Topic: Arsenal: Top of the divers league

[Redley]

Could be they're banking on us dropping points? They'll look at us at United next Sunday, Villa away, Tottenham at home, Fulham away even Everton and are thinking, they might drop points there. It's the only reason I can think of for such a disappointing effort. Took the draw. City were there for the taking today, no doubt about it.

They seemed to go into it thinking a draw was a really good result. To be a top coach you’ve got to adapt to circumstances. No doubt we’ve gone into games against them before with a similar mindset, but if that’s us today there’s no way we’re seeing how bad Abu Dhabi were playing and still not trying more to win the game. It was like they saw how poor they were and thought ‘oh cool that’ll make it more likely that we can draw, excellent’

[StigenKeegan]

Maybe arteta thinks city aren't quite as good as they have been and they will slip up. If he'd lost today, they have that margin for error.
He also needs us to slip up too.
I think it must be remembered klopp has given us incredible faith in our ability to get amazing results and runs of results. Other clubs have to be more realistic.

That might be so, and he might not be wrong in that. But I feel that that is a different argument to the one I was replying to. When you use the logic of the Opta odds to explain why this was a good result for Arsenal then I feel that, by that same logic, it most likely is not a very good result as Arsenal after the game are still, in this model, at a major disadvantage v City. Basically the model is saying that Arsenal had much less margin for error than City. Now if you want to argue that the model might be wrong that is a slighly different discussion. Also both may be true; the model might even already have into account that City are not as good this year as the previous years.

Obviously Arsenal would also need us to slip up, and this result certainly did not help them v us. For me I am not that worried about Arsenal. I don't think they'll win it. It will be us or the cheaters.

[Garlic Red]

He’s a sensational player but my word is Odegaard one of the biggest tits in the league. I suppose you love him if he’s your own but I genuinely can’t stand his antics on the field at times. He’s getting close to Bruno Fernandes levels as far as ability to be disliked.

[SamLad]

He’s a sensational player but my word is Odegaard one of the biggest tits in the league. I suppose you love him if he’s your own but I genuinely can’t stand his antics on the field at times. He’s getting close to Bruno Fernandes levels as far as ability to be disliked.

he behaves like a kid when things go against him.
Saka behaves like a kid when anyone touches him.

[cptrios]

Ok Arsenal, you can focus on the CL now please. You didn't want the PL trophy anyway, right? Didn't think so.

Well, seriously, I suppose I'm backing Dortmund at this point but I'd be fine if Arsenal won. Every other club left is infuriating for one reason or another.

[zero zero]

But that graphic, does illustrate why it is a positiver result for Arsenal.
We won our game, so our chances of winning improved.
They drew , as did City. But City's chances fell, whereas Arsenal stood still.  So that graphic does make it a more positive result for them than city.

As the table is representation of the chance of winning the league, 28% possession and a pragmatic point has left them with exactly the same chance of winning, with one less game to play. Somehow this is being spun as a positive. I just can't see it.

[decosabute]

He’s a sensational player but my word is Odegaard one of the biggest tits in the league. I suppose you love him if he’s your own but I genuinely can’t stand his antics on the field at times. He’s getting close to Bruno Fernandes levels as far as ability to be disliked.

I feel like he symbolises more than anyone else the Arteta-isation of them the past couple of years. Used to come across as inoffensive and fairly likeable. Now is an insufferable bellend on the pitch. Never shuts up and constantly whinging to the ref. His taking photos bit after games is annoying as well. Good player but a gobshite.

[Crosby Nick]

8/12 points against the best teams in the country.

The other two teams got 3/12.

So what you’re saying is, if you don’t win the league it’ll be down to the dropped points against the poor sides?

Reminds me of 08/09 when we took 12/12 from United and Chelsea but United just consistently beat the shite.

[BigCDump]

Thanks mate

Sorry mate. Tough love. I'd rather Arsenal wins it than City. But whenever we get to the business end of the season that lust for the win is gone. I don't want to use the b word.

Hopefully next season Arteta will say feck it. We're going for the win every game. Wins get you a league title. Draws gets you top four. Wenger could do that.

