Yes, I think I am blocked, Bernard, but I'm not 100 per cent sure. It'd be helpful if AG provided us with the complete list of his blockees.

I didn’t watch a single second of the England vs Denmark match. How did AMN play before he was taken off?

Look, I rate AMN and am glad he stayed, but if he’s now a full England international it just shows how much easier it is to win England caps these days. George Armstrong and Peter Simpson didn’t win a single cap between them. And now AMN has, I find it amazing.

Rob Holding is now 25 and as far as I’m aware, still hasn’t won a cap. Considering England’s alleged problems in central defence, if I’m right and he hasn’t does that raise the question ‘how bad must Holding be not to have won an England cap’?

Chambers and Jenkinson also have England caps. It's a funny old world.

Good point. I’d forgotten them.

Much tougher back then. Fewer games and no substitutes.

Now caps get given out for just a tiny bit of contribution.

Interesting that after Maguire's latest terrible display to gauge the general reaction in the media vs someone like Luiz when he has a bad game. After getting through the basics of Maguire didn't play well, was clumsy etc there has been general sympathy from the media calls for him to be given a break, taken out of the limelight, there's still a top player in there, feel sorry for him. I get that some of that is down to the incident in Greece - but that is his own fault he was caught up in that. Yet someone like Luiz (and there are plenty other non Arsenal player - Pogba for example) tend to get it with both barrels whenever they play badly or make a mistake, there is no mitigation or feeling sorry for them - but good old english slabhead CB Maguire is treated differently.
The media will have their heroes and villians and no matter what happens the narrative is already written. How many articles or even comment was made about Luiz at the back end of last season, having fantastic games in the cup run and being a true leader and mentor for so many young Arsenal players? Most tended to focus on that 1st game back v City and that his contract was extended by another year. I'd wager Maguire has been directly at fault for more goals than Luiz since he signed for Man U.......and he cost £79m more!

The future appears to be a Saliba/Gabriel partnership. Until both are fully ready, Luiz is needed. If I could only keep one defender of the ones we currently have on the books it would be Luiz for a myriad of reasons.

Arsenal fans are tough on him and others. I certainly have been very tough on one of our defenders in particular.

Luiz was always a stop gap till we could get the defense Arteta wants.

Hi Kiwipete, have not heard from you for a while now. Hope everything is well with you.

To borrow one of your Brit terms. Arteta must be 'taking the piss' lol
The 17 foreign players rule thing I was not aware of so it makes sense to some extent but clearly Özil is good enough to be one of the 17. Sokratis is off it which is reasonable. I wouldn't be shocked to see him off in January (or is that window still in effect?) if we get a chance to off load him. At this point, I'm resigned to have Mustafi for a while. I was also surprised of reports that Saliba wasn't as developed as a defender as we have previously thought.


https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football ... s-22854605

Arsenal have 19 foreign players - two more than selection guidelines will allow.

With time running out on his deal and little chance of playing, it would appear Özil's career at the Emirates is over.

But Arteta has thrown the 32-year-old a lifeline, telling him to keep working hard in case an opening appears.

Looking at our probable starting XI, its pretty good and this is without Tierney. I'd take a draw right now. On a side note, Everton and Villa have not had a loss yet. I live on the edge until they both have one.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Mendy; Foden, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Mahrez, Sterling

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Thomas, Saka; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Odds on TG returning and telling us he was on lockdown and abiding by the governments demand's 2 - 1

Odds on him saying he's been to the moon to watch our next signing 99-1



Fake news

I'm not sure what our best 11 or best formation is at the moment. Arteta's 3 at the back seems to be by necessity rather than choice. He's already spoken that the signing of Partey allows us to play alternative formations.
Leno, Gabriel, Bellerin, Tierney, Partey, Aubameyang would be the only certainties for best 11 whatever the formation in my opinion.

With everyone healthy and available, and Pépé being is so expensive, its possible he "has to" start....lol.

I think eventually Martinelli will force himself into being a starter.

