I respect your view point. Vini is an incredible player he'd make a difference in any team. However, both Martineli and Trossard are doing very, very well for Arsenal and Martineli is young with high potential.
Sentiment aside. I personally am impressed by Kai for how he's handled the pressure around him. Initially things didn't work for Havertz and there was a lot of criticism given the huge signing fee. But he's put that behind him and he's now a fan favourite. His work rate, his versatility, his position and aerial threat are some of the areas of his strength which has benefited Arsenal's season.
However, I don't see Kai as a natural #9. I don't see him as a 20+ goals scorer in a season. He's never been. All respect to Kai, but I still insist Arsenal must sign top number 9 if they must win big things and remain consistent competitors for the next three to five seasons with this current exciting squad. If Arsenal fail to win the title this season it's simply because they don't have a Haaland, or a goal machine in the mold of him.
Some random manager on Kai Havertz’s performance vs Bournemouth: “He was unbelievable today, honestly. Everything that he did, intelligent, timing, the movements, how he keeps the ball, the way he goes to the press, how he links the play, understanding of the game.”
I never thought much of David Moyes as a manager...I first came across him in '05 when Everton came to Highbury on 11 May. We utterly destroyed them 7-0...goals were from Edu, Bergkamp, Flamini, van Persie, Pires (2), and Vieira. Everton at the time were 3rd and we were 2nd in the table. I remember thinking how wide a gap there was between us. Moyes had made a slow, plodding team and he was bereft of ANY ideas going forward and he had absolutely no idea how to contain us...it was embarrassing. Everton at the time had a midfielder who was slow and plodding too - #6 Mikel Arteta...and I wasn't overjoyed when Wenger went for him. And I laughed when Moyes was appointed manager of United...he was "The Chosen One" as I recall. Arteta has improved his lot and direction but, Moyes has not...Declan Rice carried them last season but, who carries them now? Soucek? Bowen? Antonio? Not good enough for me and the Cheaty Oilers are going to butcher them when they play them. Moyes will have no idea how to stop them...just like in '05 when we butchered Moyes run Everton at Highbury 7-0 and the butchering of Moyes run West Ham in February. 6-0...and today's result Chelsea 5 West Ham 0. Put this guy on gardening leave with immediate effect.
Let’s also be clear here, the one reason spurs are even in 5th is because THREE big teams have shit the bed this season. Newcastle, Utd and Chelsea are all clubs who would be expecting to do better than spurs have in most seasons these days
All the red flags were there for spurs since the start of the season
Angie being bullish about playing the right way whilst throwing everyone needlessly forward and getting caught time and again
What is ‘right’ about that if it doesn’t win you games? Answer is he hasn’t got a clue how to coach a defense so he hides behind a fake philosophy as tho it’s all part of a grand master plan
That he came out after the spurs game against saying his team played the right way is hilarious. Guy doesn’t seem to realize that this isn’t the A league where people are happy enough as long as they see your team play a few one twos. In the PL results matter. They really really matter.
All the red flags were there for spurs since the start of the season
Angie being bullish about playing the right way whilst throwing everyone needlessly forward and getting caught time and again
What is ‘right’ about that if it doesn’t win you games? Answer is he hasn’t got a clue how to coach a defense so he hides behind a fake philosophy as tho it’s all part of a grand master plan
That he came out after the spurs game against saying his team played the right way is hilarious. Guy doesn’t seem to realize that this isn’t the A league where people are happy enough as long as they see your team play a few one twos. In the PL results matter. They really really matter.
I watched the 'Pool / Tiny Tots game today...OMG the Spuds were SO bad. Time and time again they were overwhelmed. 'Pool practically had no opposition in the box...to ONLY score 4 goals was a travesty...they should have 6 or 7. Then 'Pool got bored...I'm sure they thought that this is way too easy (like playing against the U12s)...and Spuds got a few back. I was shocked at how weak the Tiny Tots looked...what did Ange say at halftime? Who listened? They look SO $hit...is there any defensive nous on that team? How about the midfield...do they have any idea what they're doing? I'm hoping that they have SOME element of pride at the Toilet Bowl against the Cheaty Oilers....but, I have a bad feeling about this game. After today's result I'd be pretty down if I were a Spurs supporter...North London remains RED. Vamos Vamos Baby
Great perspective. I appreciate Arsenal's progress on last season's character. They're learning quick. Kai has proven me and millions more Arsenal supporters they way he's transformed into a dreaded goal scorer. However, for Arsenal to dominate the EPL and win big trophies they must bring in a top class natural #9. No two ways about this. No gambling on Jesus and Kai no matter the promise they hold. I believe the reason why Arsenal may not win the EPL is simply because they lack a ruthless goal poacher in the mould of Haaland, Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen in their fold.
