Thanks dec. you’re right it seems daft to give what seems like so many countries having so many home games. If there’s a host nation one can understand them having an advantage. But why should England not only benefit from all their group games being at Wembley, but the final if they reach it when they’re not the host nation? Will their knockout rounds before the final be at Wembley too?

Their next game (last 16 will be at Wembley). No quarter finals are at Wembley. Both semi finals and the final are at Wembley.

So if England reach the final, the only game they won’t have at Wembley will be the quarter final. One single game off having the home advantage England had in Euro 96 as the home nation? What a joke. Hope they get knocked out.

Every chance they'll be playing your lot next Bernard.

Could've sworn I saw TG on the Independent live sit of fans arriving at Wembley.

Easy to see, he was flailing his arms in exasperation.

The vaccine rollout would be rightly lauded as a success however our desperation for a remedy was definitely heightened by us being riddled with covid. So yes maybe you got a jab a couple months quicker because of it. Not sure that’s logical justification for wrecking several industries though

I have regularly seen reports as to how Brexit is affecting the general populace negatively. I have yet to see a single example of a benefit.

Hopefully somewhere along the line…..

Well that wasn't what you was saying when I was calling for an end to lockdowns? I suppose that makes you sergeant Hindsight!

Apparently Villa are coming back with an improved bid of £30m for Smith-Rowe. It seems a strange one that Villa think they can sign him from us. I wouldn't put it beyond clubs to make 'posturing' bids - bids that they know won't happen but show the ambition of the club to the fans. I'm sure we've done it in the past.

It would be tempting to just string Villa along until the end of the window making them think they have a chance.

This extract from Jonathan Liew's piece on Saka in this morning's Grauniad:

There are a few reasons why Saka feels like he’s slipped under the radar a bit. First of all, his raw numbers are really nothing special. He has just five goals and three assists for Arsenal this season. More often than not, he’s the man who plays the pass before the pass: or in Arsenal’s case the pass before the pass before Nicolas Pépé puts the ball straight out for a goal kick. So often this season Saka has felt like a sparkling player being tethered down by the dunderheads around him.

I think that’s grossly unfair on Pépé. But despite that, the comments do explain why I think people who focus heavily on assists and goals scored as the reliable measure of a player’s effectiveness are hopelessly misguided.

Might doing your second paragraph make Smith Rowe wonder if Arsenal could be tempted to accept an offer for him? If so, I would be against it. Also, I’ve never had any problem with Villa. A fine old, established and traditional club. Why deliberately try to mess up their transfer window? I think that would make us look petty, if not somewhat pathetic.

Apparently Villa are coming back with an improved bid of £30m for Smith-Rowe. It seems a strange one that Villa think they can sign him from us. I wouldn't put it beyond clubs to make 'posturing' bids - bids that they know won't happen but show the ambition of the club to the fans. I'm sure we've done it in the past.

It would be tempting to just string Villa along until the end of the window making them think they have a chance.

It is slightly worrying that they see any point in making a second bid, as it suggests they weren't told he was not for sale under any circumstances. They must feel there's a chance of coming to some agreement.
Given who owns us I wouldn't be surprised if they sold him.

As for the way we are treating Saliba or namely Arteta is treating him.
Shameful.
Farcical.
From Arteta being quoted as saying he was our player for sure and he would be coming back for pre season to now strong rumours that Saliba will be loaned out again or sold.
If that happens the little bit of respect i had for Arteta will disintegrate.
And for sure if Saliba is loaned out again then that will be his bridges with the club burnt.
Even if he has a blinder on loan next season there is no way he will commit to us by signing another with the 2 years left on his contract after next season.
I just find it extremely frustrating that a player with seemingly so much potential may not even be given a chance to show what he can do.
Considering what we spent on him that is a disgrace.
And all down to Mikel *%^@*** Arteta.

You just can’t beat another Saliba meltdown based on absolutely NOTHING

Darren got it absolutely nailed on when he described our fans as having some kind of fetish about this

Yawwwwnnnnnnn

Seriously write a letter to Vinai Venkatesham or something. If nothing else it might bring some closure on the issue for you

Grealish is an absolute gem of a player. I can't understand why he isn't a fixture in the team.

Morning Bromley
Not even Arsenal are that stupid to countenance selling Emile Smith Rowe ........are they.
There would be a *%^@*** riot if this was to happen.

Unless instead of Saliba’s lack of minutes is a Gleiber forum poster’s unwillingness to let anyone else have the last post on an issue, even when the other person has only written a derivative of ‘yawn’?

Apparently Villa are coming back with an improved bid of £30m for Smith-Rowe. It seems a strange one that Villa think they can sign him from us. I wouldn't put it beyond clubs to make 'posturing' bids - bids that they know won't happen but show the ambition of the club to the fans. I'm sure we've done it in the past.

It would be tempting to just string Villa along until the end of the window making them think they have a chance.

This extract from Jonathan Liew's piece on Saka in this morning's Grauniad:

There are a few reasons why Saka feels like he’s slipped under the radar a bit. First of all, his raw numbers are really nothing special. He has just five goals and three assists for Arsenal this season. More often than not, he’s the man who plays the pass before the pass: or in Arsenal’s case the pass before the pass before Nicolas Pépé puts the ball straight out for a goal kick. So often this season Saka has felt like a sparkling player being tethered down by the dunderheads around him.

As for the way we are treating Saliba or namely Arteta is treating him.
Shameful.
Farcical.
From Arteta being quoted as saying he was our player for sure and he would be coming back for pre season to now strong rumours that Saliba will be loaned out again or sold.
If that happens the little bit of respect i had for Arteta will disintegrate.
And for sure if Saliba is loaned out again then that will be his bridges with the club burnt.
Even if he has a blinder on loan next season there is no way he will commit to us by signing another with the 2 years left on his contract after next season.
I just find it extremely frustrating that a player with seemingly so much potential may not even be given a chance to show what he can do.
Considering what we spent on him that is a disgrace.
And all down to Mikel *%^@*** Arteta.

The only person here with an issue about having the last word on anything is you

I merely can’t resist indulging you

WHY OH WHY ISNT ARTETA PLAYING SALIBA!!!! errr it’s pre season