Match Thread | Arsenal vs. Manchester City (21/09/25)

[mosssideblue]

And Bernardo

Bernardo should be subbed mate

 

[69FACUPfinal]

Not aesthetically pleasing but pragmatic. Last thirty minutes will be physically and mentally draining.

It has been already. That's where their extra 2 days ( not fixed, thanks PL and Uefa) will help them over the line imo. Pep needs to do some subs on 65 but who ffs?

 

[CityDE]

Finally a City team that's ready to fight again. Not pretty, but solid.

 

[GazM]

Arsenal are so horrible
manager, fans, players
Make the dippers seem not so bad

wash yer mouth out

 

[wolviedinho]

For Nico

Nah would rather have him pressing the right wing.

Nico last 20 maybe.

 

[toutmaster]

Fair play to Neville calling out the dark arts

 

[citeh94]

Am i hearing things or has Micah just said Gabriel should take Haaland out prior to the goal?

 

[The Norfolk Blue]

Lots of positives especially defensively, Gigi dominating his box again is so refreshing. Big Erl magnificent …. Rodri is being outplayed by Zubimendi in the middle and needs to step up and try to gain some kind of control.

Come on boys, keep concentrating.

 

[Ric]

Nice to see us out-shithousing Arsenal. Shown great battling spirit to restrict them to a few half-chances, but need to keep the ball better in the second half. They’re going to throw everything at us and a few players are already starting to look tired (unsurprisingly after 3 games in 7 days). I’d get Gonzalez on for Bernardo.

 

[Bluemoonie92]

Wonder how long rodri has in him, could be a new midfield second half if bernardo goes off too

 

[Ajm1985]

It’s a situation that you think VAR would be able to inform the on the pitch referee that Bernardo didn’t throw the ball at trosssrd with any malice.

Never a yellow card, but if I’m an Arsenal fan I’d be fuming that a double yellow wasn’t given.

No way you can argue that's a second yellow - if anything, it's a card for Trossard for retaliation

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Our tactics are a bit weird today, we can't keep the ball and it's like a training session where you let the other team attack and you just defend.

Aye, it's very 2005 Chelsea. Haaland as Drogba, surrounding players feeding off second balls, defend well and rely on your talented players to make stuff happen on the break.

 

[super_city_si]

We may not go onto win this, but I've seen enough character in that half to know we aren't going to be a pushover this season

Great to see some big tackles from the defence, and O Reilly and Khusanov standing up to the task

Would be nice to get a bit more out of the midfield though, as were just getting played through, Reijnders not really doing anything off the ball

Be nice to get a counter attack early in the 2nd half

Yes we have some hunger back. Great to see.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Bernardo has to be smart. Nico will have to come on to replace Rodri. We have no natural midfield replacement for bernardo with kovacic still out. Can he navigate a second half without a second caution? stones in midfield is probably the most likely replacement.

 

[Mentis]

Shit have I missed him getting two yellows?! I must be watching the parallel universe stream where the scenario playing out in your head hasn’t actually happened in real life.

It was very much a possibility though. Usually refs handle these situations with a yellow each

 

[01cravend]

We genuinely have the best keeper in the world in net.

See how Arsenal don't even have a man on him for their set-pieces, whilst in past Saliba was straight bullying Ederson/Ortega

 

[mosssideblue]

Khus immense

 

[jimharri]

Like watching a Premier League years game from 2002, tbh. Long balls, a few chances from counter attacks, and shit housery. You get the sense Pep has gone "if we can't beat it, let's join them then, let Arsenal see how they like it". Quality seems lower after years of what we have got used to it, but I'm quite enjoying it.

"If you cant beat 'em...."

It became obvious last season that our old style of football had been found out. We had to adapt.

 

[super_city_si]

This tactic OK when you're leading but, we're fucked if they get one back.

Yes agree. If they get one they’ll get two.

 

[Goater101]

Am i hearing things or has Micah just said Gabriel should take Haaland out prior to the goal?

Can we erase his city career? I can’t stand that clown. Can’t believe he’s been given a role of ambassador for our club