[newterp]

Got to respect the Arsenal lads trying to spin it as a good result, that was so oddly cowardly.

It's incredible. Every cloud has a silver lining - but some apparently have 10 or 15 linings.

[ljycb]

I don’t really understand the negativity over that result and performance from Arsenal. Five points each off their direct title rivals and the first team in a long, long while to not concede at the Etihad. I think they had an opportunity to win there today but one of the hardest things to do in football is to win there, so I think that’s a good day for them when all is said and done.

[newterp]

I don’t really understand the negativity over that result and performance from Arsenal. Five points each off their direct title rivals and the first team in a long, long while to not concede at the Etihad. I think they had an opportunity to win there today but one of the hardest things to do in football is to win there, so I think that’s a good day for them when all is said and done.

It's even harder if you have no interest in trying to win.

[BarryCrocker]

Got to respect the Arsenal lads trying to spin it as a good result, that was so oddly cowardly.

Cowardly is letting Man City play their normal game.

They set themselves up against a team that hasn't lost at home in 38 matches and have scored in every home match since 30/10/2021.

They went into the match a head of them in table and ended up in the same place.

[BigBrainArteta]

This notion that we should have 'gone for it' is so dim. You dont get to choose to win a game, sure you can throw players forward but there is a risk-reward element in doing that. By throwing players forward we could have easily of lost the game. Almost happened to Liverpool a few weeks back when Doku hit the post. Arteta rightly was not prepared to gamble, especially away from home. As for the context of losing top spot and going 2 points behind top. There are still 9 games to go, and its more important to maintain the defensive machinery and keep it in good nic. Against City we needed to be really cautionary, however against other teams we will of course be more adventurous. However the bedrock of how we play needs to maintain the robust defence that denies chances and efforts on our goal. The idea we should have abandon that and rushed players forward is an amateurish idea.

[ljycb]

This notion that we should have 'gone for it' is so dim. You dont get to choose to win a game, sure you can throw players forward but there is a risk-reward element in doing that. By throwing players forward we could have easily of lost the game. Almost happened to Liverpool a few weeks back when Doku hit the post. Arteta rightly was not prepared to gamble, especially away from home. As for the context of losing top spot and going 2 points behind top. There are still 9 games to go, and its more important to maintain the defensive machinery and keep it in good nic. Against City we needed to be really cautionary, however against other teams we will of course be more adventurous. However the bedrock of how we play needs to maintain the robust defence that denies chances and efforts on our goal. The idea we should have abandon that and rushed players forward is an amateurish idea.

You haven’t won there in how long? I can remember a couple of seasons back when you got your arses handed to you and it looked like Arteta was hanging on by a thread. In that context, 0-0 to stay ahead of them with nine games to go is surely a very acceptable and promising result?

[newterp]

This notion that we should have 'gone for it' is so dim. You dont get to choose to win a game, sure you can throw players forward but there is a risk-reward element in doing that. By throwing players forward we could have easily of lost the game. Almost happened to Liverpool a few weeks back when Doku hit the post. Arteta rightly was not prepared to gamble, especially away from home. As for the context of losing top spot and going 2 points behind top. There are still 9 games to go, and its more important to maintain the defensive machinery and keep it in good nic. Against City we needed to be really cautionary, however against other teams we will of course be more adventurous. However the bedrock of how we play needs to maintain the robust defence that denies chances and efforts on our goal. The idea we should have abandon that and rushed players forward is an amateurish idea.

You know what's amateurish? acting like Arsenal did anything but show up for a 0-0 draw. Defense blah blah City have scored every game blah blah Doku and Liverpool strawman blah blah.

That was as cowardly of a performance as you'll ever see. They didn't even try to effect the game positively in any fashion.

[Crosby Nick]

Yes stoping City form scoring is worthy of praise. But then again, City have now drawn 5 of their 15 home games, that’s unexpectedly poor from them. They’re more susceptible to dropped points at home this season than I can remember.

[BigCDump]

Yes stoping City form scoring is worthy of praise. But then again, City have now drawn 5 of their 15 home games, that’s unexpectedly poor from them. They’re more susceptible to dropped points at home this season than I can remember.

