Hello one and all.
On this podcast we look back on Saturday’s miracle and revel in it. There’s a little bit of analysis of the game, but mainly just to old fellas being happy.
Pedantic George.
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Positively Arsenal 
Just a quick one on the of time and the timing of our goal. As we see in the world cup if you add correct time then each has the capacity for lots of time added on.
In the second half there was none subs (30 seconds per Sub) three goals 30 seconds per goal) a booking for time wasting (normally 30 seconds to a minute)
Plus lots of stoppages for pretend injuries caught in the head, cramp etc. Also the amount of the game was stopped because of the many VAR decisions to look at.
The original six minutes was once again massively inadequate and in time added on there were further stoppages including another long VAR check.
Obviously the corrupt PIGMOL don’t want to use the most accurate form of timekeeping the off the field clock as they do in more enlightened sports.
Bent as a butchers hook as they say
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve found myself taking an unhealthy interest in Trossard’s groin today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t believe we will win the league so Europe should be our best chance of a trophy but getting knocked out of Europe would be our best chance of winning the league.
If you throw in the fact I never want ARSENAL to lose then you can see my mind is totally fucked.
Obviously I dream about a league and European double however unlikely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To try and add to what you’ve written Ian: I try save my ass by not thinking too far ahead. Of course Im full of hypocritical shite, as I do, but just try to drag myself back( and fail at doing that). Mostly out of fear of being hurt.
Football fans often try to deny any weakness, yet its the most emotional sport I can think of…tears, ecstasy, the agony, the frustrations, the hope, the anger, the violence the love, the sportsmanship (when it shows up). And the whole sport is based on mastery of one over the other…
What Ive enjoyed for much of this season was Arsenal again; sounds dumb : “hey butthead you say you support Arsenal?” yet even for the last quarter of Wengs years the loud voices( why do people think loud voices are right?)ruined we everything ( as they were there in the Hintergrund, jealous and playing the authoritarian line), putting a veil even on the last cup haul.
Don’t get me wrong, those were top Arsenal moments especially the Rambo goal versus Chelsea ( ” this is OUR cup so you can score all you like but we will too!Grrr!”
But there have been moments that we too painful, too hard to deal with : the CL final, and some of the other semis etc, and especially game 50. I loved Weng so much and could stand the endless, biased, haranguing he had to deal with. Arteta will deal with this too one day, the longer his career goes on…
But this season its been a bit like being a kid again, like it was when I first started, sort of utterly biased, but not really caring whether we win or not, but really enjoying every game, except the Everton away game.
I don’t mean Im righteous or better than anyone else, Im not, but it feels like a blessing. Of course as a kid I was always happy as fk when we won, but it was more a feeling I cant express; just Arsenal. My first game in 79 we lost 2-0, but it was still one the best night I ever had in my life, even though now its only been reduced to just a few images.
I can’t tell if we will win the league or not or the Europa league, Im just not smart enough, ( nor do I have the confidence to lay my intuition on the line)or to know whether this is a one off or a new era. I always hope but..?
Yet game by game its interesting, not too nervy or frightening, but interesting in observing the slight toggling of the line-ups, subs that do the biz, exciting games when we’ve weathered the storms, the obvious unfairness in VAR decisions, why its not automated I don’t know ( because Mills you tool they would mess with the algorithms), but seeing guys come into a squad that was already cutting the waters of this season and then not only fitting in, but enhancing the team, thats a true joy. And the unity of team and management.
And the icing on the cake, and I hope its not to cheesy to say it, its fkn great to see you guys enjoying the journey too! Right thats enough heart on the sleeve, might be better to follow Headys lead and concentrate on Trossard!
Cheers to George and Shotta also…
COYG!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Brilliant Mills, but I’m shiting myself every match now there impossible again.
Also the more Mikel and the players say the crowd is helping us get points the more I hate those wankers that lost us points in the past by slagging the team as they come onto the park. Arsene would have finished with 100% CL qualification if they had shown the same support.
You’re also right when you say the dark destroyers will turn on Mikel one day.
LikeLike
29/10/1969 – Sporting Lisboa 0-0 Arsenal – Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
26/11/1969 – Arsenal 3-0 Sporting Lisboa – Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
25/10/2018 – Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal – Europa League
08/11/2018 – Arsenal 0-0 Sporting CP – Europa League
is our complete record v SL.
90% of the 2018 are gone. Heres some highlights from the win in ’18.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“but I’m shiting myself every match.”
Im sure I’ll be the same if we go into the last part of the season with the lead we have. Its going to be super pressure, but somehow I think they can handle it as the lads and coaches seem a bit separate from the hullabaloo of the pundit world and that’s a positive thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just watched the pod and I had to say Shotts and George are the best duo since the two Ronnies.I really enjoyed it once again.