You can also say that there's not another number 9 in the world that does all Havertz on the pitch. Arsenal Vision (the best tactical podcast) put it best in perspective describing him as a box to box number 9. Internet highlight watchers only notice his goals and assists. Arteta sees it all. What a bargain.
As for myself, when we collapsed at the end last year, I said this season we would NOT be in the top 4 conversations at all. We are now above it.
I said that we would be fighting for the title with Man City. Period.
I think I turned out to be about as accurate as possible. I didn't say we'd win it because of the cheaters, (but we still might.)
Either way, we are a pleasure to watch play.
Now I expect us to give an early raise to Big Gabriel, add a bit in a pacey forward player and one professional midfielder, and get Timber in games .... but no massive moves needed.
The last big moves were Havertz and Rice, who are in early prime years.
My dream summer would be Caicedo + Rodrygo, and a quality versatile defender.
Outside the box signing Gallagher.. We shouldn’t pay more than £35 - £40 mill..
But he’s a player I begrudgingly admire, not the most technically gifted, but full of industry + aggression.
At a good age and level of experience.
As a squad player who can cover both 8 positions, he’d be ideal.. Would make the Chelsea fans really sad..
And possibly drive Pierre mental with his obsession with key passes, through balls, and incredibly talented, but lackadaisical midfielder fetish, again in the bin..
Absolutely Rodrygo, but who do you suggest Caicedo? Honestly just asking for your reasoning to understand because it’s such a different opinion from mine.
For me he has looked completely out of his depth this season, just shocking, and it remains the case that he has only 10 months total in his career of looking good.
Chelsea are still never selling him, and even if they did, they would want what they paid for him, which is an utterly absurd fee that he was never worth in the first place.
It’s difficult to get a player like Partey, one of the best in the world at getting the ball between the lines.
But I certainly think Caicedo is one of the best young midfielders, who could potentially sit in our engine room for the next 7-8 seasons.
Also versatile, could plug a few different holes in our system.
Always difficult to directly replace players like for like.. But regardless of whether Partey stays or goes, I’d like us to sign a top midfielder this summer.
Rich I'm always of fan of your opinions, but I still don't see it in Caicedo. You know I call him a very expensive version of Coquelin (with less passing skill).
Why would we want to replace Partey, who is a brilliant passer with a guy who is the opposite. General passing stats don't tell the story unless they're extremely detailed, including progessive pass%, more than 10 yards, 20 yards, etc... I don't see precision, vision, or passing instincts in his game.
I'm sure Arteta wont go for him again. I think he saw him in the previous January as a defensive stopper that we lacked before Rice, to try and push for last years title, as well as fullback defensive cover, as Brighton used him sometimes.
I think you should be hoping for a different midfield profile, especially that we now have Rice and Havertz. A progressive pass master, maybe? (Xhaka style) younger, with more quickness in defensive actions?
Spurs fans saying Emerson Royal was so bad today that he should start against City, and they want to lose 15 nil to aid City's goal difference just in case 😂😂😂.
Please football Gods make it their nightmare. 🙏🙏🙏 let them win that game.
To be realistic, Spuds have the Barcodes now breathing down their necks with only 4 points to catch up. I am not so sure Levy will be happy to finish 6th and miss out on a bigger pot of money if they stay up in the Europa League.
Rolling over may become a deservice to them with getting too many L's at this stage. They have a stadium debt to pay off.
About spurs. Of course their fans don't want to help us.. but their players and manager have personal pride, and they care less about the north London rivalry than we think. There's very few personal beefs between our players and theirs these days. Most of that hype is fans and media -- with little player love, long term for clubs.
