Good morning all,

This afternoon at 5.30 Arsenal take on United in what I see as a pivotal game for both sides.

Arsenal need to win to squash the lingering doubts that our recent run of good form is more down to our good play than it is to how poor our opposition has been. It’s been 16 points from 18 and I know you can only beat what’s in front of you of you, but Newcastle, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Brighton are about as easy a run as it gets. Still, we have taken advantage and since Smith-Row dispelled the ridiculous notion that we didn’t miss a creative player in midfield, we have in spells looked a much better unit and we can push to the back of our mind that we only managed 2 points from 21 previously when without one.

As for United, they were top of the table and cock-a-hoop until the worst team in PL history brought them crashing down at Old Toilet the other day. They will be keen to show that was the blipiest of blips and that they can mount a challenge for the title. Both teams have much to prove, so let’s hope it’s us that do the proving in a positive way.

We have had an extra days rest so that’s a slight advantage, but we need it because it seems some of our key players are carrying lingering knocks and strains, Partey, Smith-Row and Tierney, all may or may not be fit for this encounter. How many of them are fit and ready will have a big effect on how confident I feel when the whistle goes.

Will Martin Odegaard, the young man we have brought in to replace Ozil, the man we apparently didn’t need, be included in the squad or even the team? I can’t imagine it, but one never knows.

Which Brazilian will partner Rob Holding at centerback? The Covid hit young Gabriel or the age hit Luiz? Perhaps the outstanding game Luiz had in the reverse fixture (Have I remembered that correctly?) will tip the balance in his favour. It’s what I would do if Mari isn’t fully ready to start.

It seems our captain is not yet available either, so Pepe on the left seems likely.

Whatever happens we go into the game much more optimistic than we would have done a few short weeks ago and United will be less confident than they would have been a few days ago. I’m sure we are all looking forward to this fixture, which in itself is a bonus. The result and performance of both teams will tell us a lot today, let’s hope it tells us good news.

Enjoy the game and the weekend and stay safe

Pedantic George.

Good morning Positives,

Today @shotta_gooner and I look back at the Southampton game and in light of 16 points from the last 18 available, discuss how much optimism we can allow ourselves.

This podcast is recorded, edited and published by Shotta on Uncensored Arsenal and available on Spreaker Apple Podcast,  Soundcloud, Google podcasts, etc.  Simply search for Uncensored Arsenal podcast.

Your comments are always welcome on both sites and would let us know if anyone is actually listening.

Stay safe out there.

Pedantic George.

Good morning all.

Tonight we face the team that dumped us out of our FA Cup just 4 days ago and on the same stage. A real case of getting back on the bike. We only lost by a rather unfortunate own goal and we will be starting a better and fresher team, while due to injuries and suspensions, they will be fielding the same weakened team. Our current darlings, Tierney, Saka, Partey and Smith-Row will be back, and we have definitely seen we are better when they play, so a reversal of the result could easily be on the cards.

The general consensus among fans and the media ,is that Southampton are having a good season while Arsenal are having a nightmare, but a look at the table sees us 11th and them just 2 points above us (all be it with a game in hand) at 10th place. Its a real mid-table clash, if ever there was one.

The team in many ways mainly picks itself. For me at least Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Smith-Row, Saka and Lacazette are nailed on first choice. That just leaves two places up for grabs. Gabriel looked off the pace on Saturday, so Luiz could come back in with the continuing unavailability of Mari. Aubameyang seems to be missing so who plays in his place? I say “in his place” rather than “in his position” because his absence might see a rejig of Saka over to the left with Pepe, or the much maligned Willian, playing from the right. Clearly the less disruptive change would be a straight swap with Martinelli on the left for our captain. All I will say is that if Arteta goes for Willian, he will be lucky there are no Arsenal fans there to give him their opinions on his selection as most seem to have decided the aging Brazilian is the devils child.

We have seen enough recently for be optimistic of a better result and much better performance tonight, so here’s hoping.