I think people keep missing the point with VAR. Like all technology it is there to get the correct decisions, all this bollocks about we don’t want to reref the game is a smokescreen by PIGMOL.
In every other sport the officials accept when technology overalls them and nobody thinks any less of them because people realise officiating can be difficult so getting the correct outcome is all that matters. Football is the only sport where embarrassment of the officials is a factor it’s total bollocks.
What makes me laugh is there were so many penalty shouts that everyone has their favourite one. Mine is the Gabriel bending to head the ball right near the goal line and the bloke on the line had his foot up and nearly makes contact with Gabs head. That is a pen in itself but then with both hands up by his face he stops the ball going in the net. That is a pen and a straight red. Strangely enough no one seems to be talking about that one.
Gallagher goes through all the weekends incidents week in week out defending the indefensible and it’s all crap.
Fernandes kicked out at a Liverpool player right in front of the lino then pushes the lino, two reds in a minute both ignored and then PIGMOL said today he will face no further action. Shaw also should have had a straight red but their utd and unfortunately our football is corrupt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How the Mancs had 11 on the pitch at the end I will never know. Pushng the Lino was outrageous but all meek when a Utd player does it and the commentators don’t seem to want to highlight it. Absolutely stinks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In all the ecstasy we should be realistic to analyze the game without the result and final seconds in our head.
We conceded two goals and Aaron made another two absolute excellent stops. Apart from all the handballs and the Tommy shout we created little with wrong options a feature throughout the game.
Actually we played badly against a bang average side at home. We didn’t get the ball wide often enough and apart from getting down low to a MO shot and the follow up from Saka their keeper had little to do. Even on that occasion MO took the wrong option a two yard pass to Trossard and we would of scored.
Vieira is still very lightweight and I think again the result is clouding people’s judgement of him. He is supposed to be a very technical player but at times his control was awful.
It wasn’t just the obvious mistake from Partey, his game was littered with them.
He didn’t cover himself in glory in the first goal and made three mistakes for the second. I think as we have said many times before Xhaka makes other midfielders look good and this game was a shinning example.
This game is a classic don’t trust stats most of our shots were nearer the bench than the onion bag and all four of theirs were on target and either goals or close on
Actually ESR was the star at many youth levels before Reiss and Bukayo and at least when he came on he was the only player carrying the ball forward.
Reiss definitely changed the game, he came on with the instructions stay wide.
This is exactly what we have been saying since this false nine started, we had no width on the left
I think Mikel made lots of mistakes in the last few games and because we got away with it at Villa and then on Saturday we are pretending he hasn’t.
George said because we won we don’t need to ask questions well yes we fucking do otherwise we will make the same mistakes in the next few games.
I’m sure Mikel and his staff will be ripping the arse out of this performance to find out what went so wrong.
And yes Xhaka should have come on at half time the win wouldn’t of been so dramatic but then again if we keep doing this we are going to come unstuck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really hope we get to read your thoughts along the lines of ‘ yes, we win the league, but…..’ at the end of the season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
*Won
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ian if we were reviewing Partey’s game the same way the “experts” have reviewed Xhaka (& The Football for years) we’d be sticking our heads firmly up our own Arsenal’s as he had a bit of a mare at the back from the 1st second onwards
But he did have a hand in both equalising goals plenty of pashun and effort haha!
He will do better when next to one of the other senior CMs – the player himself said he came to the club to forge a partnership with Xhaka! A quote which hilariously painted the Experts in an intriguing light
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of these same people say Reiss fluked the finish. Some people simply do not know Football. Or understand what the word athleticism means. The arrogance of it all.
Fortunately we are in good company here.
Some say the Arsenal have to win every game from now on to stay ahead of City.
I see no point in staring at the finishing line when the running itself is so much fun?
Last year’s slump did not diminish appreciation of the record goal scoring spell last December it gave hope for better in the future and many expected it from what was a good squad that has now had four good technical players added this season – lots of praise for Zinchenko’s pashun but little press on the vice that he Saka have been trapping opponents between. And opponents like Bournemouth have adapted to squirm out of the vice but freshness in the squad can give the energy to find solutions.
As for the pgmob we know the tactic from AWs latter years – copious titling sorry I mean errors in the Away games. Disagree with George as with that recent offside call even the reticent arteta had to comment on the abnormality.
LikeLike
Some of these same people say Reiss fluked the finish. Some people simply do not know Football. Or understand what the word athleticism means.
Fortunately we are in good company here.
