Yeah he’s not happy

https://youtu.be/aeu_e5jBvPk?si=b-DRaHaU6akHiUr2

Also he played on from the merino foul. The player had a shot that went just wide of the far post. Then because it didn’t go in he called it back for a free kick so they could try again .

Interesting to see Martinelli do so well centrally.


Ultimately Jesus is done. It means if we bring in a no 9, then it'd be great to have another forward who can play centrally or wide.

It's so useful to have players who can play flexibly position wise.

How did the ref play advantage after Merino’s foul, Liverpool had t he shot just wide then he gave them the free kick? That’s just not the notmal way this is refereed at all, usually the taking of the shot means the advantage is over. He could have still given Merino the 2nd yellow before the goal kick was taken

https://x.com/fathallimo/status/1921608 ... -j6VVZXEoA

We have to be more alive to this kind of pass. Martinelli is perfect here but the pass doesn’t come - and it’s not a difficult lofted pass

If the goal wasn’t ruled out for at least a couple fouls the. Robertson is also offside when the header comes in

The booing of Trent was interesting. I’m not saying any other set of fans would be more classy in the same situation but how do the fans think this helped their team or the other players? What about players who might have contracts coming up? ‘You’ll never walk alone’ - unless you decide to leave us on a free transfer!!

I like his frankness, respect for not hiding behind anything
"That's on me", respect

Its a big issue and not just Ødegaard: going for the safe option when there is a quick pass on when someone has found a pocket of space. Martinelli does it too when we break. Often there is a ball on to a runner in the middle and he doesn't take it. Liverpool are very good at knowing when to play the early ball. I don't think it ability. Is Jones a better passer than Ødegaard or Partey?

One can understand the premium on possession when we have pushed up and are vulnerable to the counter. But it seems that the mentality of "having another think" about it before doing anything 'risky' has become ingrained, so we do it even when there isn't much risk or it is more risky to over-elaborate. Similarly with the 'after you' syndrome with taking a shot.

I wonder if anything changes when we (surely) sign a number 9 this summer, and particularly a number 9 who would be used to making these exact runs in behind. When the opposition is pushed up like this and in a high press the ball over the top is always on, it doesn't have to be a straight one to lead to a clear chance because that's far more difficult with the sweeper gk, but in to the channels is always on.
Over the years this is something Liverpool have done consistently well, it is often almost like clearances that just get played in to an area and their forwards are always on the half turn ready to run in behind and they create danger from it

We showed a lot of everything in the second half yesterday, 2-0 down, away at Anfield, them in buoyant mood, we're missing key players......to come back to 2-2 and to actually genuinely deserve it with the quality of the play and domination showed massive mental strength, fight, courage and quality.

With 11v11 we looked the more likely to go on and win, then to see it out with 10 men was very good considering we had unfamiliar players all over the place, tierney at left wing then right wing back, Calafiori at RB, we ended up with 5 left-backs on the pitch!

That is the worry. Discipline is great, but can go too far. Nwaneri seems to be in danger of overly curtailing his maverick side. Trossard is just about the only player who gets the balance right, albeit he ironically he is probably the least 'talented' of our forwards.

As you say, with Liverpool, it is not necessary always the brilliance of the pass, but the willingness to play quick balls into channels, and fact that they are getting three or four players forward quickly.

Whats going on with Nwaneri???
Arteta has hardly used him recently. I get that Saka is back but Nwaneri really helped us through our lean patch of injuries with goals and assists so bemusing why he has hardly got on or started in the last 6 to 7 games.
If we are negotiating a new contract for him not sure this is going to encourage him to sign.
He should be Ødegaard and Sakas understudy but he has hardly had any minutes off the bench since Saka became fit again.
I think he deserves more minutes or has something happened with Arteta behind the scenes?

https://x.com/EGTVEgal/status/1921645848154251741

I don't think this is the red card some people online are calling for but it is a certain free kick and possible yellow. No free kick given and Liverpool score 30 seconds later.

It was also interesting to see Jackson from Chelsea get sent off v Newcastle for a leading arm in to the head of a Newcastle player, unanimously agreed as a red card by everyone - but of course we get vilified for moaning that Bruno deserved a red card for a more premeditated arm to the head of Jorginho last year in a game we lost - which if we'd won we would have ended up with 1 more point than City.

Swedish media reporting Gyökeres deal could be on this week.

Saw a Paddy Power add suggesting the for the Europa League final they replace the usual anthem with the music from Benny Hill.

Very interesting how we seem to have gone from Sesko to Gyökeres.
Is this Berta starting to have an influence?
I'm leaning towards Sesko.
Only 21. More potential just this feeling he could really bang bang at a bigger club.
6ft 5 but pacy and good technical ability.
And resale value.
Gyökeres is no slouch but 26 soon to be 27...are we getting value for money? Does he have that potential and room to grow that Sesko has?

Spurs have lost 20 games in the league. That is some going!

I'd prefer Sesko personally. This could just be media chat, I can't imagine Swedish media being much different to the UK in terms of how they cover transfers.

