Hello again all.
In this latest podcast we try to make sense of the uproar surrounding the very mild expectations Henry set for Arteta. It’s another mess dividing the social media fans, although I doubt very much that most fans could give a flying. We try to decide what reasonable expectations should be given the healthy position we are in ,in this moment. Also we have aa quick think about the upcoming game with Brentford.
Pedantic George
Positively Arsenal 
We are obviously in a very good position at the moment looking at the table with three games in hand and so the statement on getting top four looks reasonable. However the three games in hand are against Liverpool, Chelski and the spuds two games we’ll be expected to lose and the spuds at their pad which we normally draw.
At the moment manure,spuds and hammers are all playing badly but that won’t necessarily last and all three could hit form in the final ten games that’s not even considering Wolves continuing their good run of form.
The other thing which has to be considered is our very small squad and the lack of reasonable back up in certain positions.
Fourth is very much up for grabs but we would still need alot to go our way so to say it’s a failure just because of the place were in now is unreasonable.
If you said we spent more money than everyone else in the league at the start of the season so fourth should be a minimum then your argument would be somewhat more substantial.
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Oh Ian, no need for you to listen to the podcast my friend, that’s almost exactly what I said.
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Hope you feel better soon George.
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I always comment and then listen to the whole podcast at a later date, indeed I am subject to moments of fuckwitery.
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well for me failing to get top 4 will be a failure, for me our squad has been talented enough to achieve that much right from the start of the season. That several of our rivals have been so poor only makes failure worse. And by the way, West Ham is one of our rivals for it, to lose out to them would be a massive failure.
That our squad is the youngest and also the smallest in number is a choice made by Arteta and co, so for me can not be used as an excuse, its not some unfortunate accident, or unlucky run of injuries, its been a cold hard choice made by the club.
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Injuries and suspensions are likely to play their part, but that is true for all sides. I felt at the start of the season that Europa place was a reasonable target, and I think we are just about on course for that.
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I was pretty sure Ericsson would score being an ex spud so really glad he’s not playing.
I think we should wait before putting the Emperor back in even with the misgivings about Cedric. It is obviously more important having our first choice players available for the run in rather than the immediate game.
Because Brentford are not scoring, even though we also have struggled in that department, I think we will win 3-0 with harder games yet to come.
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Good to see Joe Willock sounding positive and enjoying his football.
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A patient win, and nervous ending.
But most other sides would have had 3+ penalties their way in that game.
The PGMOL won’t give up, whether Arteta meets them or not
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Given the Handicap on display very valuable goals.
Both goals coming on the counter. ESR warming up his first start in a while but that goal was worth the wait. Saka’s finish was top class but it was the first goal I enjoyed the most as they had players back. Hale end spoiling us.
I guess Xhaka’s critics will as usual ignore his game today. Alongside Gabriel a very good game IMO.
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I was a little worried when our MOTM ESR went off injured I hope he’s ok. I was pleased Eddie got an extra two minutes and played for Severn minutes instead of five, he even got the captain’s armband for a few seconds as well.
The armband nearly found its way to the real captain but then got diverted elsewhere. It is a strange phenomenon the forcefield around Xhaka which doesn’t allow the armband in.
In years to come people will ask why ARSENAL played for so long with the captain and the armband so far apart.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game with that number of penalty appeals turned down. Sometimes there were more appeals in one passage of play to than Martinelli bookings. Big fat Moss proving he is in another criminal.
Cedric should hold lessons on how to get decisions as once again he was lucky not to be sent off, someone on the PGMOL must like him.
Overall a good performance and two brilliant goals from the academy and saviours of the season (Ramsdale not included)
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Ffs City, why do they have such problems with mediocre Spurs ?
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First time watching the Arsenal in the flesh for over two years, and lacking imagination hadn’t properly taken on board what a completely new side it is. I would say that they are very much a work in progress but there is definitely the makings of a side there.
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ian didn’t eddie try to give it to Xhaka but he refused to take it, well that is how his haters are portraying it, well that and that he disrespected the club by refusing it, ha ha ha.