He has started all four league games on the bench so far, so it doesn't seem like his price tag is forcing Arteta to do anything.

If the signing of Partey allows Arteta to feel confident enough to field a back 4, and a back 4 containing Luiz, then it opens up so many options for us. Getting that extra body in midfield is crucial. I said before that a lot of our forwards tend to be players who get on the end of things rather than natural creators. I could see games where we play a back 4 and a midfield trio in a number of different combinations to suit the opposition. With only 2 CM you are pretty restricted in what the balance has to be. Playing 3 opens up the possibility of Willian or Saka as a 10. Or Xhaka sitting and and two of Partey/Ceballos/Saka as roaming 8's.

Looking forward to seeing Partey play, I hope he starts this weekend.

I think its wise to not expect Partey to be effective from the start. It's a new league, country, culture, club. He will need time. The pace is much faster, the game is more physical. Because of his physical attributes, he will probably adjust faster than most but he still should be given time.

Options?

https://www.skysports.com/share/12100167

I would like to see Saliba feature soon

I would to, but at the moment he will not be in the European team and he may be excluded from the epl team. Arteta is supposed to be good at managing players like Sterling so I can’t see what the problem will be. He needs to be properly managed and playing regularly (even if only cups) by the end of the year.

The most negative possibility is that after watching him in training, Arteta has decided he isn’t as good as was thought when we bought him.

Unless you're Henry or Sol.


https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football ... r-22855123
Ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger explains why he made an example out of Cesc Fabregas

Hoping for the best for Everton today, even though I've never liked the club for personal reasons. Always had a soft spot for Liverpool and perhaps would have been my club if things were different. That said, I like the present incarnation of Everton. So far, Ancelotti has done a bang up job. How long this current run will last is anyone's guess but he's definitely helped his own reputation.

Is anyone else more than a little worried we are building a reputation of a club to avoid in transfers? (St. Etienne , Atletico)

He will definitely be in the PL squad as he's under 21.

So true - especially if Mike says so...

We have a negative win-loss record against Man Utd. Was there ever a time in anyone's time as a fan we dominated them?

Before this season, for a few years, I dreaded going to Manchester, for either side. Now, I'm intrigued on what may happened. I'm nervous and dreading the worst (a huge loss) but for the first time in a while, I am..dare I say it..a bit excited about this match.

De Bruyne is definitely out of the game.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54571524

When Mike Tyson was asked by a reporter whether he was worried about Evander Holyfield and his fight plan he answered; “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

Wise man, Mike.

I was always a nerd, but my older brothers were pretty tough street guys. I asked one of my older brothers about some of his bar fights, which he had a reputation for someone you wanted to avoid, said "It's not how well him or me can hit, its how well either of us can take a hit". Apparently he had a tough chin (and head).

C'mon Tofees, don't give up hope. I'll forgive you this one time if you stay unbeaten. I promise.

Speaking of boxers. My father is old enough to remember from Marciano onward. He said the two 'scariest' fighters he'd ever seen was Foreman and Tyson in their primes. He also maintains the '70s had the toughest heavyweights by some distance. Several of them, according to him, could have been champion in later era.

You can do it Everton. I believe in you.

If he does not play this season, we will have another wasted season for him. Hope some Championship side takes him up.

That possibility is better than if their relationship had broken down. I still think missing out on the French Cup Final is a big thing on a young French player's mind.

Everton fortunate to be at 1-1 with Pool. The way the game is going, a Pool win is more likely.

City 1 Arsenal 2?

Anything is possible!

Saliba has just suffered a significant bereavement is what I’ve seen reported. He’s 19 and very tall and coming off quite a big injury. I’ve also seen reported concerns about his core strength. I’m guessing his heads not right and his fitness, particularly the match fitness level Arsenal want him to be at is also not right. Look for him to make steady quiet progress and step in if there’s an injury later in the season, europa squads can be altered at the ‘halfway’ point can they not?

C'mon Everton.