Fair enough. In that case I fully understand kiwipete’s astonishment with the ridiculousness of it.

Just seen this quote from Granit. :

I am doing my coaching licence and I have trained the under-16s.

Interesting development.

My guess its 50/50 he will be tried and convicted and do any time. He's guilty as sin as well as host of other co-conspirators.
The political reality in America is that it won't matter for a myriad of reasons among them.
The Democrats are scared sh*tless of the Republicans. The Republicans have no line. They know that. It's likely the Republicans will win the WH in 2024. Dems don't have any viable national candidates (California Gov Newsom....maybe...he survived a recall). The Republicans will exact revenge if Trump is 'harmed'. They will find any excuse to investigate, sham trials, whatever. My guess is Hunter Biden will be among the first they go after (and not without good reason to be fair).

The country has stopped functioning as a sustainable republic. We are in the 'last days of Rome' as it were. The Republicans are flagrantly flaunting the rule of law. The Democrat establishment have been bought off by the some of the same money that the Republicans have taken (big Pharma, Wall Street, Defense contractors, etc.).

The Supreme Court has lost its credibility and no longer seen as a fair arbiter of the rule of law.

We are done. I suspect private dossiers in the UK's upper echelon will echo similar sentiments. I'm an independent. I have no horse in that race. The fact is any country that can elect Trump with all the baggage and such that came along with it, is no longer viable. And for that matter, Biden, now that I think about it.

Nice balanced article here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mike ... cca893e5cb

And have now found an article about it.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gran ... 5274060e94

It's the same here currently. This current iteration of the Tories is horrific. The only reason Truss is in power is due to her ability to be manipulated by the ERG wing of the party, who in turn, have very strong links with Robert Mercer; the data guy behind Cambridge Analytica, Steve Bannon, Trump and Farage amongst others. They want us to be a hugely de-regulated port in the middle of Europe. Unless we get the Tories out at the next election, it's over for our country for many, many years. I think people will assume this to be a hyperbolic over reaction, but it really is that serious. The two parties are not the same as each other, they're not as bad as each other. This version of Labour is the most watered down, centrist version of the Labour Party for many years. But the Tories are now destroying everything it touches. They are deregulating bankers bonuses but refusing to bring the average workers wages in line with inflation after many years of 0% wage increases.

They are appalling and the fact that many people just shrug their shoulders and sweep it under the carpet, need to realise the genuine threat they pose to us as a functioning, progressive, modern nation.

Here's an interesting New Yorker article on Mercer from 2017.

Average league position of teams faced…

Arsenal: 11.8
Tottenham: 14.4
Man City 15.2

But yet we’re supposedly the ones who had the easy start!

Chances created in the league this season

The treasury is unable to publish an economic forecast as it will show how screwed we all are. Think about that for a moment

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62970803

3 of our players in the top 10 - Nice.

Unprecedented. The depth of denial and shifting of what the expectations of Brexit brings is bonkers. It’s just idealogical zealots. people don’t get it, they just cheer it on as if it’s a sport. Insane. It’s
For the rich, by the rich, and will make this country worthless unless it’s aligns closer to the single market, which of course we were told before the referendum, by the brexiters, would happen.

“It helped that Chelsea had the exciting winger Omari Hutchinson, who they signed from Arsenal’s academy, as an outlet on the right wing. In truth, he was stealing the show, scoring in each half and hitting a superb 25-yard free-kick against the inside of the post.”

This is from a report of Chelsea Palace at PL2 level. He was obviously rated at Arsenal but I can see him being another Odoi (who’s position he plays in) with a lack of pathway at Chelsea. My guess is the Marquinhos signing was what convinced him he wasn’t going to get the kind of chance he wanted. Apparently he’s a Surrey boy so Chelsea was always a draw for him. I find it interesting to see how he’s getting on. He’s undoubtedly very talented, but I’ll be surpised if he gets so much as 45mins of football for Chelsea in the next 2 years.

Seeing a few comments that the loss of Hutchinson played into the debut of Ethan Nwaneri at the weekend. Having never heard of him before I’m assured his progress playing up though the levels means he is actually a bit special for his age. Obviously we’ll see, but I’m now convinced he’ll be the next Jude Bellingham and I’ll be devastated if he isn’t.