Also.... Declan has friends on West Ham who are not thinking like West Ham fans who hate him for leaving.
They all know he did the right thing, as they would love to do also. (I'd take Bowen). I hope they may give a decent effort. Not getting my hopes up.. but I think other teams players are not as petty as most fans are.
Still, those cheating bastards take a lot of fun out of competition.
There's a healthy attitude on here with people understanding that we've done all that can be expected of any team, and would surely win the title even in a normal tough season. Even Goldbridge has said that.
It's not reasonable to expect to finish ahead of City who have lost 1 game since early October. If you told me 7 months ago, that they would do that, I would've written off the league. It's amazing that we're this close.
No other team in the world will beat the cheaters over 38 games.
Knockout rounds obviously are different.
If they are allowed to continue this way, maybe a playoff structure is needed to open things up? That's how bad it's getting.
The % --- 11 out of 20 is not even close to 6 out of 7 with an excellent Klopp team taking the stiff arm year after year.. Not a good comparison, and with the financial edge, they won't be having the type of down-cycle that Liverpool had. They'll buy their way into top 4 to keep the money train rolling. Not the same.
I'm definitely not talking about Germany and Italy, because they've always been that way as long as I can remember, and it's why I would never watch those leagues historically. Still not a good comparison.
Man City won't win the title every year without Pep, that's the best we can say.
United picked off the best players from around the PL for years under Fergie.. You could argue that investment into Chelsea + City is what broke United’s stranglehold.
Well, if Goldbridge has said so then it’s settled, for sure.
Although I seem to remember the general consensus here pegging exits of Gundogan and Mahrez as game changing talent loss which would be detrimental to their plight.
Put another way, if I told you before the season’s start the exit of those two would result in net negative of 15 PL g/a contributions( new replacements’ contributions in Doku, Kovacic included), Haaland and KDB’s total g/a contributions cut by some 30% or more mainly due to injuries, then considering we’ve bolstered our squad substantially few would’ve said City were the favorites based on anything other than mental fortitude.
Tom I laughed when I read what you said about Goldbridge.. but really, for 2 seasons he has been astute about Arsenal. At the start of last season he was saying top 3 or 2 for Arsenal would be a sensational outcome. He said last week that Arsenal "deserve" to win it this year. Not bad for a Manc. He's earned some credibility.
He's biased like we all are, but he's been on point about City always getting special treatment from refs.. let's not forget the scandal of refs getting luxurious middle eastern weekends by Etihad/Man City owner's mates.
When you say “ means we can move on a Sesko or an Evan Ferguson because we have our 20-goal-a-season striker locked” do you mean “move on from…” as in, we don’t need them, rather than we should buy them?
I respect your view point. Vini is an incredible player he'd make a difference in any team. However, both Martineli and Trossard are doing very, very well for Arsenal and Martineli is young with high potential.
Sentiment aside. I personally am impressed by Kai for how he's handled the pressure around him. Initially things didn't work for Havertz and there was a lot of criticism given the huge signing fee. But he's put that behind him and he's now a fan favourite. His work rate, his versatility, his position and aerial threat are some of the areas of his strength which has benefited Arsenal's season.
However, I don't see Kai as a natural #9. I don't see him as a 20+ goals scorer in a season. He's never been. All respect to Kai, but I still insist Arsenal must sign top number 9 if they must win big things and remain consistent competitors for the next three to five seasons with this current exciting squad. If Arsenal fail to win the title this season it's simply because they don't have a Haaland, or a goal machine in the mold of him.
If I am presented an option of signing a Vini of the left and a CF.
I am going to do a Vini, the problem with our attack is not a lack of 20 goals CF but rather, too much dependence on the right (Saka, Ode, White).
Some random manager on Kai Havertz’s performance vs Bournemouth: “He was unbelievable today, honestly. Everything that he did, intelligent, timing, the movements, how he keeps the ball, the way he goes to the press, how he links the play, understanding of the game.”
