino off there

[Marc Overmars]

Trossard hesitating to shoot with no one near him.

[Niall_Quinn]

Okay, so we didn't accept a bye to the final and and easy win against a shit PSG. And we can't win games against Palace to secure 2nd spot.

Trying to spot progress. Can't see it. Same old shit. If you can't even beat PSG then something is seriously wrong. So need a new coach and new players. Let's do it.

Not even watching the match any more, embarrassing to lose to these fucking sub-human filth French fucks. GOD it's embarrassing!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-1 FT.

Great idea slacking off in the league. Twats.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Mannnnnn we're a bunch of sissies.

Barca fans would watch this and thank God they weren't this pathetic. I mean even Liverpool and Villa fans would be having a good laugh at this performance.

[Niall_Quinn]

FUCK OFF YOU FRENCH CUNTS!

[Mac76]

We started well and so nearly scored early, but being unable to, for the lack of a striker plus their goalie, really cost us

Again, we weren't perfect by any means but this isn't on the team anywhere as much as it's on Arteta

[Niall_Quinn]

2-1 FT.

Great idea slacking off in the league. Twats.

We can still get 5th. Stop being so negative.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

2-1 FT.

Great idea slacking off in the league. Twats.

Lol.

I just want another coach, it'll be more and more of this heartache season after season.

I'm not even interested in making the CL any longer.

[Marc Overmars]

Can’t fault the effort but we all knew there were limitations with what it was we could actually do.

This awful season has its closure now and we can all pick over the bones of it.

Arteta under huge pressure now I think to deliver something next year. I think incremental progress falls on deaf ears after 6 years in the job I’m afraid.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Just realised PSG knocked Citeh out too.......wow, overrated EPL.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Just realised PSG knocked Citeh out too.......wow, overrated EPL.

They didn't, Real Madrid did.

[dazthegooner]

COME IN INTER!

[KSE Comedy Club]

Total load of shit.
The whole season has been a waste of time this year. We have fallen off by about 30% minimum, from the players to the manager to the board to the recruitment.

Literally 2 steps backwards in year 5 of this shit show.

We should have done this lot and been on the way to the final but no - same old weak mentality and clueless players who disappear when it gets tough.

In 5 years we have come full circle.

[Niall_Quinn]

I literally can't believe we didn't beat those cunts. It's literally harder to lose to those hyped shit-kickers than win.

So, somebody point out to me how good PSG were. Wrack your brains - show me how those very ordinary frogs are something special.

And we couldn't beat that mediocrity?

It's a fair cop. A pile of shit has ejected us. Says nothing about those queers, says everything about us.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well, onto Project Phase 12 - anytime now boys - we'll be winning everything. But you have to vote - no, I mean believe in the program. Life is FULL OF BULLSHIT!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Be excited.

[Niall_Quinn]

SEASON

UNDELINE

DEAD

Nothing else.

100% failure - well done boys. Ley me ask, is there a shirt I can buy at £1 per letter? I think I'll buy all the shirts.

[HCZ_Reborn]

The Bournemouth defeat goes to show that at the moment we really can lose to anyone. It appears that we did go for it, or at first anyway (I didn’t watch the game, I was quite convinced it was over from the first leg)

[Niall_Quinn]

Be excited.

YEAH! YEAH! I'm up for it!

Here's my money - where do I send it?

Wow, just the privilege to be associated with a payment processor that handles income for Arsenal!

I KNOW, for a FACT, my money has gone to the club that delivers so much in return.

Maybe I'll subscribe twice.

I'm also voting Labour.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Why did we keep going for the long throws? :lol:

If we're going to do that, Tierney needs to be on.

Anfield next so that'll be fun.

[Marc Overmars]

Why did we keep going for the long throws? :lol:

If we're going to do that, Tierney needs to be on.

Anfield next so that'll be fun.

Couldn’t believe it really.

At first I didn’t mind the champagne Stoke tactics as I felt they were a plan B, but as the season has gone on it’s become quite apparent that it’s more of a plan A because the forward line simply don’t have enough.

[Niall_Quinn]

Anyone who forgives this should be shot through the head with a .45. So definitely dead. I'm NOT saying I would do that, I'm only saying I would do it if you asked me to. Which obviously you would if you made excuses for this result. I'm here to help.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Couldn’t believe it really.