Yep and ironically the ex Arsenal manager Emery might exploit that weakness more than the current Arsenal manager. He might lose trying, but it's only more point dropped if he loses instead of draws.

The saying is, you don't shoot you don't score.

[Lynndenberries]

Could be they're banking on us dropping points? They'll look at us at United next Sunday, Villa away, Tottenham at home, Fulham away even Everton and are thinking, they might drop points there. It's the only reason I can think of for such a disappointing effort. Took the draw. City were there for the taking today, no doubt about it.

Incredibly naive if that’s their plan. We’ve been there before.

[Clint Eastwood]

Pretty dead for a potential title decider. Even the 0-0’s between Klopp and Guardiola have been box office.

[The North Bank]

Everyone is getting too emotional, it was a great point, and it sets things up beautifully for the last 9 games. Enjoy it. The cheats are still third, normally they are motoring now after a big win yesterday. They have a mental block against us now, they just cant get through. Shame no one else around Europe can shut them out like this, but maybe we ll get the chance to do it again. 
Pep looked very stressed and angry at full time, lashing out at new whipping boy Grealish, maybe its time he takes a break from football too. Games like these will push him closer to the exit. 

[BigBrainArteta]

Everyone is getting too emotional, it was a great point, and it sets things up beautifully for the last 9 games. Enjoy it. The cheats are still third, normally they are motoring now after a big win yesterday. They have a mental block against us now, they just cant get through. Shame no one else around Europe can shut them out like this, but maybe we ll get the chance to do it again. 
Pep looked very stressed and angry at full time, lashing out at new whipping boy Grealish, maybe its time he takes a break from football too. Games like these will push him closer to the exit.

City have also been hit with 60 more FFP sanctions. FFP is showing its teeth and Pep must know the steroid drip he has running into his arm is going to be taken away. Stones and KDB are ageing and injury prone. The signings of Doku, Nunes, Kovacic and Gvardiol have been pretty lackluster. They looked impenetrable 12 months ago, but now they look shaky, not only in terms of their performances, but the future of City looks grey & ambiguous. Pep will be sure to get out before any shit hits the fan.

[The North Bank]

City have also been hit with 60 more FFP sanctions. FFP is showing its teeth and Pep must know the steroid drip he has running into his arm is going to be taken away. Stones and KDB are ageing and injury prone. The signings of Doku, Nunes, Kovacic and Gvardiol have been pretty lackluster. They looked impenetrable 12 months ago, but now they look shaky, not only in terms of their performances, but the future of City looks grey & ambiguous. Pep will be sure to get out before any shit hits the fan.

Chinks in the oil barrel. The end is near. Cant wait to see Haaland put through his paces in league 1.

[farawayred]

Chinks in the oil barrel. The end is near. Cant wait to see Haaland put through his paces in league 1.

League 2, you mean, if the football league allows them in.

[dimwit]

Everyone is getting too emotional, it was a great point, and it sets things up beautifully for the last 9 games. Enjoy it. The cheats are still third, normally they are motoring now after a big win yesterday. They have a mental block against us now, they just cant get through. Shame no one else around Europe can shut them out like this, but maybe we ll get the chance to do it again. 
Pep looked very stressed and angry at full time, lashing out at new whipping boy Grealish, maybe its time he takes a break from football too. Games like these will push him closer to the exit.

No, it wasn't. It was lost two points.

If you see it as a won, or even a "great" point, welcome to the rodgersitiation of your club, or as it now seems, artetisiation..

Lowering to exceptations, so never being judged for not meeting the goals.

You should not accept that, nor should we. both of our clubs are better than that. Yet we accepted Rodgers, and you laughed at us. Now you are accepting Arteta, and you can't see why we are laughing at you?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as per Oscar Wilde, So as you used to laugh at us, why are you closing your eyes when the finger is pointed back at you?

[The North Bank]

No, it wasn't. It was lost two points.

If you see it as a won, or even a "great" point, welcome to the rodgersitiation of your club, or as it now seems, artetisiation..