I never thought much of David Moyes as a manager...I first came across him in '05 when Everton came to Highbury on 11 May. We utterly destroyed them 7-0...goals were from Edu, Bergkamp, Flamini, van Persie, Pires (2), and Vieira. Everton at the time were 3rd and we were 2nd in the table. I remember thinking how wide a gap there was between us. Moyes had made a slow, plodding team and he was bereft of ANY ideas going forward and he had absolutely no idea how to contain us...it was embarrassing. Everton at the time had a midfielder who was slow and plodding too - #6 Mikel Arteta...and I wasn't overjoyed when Wenger went for him. And I laughed when Moyes was appointed manager of United...he was "The Chosen One" as I recall. Arteta has improved his lot and direction but, Moyes has not...Declan Rice carried them last season but, who carries them now? Soucek? Bowen? Antonio? Not good enough for me and the Cheaty Oilers are going to butcher them when they play them. Moyes will have no idea how to stop them...just like in '05 when we butchered Moyes run Everton at Highbury 7-0 and the butchering of Moyes run West Ham in February. 6-0...and today's result Chelsea 5 West Ham 0. Put this guy on gardening leave with immediate effect.
Let’s also be clear here, the one reason spurs are even in 5th is because THREE big teams have shit the bed this season. Newcastle, Utd and Chelsea are all clubs who would be expecting to do better than spurs have in most seasons these days
All the red flags were there for spurs since the start of the season
Angie being bullish about playing the right way whilst throwing everyone needlessly forward and getting caught time and again
What is ‘right’ about that if it doesn’t win you games? Answer is he hasn’t got a clue how to coach a defense so he hides behind a fake philosophy as tho it’s all part of a grand master plan
That he came out after the spurs game against saying his team played the right way is hilarious. Guy doesn’t seem to realize that this isn’t the A league where people are happy enough as long as they see your team play a few one twos. In the PL results matter. They really really matter.
All the red flags were there for spurs since the start of the season
Angie being bullish about playing the right way whilst throwing everyone needlessly forward and getting caught time and again
What is ‘right’ about that if it doesn’t win you games? Answer is he hasn’t got a clue how to coach a defense so he hides behind a fake philosophy as tho it’s all part of a grand master plan
That he came out after the spurs game against saying his team played the right way is hilarious. Guy doesn’t seem to realize that this isn’t the A league where people are happy enough as long as they see your team play a few one twos. In the PL results matter. They really really matter.
Spuds and west ham got annihilated today. Probability of them getting anything against city is virtually non-existent.
So it’s Fulham then…
I watched the 'Pool / Tiny Tots game today...OMG the Spuds were SO bad. Time and time again they were overwhelmed. 'Pool practically had no opposition in the box...to ONLY score 4 goals was a travesty...they should have 6 or 7. Then 'Pool got bored...I'm sure they thought that this is way too easy (like playing against the U12s)...and Spuds got a few back. I was shocked at how weak the Tiny Tots looked...what did Ange say at halftime? Who listened? They look SO $hit...is there any defensive nous on that team? How about the midfield...do they have any idea what they're doing? I'm hoping that they have SOME element of pride at the Toilet Bowl against the Cheaty Oilers....but, I have a bad feeling about this game. After today's result I'd be pretty down if I were a Spurs supporter...North London remains RED. Vamos Vamos Baby
Spurs are trash
Entire first two thirds of the season they got away with murder. They aren’t playing any worse now, it’s just that teams finally found them out
First half of the season teams just weren’t sure how to approach their kamikaze style and it was catching teams flat footed
Newcastle laid down the gauntlet and showed how easy it actually is and since then everyone is taking turns exposing how crap they are
It’s a pity we need a favour from them against city as they’re just as likely to concede 7 there as they are to get a draw
Great perspective. I appreciate Arsenal's progress on last season's character. They're learning quick. Kai has proven me and millions more Arsenal supporters they way he's transformed into a dreaded goal scorer. However, for Arsenal to dominate the EPL and win big trophies they must bring in a top class natural #9. No two ways about this. No gambling on Jesus and Kai no matter the promise they hold. I believe the reason why Arsenal may not win the EPL is simply because they lack a ruthless goal poacher in the mould of Haaland, Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen in their fold.
