So Conte has been out-thought and thoroughly outplayed in all 3 games against the big 6, only scrapping a draw v Chelsea thanks to a hair pull that should have left them with a defeat and a 3 game ban.

Granted they’ve had to play all 3 of those games away but it’s not a good look. Waiting for a Conte press conference after Spurs lose is like waiting for a Jose one back in the day, wondering which or how many players he throws under the bus. Juve will come calling soon

He is I agree, but a stopped clock and all that. He made this point when Maguire was sold to Man U and said he’d fail as he looked good in a 3 for England protected by 2 mids and looked good in a Leicester team who sat deep and he headed and blocked everything away. Play for an attack minded team and Maguire finds himself defending 1v1 on the halfway line.
You just can’t compare CB from mid to low table teams with those at the top, not until the mid to low table teams prove they can do it under the same tactics as those at the top. It’s chalk and cheese defending

I’m more cautious about Tottenham. Everyone sees City as clear favourites but before losing at a top four challenger away tonight Tottenham had won the same number of points from the same number of games, albeit with a much worse goal difference which can be taken as worth a point.

I don’t see Tottenham winning the league. But hardly anyone sees us winning it. Klopp himself has written Liverpool’s chances off. Tottenham are a serious candidate for a top four place, along with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and I’d suggest Newcastle who are also a decent outside bet. And if City are considered a guaranteed place, they’re all fighting for one of three positions.

Tottenham play tedious football much of the time. But boring or not, they win enough games to be a threat for a top four place.

His lieutenants weren’t bad either … Tigana and Giresse … what a trio … fantastic individually and as a unit Up there with the all time great midfields

This guy hasn't faced Arsenal since 2006.

Three at the back not good? George used it at Liverpool in one of our greatest ever results - Adams, Bould and O'Leary. Lovely jubbly!

Stan slapped with a £571M payout as NFL approves resolution.

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/ ... s-25296103

He and a whole lot of Man Utd fans would love to see us lose to him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nU7YiL ... ex=5&t=20s

I feel better now waiting for my next electricity bill. It should be slightly lower than that number.

Spurs lost
Chelsea dropped points
Pool won

2 out of 3 is not bad
We just have to focus on accumulating the points to keep the distance

I am now more worried about a top 4 finish than I was a couple of weeks ago. The teams I think can challenge us are lined up from 2-7( maybe Newcastle will fall away). When Utd were looking really poor and Liverpool could have a really bad season I was very hopeful. But they are all back in it now. Yep we have a great start but we don’t have squad depth and I am not sure we can maintain the intensity all season. Strangely enough the WC may do us a favour with a break in the season.

Yes, for a one off game against a juggernaut of an opponent who hadnt lost by 2 goals at home for donkeys years. That was a tactical masterclass because re watching that game, how many genuine chances did Liverpool have? How good good saves did Lukic have to make? And we played with a 4 for the rest of the season.
3 at the back with 2 defensive mids (or 3 if you’re Conte last night) is just not expansive enough to play every week and think you can win the title. Not saying it doesn’t ever happen but 98% of teams who win the big titles play a back 4

Morning Rich. I agree with what you say about playing with a back four or five (three central defenders and two full backs, whether or not they’re called wing backs, represents a back five in my view).

However, do you really think winning the title is Tottenham’s realistic aim this season? I don’t. I think they’re after a top four finish to qualify for next season’s Champions League. If they do that, I am absolutely certain this season will be considered a good one by the people at Tottenham.

Another interesting day in Downing Street coming up where a bunch of twisted pagans decide how they can cling onto power to the detriment of 60 million people.

Spot on Darren. This Matthew Syed piece from last Sunday's Sunday Times is worth a read:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5c1234a8-4cab-11ed-b4df-93f167fe6682?shareToken=03790bcfa27679ca315349964d400353

Syed is a time-served Conservative but he's always worth a read for his 'parallax view', his insight and his intelligence.

I think we are stronger this season, and will be able to keep a consistent momentum in our pursuance of Top 4. How Arteta
keep the fringe players (for lack of a better word) match ready is key.

Disappointed to see Manure win. I don't want them building a head of steam. A boring 0-0 would have been better.

I agree Gunfire. A draw, albeit of any score, would have been the best result last night for Arsenal.

Did David Dein have anything interesting to say at the AST meeting Bernard?

I also agree, as enjoyable as seeing Tottenham get stuffed always is.

An election in 2 years won’t fix this necessarily. They kick the can down the road for 2 years, maybe shave a point off the interest rates hope everyone forgets (which the British public has an amazing propensity to do) then launch a massive smear campaign coordinated via the willing press they control.

Remember Miliband. Printed articles on his dad saying he was a national traitor when he was actually a war hero.

https://youtu.be/w-GMTxycAXY


They will buy time. We’re beyond saving.

She’s gone.

Got it yet, ? It drives everything down,

Eats politicians, destroys growth increases depravation and runs the country down.

Indeed :

Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

https://edition.cnn.com/uk/live-news/li ... index.html

Ding Dong ...

"We've got to pay the devil to replace her."

Hi bromley. On my way to the game so a bit short of time to reply in detail. But he’s clearly bitter about the Kroenke’s. They refuse to let his autobiography be sold on club premises even though David will donate all income from sales to charity. He did name the charity but it’s slipped my mind, despite being a worthwhile cause.

Seems a bit petty by the ownership regime. I worded my question to make it easy to say something positive about the Kroenke’s regarding their increased funding in recent times. But he worded his reply to avoid doing that.

Thanks Bernard. I haven't read his book yet- if he's critical of the Kroenke's in it then it's not surprising it's not being sold on club premises- if he hasn't, then it's certainly petty.
Enjoy the game, here's hoping for another win.

With van Nistelrooy being the manager for PSV, nothing less than a 5-0 win will do today

Arteta is not taking chances. A fairly strong starting 11.

Why the long face, Ruud?

Pretty dominant so far without looking much like scoring.

Better pressure coming now.

Hi Bernard, I agree their goal isn’t to win the title and top 4 would be fine for them, but the ultimate aim has to be to win the title or any trophy and given the way they’ve set up and played against the big sides that looks a mile off. What happens if Conte gets top 4 again? Does he suddenly start setting his teams up like pep, Klopp, Arteta?
All big 6 teams should be aiming to put a plan in place on recruitment and style of play with the aim of winning the title in X years. There is no way Spurs can do that with the way Conte sets them up in my opinion. You could keep giving him £100m a season but if you consistently play with 9 defensive minded players and 2 forwards you won’t progress.

Arteta is not taking chances. A fairly strong starting 11.

Oh no Xhaka, that was a bad way to challenge. Could have been a red card from a bad contact.

Dominating the play here, but the final ball and finishing has been lacking. Taken quite a few shots, but none of them has been struck all that well. Just need to keep going, it'll happen eventually if we keep this up.

The worry is the old sucker-punch.

On the cusp of scoring but can't seem to get that good look at goal. A draw wouldn't be the worst result, but obviously you want to win all your home matches against lesser competition.

Yeah. Especially since PSV are the biggest threat to us winning the group.