@LaboGoon – he’s working like a dog, not sleeping like a log
Good morning one and all…
Unai Emery kicked off his Arsenal reign with a pair of defeats against Premier League title contenders Man City and Chelsea. Following that the team went on an eye-popping 13 game unbeaten run in all competitions and now comes another test against high flyers, with the benefit of having worked with the team a bit longer to drive home his vision for the club and toward finding a more settled matchday XI.
Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates tonight in what is billed as the PL clash of the weekend, so hopefully we will get to see a real cracker with plenty of fireworks (get it?!) with both teams coming into it off the back of a good run of form.
Last Sunday at Selhurst Park our winning streak came to an unexpected end via a draw, to serve as a timely reminder that in a league where teams are separated by fine margins we cannot afford to get too comfortable, because being 2 points off the PL leaders less than a week ago could turn to 7 with defeat before the end of this day.
The Reds haven’t done much wrong this campaign and very fine margins separate them from Mancity at the summit of the log. Compared to the Gunners they scored 20 PL goals to our 24, conceded 4 goals to our 13 and kept a respectable six clean sheets. They don’t seem to shy away from the big occasions either as they came through almost unscathed against Mancity, Chelsea and Spurs with 1 win and 2 draws, conceding just 2 goals.
Scoring goals haven’t really been a problem for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, putting a lid on things at the back is where they improved. So if we want to give ourselves any chance of victory we will without doubt have to be at our best and pull together as a team. Our “second half” performances drew many admiring glances and if we can turn that on from the outset, then it could well be the chisel to chop away at a stubborn Reds defence.
It’s hard to ignore our defensive issues, which hasn’t improved much since Liverpool put 7 goals past us last season, and if we aren’t switched from the start we will simply be asking for trouble.
The last time these two sides met though we play out a pre-Xmas 6 goal thriller at the Ems and there is every chance we could see something similar. Aubameyang has been in scintillating form of late to find himself joint top of the PL goalscoring charts after a slow start. With 9 goals in all competitions this is a fixture he is looking forward to. Lacazette will be disappointed with himself for missing a few recently too and will want to step up in this big one.
With two extremely attack minded teams going head-to-head, we can expect a game high on entertainment value from end to end, because both sides know the importance of getting a result.
The trip to the Emirates will not only be a measure of whether Liverpool can go all the way, but also whether Arsenal have indeed closed the gap between them and the ‘big clubs’ after dropping outside top 4 the last two seasons.
Who knows… a win and we may even be seen as bona fide title contenders by the press corps.
Good luck to everybody going to the game and fingers crossed we give Unai the cherry to put atop his birthday cake.
Positively Arsenal 
I see Unai 47 today, a mere lad. The Spaniard took up his job at the club at almost exactly the same age as Arsene. A mere lad.
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Feels like potential for pain and joy ramped up a bit (from already high levels) by the press talk this week, with so many giving us little or no chance and clearly salivating at prospect of being able to say ‘told you so’ if we go three for three against big guns.
As old Keegan said…
Must admit, playing them at Anfield has terrified me in recent years. Home’s a different story, there I’m just regular big game nervous, with a bit on top for the threat of that front three vs our ‘room for improvement’ defence.
Klopp apparently undefeated against us in his five games, and six since we’ve beaten them. Boy, it would be nice to change that today.
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Excellent post Labo – you’ve covered all the angles.
And on a theme of covers ….
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Quite a bumper day for Arsenal action as think both the 18’s and 23’s are playing.
Rivals before and after us on telly today as well, so potential for a perfect day, though it’s our result alone which’ll make or break it, obviously.
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Is it your sense of irony that you’ve used the Help album cover to illustrate this article?
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It was little bit Mersey theme, a bit to do with the Arsenal Fab Four ‘captains’ SR, but mainly cos it is a really good picture.
I’m deeper than a diamond mine (banned winkey thing)
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It doesn’t actually spell ‘help’ (in the semaphore alphabet), but a complete non word, so you can get off with it this time.
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Cheers Labo! Still feel a bit frustrated that we didnt finish them off at the Nest last week, we would have been third and only a point behind -grrr–however, its a grand ole fixture for us today, I hope we can just go up a grade and show the Shhcoushhers a thing or too. I reckon we can, and Uncle Emery will be up for this one too, you can just imagine him thinking about the game as we dealt with the Blackpool in midweek. I think we can also handle it without Guen today.
Well, heres hoping for 4-1 or something really to make us smile. Or any kind of shuffle and scrape 1-0 win.
Anyway, lets see some Grit and Skill you Arsenal!
COYG!
