A spectacular goal by Martinelli, especially with all the pressure. Really really top from him.
More importantly, I hope this game is analysed properly with more scrutiny on tactics and that both Pep and his clone will be remembered as the villains they are for what they've done to the beautiful game.
Last edited by 21_GOONER_SALUTE; 21-09-2025 at 05:42 PM.
Regardless, his work has got us points this week when we’ve looked unlikely to score.Originally Posted by HCZ_Reborn
Playing 3 DMs, scraping a draw at home after spending shedloads on attacking talent = Arteta out
Largely agreed, but the Martinelli goal gives Arteta a bit of a stay of execution. Big alarm bells ringing though, two potential title rivals played already and 1 point out of 6. It's not exactly the stuff of champions™
Need to win at St James’ Park really to prove some title credentials. A game that I’m sure will be an ultra stodge fest.
Actually no it proves the point that he sets us up too defensively to start with and we end up trying to rescue a point instead of winning the game
I don't think it should (be a stay of execution), draws killed us last season and we nick a goal out of nowhere but that doesn't override what happened before it.
Do we see anything other than Rice/Zubimendi/Merino there?
At least we should see some football against Port Vale midweek.
Again, it's not necessarily about the points, it the whole context that needs to be looked at.
When this game is analysed, this will be the least possession Pep has had not only in Citeh, but in his whole managerial career.
What Pep came out to do today, was not to win and avenge himself, but "not to lose".
Once he scored the goal, he had no intention of doing more and was ready to sacrifice his legacy as a supposed brilliant maestro of the game, to stay back and play like Burnley of the olden days, a team he would have criticised if they took points off him through this approach.
It is the exact same thing Arteta setup to do today even though he's playing at home!!
Also, the respect Slott and now Pep have given Arteta by making their teams contain themselves and play unnaturally against him, undeniably reveals who everyone thinks has the better squad.(And if you'd still want to debate this, don't forget that In Peps case he's played the Spuds and United and didn't make any concessions)
Despite this, Arteta still doesn't realise, that he is the only manager under pressure, not Pep, and definitely not Slot. None of them have anything to prove, people are convinced of their quality and their ability to manage top teams .. can Arteta say the same??
We could have drawn both games , or lost both....it doesn't change the fact that everyone can see that Arteta is struggling under the expectation and wishes he was the underdog again.
Last edited by 21_GOONER_SALUTE; 21-09-2025 at 06:09 PM.
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