Best wishes to all for a peaceful Christmas and New Year, especially to you Rog.
I think we're all missing Bernard.

Think you're correct with this one TG. Can't see Saliba signing a new contract.

I’m not at all surprised to see forumites equating the Saliba situation with that of Anelka. The same thoughts had been in my mind. Shame really.

Wishing all a wonderful Christmas. Missing Bernard's comments as well. Monday's team selection will be interesting, given a few players on cautions.

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/ ... m-25815134

Thanks all - Yes it's Christmas. All alone here now though.
Very little to celebrate my end unfortunately.

Happy Christmas to all of you. Rog, many of us will be thinking of you and I hope you can find some moments of peace at this time. Take care. Dec.

Morning all.

Seasons greetings. I hope that everyone, is well, safe and warm and enjoying the Christmas holidays as much as they can.

It's been a very sad year on the forum with the shock passing of Bernard and then Warrior's beloved partner Meg. Life can be so cruel.

I haven't felt much like posting lately, the forum doesn't seem the same,somehow, without Bernard.

Anyway, the PL starts again tomorrow and we will see how we cope without Garbriel Jesus. I had hoped the two month World Cup break would have given us the opportunity to have our January signings in place and ready to go from Jan 1. Obviously, this is not the case and I cannot see us spending 75m pounds on Mudryk or a 15m pounds loan fee on Joao Felix (who seems way overhyped given his performances in Spain)

Well Soc, we'll see starting with West Ham. I think a persuasive case can be made to the Kroenke's about spending in January. If trying to defend the lead without your primary striker, can't pry open their wallets, nothing will.

I’m a bit concerned about the resumption of hostilities. The season went off to a flyer due to the injection of the two Man City transfers. It lifted us a level.

Now they are both crocked, and so is Emile Smith Rowe. Saliba is a counterbalance on the positive side.

So it really is fingers crossed.

We desperately need to get some momentum and belief that we can manage without Jesus, before what looks like a very hard run of games. Couldn't really ask for a better game than WH at home. If we botch it I fear that we may have a rather bleak new year, regardless of any transfer dealings in January.

On a more positive note, Brentford looks like a bit of a Bananaskin for Spurs.

Would take any win whatsoever. 1 nil from an own goal would do.

If anyone hasn’t yet seen the Banshees of inisherin I would seriously recommend it. No other film deals with ageing and mortality like it. Amazing acting too by the brilliant Irish cast. If you are at each others throats by now give it a whirl

Brentford 1-0 spurs. Brentford just had another goal ruled out for offside.

Spurs look like they’re running off a heavy Christmas dinner

I know how they feel

Brentford 2-0 spurs now.

Goal from a corner after a classic swiped clearance by Dier that went 180 degrees in the wrong direction.never change spurs, never change

Spuds providing some excellent Boxing Day entertainment so far. 2-0

Come on Brentford!

FFS Brentford

Still 2 dropped points for spurs. We’re 8 in front of them with 2 games in hand

We must beat Newcastle in our home game against them on Jan 3rd. They are flying and we need to bring them back down to earth and put more distance between us and them

If we win this evening it will be the only home win in the division today.

Signings will come in. No doubt

Look at the attacking options on the bench. Nothing, they aren’t stupid

That was so unlucky. Thought it was going to be given.

When you talk about luck in football that falls squarely on the unlucky side. Nketiah is onside but the pass just clips Saka’s heel unintentionally as it rolled through by which time Nketiah was offside. Smart finish from Saka though

Nice to see a ref give an early yellow for something which is clearly a yellow. So often doesn’t get given

Desperately unlucky. Good start by us though.

Good chance for Nketiah on the counter there, not sure he was decisive enough against a back peddling and slower defender

Where is the contact there?

Bollocks

As you say…

Unlucky

West Ham 1-0 up. Completely against the run of play

I couldn't see any.

Feel very unlucky so far. 2 incredible marginal calls both going West Ham’s way. If the ref hadn’t given the pen on the field there is absolutely no way that var over turns his decision

Doesn’t look great

That penalty is so frustrating when you think of some of the times Saka and Jesus were completely man handled in the box this season. Those are apparently fine but in indecipherable grade of the laces is not

Cresswell with a clear yellow card foul on Saka, advantage played but no coming back for he yellow, the advantage actually went West Ham’s way because Cresswell slows down Saka with the foul to allow West Ham to regroup

Lovely turn from Nketiah. We need more efforts to work their gk

Lots of neat stuff around the box but not much end product right now

That pen will get overturned

Need to give Martinelli the ball more with their right back on a yellow.