Some say the Arsenal have to win every game from now on to stay ahead of City but what is the point in staring at the finishing line when the running itself is so much fun?
I enjoyed the record goal scoring run last year and the slump led many here to comment that such a good squad could do better and then Arteta went and added four top technicians (plus Saliba) this season. For their pashun and grit hehe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some of these same people say Reiss fluked the finish. Some people simply do not know Football. Or understand what the word athleticism means.
Fortunately we are in good company here.
Some say the Arsenal have to win every game from now on to stay ahead of City but what is the point in staring at the finishing line when the running itself is so much fun?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to write my thoughts when we have won the league I would be over the moon.
For the moment I just think we should enjoy the moments like the end of the game on Saturday, but when we are analysing the game we need to be realistic and keep our feet on the ground.
I have always said comment on the game and not the result something the media are unable to do.
Being a football fan by its very nature lends itself to getting carried away with the tide. Football builds you up to bring you down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for the double post
Ian
Even though the XG for the opponent’s was high in the villa and Bournemouth games there were two clean sheets in between. the supreme defensive performance away at Leicester would’ve brought a lover of catenaccio to tears.
Not the same kind of game as seen under some skittish counter attacking chancer like Emery at home to Watford.
Arteta will continue to make mistakes but we’ve seen positive signs and momentum. Ever since he re-signed Xhaka the intent has been clear (& after we learnt of what went on with Auba).
If only Xhaka had been bought in a half season earlier (in 2015 to replace Flamini!).
And yes we know thanks to Shotta by the Numbers the predictable officials will be tilting the Away games just as hard as in the later phases of AWs reign when that tactic replaced the blatant thuggery. I’m also Looking forward to the fines for the celebrations. Nothing Arteta didn’t see before or at City – at the least they are also not Webb’s favourite team.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Think it’s safe to say the team put a big effort into the Everton game for lots of reasons. Lost Nketiah to a hack on that last goal? Bournemouth had the week off?
When the GD is close enough to City’s at this stage then it is also safe to say we’re enjoying the promise of that record goal scoring run last winter. Some said if Newcastle could score goals that they’d have had a few against City. Players who can stay calm & slow down time as they can somehow see the goal before it happens. Should’ve started Willock heh Hale End magic could’ve helped them & Arsenal!
Would not complain if the u23s play against Sporting (I’m praying!) Fulham away on paper is a tough test given where they are and the classic old ground. Clean sheet is a big ask & we often do not see the best football at this stage as it gets more niggly not ashamed to admit with the strikers out I’ll take the goals & three points.
Could be a muddy pitch a faulty tilt might literally sea saw one end of the ground under the Thames but come sunshine, rain or salty river the Away support will still be loud
COYG
LikeLike
I can’t understand how anyone thinks it was a fluke finish from Nelson. So much to enjoy.
Such skill as he brings that ball with intent and balance creating time for a relaxed almost lazy recoil with his lefty to give it some seriously cultured welly. He might have to play in wellingtons if the pitch in Fulham has a faulty tilt.
Even if one end of the ground sea saws under the Thames I suspect the Away support will be loud come sunshine, rain or salty river. Praying the U23s play against Sporting Agent.
COYG
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same as Zinchenko against Villa.
Didn’t rush as he sensed a glimmer of space & luck through the grass and crowds. Froze time. Checked sights. Lined it up. And laced the boots. Skill & power expressed with calm confidence.
Lots to enjoy. Have to agree with Ian. City have some tough fixtures too. As George states City have two squads that can win a title they’re obviously favourites till the end & though plundits spinning a yarn will have different hooks on their threads for different fishies there is blissfully no need to worry if you’ll win when you are the underdog, or under-dogfish shark (?).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tierney is out of the EL game tomorrow, he is unwell, Vieira traveled to Portugal but has a sore throat, Jesus also traveled but its not clear if he will be in the squad or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
spurs out of the CL, ha ha ha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Less than five hours until KO that seems strange.
Mikel has a real difficult job tonight picking a team than can do the job but avoiding the minefield of injured, sick and half fit players.
I know everyone says take each game at a time but it must be difficult not to have one eye on having a top eleven or so for Sunday.
Whatever the team COYG.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting line -up.
LikeLike
Turner, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Jorginho, Saka, Vieira, Nelson, Martinelli.
Subs: Ramsdale, Hillson, Partey, Gabriel, Smith-Rowe, Holding, Tomiyasu, Bandeira, Sagoe, Smith, Walters.
