Football (Soccer)

[Zantera]

That was a very satisfying win. The ref did everything he could to help Arsenal and I was speechless when I saw Arteta's comments after the game saying the ref was against them. They got a red card and penalty in their favor plus a multitude of yellow cards, what??? If you just look at the game from a yellow cards/amount of freekicks perspective you would think Man Utd came lunging with two-footers into every duel but it wasn't a very ugly game at all, just your standard duels. Dalot getting sent off wasn't wrong but about everything else felt like it. And what frustrated me was how Arsenal looked so lacklustre until that red card when they got a ticket into the game. The satisfaction when we won on penalties was just really big. Though it's funny with a game like this in round 3 because we might very well be knocked out long before a final anyways.

I think we did well all things considered. We were in for more of a defensive game since it was away at Emirates but I thought we did well. Arsenal didn't get a lot of chances in the first half and while they had some dangerous ones in the second half (and overtime) I chalk that up more to the red card than us necessarily falling apart. I think our defense was great and you gotta give it to Maguire, De Ligt (that one save he did in particular) and Martinez for their warrior mentalities and staying alert and sharp. Ugarte looks wonderful as well, we haven't really had a midfielder like him since maybe Herrera? Someone who will just give it his all. I also want to give some extra love for Zirkzee. He hasn't had an easy time here, it's been up and down and I felt bad when fans heckled him not too long ago. But I thought he was great when he came on, most of his decisions were good and he did better than Hojlund for the time he was on. Really happy he got to take the final pen as well. Part of me hopes he gets more time here because at times I really like what I see from him, and I hope players can get more than 4 months to grow into PL here. I'd say give him to the end of the season at least. He reminds me a little bit of Berbatov at times. Not saying that as a quality comparison but more his 'style'. He can look lazy but he can also just flow through players with ease. Also gotta shoutout Bayindir - he kept us in the game with some key saves (the penalty as well) and did well taking the Havertz one.

As for Arsenal, what has happened with this team? I know they have a few injuries but this was a team that impressed most of us with their beautiful style of play, exciting in attack and solid in defense. This is looking more and more like a Mourinho-team by the minute. Players falling over for nothing, lots of time wasting, set pieces being a big focus and over 120 minutes they had maybe 2 exciting attacks and the rest was just passing the ball around sideways or trying to score from corners. It feels like a big budget Tony Pulis Stoke honestly. For about 2 years everything surrounding Arsenal has been positivity and roses though. They went from banter-club that might finish 4th to a real contender in most people's eyes. This is really their first storm in all that time and things are turning fast. I get being frustrated but I saw some idiots had sent threats to Havertz pregnant girlfriend about showing up and causing a miscarriage. Some people should just be locked up. But I do think Arteta needs to do something because generally the simple rule to football is fans will be happy if you play good football OR you win titles. Preferably you want both but fans can take good football without titles since the feeling is there you might improve. Or shoddy football but titles because you think the game will improve. But right now it's boring ineffective football AND no titles and unless he finds some solutions to his problems in the next month or so I think the spring will be very tough for him.

 

[PepS]

I’m actually glad Ødegaard missed, as that was never a penalty in my eyes. I also don’t think Dalot should of been sent off either.

As for the Havertz stuff, a large majority of our fanbase are vile scumbags and unfortunately the rest of us get roped into that crowd and everybody thinks (or in some cases want to think and push that narrative) we are all like that.

I don’t even bother listening to Arteta’s pressers now, be it pre, or post as he talks so much drivel and more often than not I come away even more frustrated and annoyed.

I actually think if you gave Jose this team right now, even in his supposedly ‘washed’ form now and with no signings, he could get us a trophy in less time than Arteta has had.

We’re actually regressing rather than progressing now. We’re not winning anything, yet again, this season and I don’t even think top 4/5 is safe.

 

[Iceman]

That was a very satisfying win. The ref did everything he could to help Arsenal and I was speechless when I saw Arteta's comments after the game saying the ref was against them. They got a red card and penalty in their favor plus a multitude of yellow cards, what??? If you just look at the game from a yellow cards/amount of freekicks perspective you would think Man Utd came lunging with two-footers into every duel but it wasn't a very ugly game at all, just your standard duels. Dalot getting sent off wasn't wrong but about everything else felt like it. And what frustrated me was how Arsenal looked so lacklustre until that red card when they got a ticket into the game. The satisfaction when we won on penalties was just really big. Though it's funny with a game like this in round 3 because we might very well be knocked out long before a final anyways.

