Arsenal Thread | 2024/25

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

If only there was some way we could find out.....

Anyway, loving the early season bullishness. However based on what I've seen from my time on here a large number of you will have a massive flounce on the matchday thread the instant some team burgles a point at the Etihad saying the title has gone and 'this is on Pep' lol.

I don’t see the match day threads because I’m at the match. I assume you follow our threads because you’re not at the match and you are a sad bastard.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

That’ll be what defines the season really. Perhaps you need a Saka backup that is right footed and can beat a man on the outside too.

Not sure you need a mega striker as you score enough goals, but they can’t hurt if any become available.

They could do with a right sided attacker that isn’t on the floor all the time.

 

[malg]

That one by Watkins in the first half was a shocker.

The 'world class save' one was worse. Good reaction by the keeper to get back up, but they train for that every session. It was a shockingly bad header into an open goal.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

I think that's the point, he comes in and provides options.

You say you don't have a best starting XI but you do have some outfield players who, if fit, are in your starting XI against all but the weakest sides. Haaland, Rodri, KDB, Foden, Stones. You may rotate other places but those boys are nailed on to play against any PL team from mid table onwards. So 5 outfield players.

Last season we had to play the same starting XI a lot because of squad depth and injury to Timber but this season, bringing in extra players hopefully alleviates that. However, if we put Arsenal in the same scenario as above this season (playing any decent side) it's nailed on that Saliba, Odegaard, Rice, Saka and White start. Again that's 5, same as City. The idea is that Calafiori can replace either Gabriel at CB or play LB, Merino can slot in midfield but so can Partey, Jorginho, Nwaneri. Jurrien Timber is a superb player who can play anywhere across the back line or in midfield.

What we don't have is decent cover for Saka. City for sure have more options up front.

I get it that Arteta tends to play the same starting XI every game, and for sure Saka gets gassed in particular. Nwaneri is potentially a better player than Saka but is only 17 so not this season. But Arteta does have options this season to mix it up a bit.

We can slice it and dice it all we want but the reality is the main difference between the sides is Pep and Rodri. Aside them Arsenal are better at the back than City, but City have better offensive weapons. But the reality is, Pep is the GOAT tactically and Rodri can dominate a match and lock up midfield. So if Arsenal and City went head to head and were both at 100%, City would most likely win because of those factors. But because the PL isn't based on 1 match, Arteta is trying to boost the average level of performance in each game so we eke out an extra point here and there. If that's not enough to win the league, so be it, we're up against a fantastic team. In fact, ok, I'm a Gooner and think the invincibles were an unbelievable team with some all time great players but they never won the CL or a treble. So on that basis this City side is the greatest PL side there's ever been. The facts back that up.

So in that context it's like being the guy who finishes 2nd to Usain Bolt - sometimes if you've done your best and maximised your performance and you still can't beat the opponent then you have to respect that.

Stick your neck out. How many Premier League games will Nwaneri start? Play in? More than or equal to one? Two?

 

[bridgeno1]

Stick your neck out. How many Premier League games will Nwaneri start? Play in? More than or equal to one? Two?

Start - probably none. Play in - probably 6

 

[bridgeno1]

So who do you leave out for this superman to allow you to get in our half? Odegaard? Saka? plodder? You never got out of your half because you were shit scared of us! Arsenal, the personification of shithouses.

I've clocked a few 'responses' to my posts you've made in short succession and I'm going out on a limb and assuming you've enjoyed a couple of beers this afternoon lol!

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

That's a big win for Arsenal they'll looked very cagy nervous but once they scored it was a comfortable win! they got bit lucky with the Villa misses but that's football! It's going to the wire again!

Both teams now have won away to a team that beat them last season!

So a Draw is a defeat for us then?

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Start - probably none. Play in - probably 6

Impressive

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

I've clocked a few 'responses' to my posts you've made in short succession and I'm going out on a limb and assuming you've enjoyed a couple of beers this afternoon lol!