Lowering to exceptations, so never being judged for not meeting the goals.

You should not accept that, nor should we. both of our clubs are better than that. Yet we accepted Rodgers, and you laughed at us. Now you are accepting Arteta, and you can't see why we are laughing at you?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as per Oscar Wilde, So as you used to laugh at us, why are you closing your eyes when the finger is pointed back at you?

Have you ever won at man city in the league since Pep joined them?

Rodgers?


Accepting Arteta? Youll soon wish you had a manager as good as him, I tell you.

[ljycb]

Have you ever won at man city in the league since Pep joined them?

Rodgers?


Accepting Arteta? Youll soon wish you had a manager as good as him, I tell you.

Nope, Klopp’s Liverpool have only won there in the Champions League. It’s a very difficult place to go to. Ignore the nonsense in here - I think a few of us are trying to play down the fact that Arsenal are no longer the pushovers they used to be.

[The North Bank]

Nope, Klopp’s Liverpool have only won there in the Champions League. It’s a very difficult place to go to. Ignore the nonsense in here - I think a few of us are trying to play down the fact that Arsenal are no longer the pushovers they used to be.

Very strange reaction to our game. If it was the final game of the season, and we went there for a draw when we needed to win, parked the bus, got the draw, and Liverpool won the league by beating Brighton, then fair enough. But there are 9 games left and this was by far our hardest game. If we dont win the league its because we got 1 point from 6 against fulham, not because we drew at city.

[rodderzzz]

Nope, Klopp’s Liverpool have only won there in the Champions League. It’s a very difficult place to go to. Ignore the nonsense in here - I think a few of us are trying to play down the fact that Arsenal are no longer the pushovers they used to be.

Didn't we batter them 4-1 under Klopp one year?

[ljycb]

Didn't we batter them 4-1 under Klopp one year?

Ah yeah, when Pellegrini was the manager, but they were shite then.

[Dim Glas]

bout the first and only time I’ll likely agree with North Bank, but it is a somewhat mad reaction here.

Was it a terrible game - yes.
Was it bad that Arsenal didn’t ‘go for it’, not really. 
As shit a game as it was, there was still very much the capability of the serial cheats to punish a team who didn’t defend well, and who left gaps. Sure, Arsenal likely could have picked and chosen a few spots to be braver, but not sure I can see much blame in them not doing so. 

Still 9 games to go. Still a few twists and turns.

Leaving there with a point today isn’t something to really hammer a team for.

[BigCDump]

Have you ever won at man city in the league since Pep joined them?

Rodgers?


Accepting Arteta? Youll soon wish you had a manager as good as him, I tell you.

Arteta is on his way to being elite. Once Klopp goes no one we bring in will be as good as Arteta. Certainly not immediately. We will be finishing comfortably behind Arsenal for the foreseeable, so tag my posts and unload on me next season.    :'(

[The North Bank]

Refusing to see the point?

Has your team acchieved enough, or are you projecting to what you might?

How much more has Arteta delivered when compared to Rodgers

Which one of those you describe as a joke, and which as a second coming of wenger

Do you see why people see your opinions as reationary, and generally full of shit?

I dont think Rodgers won anything at Liverpool, didnt have to compete against Klopp and Pep either. Why you are bringing Rodgers up anyway. I never described Rodgers as a joke by the way, Im not sure what point you are trying to make, you seem angry for some reason.

[The North Bank]

Arteta is on his way to being elite. Once Klopp goes no one we bring in will be as good as Arteta. Certainly not immediately. We will be finishing comfortably behind Arsenal for the foreseeable, so tag my posts and unload on me next season.    :'(

You mean once De Zerbi rocks up at Anfield, to teach Van Dijk how Lewis Dunk Does it! 

[Dim Glas]

Is dimwit deleting posts?

[farawayred]

bout the first and only time I’ll likely agree with North Bank, but it is a somewhat mad reaction here.

Was it a terrible game - yes.
Was it bad that Arsenal didn’t ‘go for it’, not really. 
As shit a game as it was, there was still very much the capability of the serial cheats to punish a team who didn’t defend well, and who left gaps. Sure, Arsenal likely could have picked and chosen a few spots to be braver, but not sure I can see much blame in them not doing so. 