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city have lost only 3 games in the epl this season and two of them are against spurs, did no one tell spurs that games v city are a free hit
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so xhaka refused the armband today, cos he knew Tierney is next in line to Lacazette for the captains role, and that Eddie should have passed it on to him, as he eventually did
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Pretty easy to explain how we didn’t get a pen, for anyone who has seen the refereeing we have been on the end of since 2004, at least
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The inability of the bad big blaggers to humbly acknowledge the good old Yorkshire Handicap & the Good Old Boys* calling the calls in the league is remarkable. Yet apparently the billy blaggers prefer no remarks but omertà on this and such topics.
*yes that is a strong reference to the The Blues Brothers & their encounters with the Illinois Chapter etc.
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Yet again, Utd players are protected by referees , Mctominay knew all game he could do what he liked, and he wasn’t getting sent off, in stark contrast to our players.
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Just listened to the new podcast because I do things the wrong way round and again I thought it was very good.
I agree with George that Wolves out of the next three games will be the most difficult because their style means they will be more dangerous at our place than at theirs. However beat them and that should be enough of a gap to ensure we finish above them.
I think the hammers have shot their bolt and when Europe restarts that will only make things even more difficult for their relatively small squad.
So beat Wolves and we have to be favourites for a minimum of a top six finish.
The race for fourth is a lottery a the moment because none of the three clubs are better than each other, whoever hits a good run will claim the prize.
Manure have the biggest squad and probably the potential for the biggest improvement, the spuds have a manager who has just started to improve them but is still finding it difficult a we have a manager and a team that might get better next season but also have a massive fragility within the squad.
The comments about Cedric are right he’s not a bad back up but is that enough (even forgetting he should of been sent off in the last two of games). That actually is indicative of the squad as a whole as most of the back are not bad but mostly are way off the original. Big Bob, ESR and Eddie are the only three straight replacements (and possibly Elneney for Partey).
As the season draws to a close the team that he as the best back ups or keeps the first eleven fit will come fourth.
I’m not sure it will be a roller coaster or more like a running track where you cannot see the leader until the stagger unfolds.
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Fins “have you tried eating corn on the cob with no fucking teeth”
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Jack Wilshere signs for Danish side Aarhus
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Aubameyang scored a hattrick for Barcelona today, £7M well spent by Arsenal to reduce the wage bill, what what.
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Yep and he makes it look easy. I am pleased for him and clearly the team will be built around his strengths. It wasn’t a wet night in Leeds either.
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Ian
Start the engine,
Is what Arsene Wenger said to Pat Rice as the full time whistle blew after most Away performances in his Time. After Riley exposed the Yorkshire Handicap in ‘04 for the world to see.
Specifically the period when he had teenagers in midfield & nearly won the league bar some broken legs. All which passed the Experts, big blaggers, earnest podcasters & see you next Tuesdays by.
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The record from Yorkshire, inside the football stadium (the fans!) , the cricket, the officials.
It’s not great. No offence to what is a pretty part of the country but the record in sport stinks! Just saying.
We are lucky most of the officials in the pgmob are from yorkshire, thereabouts, even Australia but apparently there are no decent referees playing football in the regions which produce talent like Saka, Sterling, Rowe and yes Kane too. Incredible mid-coincidence.
Perhaps I am missing something that could help me appreciate the pgmob?
An oval football?
A soggy biscuit?
An evening watching strictly come dancing instead of a sport? Everyone knows Deano and Taylo and the crew love to watch it. Makes sense when you think about it. Sequins, sparkles & whistles. Heaven. Of a sort.
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It seems there is a plan in place to improve the quality of refereeing, and diversity!
https://theathletic.com/news/premier-league-to-launch-programme-to-improve-standard-and-diversity-of-referees/CeNUl9JOehG2/
Yes, made me laugh too.
If they really wanted to improve things, they would be sacking Elleray/ Riley, not working with them .
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https://theathletic.com/news/premier-league-to-launch-programme-to-improve-standard-and-diversity-of-referees/CeNUl9JOehG2/
It seems there is a plan in place to improve the quality and diversity of the referees.
Made me laugh too.
If they were serious in these aims, they would be sacking Riley/ Elleray, not working with them
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New post is up
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