Arsenal (H) - Sun 22nd Sept, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[willipp]

I almost agree, but I think the Dippers will be right up there too. Win one of each of our games against them and Arse and I don't see anyone taking our title.

Oh totally, there are so many ways the season can pan out so early in the season. It’s more the fact their fans after one draw and a potential loss are ready to write the season off as they feel City won’t drop 5 points all season.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Agreed. Think it'll be another generation before we get games as high quality and high intensity as the ones we've had against Liverpool in the Pep-Klopp era. The 2-1 win at the Etihad in January 2019 remains the highest quality game of football that's ever been played in this country. Two of the greatest teams in English football history going right at each other for 90 minutes at full speed. Still gutted that I was sick that day and had to watch it at home instead, but even on TV it was lightning fast and full throttle. The eventual champions against the eventual European Cup winners - you don't get a better spectacle than that.

Then you had those absolutely amazing games at Anfield, the 2-2 in 2021 and even the 1-1 last season was gripping until the end with Doku hitting the post. And the 2-2 draw back at ours when we were both going for the title in 2022. My heart almost couldn't take them, lol. As amazing as we've been since Pep came, Pep has said it himself that we were only so good because Liverpool kept pushing us to greater and greater heights by being such quality runners-up. I know we like to play down their achievements but 97 points in 2nd place is incredible. Arteta's a great manager and Arsenal are a good side but it's just not the same.

One of THE great games of the modern era and probably the most hostile 90 minute atmospheres at the Etihad.

It was a pleasure to be there.

It propelled us to an unbeaten run to the end of the season, and the title with 98 points....utterly amazing !!

 

[bridgeno1]

Agree with every word.

I've never seen a game of football like that 2-1 at The Etihad that was unbelievable football from both teams that night the standards the night were off the scale.

As you've mentioned we've had so many incredible battles against Liverpool and we both pushed each other to the limits, Both sides were so good because they constantly raised the bar, We were a better team because of Liverpool and vice versa.

Arsenal can't hit the heights that both of those teams have done, Don't get me wrong he's done a seriously good job with them turning them from a team that was so timid into a well oiled machine defensively but as you said it's just not the same personally I don't get that buzz like I do against the Dippers or Rags.

Having said all that a 1-0 win will do nicely and send the bus wankers home with nothing.

And yet last season 'boring' Arsenal scored more goals than the Dippers did in any PL season under Klopp. Not bad for park the bus monkeys.

Fact is Arsenal couldn't get through City's press and as a result had to lean on their defence as they were getting strangled in midfield. Arsenal didn't play like that for the vast majority of last season, they probably didn't intend to do that at the Etihad but City strangled them so it was an all hands to deck rear guard action, one that Arsenal are more than capable of mounting with their defensive strength.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

I'm not sure what it is but something about your post tells me you're not a fan of her...

If its the one I'm thinking, then she despises us and is top person at sky sports(apparently) she's obviously shagged her way to the top. Massive dipper tells you all you need to know. Horrible individual. She's from South Africa but sounds more Indian.I find it difficult to tell what she's saying because her English is fuckin awful.

 

[bridgeno1]

Oh totally, there are so many ways the season can pan out so early in the season. It’s more the fact their fans after one draw and a potential loss are ready to write the season off as they feel City won’t drop 5 points all season.

No it's not that it's just that we didn't do enough in the transfer market, particularly up front.

For me I think if Arsenal win the league it will be less about us winning it and more about City giving it away. City are definitely the better team and have a better manager. Complacency and a lack of desire would be their only undoing I think and Pep doesn't let his teams do that.

Ok if Arsenal turn up Sunday and bukkake City 4-0 or whatever that may paint a different complexion and maybe rattle City but that ain't happening.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

Oh totally, there are so many ways the season can pan out so early in the season. It’s more the fact their fans after one draw and a potential loss are ready to write the season off as they feel City won’t drop 5 points all season.

One thing we didn't do last season is get a win against either the Arse or the Dippers. Yet we still won the league. Therefore, a win on Sunday would be such a boost

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Grealish deserves another start. He’s looked sharp so far

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Agree with every word.

I've never seen a game of football like that 2-1 at The Etihad that was unbelievable football from both teams that night the standards the night were off the scale.

As you've mentioned we've had so many incredible battles against Liverpool and we both pushed each other to the limits, Both sides were so good because they constantly raised the bar, We were a better team because of Liverpool and vice versa.

Arsenal can't hit the heights that both of those teams have done, Don't get me wrong he's done a seriously good job with them turning them from a team that was so timid into a well oiled machine defensively but as you said it's just not the same personally I don't get that buzz like I do against the Dippers or Rags.

Having said all that a 1-0 win will do nicely and send the bus wankers home with nothing.

Say what you like, Liverpool were the one team, whether in Europe or in England, who simply would never try to park the bus against us. They went at it hammer and tongs, especially at Anfield (where it was usually, alas, successful), and so did we. Neither team even knew how to park the bus. They parked it last season at the Etihad but it was the first time I'd seen it for a long, long time. But our great battles with that lot go right back to Mancini and Pellegrini. I still consider that the Boxing Day match in 2013 was the most excruciating ninety minutes of pure torture that I've ever suffered in a stadium. I wasn't even elated at the end of it. Too exhausted.

 

[deano ou812]

Games like this I should be buzzing for it's the Champions against the runners up from the last two seasons and it should be exciting, I'm fucking dreading it as Arsenal will stink the place out of it with their boring as fuck park the bus tactics.

As much as we all hate Liverpool, When Klopp was in charge the City v Liverpool games were fucking epic both sides going full throttle at each other I've always gave the dippers credit were it's due to come to our place and show balls by having a right go at us and we would do the same at Anfield.

Arsenal are the complete opposite and it doesn't have that feel to it of a MASSIVE game like it did with the dippers.

Just get the job done City!

It’s a far bigger game for Arsenal and it’s what I’d say an important game for us,but not the end of the world if the result doesn’t go are way ..

 

[SWPISHOME]

And yet last season 'boring' Arsenal scored more goals than the Dippers did in any PL season under Klopp. Not bad for park the bus monkeys.

Fact is Arsenal couldn't get through City's press and as a result had to lean on their defence as they were getting strangled in midfield. Arsenal didn't play like that for the vast majority of last season, they probably didn't intend to do that at the Etihad but City strangled them so it was an all hands to deck rear guard action, one that Arsenal are more than capable of mounting with their defensive strength.

And yet you lot still won fuck all.

Arsenal aren't a patch on Klopps dippers, You can try dress it up as much as you like, That Liverpool team was a serious side.

You lot are park the bus wankers, City were missing numerous players that day and you lot still shit yourselves afraid to have a go.