I believe that top 4 is well beyond us now, top 6 too I fear, so for me the performances are more important than the results. We wont get relegated, so I would rather see an idea of how we might play going forward, than somehow manage to get points against the run of play. But that’s just me.

Enjoy your day and the game.

And stay safe.

Pedantic George.

With the unconfirmed news that Ozil is leaving us, @shotta_gooner and I voice our appreciation for the talent that is Mesut Ozil.

We are available on Apple Podcast, Spreaker, Soundcloud, Google podcasts and many other platforms. Just search for UncensoredArsenal podcast.

Good morning campers.

On this podcast @shotta_gooner and I look at the grim draw with Crystal Palace and I predict a grim future for the club and team. Our star players are either gone or fading fast and our hopes are pinned on the youth. We are hoping that all our prospects develop into top class players, understandable yet unlikely.

We are available on Apple Podcast, Spreaker, Soundcloud, Google podcasts and many other platforms. Just search for UncensoredArsenal podcast.

I fear I’m beginning to sound like a broken record on this blog and these podcasts while adding little to the discussion so please feel free to add comments that help. The content has become just a vehicle for my opinion, this was never the intention for this site. Originally the idea was a collective, but it seems now that it’s just me boring you and me to death. So please, if you have an opinion that you feel you would like you express, let me know either directly or in the comments. Let’s get back to being the collective that we were supposed to be. The site should go in the direction that the collective leads it, not where I go. The very essence of the site is at stake.

Pedantic George.

Good morning all, it’s been a while.

Tonight we face Crystal Palace in what I suspect will be our biggest test in quite some time. Roy’s boys will set up in a low block and look to hit us on the break, with players ideally suited ,like Zaha, Eze and Townsend. We have struggled, to the point of incompetence, against this system for over 12 months, but that might be about to change. The belated emergence of ESR has made look much more likely to break down such a system. Who knew a 10 would have this effect? Everyone bar Arteta I suspect, but Covid ruling William out saw Mikel stumble on ESR, like a blind Squirrel finding a nut. Still, having found his nut, at least he appears to have the good sense to make use of it. That’s a bonus.

Leno will start, being he is the only keeper we seem to have now. Hector and Tierney are both in good form so they are nailed on and I think the back four, which thankfully we are back to, wil be Holding and Mari. Gabriel is available again, but it would be harsh on their of the other two to leave them out. I’ll whisper this quietly so no one hears, I think Mari has been better than Gabriel anyway.

That takes us into the engine room of midfield. Our captain without the armband, Xhaka will surely start, the question is , with who? Partely is ready and would be his partner normally , but he might be nurtured back from the bench, so Ceballos or Elneny with likely start, the experiment of Willock in CM ,having not worked in the cup.

The front 3 of Aubameyang, Lacazette and Saka looks our best bet, so that’s what I expect.

We all hope that we can turn the season around, the wins that started against Chelsea have at very least given us hope. Arteta’s nut is a game changer, ESR could be the real deal. Ok, he’s still a mile away from Ozil, but that ship has sailed away and been scuppered, so no point crying over spilt magic.

Enjoy the game. COYG.

Pedantic George.

On today’s podcast me and @shotta_gooner take a look at the Brighton and WBA games, but mainly I go ballistic about the stupidity in the media and our own fanbase. So sorry about that.

Pedantic George.

Good Morning all.

In today’s podcast @shotta_gooner and me talk about the great 3 points we got from Chelsea and wonder if it will be the start of a change or if we will revert to previous when the “old guard” become available again?

You can also listen to and download this podcast over on uncensoredarsenal.com .

Have a good holiday

Pedantic George.( @arseblagger )

#CHEARS match preview by Shard aka @shardgooner on Twitter

Time can be such a weird thing. I was away from Arsenal and Twitter for about a week and it feels like everything has passed me by, and yet nothing has really changed. We lost again. The same arguments are raging. The same outrage, counter outrage, and outrageous opinions, all mixed with some hope (denial) that things will work themselves out.

A week may not be much time, but what of 3 years? In that time frame we have gone from complaining about top 4 not being enough and why Wenger is wrong to somehow it still being Wenger’s fault.