Nwaneri got 5 minutes against psg first leg.
He got about 8 minutes against Bournemouth.
Arteta started Sterling ahead of Nwaneri v palace and came on as a sub in about the 85th minute.
Why on earth would you start a loanee who has flattered to deceive ahead of one of your most promising prospects who has got us out of jail several times when we were going through an injury crisis. It makes no sense.
We need to get the boy signed up on a long term contract. I think it's unfair to just throw him back on the bench and hardly give him minutes.

We went for him last Sumner and there was an expectation we'd go back in for him again this summer.
Why seemingly the change to Gyökeres now?
If the media is to be believed that is

Ange has blamed their league position on going so far in Europa and the league cup......for context Spurs have only played 1 more game than us this season.
Amorim is far more realistic on Man U's position in the league

Also, if Spurs' manager is (to the media at least) accepting an embarrassing league position because they had to play in Europe doesn't bode well for where they want to be next season in the CL. I don't think either Spurs or Man U are ready for CL - they won't be able to rest players for the CL games, and their league form will falter, so they get CL and the money from it but they get knocked out early, their league form suffers, they finish outside the european places and in a year's time they may find themselves in a worse position than they are now!

obviously that is the doomsday scenario, they could say with the extra CL money they can boost the squad and therefore wouldn't finish low in the league but the CL money isn't actually much when you consider the PSR rules and the problems Man U in particular have with their wage bill etc

Newcastle were interesting at the weekend. They missed Trippier and already have Hall out, they also missed Joelinton in their midfield 3. So their solution was to play 3 CB and have Livramento and Murphy as wing backs and tuck Barnes and Gordon in as dual 10's behind Isak. Performance levels still very high even though its quite a substantial change from their normal 4-3-3

I'd love to beat them but we're massively depleted, A draw isn't the worst result. Secures CL but for a wild goal difference swing, and puts us in a position where a win away to Southampton secures 2nd place.

Just want this season over and done with now, big summer needed but still a job to do here

The worry is if we lose to Newcastle, you have City, Villa and Chelsea all with winnable home games.
We could then go in to the final game of the season with Newcastle on 69, us and City on 68, Villa and Chelsea on 66

Sesko feels more like the player Arteta would want - Havertz like but with more pace and ball striking. Gyökeres links hotted up since Berta came in.

The Konate foul on MLS for the goal has been glossed over. Everyone looked at it and agrees its a foul so pats the ref on the back for a good spot which stopped an undeserved last minute winner. But should the foul have faced more sanction in itself? He hasn't struck the player but its a pretty aggressive 2 handed push in to the face of an opponent - it is a minimum yellow.

To put it another way, if Konate and MLS had just had a tackle together and both jumped to square up to each other and Konate did what he did to MLS he'd have faced an easy red card decision. I suppose (maybe rightly) there is more leniency for hands to the face in play rather than in a 'face off' situation as there is no ambiguity that the second one is a deliberate act.

Yes for Gyökeres would be the one. I like the way he bullies the opposing defences and his style seems to suit what we would need even more so than others like Isak maybe who requires more space to operate

The quoted for of 63 million or so seems well on budget for Arsenal that would allow us to reinvest in other areas. I’m fully imaging a bum fight over Sesko that pushes his price tag over 80.

Him and zubimendi would cost around 114 million. So assuming we could get around 40 million for the sales of Vieira, Nelson and zinchenko that leaves a decent budget to bring in a wide player and back up keeper.

Striker: one of Sesko/Gyökeres
Winger: one of Williams/Gittens/Leao/Lookman
Def mid: Zubimendi (looks done)
No.2 GK: Garcia?
Attacking mid: Simons/Cunha/Eze/El Khannouss
Def: Huijsen/Hato/Mosquera

Any combinations of these 6 positions this summer would be a success. Everyone will have their preference and there will no doubt be plenty of names that haven't been mentioned yet.

The area that concerns me is that attacking mid position, I fear that Arsenal will think it is not a priority - but the profile of player here we just don't have in the squad. We need that player who can put pressure on Ødegaard's place, be able to add more creativity to the side, be able to play in multiple positions and be able to drive forward with the ball at pace. I'd take any of the first 3 on that list, El Khannouss is the cheaper wildcard

On Ethan it’s straightforward.

Saka is back and every minute matters right now so he’s getting the full 90.

Whilst Ethan is excellent on the ball he’s not really cracked his off the ball stuff, pressing tracking back etc so he’s not really suitable in most games as an Ødegaard replacement. He was tried in that role a couple of times and once was even subbed at half time when it wasn’t working out. Replacing Ødegaard for certain games is just too much pressure.

If you look at how he’s been used it’s sparingly ie used when the cost and consequences are less significant. Carabao, European group games and only played when we have to. However this season he’s been involved in 36 games. Thats a lot for a 17 year old . I don’t think there’s a wider problem but it feels to me his overall game still requires some development.

