A retired basketball player here, Charles Barkley, now a pundit, who played against Jordan and also shot golf with Tiger Woods, said they were the most competitive people he has ever met bar none.

I also read that the best of the best, the G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of all time) as they are called in America is like a club. They can spot another 'apex predator' so to speak. Jordan was friends with Tiger Woods as well as almost investing in a ice hockey franchise with Mario Lemieux, another 'best of the best' type player. Jordan was also friends with Joe Montana who is arguably the greatest quarterback ever along with Tom Brady today and he is friendly with Wayne Gretzky. The article, which I wish I could remember where, spoke of something they see in each other similar to them. A driving force. I would imagine Messi and Cristiano have that in them. Henry did as well I think. Lauren I think spoke of how competitive he was at everything, non football even.

Kobe Bryant had that drive as well and didn't care about how you took it. He was more than willing to risk friendships over it.

Looking at the Cédric 4 year deal, is it not to be expected that he got a good deal for himself as he was on a free transfer. The bigger contract may cost us an extra couple of million a season that it should but we didn’t pay a fee for him.
Of course I’d love to sign someone like Kimmich or even a highly rated RB like Hakimi but the cost would take away from other areas of the team that require strengthening.
If, a big if, Arsenal have decided they only have enough money to strengthen 1 or 2 positions with a top class signing then I don’t want right back to be one of them.
Given the current situation we find ourselves in I don’t think it’s a terrible signing

This will test Newcastle's ethics to some extent. MBS is trying to buy legitimacy in the same manner Roman tried as well as Usmanov. Its hard to turn down those deep pockets.

Do you sell your soul to the devil?

Do we need fullbacks? I'm fine with the choices we have. I'd rather spend on central defense. If we get someone of a high quality who can play both central and full back, all well and good. But for me, I think we should focus almost entirely on central defense and defensive midfielder.

I hope so rich, but the thing that’s glaringly obvious is no one’s got a clue what kind of signing he’ll be because no bugger has seen a minute of him playing!! Not just partial but a complete gamble. I smell another Aumery Bishchoff. I might upgrade that to a Kim Kallstrom if he ever makes an appearance

Huh? He's been at Southampton for 5 years and played over 100 games for them. He also has 30+ caps for Portugal.

Mari, on the other hand, we have seen very little of.

Quite a while since he played a competitive minute. Remains to be seen if he’s the same player for me. I can see why we’ve done a cheap deal. Just not one I think is likely to pay off even for the smaller outlay.

At least we haven’t quite returned to signing players from the German fifth division

https://arsenal-mania.com/whatever-happ ... to-mendez/

https://arsespeak.com/2011/01/17/the-cu ... ers-story/

Ah, heady romantic days...

Kick off is 6:00 pm this evening - just in case anyone hadn't spotted it.

I hadn't.

Maybe he'd pave the way for more Portuguese players joining us. Portugal have been producing top class players for a number of years now.

So 4 away games on the trot in 11 days - and not quick hops either. London to Manchester - Brighton - Southampton - Sheffield - 900+ miles and many many hours. That's a gruelling schedule by any standards.

Actually hate the away game at Southampton.
Usually doesn't end well.
F****king Charlie Austin.
Step up Danny ings......not!
Not confident I have to say.
I still have faith in arteta as its still very early days but a 3rd defeat in a row would be unbearable.
Let's show some bloody pride and nous about us today. Let's actually react and show what we are about today.
I dread if we go a goal down..... our heads will go down for sure.
Come on Arsenal!!!

Cédric has made 16 appearances for Southampton so far this season, the last coming in January. Probably a combination of injuries and running down his contract as to why he hasn't featured for them or us since

Martinez, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney, Pépé, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka, Nketiah, Aubameyang.

Sokratis back on the bench along with Matt Smith from the U23's with a first senior call up

It’s on sky sports football/main event which I don’t have, anyone got any links?

Guendouzi not in the squad. Arteta was fairly terse when questioned and refused to explain or elaborate on his reasons. Didn’t look happy. Good.

The game is free to watch in Aus on Optus Sport 2

Oh Aubameyang, How much are we going to rue that!

Tierney can play. One of so few decent players we have

should have been a clear yellow for Saints stopping a counter attack, but sure enough the first yellow of the day goes to an Arsenal player for the first foul

Great play from Xhaka to release Aubameyang

As is usual Hojbergs was clever Mustafis was wild. Still annoying

Ho ho ho. Is it Christmas already?

Well done Eddie.

yes Eddie! 1-0

Full yellow kit today

Well done Eddie. You made your own luck with effort and good anticipation.

That's ama zing. Think I prefer that to a thunderbastard
So chuffed for Eddie!!

Hope the b****** Arteta gets sacked before too long.

Gosh, you do have your favourites don't you. I wouldn't worry too much Bern, Guendouzi has still got plenty of time

Wow. That’s savage.

Bellerin really off the pace still. Given up a lot of possession

Wise to make some subs on restart. They must be knackered. Would love to see Aubameyang up front with Özil at no 10. Sokratis definitely.

Well it wasn't vintage. Holding just doing normal average defender stuff is a breath of fresh air. I think they're starting to close down Bellerin as he's not done great under pressure in possession. Saka getting in behind, Pépé one or two moments but nothing that amazing, and Nketiah the basic work really paying off. Second half we need to convert the breaks were having and not get bloody complacent with the lead!!

Hope ManChester City drop points at Chelsea to confirm Liverpool’s title win. I expect everyone has cottoned on to how much I dislike that vile club Liverpool and their revolting up their own arses fans, so let me explain. Winning the title without playing a game to confirm it just isn’t the same, in my view.

I’ve seen Arsenal win six titles. The one where the moment (the game) winning it was most forgettable was the 1991 title. We actually won the league without playing a game. We played Manchester United at home that day, but before it the title win was confirmed by Nottingham Forest beating Liverpool. For me it took something from the moment, even though it had been a great season. It just wasn’t the same as Arsenal winning it by playing a match as with 1971 at Tottenham, 1989 at Anfield, 1998 at home to Everton, 2002 at Old Trafford and 2004 at White Hart Lane again.

I realise no Liverpool fans would be able to attend the match they will do it at, even if City win tonight. But I very much doubt their fans will find City drawing or losing at Chelsea tonight as memorable as they would find watching Liverpool win the league in their next game on telly.

Completely in the wrong but doubling down regardless

What does ‘doubling down regardless’ mean?

What happened at half time then? We don’t seem to have reappeared for the second half. Riding our luck right now.

American football reference? American football played at Tottenhams home ground. He's calling you a spurs fan. I wouldn't stand for that if I were you...

Fragile team holding a lead