I have an inkling Brighton will get something out of their travel to Anfield. And that will raise the importance of our game a wee little bit.

I wondered about going to the BM game in Munich but it's just too difficult to arrange things. Looking on the website, the number of away credits you'd need to purchase tickets is now down to 5 and yet there seem to be plenty of seats available in all the away areas.

We got 3,799 tickets but at the moment, it doesn't look as though we're going to sell our allocation. That's really unusual. I suppose the Club could open the sale up to any member regardless of away credits, but I don't think they've ever had to do that for a big game like this.

Sky sports have done a piece where they question the injuries Arsenal players had in the international break, Saka being the main one, and their legitimacy ahead of the City game. No mention of City having 8 players they either withdrew from international games through injury or came of early in games due to injury. Ederson, Dias, Bernardo, stones, Walker, de Bruyne, haaland and Akanji. Let’s see how many of those make the squad for Sunday.

City's first half record against the top 5 this season is scored 4 conceded 1.
City's second half record against the top 5 this season is scored 1 conceded 6.

When we beat City twice this season (albeit one on penalties) we played more conservatively, made sure we didn't give anything to them. On previous occasions we've tried to press them and gone a bit toe to toe and got caught out by either their direct play or a tactical tweak from Pep which Arteta may have tried to over think.

A draw is still a good result as it keeps us in it. The tactic has to be to make this a game is few chances, we really need Martinelli to be fit as I think the longer balls, using Havertz's hold up play and Martinelli's pace will be key. See how much space Man U got on the break in the first half at The Etihad

I have two American friends are Chelsea supporters. I hear Chelsea related stuff as a result. They are looking at a potential massive financial problem as we all know. Some think their American owners won't spend the money to keep them competitive. Meaning challenging for the title. Poch has mixed reviews with them.

I don't know enough but some online pundits and one of supporter friends thinks this all could be the end of Chelsea as a competitive club for titles. Cups are all they will be able to muster. They have to sell, what, 100m worth of players by mid summer?

I recall before Roman took over there were stories they were on the verge of receivership. I for one won't mourn if they implode.

According to rumors John Stone and Kyle Walker are out for the match.

I’ll believe it when I see it and would advise taking it with a large pinch of salt.

Keane says "Us and Arsenal were a proper rivalry"

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aE6e0TbLJb0

Of the serious injury worries, I think Walker would be the one City would really miss.

But I'm far more concerned with our possible absentees (the reported injuries to Gabriel and Saka, and particularly whether Martinelli is fit--these all seem to be lingering doubts). Any of those would be a massive miss for us.

So I'd be content if City's injuries turn out to be nothing, so long as ours do too!

Pep said in his press conference that both of them were out, so I’d be very surprised if they play. Hopefully, Martinelli will be fit to exploit Walker’s absence.

More likely it would be that Declan Rice has fully recovered from his hard Tuesday night partying arranged by Harry Styles and James Corden.

No doubt Rice will be up for the City match on Sunday.

So, the '74-'75 season. Man Utd were relegated. We were 16th, 4 points from the drop. Tottenham one point from the drop. Chelsea get relegated. Crazy season it appears. I recall a discussion several years ago about how likely we were to getting relegated. Some said some they thought we might and some say they weren't in too much doubt.

https://www.englishfootballleaguetables ... 75.html#d1

What's happened to Newcastle? Prior to the season I thought they were in a good position for 3rd. They are still a tough team to beat, but they have been beaten often this season. It's not an easy win by any means. Next to Liverpool I thought our convincing win over them was a very good statement. Now its not looking as big. West Ham are a decent side but they shouldn't have been down 3-1...at home! Very tough place to get a point last season.

Anyway, I suspect they'll get it right. They 2 big things going for them, a good manager and loads of money.

Poor refereeing for Burnley to be down to 10 men. Shocking.

That's the sort of challenge teams seem to be allowed to do against us, without it even being called a foul.

Leverkusen losing one nil in the 85th minute at home. C'mon Leverkusen!

Get in!

So, no points dropped for nearly 2 weeks now.

If we can keep this up for the rest of the season we're laughing.

" photo of the Police officers as they walk over the fans shoulders to take their position at the back during the 1927 FA Cup final between Cardiff and Arsenal at Wembley. Attendance: 91,206."

I thought I read somewhere that Cardiff was the first non English side to win the cup in this game. Not sure if true but I think I recall reading that.

Actually having an internal debate with myself between watching the 2nd half of Liverpool vs Brighton or the women's FA cup final between the Arsenal women vs Chelsea women. It will depend on the Liverpool scoreline probably. If Liverpool are ahead I'll assume they'll win.

It’s your own fault for blocking everyone else

Man U have conceded 106 shots in the last 4 games. That’s crazy. They are so, so lucky to be 6th.

For some reason, Man Utd plays us tough, in good times and bad for them. We have outplayed them and dominated them but I can't recall where we've utterly destroyed them. I'm not counting the league cup win at home early 00s. Ferguson himself said he thought we'd field a weak squad. They've dealt us blows that a casual observer not knowledgeable about the EPL would think we are a relegation side (8-2). They have gotten murdered by Liverpool.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is we will have an extremely tough time to get a win there. Others outplaying them there doesn't equate to us doing the same.

If we have no injuries, I presume Martinelli for Trossard will be the only change.

If Martinelli is still injured, I would start with Jesus instead of Trossard on the Left. We need the press and transitions to be absolutely spot on today.

All the main players are on the bus apparently.

Jesus starts. Possibly wide left

Stones fit on their bench which probably has about 300 million quid in players sat on it.

22Raya
4White
2Saliba
6Gabriel
15Kiwior
8Ødegaard
20Jorginho
41Rice
7Saka
29Havertz
9Gabriel Jesus

Substitutes
1Ramsdale
5Partey
10Smith Rowe
11Martinelli
14Nketiah
18Tomiyasu
19Trossard
21Fábio Vieira
35Zinchenko

Ref: Anthony Taylor

Last time we lost when he was reffing ? anyone?

No need last year at Emirates

https://www.worldfootball.net/referee_s ... enal-fc/4/

Strong bench.

Their 4 forward players are awesome. We need to keep our shape.

Wow Kiwior

Jesus lucky not to get a yellow there

Under a bit of pressure here

Ake to Reyna wtf

Look a bit disjointed.

City seems to see this as a must win. Draw not good enough. Good mindset.

Kiwior is our achilles heel

We're going to get a booking next glaring foul.

The players should instinctively realise that.

Few of those players look lost out there atm