I suppose the ratings come from the absolute knobs, where people tune in to either hear a biased view like their own or someone they hate so they can yell at the TV. Its the reason I very rarely watch these shows now. I like Wrighty because of his passion but most of the ex Man Utd and even Liverpool players raise my blood pressure. Best to not even listen.

Both Martinelli and Saka in particular distinguished themselves yesterday with their tracking back. Havertz and Trossard were on hand whenever the pumps needed manning too. Havertz had a low key brilliant game.

According to this site, we had a significantly higher xg than Spurs. 0.79 to 1.12 https://understat.com/match/26640. That was my impression. Spurs are good at pressing and moving the ball through midfield but ran out of ideas in the final 3rd. We were always dangerous, just lacked that precision on the counter.

The worry was that neither Jesus nor Sterling looked like the kind of player you want to bring on when hanging onto a result. They failed to hold the ball up. And Partey is a big worry. If he was going to get back into form, you would think there would be more signs by now.

There isn't a big market for nuance. The stock prices of 'being told what you want to hear.inc' is through the roof, sadly.

https://x.com/Bxshhyy/status/1835365056709546032

Ange is absolutely rattled. Even when Arsenal were in the depths in Arteta's first few years show me how many times he was short with the media. It is a small thing and some people might like their manager giving a bit back to the media if they think they're having a pop or its an unfair question but I prefer the more professional classy approach, stick to the same message - Arteta has been 100% consistent in this from day 1. (yes he's had 1-2 outbursts at officials) but generally he talks about our improvement, our belief, our work, the togetherness, we can only control what we do. Keep that message consistent and repeat it. simple

I really liked Havert'z performance, he didn't get much of the ball but he was busy and an outlet. It was his run on the counter that set up the corner from which we scored.

Agreed on Jesus and Sterling when they came on, compared to some of the exemplary sub appearances to close a game out I've seen from Trossard they were a bit brainless when on the ball - albeit diligent in defence it must be said.

On Partey - it was the reason why a holding mid was the biggest priority for me this summer, I think it still is in January. Partey can be useful but as a squad player, and I think if we have a more backs to the wall effort where he covers small spaces and blocks and tackles I think he's still very good - as he was late on yesterday, but he's lost some pace, lost some stamina and is becoming more sloppy in his passing. The problem with not addressing these issues quickly when they come up is that by the time you do address them there will be something else in the squad to address and suddenly it feels like more of an overhaul.

if you have players like Nwaneri and MLS coming through they can absolutely save you millions, just as Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martinlli did in the early squad build for Arteta. Right now though both Jorginho and Partey need replacing inside the next year and we all already feel there needs to be a striker or top class winger in the squad. Hopefully our all but net £0 spend this summer allows us for a decent outlay in January.

I'll be interested to see Arteta's first choice midfield when everyone is fit, Rice at 6 with Merino at left 8?

Trossard was effectively Ødegaard's replacement yesterday, but he did most of his work from the left side rather than Ødegaard working from the right side. Partey played on the right, but him and Jorginho took it in turns to sit deep or push forward on the press - or often sitting in a double pivot.

Arteta will be pleased that we won more ground and aerial duels that Spurs across the 90. We often countered Spurs high press by going longer to Havertz and even if Havertz didn't win the header we battled for the 2nd ball and compressed the play via that method

A reminder that the Man City FFP case starts today. I won't hold my breath over a suitable punishment if any punishment at all!

Neither will I.

Fans don't see these things when they watch games, fans like goals and assists.....coaches look in more detail at how these things fit their game plan.

**of course I'd like Havertz to score 25 goals a season***

I'd be shocked if they didn't receive a hefty punishment. There are 115 charges after all.

Fantastic result.

Our back four (and back-up options) is amazing.

Now, if we could just add a couple of game-changers or needle-movers to the midfield and forward lines what a team we would have.