Also on that subject over the last few games I’ve watched Lewis-Skelly and I think we are much better off when Calafiori plays left back. He seems to offer more on the ball for me, I understand MLS is quicker and better at tracking back but if both are fit MLS steps aside. I fully appreciate the kids talents though.

Its funny how with nothing to play for Liverpool rested half their team v Chelsea then went pretty much full strength vs us. That tells me they wanted to make a statement for both this year and next year. This year to prove once and for all they have been the best side and to lay down a marker for next year. They don't see Chelsea as a threat.
Everything was in their favour. They had no pressure, every player had a weeks rest, some even more, they had no injuries, playing at home in a party atmosphere, whilst we were depleted with injuries to Havertz, Gabriel, Rice as a minimum, came back massively fatigued from a heart breaking midweek away in Paris - then find ourselves 2-0 down and later down to 10 men......people need to remember this when they accuse Arsenal of lacking cohones or having mental weakness.

Liverpool fans wanted this to be a day they mocked us, us doing the guard of honour (in which they booed our players), then hopefully beating a wounded Arsenal and having plenty of fun. Instead we are the ones who looked strong at the end and they were the ones who have to defend themselves with the treatment of Trent.

Nothing in that game changed my mind at all that we are as a minimum a team as good as Liverpool. They've had the consistency over us for sure, they've also had an unprecedented lack of injuries. In a one off game they are simply not better than us. 6 league games in a row they haven't beaten us.

Thanks TG.
Was in panic mode as we really do have a player there.
Appreciate the different perspective you have given.

Hi Rich.
I pointed out during the week i think that their line up would be very different than it was against Chelsea.
At 2 0 I feared a tonking but credit to the boys for the come back and to get that precious point was massive. And we did it without Rice as well who looks like he will be missing against Newcastle. With Merino suspended who is going to play in midfield with Partey and Ødegaard. Doubt over Jorginho as well so surely has to be Lewis Skelly with Califiori coming in at left back.
We just need a point to secure CL then a win in last game to secure 2nd.

https://www.arsenal.com/video?entryid=0_1ikdther

Last episode this season of the Max Dowman show. Just the 2 goals this time.

First is a routine cut-in from the right and a fierce and well-placed left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

Second goal is pretty similar really, apart from beating 5 or 6 Villa players in the process.

I doubt we'll sign any defenders or an attacking mid. If Zubimendi is coming it'll be a CF and a winger at most.

Depends a lot on who moves on and who doesn't, as if someone like Kiwior doesn't move on, then he's good enough for the squad and better to retain then sell for a rubbish fee.

Clearly GK backup will come in.

Defense wise, it kind of depends on Kiwior moving on, if he does need a replacement, also depends where Arteta sees MLS long term, Zinchenko likely off - will we see another squad player added for depth, someone who can play full back and centre back maybe? I'd not be surprised to see us try to ship Tomiyasu out given his injury issues

Midfield - Jorginho is off, Zubimendi replaces him, if Partey goes then he needs a replacement, I kind of think we need a younger deeper more combative player anyhow just to add more depth and Rice is better not being too deep

Forwards - Jesus is cooked and best ignored, we need a mobile central forward for sure - I like Sesko personally, not convinced by Gyökeres - also I agree, we definitely need another pacer wide forward (someone who can rotate and ideally play in any of the front three positions) - I like Cunha but temperament looks suspect, I think we'd be better off with a lesser known emerging talent than a 25/26/27yo on massive wages

I think this hypothetical squad is pretty decent:

GK - Raya plus 1

Defenders - Gabriel, White, Saliba, Kiwior replacement, Timber, MLS, Califiori, a flexible RCB/RB

Midfield - Partey, Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, Merino, younger more combative deep player to replace Partey

Forwards - Jesus, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri, Sesko, Younger left sided wide forward

There's a lot of flexibility as many players can play defense and midfield (MLS/Califiori), or midfield and forward positions (Havertz/Merino/Nwaneri).

One key thing is we ship out the injury prone players, Tomiyasu/Zinchenko/Jesus as they cannot be relied upon.

We top the red card table with 6, but are 3rd from bottom of the yellow card table.

We top the all time prem red card table too with 112.
20 more than Chelsea, 34 more than spurs, 35 more than city, 37 more than Man U and 44 more than Liverpool.

We’re 5th on the all time yellow card list, but there’s only been 6 ever present teams.

It’s a continual statistical anomaly for us. How can you receive so few yellows in comparison to reds, especially when the reds aren’t for violent conduct - which doesn’t really relate to in game fouls and yellows.

Seemed like a harsh red card for the Villa chap, although, what is he doing? Completely unprovoked off the ball barge.

Dowman looking a cut above as ever.

Indeed. Different refereeing thresholds. It was ever true under Wenger too.

This season is particularly clear in that majority of red cards were never red cards.

I agree with your comments on the creative midfielder and in my view this is fundamental to us moving to another level. I would try and get rid of Havertz and Jesus and get in a top class CF and another CF who is on the way up.

Yes they were red cards.