At first I didn’t mind the champagne Stoke tactics as I felt they were a plan B, but as the season has gone on it’s become quite apparent that it’s more of a plan A because the forward line simply don’t have enough.

It was actually our go to in a Champions League semi-final.

Really you don't deserve to reach the final at this level with that.

Fuck the overwhelming dependency on physicality, can we have a mix - like actually play football?

Like we did only last season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No Nwaneri at all.

:haha:

[Marc Overmars]

It was actually our go to in a Champions League semi-final.

Really you don't deserve to reach the final at this level with that.

Fuck the overwhelming dependency on physicality, can we have a mix - like actually play football?

Like we did only last season.

Forget being our go to in a CL semi final. It’s actually our go to after 6 years of Arteta and however many hundreds of millions spent.

Arteta is the most overrated coach in the game. So many limitations with him.

[Mac76]

No Nwaneri at all.

:haha:

He's already wasted, Arteta mishandling him supremely, wait until he gets sold because he's 'not good enough' and goes on to play for Real

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

BTW, in our last 10 games in the league we've achieved 14 points, and that include games against the likes of Ipswich, west ham and everton.

Enrique and PSG have achieved 15 points this year in 7 games against Liverpool, Citeh, Villa and now us.

Maybe we don't have to look too far for another manager.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'm fairly sure PSG didn't get any points for beating Liverpool, Villa and us.

[Mac76]

I'm fairly sure PSG didn't get any points for beating Liverpool, Villa and us.

:lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I'm fairly sure PSG didn't get any points for beating Liverpool, Villa and us.

Lol, you know what I meant... 5 wins and 2 losses.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

TBH I am taking this loss better than I thought I would.... that's a bit sad isn't?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lol, you know what I meant... 5 wins and 2 losses.

No doubt though, Luis Enrique knows what he is doing.

[Niall_Quinn]

He's already wasted, Arteta mishandling him supremely, wait until he gets sold because he's 'not good enough' and goes on to play for Real

That's not true. The enthusiasm of youth can't be extinguished by a cynical manager. This is the only reason the two kids broke through, because they performed outside the very limited envelop set by their very unambitious manager. They are anomalies, not part of the plan. Somebody will take the credit, I suppose.

[Niall_Quinn]

TBH I am taking this loss better than I thought I would.... that's a bit sad isn't?

Football is a simple game. If you do it properly you win. If you go on Sky and have pundits and have agents and subscription fees and renew your contract 2 years in advance, It's something else - entirely unconnected I'd be angry of this was a football match. But it isn't, it's a marketing campaign. Modern football has nothing to do with football.

[Niall_Quinn]

BTW, in our last 10 games in the league we've achieved 14 points, and that include games against the likes of Ipswich, west ham and everton.

Enrique and PSG have achieved 15 points this year in 7 games against Liverpool, Citeh, Villa and now us.

Maybe we don't have to look too far for another manager.

League's already over, no need to get points in that now. Although probably should pick up enough for 5th spot so we can get into the CL next year for... reasons.

[Niall_Quinn]

TBH I am taking this loss better than I thought I would.... that's a bit sad isn't?

I couldn't give a shit about the loss or the club - they all made bank a usual and it's be steak and caviar for tea. I think the whole insane blindness of it is what gets to me. Listening to those arsehole pundits play up this "sport" as if we're seeing the pinnacle of competition practised by unparalleled masters of the art. Tip, tap, tip, tap. Like we have no memories. Like the world resets each paycheque. THEY annoy me. The evangelist whores. Same with politics, same with business, same with everything - All is well! Okay, but leave me out of it. Nope - here's an ad for you, with some whale of a bird iceskating and talking about here period! Enjoy! It's a fucking looney bin, that's what annoys me.

Two transfer windows to get a striker? What do you say to that Martin? Well, Vanessa, I think Arteta is showing his genius....

I'm not crazy I tell you! You're the ones who are crazy! Let me OUT!

[HCZ_Reborn]

TBH I am taking this loss better than I thought I would.... that's a bit sad isn't?