I think we did well all things considered. We were in for more of a defensive game since it was away at Emirates but I thought we did well. Arsenal didn't get a lot of chances in the first half and while they had some dangerous ones in the second half (and overtime) I chalk that up more to the red card than us necessarily falling apart. I think our defense was great and you gotta give it to Maguire, De Ligt (that one save he did in particular) and Martinez for their warrior mentalities and staying alert and sharp. Ugarte looks wonderful as well, we haven't really had a midfielder like him since maybe Herrera? Someone who will just give it his all. I also want to give some extra love for Zirkzee. He hasn't had an easy time here, it's been up and down and I felt bad when fans heckled him not too long ago. But I thought he was great when he came on, most of his decisions were good and he did better than Hojlund for the time he was on. Really happy he got to take the final pen as well. Part of me hopes he gets more time here because at times I really like what I see from him, and I hope players can get more than 4 months to grow into PL here. I'd say give him to the end of the season at least. He reminds me a little bit of Berbatov at times. Not saying that as a quality comparison but more his 'style'. He can look lazy but he can also just flow through players with ease. Also gotta shoutout Bayindir - he kept us in the game with some key saves (the penalty as well) and did well taking the Havertz one.

As for Arsenal, what has happened with this team? I know they have a few injuries but this was a team that impressed most of us with their beautiful style of play, exciting in attack and solid in defense. This is looking more and more like a Mourinho-team by the minute. Players falling over for nothing, lots of time wasting, set pieces being a big focus and over 120 minutes they had maybe 2 exciting attacks and the rest was just passing the ball around sideways or trying to score from corners. It feels like a big budget Tony Pulis Stoke honestly. For about 2 years everything surrounding Arsenal has been positivity and roses though. They went from banter-club that might finish 4th to a real contender in most people's eyes. This is really their first storm in all that time and things are turning fast. I get being frustrated but I saw some idiots had sent threats to Havertz pregnant girlfriend about showing up and causing a miscarriage. Some people should just be locked up. But I do think Arteta needs to do something because generally the simple rule to football is fans will be happy if you play good football OR you win titles. Preferably you want both but fans can take good football without titles since the feeling is there you might improve. Or shoddy football but titles because you think the game will improve. But right now it's boring ineffective football AND no titles and unless he finds some solutions to his problems in the next month or so I think the spring will be very tough for him.

I hate getting big ties in early rounds. It feels like you've done tons if beating out PL top half teams multiple times but really you are no further progressed than the top PL teams who've beaten a non leageue team and a lower league team at home without breaking a sweat. But for Utd, these are the first legit good signs in the way the team is putting a shift in unlike all the other false dawns that came from a few seconds of top skill within otherwise unimpressive performances. I hope some of the new players can turn things around given more time.

Arsenal have gone off the boil since Saka's injury (not just due to his injury, deeper issues there) in both effectiveness and entertainment value (as you actually later go on to say - this was a live response as I was reading ). Big budget Tony Pulis Stoke lol, maybe it's the return of pressure that they can't deal with. Easier to perform when noone is expecting anything.

That's disgusting re threats to Havertz' girlfriend. As you say, people like that should be turfed out of the game and straight into a cell.

 

[Iceman]

I’m actually glad Ødegaard missed, as that was never a penalty in my eyes. I also don’t think Dalot should of been sent off either.

As for the Havertz stuff, a large majority of our fanbase are vile scumbags and unfortunately the rest of us get roped into that crowd and everybody thinks (or in some cases want to think and push that narrative) we are all like that.

I don’t even bother listening to Arteta’s pressers now, be it pre, or post as he talks so much drivel and more often than not I come away even more frustrated and annoyed.

I actually think if you gave Jose this team right now, even in his supposedly ‘washed’ form now and with no signings, he could get us a trophy in less time than Arteta has had.

We’re actually regressing rather than progressing now. We’re not winning anything, yet again, this season and I don’t even think top 4/5 is safe.

I agree, Arteta does talk a lot of drivel these days haha.

 

[Zantera]

It's funny because I strongly remember about a decade back when you had those Arsenal vs Stoke fixtures that were always the pinnacle of "new fluid beautiful attacking style of football" against "old brutish british football of winning from set pieces and defending". And Arsenal-fans (and many others) had such a sneery attitude towards how Stoke used to be then and now this Arsenal team currently feels a bit like a big budget Tony Pulis Stoke team. Didn't the set piece coach even get a painting in the tunnel mural or something crazy like that?

I actually heard from some Arsenal fans that their tunnel mural (i believe) does not have some of the iconic players that were part of The Invincibles but it has people like the set piece coach (because they scored a few corners I guess) and Havertz and his dog. It sounds really bizarre to me. I know a lot of chill Arsenal fans but there's definitely a group of them who seemed to be carried away with the last few seasons and it feels like they've celebrated titles they did not win yet, and judging by how this season is going, titles they're not winning soon either.