LikeLike
Saliba makes it 1-0 to the Arsenal
LikeLike
1-1
LikeLike
LikeLike
HT: 1-1
LikeLike
Commentstor clearly spuds
LikeLike
2-2, an og
LikeLike
tomiyasu on for zinchenko
LikeLike
Partey, Gabriel and Smith-Rowe on
Jorginho, Kiwior and Nelson off
LikeLike
full time 2-2
LikeLike
Well as we have seen with these mix and match sides the performance was a little disjointed.
Sporting are a good side especially at home so as far as away results go in Europe it was quite good.
At no point in the game did we get our usual tempo going but still managed to trouble them.
Unfortunately I think Turner proved he is another Leno, basically a good shot stopper but lacking in other areas. Although Martinelli lost his man for the first goal there was no one in front of Turner and the bloke headed it from three yards that has to be the keepers to attack.
The second obviously should have been pushed to the side rather than straight back out into play.
He generally had a poor games with his hands and his feet.
It will be interesting to see who’s between the sticks for the second leg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems(could be wrong?) that the Europa League, is a bit like the League cup of Euro comps? Bit of a grind, but if you win it, then its fun and games and my clubs better than your club?
Sometimes it also seems as if even the CL is too big? But perhaps its big enough from another perspective? I have no answers in how to make it more exciting, or how to create the tension that makes games interesting, so my moan is a cul-de-sac of groan.
2-2 seemed enough, a few experiments, not much lust for a big win, but maybe the thoughts were already directed to John Craven Cottage cheese? Maybe the second leg will be a bit more appealing?
Anyway roll on Sonntag! What? Susan Sonntag?
COYG!
LikeLiked by 2 people
LikeLike
After the start of a black February we have found ways to win games, which they say is a sign of champions, however we haven’t seen a total performance for a long time.
After stumbling along against sides from the bottom half of the table we face the best side since playing manure and this one is away from home.
As we approach the run in all results are vital and this will again be another tough match.
Fulham play the ball well along the floor and also pose an arial threat.
We know whichever ARSENAL side goes out there has the ability to match their quality and has the potential to bring home all three points COYG.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The performances against LCFC Away or Everton at Home will do. Swooning nutmegs and clean sheets.
Using the rare magic & the mystic numbers taken from the league table with the help of some tea leaves & toast (bloody statistics!), it is safe to say: this season Fulham are tougher and better opponents then the two teams above. (You’d have to travel far and wide to encounter better punditry then this).
Tricky time to lose Tierny the rotations with Z have been a great success this season hopefully he and a striker will be back on the bench at least.
If anyone is missing the Tottenham supporting plundits there is a very recent YouTube video titled “why are spurs so painful to watch”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping that this season the person that we will applaud as our Champion for or of the year will be the person who took personal responsibility to invite Arsene Wenger back to these shores during the midwinter festival.
Not the opposite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kloppa castle crumbles at Footnmouth…
As for Spudney punditry; rumour is he failed Opportunity knocks with worst mime act ever. It was so bad that Marcel Marceau declared himself a stalwart Gooner afterwards. Harpo Marx said the same.
However Groucho Marx said ” I was convulsed by laughter by this. One day I intend to watch it”
Remember: A Wenger is always better than a chicken.
COYG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mills until very very recently I took careful note that none of these chickens ever objected to working alongside Joey Barton I guess that’s just because they were clucking themselves?
Luckily for the punters I’m sure we’ll see many of these brave souls on the Betyerkidslifeaway™️ BSKYB sponsored couch soon enough whilst sat in Rupert’s cosy lap.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Come on Viera
Come on Palace
Come on the Arsenal!
LikeLike
Arteta says Nketiah, Jesus and Trossard all out of our game at fulham tomorrow
LikeLike
charlie watts claims both Jesus and Trossard are in contention to be included in our squad tomorrow
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike
Kind of hope we go for the intense kill off in this one rather than slogging it out, even if last second wins are bloody great to releive all the buitl up tension. I thought we sloshed about in midweek, which was fair enough, I don’t think anyone was too much into it?
I also like it we can call on a good bit of talent from the bench these days, if things go sloshy again.
You guys?
COYG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Jesus, Smith Rowe, Holding, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson
LikeLiked by 1 person
Small pitch
Fulham who have some good footballers on the pitch pumped up by the meeedjah to hack and slash an early hack on saka hopefully he has the stamina to run it off after the mid week minutes. I do think as with some of the fixtures over the Xmas rotations this is a game for Tierny and Nketiah so it’s a good test of the squad.
Solid cagey defensive start from both teams. Both teams probing for cracks and gaps atm. But the longer that goes on the more the home crowd will be tamed. I’ll take a last minute winner any/every day.
COYG!
LikeLiked by 1 person