Sometimes I can only guess at which bad results will make me angry

The first leg I was fucking furious, but the two defeats preceding this drained me of the capacity for rage it would seem

Plus as you well know whilst I actually didn’t think we’d lose on the night, I had zero confidence that we’d go through

[HCZ_Reborn]

Complaints about heavy handedness of French police last night

Which for me feels a bit like complaining that the Catholic Church doesn’t like women

They live by the motto of “Fuck around, find out. Don’t fuck around, probably still find out”

[Letters]

Sometimes I can only guess at which bad results will make me angry

The first leg I was fucking furious, but the two defeats preceding this drained me of the capacity for rage it would seem

Plus as you well know whilst I actually didn’t think we’d lose on the night, I had zero confidence that we’d go through

As I said before the game, I did have a strange optimism - I acknowledged we weren't favourites but I didn't feel it was as hopeless as you did. And to a point I stand by that, we played well last night. Their 'keeper made an early excellent save from Odegaard. That goes in and it's game on. Fine lines in football. We mostly dominated them, so props for that. But the fundamental issue - and this has been our problem all season - is we're just not dangerous enough going forward. PSG looked more dangerous than us going forward. I blame Arteta for that, not the players. They were doing their best but we just don't have enough firepower. It was a known problem last summer and his decision not address that was always one he would have to live or die by. It has been the latter.

It does feel like Arteta has achieved all he can - which isn't nothing. He inherited a mess and made us genuine challengers, not this year but the last two. And he's taken us to a CL quarter final and then a semi-final. It's not nothing, but it's not enough either. For me he gets one more season, but it feels increasingly unlikely he will deliver the big trophies for us.

[Marc Overmars]

Arteta has stated that we were the best team left in the competition.

He has entered the delusional and denial phase of the project.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Arteta has stated that we were the best team left in the competition.

He has entered the delusional and denial phase of the project.

Just talked about this in the other thread.

He's literally saying to the boys " more of this"....not sure how anyone improves with that sort of mentality.

[Letters]

Arteta has stated that we were the best team left in the competition.

He has entered the delusional and denial phase of the project.

Sigh. Yes, I saw that. That is a bit worrying.
We literally lost both games :doh:

[Marc Overmars]

Also saw that he undermined Liverpool’s title win, alluding to points tallies from previous seasons.

Just begging them to batter us on Sunday.

He is losing it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Just talked about this in the other thread.

He's literally saying to the boys " more of this"....not sure how anyone improves with that sort of mentality.

Inaugural winners of the Xg Trophy?

[HCZ_Reborn]

Sigh. Yes, I saw that. That is a bit worrying.
We literally lost both games :doh:

Especially so when Wenger tells you, you’re wrong

[IBK]

Arteta has stated that we were the best team left in the competition.

He has entered the delusional and denial phase of the project.

Or he was saying this to try to maintain the morale of his players who had just suffered a heart wrenching exit. I don't agree with what he said, but I am troubled a bit by how we fans seem more inclined to side with a pretty entrenched anti-Arsenal press than to back what Arteta is trying to achieve.

[Mac76]

Or he was saying this to try to maintain the morale of his players who had just suffered a heart wrenching exit. I don't agree with what he said, but I am troubled a bit by how we fans seem more inclined to side with a pretty entrenched anti-Arsenal press than to back what Arteta is trying to achieve.

It's true the anti-Arsenal press want to ignore the refereeing decisions an injuries to say we've not won anything because we're crap - not true, obvs, but they also do touch on things closer to home with some of the analysis re Arteta, that's the bit that's harder to bat away

Some of what he's introduced is childish - the cheesy anthems, dogs and pathetic 'army'

He needs to take time to grow up this summer so we all get taken more seriously - and all of the above should be summarily ditched

[IBK]

It's funny though. Arseblog has a good piece today talking about how the prevailing view in the press is that Arteta never takes responsibility for his team's performances when this is just not true.

Every manager has days when the stress and emotion means they say things that on reflection they might have said differently. But our manager seems to be singled out - both by those outside our club and by our own fans. I think this is unfair.

Arseblog says:

Perhaps the lesson here for Arteta is not to give certain sections of the media the opportunity to make those headlines in the first place, but he’s a heart on his sleeve kinda guy for the most part. Plus I don’t think we can put the sensationalist rage-bait genie back in the online bottle at this stage. It’s just a bit of a shame that such surface level analysis exists when it doesn’t take much research or reading to understand it goes a lot deeper.

I agree with this.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I have to say, I think there’s truth to this.