Gambling on Havertz? Has he had a full season in the same role for you to judge him? Are you aware of all he does in that position?
No "top class natural "#9" scores in every game. When you get one and he doesn't score in every game, then what? Look for the next one?
You can also say that there's not another number 9 in the world that does all Havertz on the pitch. Arsenal Vision (the best tactical podcast) put it best in perspective describing him as a box to box number 9. Internet highlight watchers only notice his goals and assists. Arteta sees it all. What a bargain.
As for myself, when we collapsed at the end last year, I said this season we would NOT be in the top 4 conversations at all. We are now above it.
I said that we would be fighting for the title with Man City. Period.
I think I turned out to be about as accurate as possible. I didn't say we'd win it because of the cheaters, (but we still might.)
Either way, we are a pleasure to watch play.
Now I expect us to give an early raise to Big Gabriel, add a bit in a pacey forward player and one professional midfielder, and get Timber in games .... but no massive moves needed.
The last big moves were Havertz and Rice, who are in early prime years.
Nigel
My dream summer would be Caicedo + Rodrygo, and a quality versatile defender.
Outside the box signing Gallagher.. We shouldn’t pay more than £35 - £40 mill..
But he’s a player I begrudgingly admire, not the most technically gifted, but full of industry + aggression.
At a good age and level of experience.
As a squad player who can cover both 8 positions, he’d be ideal.. Would make the Chelsea fans really sad..
And possibly drive Pierre mental with his obsession with key passes, through balls, and incredibly talented, but lackadaisical midfielder fetish, again in the bin..
Absolutely Rodrygo, but who do you suggest Caicedo? Honestly just asking for your reasoning to understand because it’s such a different opinion from mine.
For me he has looked completely out of his depth this season, just shocking, and it remains the case that he has only 10 months total in his career of looking good.
Chelsea are still never selling him, and even if they did, they would want what they paid for him, which is an utterly absurd fee that he was never worth in the first place.
Do you think Caicedo can replace Partey and replace his output?
It’s difficult to get a player like Partey, one of the best in the world at getting the ball between the lines.
But I certainly think Caicedo is one of the best young midfielders, who could potentially sit in our engine room for the next 7-8 seasons.
Also versatile, could plug a few different holes in our system.
Always difficult to directly replace players like for like.. But regardless of whether Partey stays or goes, I’d like us to sign a top midfielder this summer.
Rich I'm always of fan of your opinions, but I still don't see it in Caicedo. You know I call him a very expensive version of Coquelin (with less passing skill).
Why would we want to replace Partey, who is a brilliant passer with a guy who is the opposite. General passing stats don't tell the story unless they're extremely detailed, including progessive pass%, more than 10 yards, 20 yards, etc... I don't see precision, vision, or passing instincts in his game.
I'm sure Arteta wont go for him again. I think he saw him in the previous January as a defensive stopper that we lacked before Rice, to try and push for last years title, as well as fullback defensive cover, as Brighton used him sometimes.
I think you should be hoping for a different midfield profile, especially that we now have Rice and Havertz. A progressive pass master, maybe? (Xhaka style) younger, with more quickness in defensive actions?
Spurs fans saying Emerson Royal was so bad today that he should start against City, and they want to lose 15 nil to aid City's goal difference just in case 😂😂😂.
Please football Gods make it their nightmare. 🙏🙏🙏 let them win that game.
To be realistic, Spuds have the Barcodes now breathing down their necks with only 4 points to catch up. I am not so sure Levy will be happy to finish 6th and miss out on a bigger pot of money if they stay up in the Europa League.
Rolling over may become a deservice to them with getting too many L's at this stage. They have a stadium debt to pay off.
About spurs. Of course their fans don't want to help us.. but their players and manager have personal pride, and they care less about the north London rivalry than we think. There's very few personal beefs between our players and theirs these days. Most of that hype is fans and media -- with little player love, long term for clubs.
Also.... Declan has friends on West Ham who are not thinking like West Ham fans who hate him for leaving.
They all know he did the right thing, as they would love to do also. (I'd take Bowen). I hope they may give a decent effort. Not getting my hopes up.. but I think other teams players are not as petty as most fans are.