 

[PepS]

That sneery attitude was ultimately more to do with the serious injuries that happened to us as a result of how those teams would puposely play rough against us to disrupt our play. Diaby, Eduardo, Ramsey, etc. Tony Pulis hated Wenger and Arsenal and always riled up his players in games against us almost to the point of wanting to hurt us, as revealed by Dave Kitson. Funnily enough back then, pundits, rivals, etc. bigged up teams that played like that against us and ridiculed us for showing concern. They only changed tact when the injuries happened to save face. Yet now the shoe has been on the other foot, same pundits and rivals are calling foul when it’s us employing these so called ‘dark arts’. I’m not a fan of this style, but it’s the double standards that annoys me and we are always made to be the bad guys whatever the scenario.

 

[Iceman]

It's funny because I strongly remember about a decade back when you had those Arsenal vs Stoke fixtures that were always the pinnacle of "new fluid beautiful attacking style of football" against "old brutish british football of winning from set pieces and defending". And Arsenal-fans (and many others) had such a sneery attitude towards how Stoke used to be then and now this Arsenal team currently feels a bit like a big budget Tony Pulis Stoke team. Didn't the set piece coach even get a painting in the tunnel mural or something crazy like that?

I actually heard from some Arsenal fans that their tunnel mural (i believe) does not have some of the iconic players that were part of The Invincibles but it has people like the set piece coach (because they scored a few corners I guess) and Havertz and his dog. It sounds really bizarre to me. I know a lot of chill Arsenal fans but there's definitely a group of them who seemed to be carried away with the last few seasons and it feels like they've celebrated titles they did not win yet, and judging by how this season is going, titles they're not winning soon either.

That’s really weird unless the tradition is to always update the mural to the modern players. Don’t know why anyone would want to remove the classic players of the past otherwise.

I think prior to all this Arsenal were looking like possibly going permanently behind City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Utd and not getting into the CL again. So after having some seasons where they were second, challenging and looking like improving in many areas, the effect of that success might have felt exaggerated compared to other clubs.

 

[BlackFox]

More games tonight back in the league, it soon comes around, City, Chelsea and Liverpool all in action.

 

[Iceman]

Forest take the lead against Liverpool!!

 

[Iceman]

Forest still ahead with 25 mins to go.

Chelsea losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth after Cole Palmer put them ahead.

West Ham leading Fulham 3-2.

Brentford got a late equaliser against City, 2-2.

 

[Iceman]

West Ham won.

Reece James came on to get a late freekick equaliser for Chelsea (great for him after all his injury issues).

2-2 was final score Brentford City.

Liverpool have come back against Forest with the 2 subs (Tsimikas and Jota) creating the goal between them.

If it finishes like that, a good day for Newcastle with most of the top 4/5 competitors dropping points.

 

[Iceman]

Forest finish 1-1 with Liverpool to continue a great run. Good game too.

 

[BlackFox]

Liverpool dropping a few points of late but nobody seems to want to capitalize and put any real pressure back on them, doesnt seem like anyone is really playing at their peak at the moment except for perhaps Forest who seem to be defying the odds and keeping up their fine form, all be it with lower expectations.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[BlackFox]

Arsenal v Spurs tonight, feels like a must win game for both sides as a draw does little for each so hopefully its a good game.

 

[Iceman]

That boy Isak can’t stop scoring, 8 games in a row! Got luck with a deflection but when you’re burning hot you often get the luck.

 

[Iceman]

Son puts Spurs 1-0 up against Arsenal.

Watkins puts Villa 1 up at Everton.

 

[BlackFox]

Arsenal 1-1 Spurs from another corner they score again. Entertaining open game in the first half.

 

[BlackFox]

2-1 Arsenal - Trossard scores soon after to give them the lead. Nice finish but the keeper might be upset it went in.

 

[Iceman]

Guess who? Isak again!! 2-0 after a lovely through ball from Bruno.

 

[Iceman]

2-1 Arsenal - Trossard scores soon after to give them the lead. Nice finish but the keeper might be upset it went in.

Sounds like more typical Spurs stuff, and even Arsenal are acting a bit like that these days. Not watching it but wouldn’t be surprised by any result there.

 

[Iceman]

Gordon converts and Isak involved again with the assist, 3-0!

 

[BlackFox]

Good wins for Arsenal and Newcastle with everyone dropping points around them. Arsenal have closed the gap at least for the moment on Liverpool though they still have a game in hand and Newcastle are now back in the top 4 and giving themselves a great chance going into the second half of the season.

Its all very tight at the moment though still so nothing to be decided for a while but interesting for now at least a bit more at the top.

Great run Newcastle are on, nine wins in a row is great form and Issak is just "that guy" at the moment.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Zantera]

Southampton up 1-0 at half time. I'm not even that surprised. It's one thing to sit back against big teams and try and get a result but then you play a ****ty team at home and you're expected to blow them away and it's a completely different scenario.