The invincibles had Henry, Bergkamp and Pires (to name but three) each capable of moments of absolute genius. At the moment we have Saka and occasionally Jesus but we maybe need a few more of those kinds of players.

Their owners seem pretty unworried by it all, I suspect their legal team feels that most of the more serious charges will be thrown out. Whether that's through a lack of evidence, legal loopholes etc who knows.

I suspect just enough minor charges will stick so as to allow the PL not to lose face totally and City will end up with a slap on the wrist via a small points deduction.

The bottom line is that even if they are found guilty of most of the charges they will have built a superclub on the back of a decade or more of cheating and how do you undo all that, the damage has already been done.

The City charges. I have searched many times to try and find out the ‘ particulars’ of the charges. That is basically the allegations that separate one charge from the other. Not available or easily available. That’s where you can see whether the charges are properly laid. I hope it’s not one of those cases where they allege something like this. On …2012 you failed to properly declare the true value of your X sponsorship. The FA say it should only have been 10 million not 20 as you say. You then were asked 20 other times about this and you failed to properly disclose it. There is 21 charges. It’s a house of cards that depends on what someone else said it is worth and really has limited chance of success. Any charges where the value of sponsorship is disputed is pretty flimsy really. I’d rather be arguing Cities case than the FA’s if that is the allegations. Let’s see what develops.

We kept spurs to their lowest xG at home under Postacoglu, 0.71. The best worse was 1.48 when they went down to 9 men v Chelsea. No team has done a job on Spurs at home like we did, not even close.

Agreed on those needle movers, it’s individuals who can score individual goals out of nothing, though no build up of pressure or glut of possession or chances

I’ve watched that Gabriel goal many times. There is so much more to it than a cross on to the big man’s head. It’s pre planned to isolate Gabriel v Romero and essentially take everyone else in the penalty area out of the game. When everyone makes their runs they’re making them to take spurs defenders out of that space or use the spurs defenders to pin or block the gk. I said before the season we won’t be able to put Ben white on gk anymore as it’s been highlighted so much refs will be looking for it and call a foul if he’s anywhere near them. The onus was on Jover to find another way - and he has.
That wasn’t Gabriel’s usual starting position either, he’s usually in the cluster at the back post running forward to the front, this time he hung around the penalty spot knowing the entire set piece was for him. And finally, Saka’s delivery - unbelievable, given everything else we have going on the delivery alone is almost worth the goal. To hit it 40 yards with pace in to a space no more than a few square yards was perfection.

Will be interesting to see what team City pick for their CL game. Foden has played only a small handful of minutes this season, Rodri only played a half in the last game. Pep has been able to give both a proper rest post the Euros but might there just be a little risk that if Pep brings them in for the game v is that they might be a bit match-rusty?

Brentford should have been further ahead at the weekend. We need more teams to be braver v City, sitting back with a low block isn’t the way to beat them because they just love having the ball and have a striker who thrives off any small chance in the box. But play 2 up and go at their slightly aging defence and run them hard and I think you can have success.

Rich, you've just gave our secret away

Hi Rich,

They definitely have some frailties defensively if you can get at them.

The irony is that we will probably play a lowish block on Sunday, as we did against Spuds on Sunday and City last season.

My son’s watch at the game

Not been here for a while. Sorry for the radio silence - log-in problems. Given the shemozzle here in the wake of the riots, I wondered if I’d been banned.

Anyway, I was going to post a video of the goal but I keep cocking it up. It was a remarkably well-worked goal that keeps on offering up subtleties the more you watch it. A real ensemble effort.

Tense as it was, we always had them at arms length, though it didn’t always seem so at the time. Timber was tremendous, as was Havertz - that guy has a real engine - never stopped. Amazing defensive performance.

That crowd are turning on Ange big time. Down the generations, they have been the most vituperative following in football. If they turn against a player or a manager, he’s usually toast. I repeat my prediction of a few months ago - gone by Christmas.