Still, those cheating bastards take a lot of fun out of competition.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zH4bDg63eo
INDEED
You like the pipes Sal?
There's a healthy attitude on here with people understanding that we've done all that can be expected of any team, and would surely win the title even in a normal tough season. Even Goldbridge has said that.
It's not reasonable to expect to finish ahead of City who have lost 1 game since early October. If you told me 7 months ago, that they would do that, I would've written off the league. It's amazing that we're this close.
No other team in the world will beat the cheaters over 38 games.
Knockout rounds obviously are different.
If they are allowed to continue this way, maybe a playoff structure is needed to open things up? That's how bad it's getting.
Nigel
Football has always been cyclical.. United won 8 of 11, post creation of the PL.
12 of the first 19.
Liverpool won 11 out of 20 in the 70s + 80s.
City won’t stay at the top forever, that’s not the way football works.
Juventus won 9 on the bounce, I think Celtic won 10.. Bayern Munich won 11 on the bounce.
None of those league’s had nation state owners.
High standards are a good thing, you don’t make yourself any better, just by making others worse.. That’s just a really lazy way of “improving”..
Equality has always meant levelling down, and all protectionist policies do, is create more of the very issues that they’re designed to prevent.
The % --- 11 out of 20 is not even close to 6 out of 7 with an excellent Klopp team taking the stiff arm year after year.. Not a good comparison, and with the financial edge, they won't be having the type of down-cycle that Liverpool had. They'll buy their way into top 4 to keep the money train rolling. Not the same.
I'm definitely not talking about Germany and Italy, because they've always been that way as long as I can remember, and it's why I would never watch those leagues historically. Still not a good comparison.
Man City won't win the title every year without Pep, that's the best we can say.
Nigel
The clubs with the most money usually win.
United picked off the best players from around the PL for years under Fergie.. You could argue that investment into Chelsea + City is what broke United’s stranglehold.
Well, if Goldbridge has said so then it’s settled, for sure.
Although I seem to remember the general consensus here pegging exits of Gundogan and Mahrez as game changing talent loss which would be detrimental to their plight.
Put another way, if I told you before the season’s start the exit of those two would result in net negative of 15 PL g/a contributions( new replacements’ contributions in Doku, Kovacic included), Haaland and KDB’s total g/a contributions cut by some 30% or more mainly due to injuries, then considering we’ve bolstered our squad substantially few would’ve said City were the favorites based on anything other than mental fortitude.
Tom I laughed when I read what you said about Goldbridge.. but really, for 2 seasons he has been astute about Arsenal. At the start of last season he was saying top 3 or 2 for Arsenal would be a sensational outcome. He said last week that Arsenal "deserve" to win it this year. Not bad for a Manc. He's earned some credibility.
He's biased like we all are, but he's been on point about City always getting special treatment from refs.. let's not forget the scandal of refs getting luxurious middle eastern weekends by Etihad/Man City owner's mates.
Tom
You say bolstered our squad..
But we’ve added Rice.. But then predictably lost Partey most the season.. So that balances itself out.
We added Timber, who we lost for the season in our first league game.
We’ve added Havertz which is a net positive.. But been without Jesus for large parts.
Also competing at a higher level in Europe.
Rich, Partey available for 700 minutes this was unexpected even for you, I bet.
A big loss for sure, but Jesus has given us pretty much what he did last year ; 18 g/a last year, 16 this year thus far.
Grealish on the other hand fell off a cliff for City from 15 to 6 g/a this year, so this thing goes both ways.
Tom
I’m the ultimate pessimist on Partey’s availability, but even I was hoping for 2,000 minutes spread intermittently.
Teams can adapt.. Particularly when they have the quality of City.
They’re on for roughly the same points and GD as last season, But I’ve never been one of the whiny little bitches on this..
I think we can compete with City with astute people navigating our ship, regardless of their finances
When you say “ means we can move on a Sesko or an Evan Ferguson because we have our 20-goal-a-season striker locked” do you mean “move on from…” as in, we don’t need them, rather than we should buy them?
Move on them... as in... spend some money to get them.
Oh good, that’s what I hoped.