The one example that stands out to me is he gets a question specifically about the type of ball used in the Carabao Cup and whether he thought that affected the performance and result

He responded by saying words to the effect of “Possibly but we have to learn to adapt and not just make excuses”


The media headlines “Arteta blames ball for defeat to Newcastle”

The only thing I can say is I really don’t follow sports media enough to understand if they are that profoundly dishonest with other managers in order to generate headlines and controversy. Probably but who knows

[IBK]

I have to say, I think there’s truth to this.

The one example that stands out to me is he gets a question specifically about the type of ball used in the Carabao Cup and whether he thought that affected the performance and result

He responded by saying words to the effect of “Possibly but we have to learn to adapt and not just make excuses”


The media headlines “Arteta blames ball for defeat to Newcastle”

The only thing I can say is I really don’t follow sports media enough to understand if they are that profoundly dishonest with other managers in order to generate headlines and controversy. Probably but who knows

I think Arsenal and Arteta are singled out. Firstly, because of the Liverpool and ManU bias in a generation of pundits and journo's; second because 25 years on we are still regarded as a 'foreign club'; third because Arsenal fans are seen as entitled and haven't won the league for so long, and lastly because Arteta's intensity is (IMO incorrectly) seen as lack of grace and being a bad loser.

[Mac76]

It's funny though. Arseblog has a good piece today talking about how the prevailing view in the press is that Arteta never takes responsibility for his team's performances when this is just not true.

Every manager has days when the stress and emotion means they say things that on reflection they might have said differently. But our manager seems to be singled out - both by those outside our club and by our own fans. I think this is unfair.

Arseblog says:

Perhaps the lesson here for Arteta is not to give certain sections of the media the opportunity to make those headlines in the first place, but he’s a heart on his sleeve kinda guy for the most part. Plus I don’t think we can put the sensationalist rage-bait genie back in the online bottle at this stage. It’s just a bit of a shame that such surface level analysis exists when it doesn’t take much research or reading to understand it goes a lot deeper.

I agree with this.

Arteta does need to grow up and stop being so emotional, also not expose his players' emotions

I was really annoyed when he said some players were crying in the dressing room after the second PSG game - he should be statesmanlike and talk calmly about the game, and let the players themselves decide whether to reveal things like that

Arteta saying that plays into our being portrayed as soft losers IMO and also his sense of excessive control over the team - he needs to let his players take their own responsibility for talking (or not) about their own personal reactions, not taking that away from them by broadcasting it to the world's media

[HCZ_Reborn]

It’s interesting because apart from his spastic (used in the true meaning of the word rather than claiming someone who lacks intellectual capacity) gesticulations on the touchline. I find Arteta distinctly emotionally lacking (in terms of depth), even the dressing room rants which we were invited to view felt more like performance art than anything real.

Like shouting at Auba which is reportedly what he did, feels like something he felt he had to do to establish control

And that’s what it’s all about control. Arsenal fans falling onto the fainting couch again when Peter Schmeichel called him a control freak because from the dugout he’s trying to control how we play.

[Mac76]

Well needless to say Schmeichel was onto something, but ofc he'd never admit his Man Ure side would have won half as much if their manager didn't have the refs and FA around his little finger

[HCZ_Reborn]

Well I’d say Schmeichel himself was probably single handedly responsible for a couple of their titles

The season against Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle for example. Game at St James Park, Newcastle played United off the park but Schmeichel kept them out and Cantona I think it was went up the other end and sucker punched them

[Mac76]

and Cantona I think it was went up the other end and sucker punched them

In the 99th minute no doubt...

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ha so interestingly enough just re-watched the highlights of that game in question, under the title of Schmeichel’s greatest game? yet ironically the highlights only show the one save he makes from Les Ferdinand, most of Newcastle’s inability to score taken from the snapshot of these clips is about their own glaring misses in front of goal.

It may well have been Schmeichel’s best game, but you’d think you’d showcase that a bit better :lol:

Oh and the Cantona goal was six minutes into second half apparently, outrageous amounts of added on Fergie time was far more of a feature at Old Trafford

He really did intimidate them, I don’t know why…he wasn’t that scary. Not defending this behaviour obvs, but guy in London went right up to him once and punched him in the balls.

https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/sir-alex-ferguson-punched-in-the-groin-in-attack-by-fighting-drunk-at-rail-station-6630525.html