I was one of those who disliked Xhaka so much and wanted him gone, during those trying seasons for him. Feel so much guilt now to have felt that way about him. Am liking him more and more now. He has been so much more forward looking in his plays this year (not just this season), and is so integral to the team. Go Xhaka, go!

(Note to self: must not fall back to dislike when he has a bad game)

I’m aware that Jesus has been outstanding but so far, for me anyway, Xhaka has been our player of the season.

I thought OMOH got it completely right about him when he said words to the effect that the over the top criticism he used to get was utterly ridiculous. So much so I think pathetic might be a more relevant word than ridiculous, and I’m not just talking about you with that gooner7. Even ignoring this season, he was never even remotely close to being as bad as some used to claim under Wenger, Emery and approaching the initial two and a half years or so under Arteta.

More rubbish from you.

We do not need a trade deal to deal with the US. We already have trade deals with some of the largest regions of the US they do not need Presidential approval.

In 2024 when Trump gets a landslidevictory he will set one up anyway as he truly is a friend of Gt Britain.

So am I right in thinking that you'd rather see all the small businesses and some of the very big, going bust and literally tens of thousands being made unemployed?

Is it your mad Support of the Trade Unions that you'd rather they grew and the Country sank rather than see that this is a forward thinking plan by Liz Truss not a cash giveaway to the rich.

Please explain your thinking and what you'd like to see them do.

I think a further windfall tax on the profits of the energy firms is a must. The EU are doing it and it will generate over £120,000,000,000 towards cutting the cost of energy bills. The reason this government won't is that the energy firms over here donate to the Conservative party and many of their MPs. Johnson received £1.3m from energy firms, Pritti Patel got £140k. Truss worked for Shell for 4 years when she was younger. In all, Energy firms are going to make £170b profit. Take a chunk of of that and you can ease the crisis for many of the hardest hit. This profit doesn't filter down to it's employees, it remains firmly with the shareholders. It's not in the interests of the government to hit their own donors with a tax bill, even though it would be the right thing to do.

The RMT dispute is justified IMO. They have had 0% wage increases for the last few years and this year they were told not only was there to be no increase in wages, but they now will work longer shift times and face redundancies. That's just not fair. Trade Unions are there to protect workers and their rights. You may not like or agree with them but their presence is a force for good. They defend the interests of their members. I don't think every union leader is necessarily likeable, but the work a trade union provides is essential, especially in certain sectors of industry.

I think the best thing that could happen to this country would be a change to the voting system. PR is much fairer. Every single vote counts that way. Of course, it would make it very difficult for any party to have a huge majority, but compromise isn't such a bad thing. They used PR in the referendum so why not when it comes to voting in a GE? As far as I know, only the UK, US, Canada and India use first past the post. I don't think it's a fair system. When almost 57% of the votes were cast against the Conservatives in the 2019 election, how should they be able to command an 80 seat majority with only 43%? I think that's true for all parties too, not just because "my side" lost.

They are already paying one of 26%
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... g2WPlxGNAt

Why do you think that RMT train drivers earning between 40 and 90k deserve a rise?

PR would be a joke it'll just give the smallest parties power to control things. Now if you said a secind tier of Government eg a reformed House of Lords, then I might agree.

I think at this unprecedented time they could pay more. These are scary times for many people.

The dispute isn't necessarily about the drivers, who earn good money admittedly. It's the station cleaners and the ticket ops. I know a driver on the Elizabeth Line - he lives in a flat above me - and he's on £65k a year. Said he's supporting the strikers for those who aren't on his money. It's just about getting pay that reflects inflationary pressures.

4% of people voted for the Greens for example. that should be reflected in the HoC. I think PR is the fairest system currently. I do agree with regards to the Second Chamber. Hereditary peerages are a joke and governments use the system to pack the Lords with their own. It's just wrong.

If the UK has a foreign policy of supporting a country defend itself againest a dictator who owns and can weaponise energy I’m not sure how even considering windfall tax long term we can resolve that issue without our government themselves controlling our energy suppliers.