Well, if plus ca change is to be the theme, that might work out well for Arsenal. 5 months ago Arteta was celebrating winning the FA Cup against Lampard’s Chelsea. After all that has happened since, could things be the same again?

No.

Shoelaces tied and lead weight in our socks

Unfortunately, we go into boxing day with our shoelaces tied together, some serious lead weight in our socks, and with our gloves filled with hot air. Our mouth piece though. PRsenal is gritting its teeth, and showing that it is alive and kicking itself in the shin. All good there, then.

Meanwhile our opponents’ pockets and gloves are loaded, and pack quite a punch. They average over 2 goals a game. Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner lead the charge and the likes of Mount and Chilwell provide the ammunition. Kante is their leading tackler, while Zouma is a rock at the back who has also scored 4 goals. Arsenal have to stay sharp for the whole 90+ mins in this game or it could very easily lead to another goal fest against us.

Not that goal fests are bad if you can attack. Chelsea can be got at, but I have no faith in us doing it. I’m not sure anyone really knows what the plan is. The best I can figure is that we hope to repeat by sitting deep and hoping to catch them on the counter. Do a Mourinho. I mean why not. Arteta has been doing that more and more off the field, so maybe this is just the best we can hope for.

Gallows humor to open contempt

Here’s all I care about really. Arsenal are not only no fun to watch, they give me no sense of pride to follow. Pride which has nothing to do with results. By now my gallows humor has turned into open contempt. I never thought such a day would come. Well, at least it’s something new.

Not new is Granit Xhaka being a figure of hate for Arsenal fans and we can look forward to tweets blaming any and all failures on him as he’s back from suspension. Gabriel is back as well, but the Christmas Partey is cancelled. Auba and Martinelli are both being assessed, while Lacazette is only going to be judged. Oh well, we need martyrs for the cause, don’t we? What cause? Can I say MAGA?

Oh, and just to add some good cheer, take a look at where Ivan Gazidis’ new club sit in Serie A. (Anyone who quotes Emery and Villareal at me is getting banned)

I’m not even daring to wish for a Miracle on Hornsey Street. If one is due I hope it goes towards something more important and more deserving than Arsenal FC. I recently got called the Grinch. I hope I’m not ruining anyone’s festive celebrations, but Arsenal doesn’t bring me any good cheer any more. Enjoy your eggnog to go with the likely goose egg coming our way in terms of points.

Merry Christmas, folks…… If the guy(s) in red and white let you down, you know you can only blame yourselves for having been naughty and flying those planes with banners…… And a Happy New Year to all.

Written by Shard aka shardgooner on Twitter.

You can also read this and comment over on https://uncensoredarsenal.com

Good morning all.

Tonight we play the Manchester City Globetrotters in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at The Home of Football.

Under normal circumstance this would be a mouth-watering encounter, but these are anything but normal times. We are in the midst of a run of form that is the worst in living memory for most of the Arsenal fanbase. I know City would visit us expecting to win no matter what form we were in, but they must expect to brush us aside tonight. I don’t joke when I say I can’t remember when we last played well enough that we might have a chance. They are unlikely to play their best eleven, but their 2nd best 11 is so much better than our best that it’s not even a comparison.

However, all is not lost, stranger things have happened, freak result regularly pop up, but make no mistake, for us to go through we would need the freakiest of freak results. Look, it’s not impossible, we did get a freak result in the FA cup semi just a few months ago. We can hope, so let’s do that? Hope! Hope for the best. Hope for a Christmas miracle.

Normally team selection and set up is difficult, but today it’s impossible for me to even hazard a guess, so I won’t bother.

It would be a good night to throw Ozil into the mix, Arteta could blame him instesd of the maths.

Personally I would play all the youngsters that are on the fringes of the first 11 and the likes of Saliba. However, even then it would mean allowing them to play something other than the PLAY BY NUMBERS rubbish that Arteta churns out week after week. And that won’t happen either.

Try to enjoy the game , IT’S CHRISTMAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pedantic George.