Actually none. Just get a little peeved when fans of shithouse clubs disrespect the finest club this country has ever seen.
Arsenal were shithouses the first time I saw you live (1969) and you have never changed.
Also, if I’d had twenty pints I’d be steadier on my feet than Saka.

 

[bridgeno1]

Actually none. Just get a little peeved when fans of shithouse clubs disrespect the finest club this country has ever seen.
Arsenal were shithouses the first time I saw you live (1969) and you have never changed.
Also, if I’d had twenty pints I’d be steadier on my feet than Saka.

I'm not sure where you've seen me disrespect City? I'm not sure I've done that once on here and it isn't my intention to start now either.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Ok, fine.

 

[MMA]

I don’t see the match day threads because I’m at the match. I assume you follow our threads because you’re not at the match and you are a sad bastard.

Yes .
A sad bastard.

 

[MMA]

Mikel Merino deal done subject to medical. He'll add good options in the middle, is a big lad as well so the likes of the barcodes will have less chance to try and dominate physically.

Merino was the lad who got the last minute winner against Germany in the Euros.

An arse fan getting giddy..
Who would of thunk it..

 

[franksinatra]

I'm not sure where you've seen me disrespect City? I'm not sure I've done that once on here and it isn't my intention to start now either.

Keep posting pal, it is good to hear alternative views and views from other clubs fans.

For the record I think it will go to the wire again. I still think we will slightly edge it as a squad but we’re talking fine margins and if our motivations drop slightly that could be the difference to swing it in your favour.

One area we seem really strong this year is creative options in the midfield, wing positions. When we talk of fatigue in football it’s often more the mental side and impacts on the more creative players. The passing gets slower, it becomes less incisive and therefore less likely to breakdown the parked bus the top sides invariably face.

I do wonder if Arsenal have enough options in these positions and if Arteta will rotate to keep the mind fresh.

Still great start and although Arsenal were not at their best against Villa, those are 3 massive points and a potential banana skin for other clubs competing for the title.

 

[mancboy]

I'm not sure where you've seen me disrespect City? I'm not sure I've done that once on here and it isn't my intention to start now either.

Tbf some of your posts err on the side of slightly disrespectful but i think thats down to your continual praise of arsenal (understandable as an arsenal fan) but unjustified at present and obviously in this setting goes down like saka ;), imagine if i went on arsenal fan board and justifiably said that rice isnt in the same league as rodri, foden is miles ahead of saka etc etc can you imagine the response id get

 

[bridgeno1]

Tbf some of your posts err on the side of slightly disrespectful but i think thats down to your continual praise of arsenal (understandable as an arsenal fan) but unjustified at present and obviously in this setting goes down like saka ;), imagine if i went on arsenal fan board and justifiably said that rice isnt in the same league as rodri, foden is miles ahead of saka etc etc can you imagine the response id get

Ok well I'll keep an eye on the tone of my posts but for the record I've never said Rice is better than Rodri for the plain and simple reason that he isn't- Rodri is the best CM on the planet.

 

[mancboy]

Ok well I'll keep an eye on the tone of my posts but for the record I've never said Rice is better than Rodri for the plain and simple reason that he isn't- Rodri is the best CM on the planet.

It was just an example.

 

[Vienna_70]

The 'world class save' one was worse. Good reaction by the keeper to get back up, but they train for that every session. It was a shockingly bad header into an open goal.

Yes, I agree.

The first chance was the one that came to mind.

 

[Andy TheCatalyst Morrison]

He'll play at 6. I reckon our midfield will then be him plus Rice and Odegaard ahead of him with Saka on the right and either Martinelli, Trossard or Jesus on the left and Havertz up top. By October I reckon this will be the line upView attachment 129272

Why anyone thinks Rice is anything other than a good CDM is beyond me. As a 6 he’d be a very good backup for Rodri. As An 8 or 10, nowhere near good enough to be in a top team.

 

[bridgeno1]

It was common wisdom that we needed a striker this window as well as cover for Saka. Instead we've sold a striker, sold an attacking midfielder, loaned out the cover for Saka, signed 3 goalkeepers whilst selling another keeper, and then signed a left back and a defensive midfielder.

confused.com