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On the subject of the “super league”, my view -and has been for a number of years – is that this is inevitable. Speaking personally, I will not be too disappointed: many people (and include me here) want to see the best compete against the best. As a lover of the beautiful game (and consequently an Arsenal fan…), I came to the view sometime ago that the quality on show outside of the upper echelons was no longer for me: will I get bored of watching the best teams/players displaying their skills week by week? No. Do I worry about the absence of relegation (if it comes to this)? Again, no. Crucially, there is no reason to believe such a league would not be very competitive if structured properly. We don’t want gloried friendlies: I agree this would kill the league stone dead. The Americans have done very well with this model even if there are far fewer NFL games. However, I do believe that those teams bankrolled by nation states and the like must adhere to a fair financial model or be shown the door. This is absolutely possible. I am amazed that the other clubs, which basically means everyone apart from a few – have not come together and taken this action before now. They could easily do so. I would also like to see much more regulation in our game to increase the competitiveness of teams (again taking a leaf out of the US book), but I am less sanguine here. It’s always intrigued me that the USA, that bastion of global capitalism, sees no contradiction in regulating its national sport. Nor should we, although I appreciate this is much harder when “our game” travails the globe, whereas NFL only has to worry about the USA! In summary, the world-is-a-changing and our sport will do likewise. Unlike it would seem a significant number of my Arsenal colleagues, I am very pleased to have Stan and his merry men/financiers representing Arsenal in the off the pitch battles that lie ahead.
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Thanks Labo
It was the inexperience of the out of position Maitland Niles that allowed Liverpool back in the points for the corresponding fixture last season, after what was possibly the most sensational spell of football we saw from the Arsenal last season. Certainly the atmosphere was rocking during that Özil masterclass. “doesn’t turn up” in the “big games” because he is “lazy” but amidst Salah’s run of form he was the best footballer on the park that evening.*
Then there was the late late equaliser for Liverpool at Anfield in 2016 (2-2?) that probably finished off any hopes of coming 1st that year.
If the Arsenal can restrict Liverpool to less goals this time out whilst they empty their tank in the first half it could be a great Saturday night heh! Liverpool have been varying their tactics this season, an extra quarter of a million on the transfer market allows such luxuries, but I expect they’ll return to form this evening especially as there was no midweek CL fixture and they’ll look to suffocate the Arsenal from the first whistle.
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*Not sure I want to understand why the erect self righteous opinions expressed by the gritting experts out there can’t appreciate that human beings can and perhaps should have variable constitutions and that football is simply a great sport as there’s room for all sorts, your Silva’s and Özil’s in the squads alongside your Xhaka-esque marathon runners. The same way it’s always been.
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Liverpool missing Keita and another CM from their squad today?
With the younger players coming through I would humbly suggest that if AFC want to compete with this Liverpool squad that they would benefit from having a peak experienced Ramsey in the Arsenal squad. All fairly simple to comprehend i hope.
On top of that it’s hard to imagine that the new gaffer radically changed his mind on the football and upon this particular footballer just because Ivan revealed that he was retiring to Tuscany. No amount of PR spin or sports communications from the club can disguise the fact that the straight talking Unai came out as a big Rambo fan before he even took the job, same as any manager who has gone on to work with this particular footballer.
We shall see.
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Fingers crossed that Utd don’t blink and give Jose his much desired pay off before the new year after the fixture crunch.
Playing a front three of Sanchez Mata and Martial away at Bournmouth.
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Ref being typically generous, Bournemouth maybe should have had a penalty, a possible hand ball leading to the equaliser and just now Shaw getting away with a certain yellow for a far more blatant pull back that Matteo got a second yellow for with a ticking off from Tierney.
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Jeez, anyone just see Shaw’s pull back on Brooks when he was clearly passed him on a good break?
Much clearer and more deliberate foul than Matteo’s 2nd booking. Almost as bad as one Walker-Peters got away with other day.
That’s why I was annoyed with the guendouzi booking the other night. See it too often when refs opt for the talking to, as was case here, instead of supposed nailed on bookings.
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markyb
well that answers my question. You saw it.
Didn’t see the pen shout but darkly amusing that their great pen streak ends vs Utd. If it was Callum Wilson doing his usual seek and fall routine I might have been torn on that one (though Utd hate would have triumphed, I guess)
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
31m31 minutes ago
Full time: Swansea 1-3 #AFCU18
A free-kick from Greenwood and a brace from Smith extends our winning streak to 5️⃣ U-18 Premier League fixtures 🔥
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our u23’s not faring so good, after taking an 8th minute lead over chelsea from Saka, goals in the 14th, 15th and 18th minutes see us 3-1 down, half an hour gone
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Starting XI: Iliev, Pleguezuelo (c), Ballard, Medley, Thompson, Gilmour, Willock, Burton, Saka, John-Jules, Nketiah Subs: Okonkwo, Bola, Olayinka, Zelalem, Coyle
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
3h3 hours ago
📝 Here’s how #AFCU18 line up against @SwansOfficial in the U-18 Premier League…
Starting XI: Hein, Daley-Campbell, Spencer-Adams, McGuinness, Lopez, Smith, Clarke, Flaherty, Musah, Greenwood, Balogun
Subs: Azeez, Graczyk, Martin, Cottrell, Dennis
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
44s44 seconds ago
GOAL FOR #AFCU23 🙌
Ballard heads home following a well-worked corner routine. Ljungberg’s urging his team to push on from the sideline 💪
🔴 2-3 🔵 (31)
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Sniper
@clockendsniper
35m35 minutes ago
Arsenal U18s 3-1 win away at Swansea takes them above Spurs (who drew 1-1 with Fulham) into first place in the Premier league U18s south.
