Looks like she could cause a few personal problems.

Might solve a few too.

Alex Ferguson playing for Rangers against Arsenal in 1967. Surreal.

3-0 atm Gabriel 19', Eddie 33', Vieira 39'.

LOL..I assume some of you got it. A few won't

The Jeff is coming on

Not my type but I think that is a girl?

That proves nothing. Just hope that all these vile rumours are untrue.

That would be my guess, although these days you never know

Looks like we have a goalkeeper who can stop penalties. Hein stopped 4 penalty kicks from going in. We scored 2 Marqui and Smith (not Emile Smith Rowe I think).

Just seen a clip of the penalties. Truly dreadful all round.

Hmmm. I think it could be a bit more nuanced than “vile”, Rotter.

Times have changed to a remarkable degree. Wouldn’t be a problem for me, nor I’d hope for this august forum.

I’d go further. I think Gooners generally would be entirely supportive - witness the rainbow banners that adorn the stadium. I think the media would absolutely laud him and the football world would totally embrace and support him. On a personal financial level, he would absolutely clean up.

Who but an obvious neanderthal knuckle-dragger would - or could - criticise, risking getting nicked for doing so? I actually think most crowds would applaud him. To be fair to our nearby neighbours, they applauded Saka in support for the stick he took after missing that pen. I think the whole nation would breath a collective sigh of relief that someone has finally done it.

I actually think I’d love those rumours to be true.

As my father said to me many years ago ‘I don’t care what other people do and neither should you, unless they make it compulsory’ . Good advice about a lot of things. I only want him to be a great player for us. Full stop.

I’ve got a feeling for Vieira in the second half of the season. Technically he’s there and has incredible ball striking. He missed nearly all of pre season and so these 4 weeks with the coaches and in Dubai are huge for him.

So this story has appeared in the UK media about White.
https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/09/ben-whit ... wsnow-feed

I smell a fix in the first 2 quarter final games with only European refs. Brazil get Oliver who sent off Martenelli in the 2 booking stitch up. Obviously has a problem with Brazilians. And a Spanish ref for Argentina Netherlands. I will be interested to see who France and England get.

Interesting games. We've moved on from upsets in the group stages , to seeing real quality in the knockouts, with the odd wildcard still there to spice it up.

I agree with your earlier comment about this WC being very engrossing! Morocco keeping a clean sheet all the way through 120 mins and the penalty shootout was particularly pleasing.

Thanks Gaz - reminiscent of Charlie George.

I was actually warming to the more salacious explanation.

I had read previously that he doesn’t really like football and that none of his family were interested. Also that he doesn’t watch other games. For him it is a job.

If anywhere near true then I would imagine that he wouldn’t enjoy a month long squad environment.

I can recall going away several times for work with several colleagues for an intense ‘brainstorming’ week locked away in a remote hotel. By the end of the week I couldn’t wait to get out. Far too much of a ‘good’ thing.

Rumour about us lining up Evan Ndicka on a free transfer in the summer. The free transfer market is going to be crazy in the summer.
Ndicka is a left sided CB, 6ft 3, a good passer, currently with Frankfurt.

Obviously. The evidence is overwhelming.

From March 2022. Thing is, the girl in this photo looks a little bit different from the Sun photo. Besides, couldn't give a toss. If Ben swings both ways, so be it.

https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football ... s-23217172

Well that’ll teach them not to play Martinelli. Who would have seen that coming?

Come on Croatia! Nerves of steel

Martinelli comes back to Arsenal as Brazil get knocked out.

So is that now just Saka, Ramsdale and Saliba left at the world cup

Well Martinelli certainly hasn’t been overplayed.

Why? Saw the rumours but it's what we need.

I mean it’s going to be crazy because there are so many excellent players who are available on a free. Lots of teams are going to get bargains

Neymar wanted the 5th penalty for the glory but Brazil didn’t even get that far. Brazil let Marquinhos take a decisive do or die penalty before Neymar and he’s never taken one in his life.

70% of shootouts never get to the 5th taker. The 4th penalty is the decisive penalty in 55% of shootouts.

If casual fans know this how do professional teams not know this and implement their strategy accordingly

Enzo Fernandez looks like a very good player

I’m old enough to know better but Argentina really wind me the f..up ….f ing tossers…always moaning at the ref….rolling around dramatically after not being touched….and Martinez ….I never minded him with us but he is a real p..k
All around scummy bunch . Alf Ramsey had it right.
Come on Croatia

Emi Martinez makes the difference for Argentina in the shootout.

Brilliant player, but he really gets up my nose.
The way things are playing out, a Morocco Croatia final seems nailed on

Started several brawls, snide sh/tz to a man. Also what is that floppy hand thing the fans do??? Looks so crap.

70%, interesting.

So Rich, Arsenal are in a penalty shoot out. Who are you choosing and which PK are they taking?

As an aside, I think it was Edu, not 100 percent sure but someone gave up their spot for RvP to take it because they weren't confident. Edu is who I think it was and he was leaving that season. I recall before the season's end he was given a PK as a sort of going away gift I presume and it barely made it under the keeper. and that's one of the main reasons we won the cup in 2005 I think. He'd have fluffed it. RvP took a fantastic PK, he always does. I was surprised how well Ashley took his PK. Keane took a cool one, almost arrogantly took...lol. RVN was always going left. Freddie's penalty was very savable.

I remember being told at the pub in LA by a neutral that we were thoroughly outplayed and didn't deserve it and I laughed and said 'Yeah, that's why I feel so f*cking good'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDAGuxk4N2s&t=365s

I completely get it Andy. Their fans and players seem to take things to a whole higher level of drama. That being said, the Argies I've met personally have been brilliant (some of the hottest women as well). There was an Argentina restaurant in LA I stopped by once in a while to get empandas. My spanish is doable but I recall their spanish was pretty much inconceivable to me.

Anyway, individually, nice. They taught me their song as well, very simple "vamos, vamos, Argentina"
The guy there said, football is all we have and the one thing people can say nice about us.
To be fair, when they are in the news for anything else its usually not good.

The players didn’t make it easy for him but the ref lost control of that match last night. 17 yellow cards!

There was one point an Argentine player committed a clear yellow card foul and then booted the ball hard at the Dutch subs bench. Should have had 2 yellows in that one moment. After he’d booted the ball it started a brawl with the subs pouring on to the pitch and Van Dijk can steaming in and kind of chest bumped the Argentina player to the floor forceablu and Van Dijk didn’t get a yellow.

No chance that refs gets another game

Arsenal penalty takers would be Saka, Martinelli, Ødegaard, Zinchenko and Jesus(although his record isn’t great) I’m of the mind that attacking players have to put their hand up to take them ahead of defenders. But penalties throw up odd takers. I can imagine someone like Cédric being good and wanting to take one. Maitland-Niles has taken a lot of very cool penalties. Put your two best takers 1st and 4th