I don’t mind us playing to ensure the game is a tight affair, I’d want us to offer a bit more going forward than last season and I think we can.
It will come down to individual battles, I think our defence is a match for their front 3, and I think our front 3 can hurt their defence - especially on a counter or on transition. My main worry on the match ups is in central midfield. Can we get enough of the ball in midfield, can we get past their aggressive press in midfield if we decide to play short, and can we get hold of De Bruyne. If we’re allowed I wouldn’t mind a few early robust tackles and the odd little niggle after the ball to show how serious we are and to try to knock City out of their stride

We all had a secret vote and decided there were 115 reasons to ban you including but not limited to:

Fashion sense
Terrible jokes
Those rumours involving the sheep…

But we quickly realised we’d have to ban the whole forum on those terms

Nketiah gets his first palace goal in the cup tonight

https://x.com/ben_mattinson_/status/183 ... -j6VVZXEoA

If we go for a striker I think this guy is the best bet. He just seems to have that strikers instinct and ability in the box. One touch and a shot, mostly on target, often lethal.

Bug release clause and what does that mean for Havertz up top.

There is a risk of thinking you’re not close enough when you’re very close and you make a move that upsets the equilibrium- but also maybe you need that to push you over the line.

Saw the official squad photo today. Looking forward do to seeing Merino in the team- he looks tall and strong.

Really looking forward to us putting out a giants 11 and seeing the lads in the tunnel and from set pieces

Good for him

I wonder if Arteta will start Jesus tomorrow? Havertz's minutes need to be managed if he is going to do a similar job against City. Also, Jesus has a great record in the Champs league, and this is an opportunity for him to pick up some form.

If it was any other manager I would say it was a no-brainer, but Arteta?

Nelsen also scored his first Fulham goal. Hoping Nelsen has a good season but also Emile Smith Rowe and Nketiah. Nelsen to find a future sale, and all 3 to show the talent in the Arsenal academy is well worth paying good money for if you’re a mid table prem club.

Iwobi and Willock are £25m sales being picked most weeks (when not injured) for solid prem teams.

RIP Totto Schilachi

In last nights Milan v Liverpool game, expert ref pundit Mark Clattenburg said ‘the referee needs to give Milan some small fouls to clam the crowd down because Milan are getting upset’

This was one of the countries top refs and people wonder why fans get so infuriated with them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42219327.amp
Same ref who admitted in a title defining game deliberately not sending off spurs players who he should have because he didn’t want to be blamed for them losing the title. That game finished 2-2….but what if spurs had scored a late winner benefitting from the full compliment of players they shouldn’t have had? What if the point spurs got instead of the defeat they were deserving off of they’d correctly been down to 8 or 9 men had been the difference in a champions league position?

Mike Dean remember also admitted to not sending Anthony Taylor to the var review monitor for a clear red card as he was a mate who had had a tough game and he didn’t want him to have admitted he missed the red.

And yet we’re still told refs have ‘no choice’ but to implement the laws of the game in certain situations.

Oh no. Ødegaard confirmed with significant damage in his injury, ligament damage. Arteta said he’s going to be out for some time.
My guess would be that’s maybe 3 months

Just what we need

So it's Michael Oliver as ref on Sunday for Man City match. Wonderful.

Man City 0 Inter 0.

Really difficult match for City. Inter were outstanding. This wasn't the usual comfortable home game City have early in the CL. Good news for us. We might be playing a day later and away but Atalanta are nothing like Inter.

City looked a bit rusty. Rodri and De Bruyne not their best. Lets hope that continues for Sunday. The case against City having opened might just be distracting them a little as well.

i see Starmers getting it because he accepted box seats from Arsenal rather than sitting in the stands as usual.

Been waiting for this to happen. so predictable

I heard he would have gone to a regular seat but without his new glasses he could not find his way there. Poor sod, I really feel sorry for him.

Dontcha just love the whining tone of Robbie Savage?

Jesus is rubbish so far.