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Open, exciting game at Bournemouth.
Feel they offer a lot t prem, especially at their ground. Don’t know what it is about their ground and style of play but it looks different to anything else in the league, certainly among so-called smaller clubs.
Is it just that they give it a right go? Committing numbers, keeping it on deck a lot, running at people?
Royally shows up the clubs and managers who come to prem and sometimes stay a long time and play so little football, often on bigger resources.
Still, think Utd the more likely winners at this rate, alas
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
2m2 minutes ago
#AFCU23 ARE LEVEL!
Saka forces Cumming into a great save – and Nketiah was there to finish the rebound 🔥
🔴 3-3 🔵 (42)
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Jeorge Bird
@jeorgebird
2m2 minutes ago
HT. Arsenal 3 Chelsea 3. Enthrallingly first half. Arsenal’s style of play incredibly risky but does lead to a lot of chances being created. Saka has been impressive.
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2-3 situations here with Bournemouth where feel they would have attempted dives with us. Fraser the latest running at top speed in box with defender right on him, before cutting inside. Played it honestly with no funny business
Sort of stuff he and others typically try engineer a pen from against us.
Also, thank Lord again for goalie technology. Back in Fergie time that one off line would very likely have been given
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
28s29 seconds ago
Goal for Chelsea. Gallagher finds the top corner with a free-kick from 25 yards out.
#AFCU23
🔴 3-4 🔵 (62)
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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Jeorge Bird
@jeorgebird
3m3 minutes ago
Arsenal 4 Chelsea 4. Nketiah pounces upon Chelsea mistake to equalise.
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
30s30 seconds ago
#AFCU23 appeal for a penalty after Saka goes down inside the box… but nothing is given
🔴 4-4 🔵 (80)
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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Jeorge Bird
@jeorgebird
2m2 minutes ago
Arsenal 4 Chelsea 5. Billy Gilmour puts Chelsea in front.
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Arsenal host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Andre Marriner will take charge of the game and will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Simon Long. Michael Oliver will be the game’s fourth official.
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Arsenal Academy
@ArsenalAcademy
2m2 minutes ago
Full-time: #AFCU23 4-5 Chelsea
Ljungberg’s side twice fought back from going behind… but a late goal from Gilmour secured all three points for the visitors 😩
Saka, Ballard and Nketiah (2) are the names on the scoresheet
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Nelson does it again
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5 goals at this stage for a player in his 18/19 year old season, abroad in a big league, is fantastic.
About the age and rate of Anelka in his 2nd year with us?
There can’t be many, anyway, who have done similar.
Softens the disappointment of that late defeat for u23’s vs Chelsea.
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if we have to beat liverpool today, we have to be at our very best in the first half. something we have not been able to do quite often this season. if we can go into the break level on goals or better still with a lead, we will be good for victory.
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COYG!
“Only if you believe in yourself will the beneficent spirits sprinkle forth their goodies”.
What matters most today is an unleashing of spirit, effort and doggedness.
Happy birthday UE.
It’s a very tough league but we believe in you. Keep up the good work.
I expect:
Leno
Bellerin- Mustafi- Holding-Kolasinac
Torreira- Xhaka
Iwobi- Ozil- Aubameyang
Lacazette
S: Cech, Lichtsteiner, Monreal, MaitlandNiles, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Welbeck.
V
Alisson
AlexanderArnold- Gomez- vanDijk- Robertson
Fabinho – Wijnaldum- Milner
Salah- Firmino -Mane
S: Mignolet, Lovren, Moreno, Shaqiri, Lallana, Origi, Sturridge.
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Anyone else looking forward to the day that our main defenders arent injured! Shocking looking at whose crocked.
COYG!
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Cheers Ed, glad to see a few of the doubtful have passed late fitness tests! COYG!
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COYG.
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Ozil is Captain again tonight
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very frantic open game so far
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arsenal have come close to scoring a few times now, and lfc have had a goal ruled out for offside. open game
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commentators not happy that Mane goal ruled out for offside
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xhaka with a great covering tackle on salah
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Leno with a fine save
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PGMOL say Mane goal should have stood, offside in the build up but not on the rebound
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lfc getting on top in last few minutes
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