Still 9 games to go. Still a few twists and turns.

Leaving there with a point today isn’t something to really hammer a team for.

Well, yes and no. Yes for all the reasons you outlined. No because City were there for the taking. They were never that weak with so many key players missing. Considering their bench, which usually has more value than some PL teams, they didn't have much today. Arsenal had a very good chance to win the game, but it seems that they approached it with conservatism that may cost them in the end. If this the in the beginning of the season, I'd say a good point for them. If this was done with full-strength City, I'd say it's a good point for them. But considering the circumstances, I think it's two points lost through a wrong mindset.

Mind, we had two points lost on more than one occasion this season, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

[wemmick]

Today was a great opportunity to beat City at theirs. I was disappointed that Arsenal didn't find another gear once it was obvious that City was struggling. Arsenal still may not have won, but now they don't even have the satisfaction of knowing they battered City. It's important for the mental side of the run in.

[Dim Glas]

Well, yes and no. Yes for all the reasons you outlined. No because City were there for the taking. They were never that weak with so many key players missing. Considering their bench, which usually has more value than some PL teams, they didn't have much today. Arsenal had a very good chance to win the game, but it seems that they approached it with conservatism that may cost them in the end. If this the in the beginning of the season, I'd say a good point for them. If this was done with full-strength City, I'd say it's a good point for them. But considering the circumstances, I think it's two points lost through a wrong mindset.

Mind, we had two points lost on more than one occasion this season, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

for sure they could have been braver, but Arteta isn’t Klopp, he doesn’t have that bravery to take many risks.

I just think the reaction is a bit OTT here, especially as many expected Abu Dhabi to win this one. But I get why there is this reaction, being as a couple of the dullard Arsenal ‘regulars’ here make the team easy to hate, so any excuse to get the digs in is taken, and nothing wrong with that, it’s a LFC forum after all!

[BigBrainArteta]

No, it wasn't. It was lost two points.

If you see it as a won, or even a "great" point, welcome to the rodgersitiation of your club, or as it now seems, artetisiation..

Lowering to exceptations, so never being judged for not meeting the goals.

You should not accept that, nor should we. both of our clubs are better than that. Yet we accepted Rodgers, and you laughed at us. Now you are accepting Arteta, and you can't see why we are laughing at you?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as per Oscar Wilde, So as you used to laugh at us, why are you closing your eyes when the finger is pointed back at you?

Arteta is a young manager who is competing against Pep and Klopp, two of the very best with more than 15/20+ years management experiences. Yet because he hasnt won the league in the infancy of his career, he cant be a top manager?

He also inh. erited Arsenal when we were in the mud. He has built us up and now has us competing againIf you look at the football we play, you can tell what a brilliant coach and tactician Arteta is. Our underlying defensive numbers are hands down the best in the league, we have also conceded the fewest amount of goals and often shut teams out reducing them to minimal chances per game.

Get your next appointment right, because we dont have any key players over 30 years of age, and ill say it again, this Arsenal team is a long way from peaking. Your next manager needs to keep things going and have a long term solution to VVD and Salah who are turning 33 and 32 this season.

As for the comparison to Rodgers. You conceded 50 goals in the 13-14 league campaign but went on a scoring binge with Suarez who was the best in the league by a long way that season. Rodgers just rode a wave of momentum and went with what worked, but once the momentum died down results faltered. Arteta is miles better than Rodgers.

Why would you suggest we replace Arteta with?

[dimwit]

Is dimwit deleting posts?

This was the deleted, which was any way quoted, to which you referenced afterwards.

--Refusing to see the point?

Has your team acchieved enough, or are you projecting to what you might?

How much more has Arteta delivered when compared to Rodgers

Which one of those you describe as a joke, and which as a second coming of wenger

Do you see why people see your opinions as reationary, and generally full of shit" --

Which, while I see the only thing that was offensive on that, was me calling his opinion as shit, though he has his right to hold that opinion, I disagree.