Windfall tax fixes it .. possibly temporarily but not sure on this. You do one thing and he’ll do another. Strikes me as a thing that needs strong government control and can’t be left to the private sector.

On the rail stuff … of course they deserve a rise (it’s peanuts anyway) as do our NHS staff and emergency services. If you are bitter about another hard working human being trying to stop themselves falling into trouble then you are probably a wrong un and need to take a look in the mirror

Can’t believe anyone wanted this guy to run our club simply on the basis that he had money. The Kroenkes may be very far from perfect but this bloke running the club would have been utterly repugnant.

Link

Easy to say that with the benefit of hindsight. He’s accused of money laundering and contravening sanctions. Hardly makes him a serial killer.

Many of us were critical of him pre-Ukraine war. It was obvious the guy was a wrong‘un. Being a close ally of Putin, who really is a serial killer doesn’t exactly endear one to his charms.

Money laundering is OK?????

Everton are going to have problems

It’s blatant apparently that he indirectly owned Everton and gave the money to moshiri for the purchase. Moshiri has admitted this in private in the past too.

Bet that’s the tip of a very large iceberg.

Yeah there’s a lot to see here

https://talksport.com/football/1094712/ ... k-lampard/

Fred West “just” made a little bit of a mess in his back garden

Do you think so, as I never said that? All I did imply is it’s not as bad as serial killing.

Seriously Bernard, you implied that it wasn't too serious or at the very least that is how it read.

I mean, is serial killing the threshold for measuring probity?

There are certain sections of the media and pundits who seem to get so riled up by anything Arsenal do, this goes in to overdrive when we’re doing well.
Today I’ve seen the decision to give Nwaneri 5 minutes described as awful and a complete egotistical self indulgent move by Arteta……and I’ve also seen people list reasons why Arsenal can’t sustain a title challenge (no Arsenal fan is saying we’re title challengers)….and one of those reasons is because Jesus is so brilliant - in other words what do we do without him, and we are told Jesus is the difference and it is absolutely nothing to do with Arteta and anything he’s done!

I know many will disagree but it’s out there so often that to me it is clear as day. There is still something about Arsenal that many in the media can’t stand. The only team that comes close is Man U who take plenty of stick when they’re bad but are quickly lauded when they’re good. Liverpool and Spurs are totally idolised by the majority of the media. Man City barely get reported on and Chelsea are a bit up and down.

A serial killer would be a better investor. What you really don't want in an investor is serious questions about where his money comes from.

A serial killer would be an awful choice for a baby sitter. For an investor, I think it would be a close call.

Was talking to one of the dads I know at my sons Rugby training this evening. He plays 5-a-side with Nwaneri's dad in Islington and says the dad supports Liverpool so assumes Ethan does too. He said he's going to ask him tomorrow night for clarity. I know this may concern Bernard hugely.

Sorry but you read it the wrong way. I never said money laundering was okay. The reason I compared it to serial killing is that if there is a worse crime than that, I can’t think of it. Because serial killing is so extreme, it seemed an appropriate example to use. As would single murder and other examples.

A serial killer bumps off, if he has a good run, somewhere between 5 and 20 people.

Those engaged in organised crime do a lot more harm. Also, their criminality is more despicable because they don't have the excuse of being mentally ill.

I was almost tempted to click on the link below that:

"At 110, Linda Gray leads modest life ...".

Its torture having to wait until Saturday after next for the Spurs game.

https://twitter.com/talksport/status/15 ... uogshNb1pQ

Here’s another one. Massive furore in the media over Gabriel mimicking Toney’s tweet from when they beat us. I get the idea that Brentford are the smaller club but people were absolutely lining up for Brentford to beat us last weekend, all the headlines were written they were desperate for it. So if Brentford can take the mick when they beat us and Toney’s tweet was widely laughed at at the time, why can’t Arsenal have a little pop back. It’s all so harmless but some people have lost their sh*t over it.

You could make a very long list of the things we’ve been criticised for even just this season, where other clubs are given a free pass.

Of course we’re a massive club so we’ll naturally generate more interest and headlines but that doesn’t explain why this scrutiny doesn’t land on the other very big clubs.