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Marquee
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Lacazette's ban is reduced to 2 games, so we'll have him back in.

I wonder if he'll try a similar line up to what we saw against united? 3-5-2?

Mans so damn unpredictable!

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Two changes from ManU, sokratis is suspended so mustafi comes in, and cech for leno. Interesting to see him pick rambo/ozil/auba/laca all together again. Mkhitaryan makes the bench. Decent bench actully, with iwobi, torreira and guendouzi all there

Marquee
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I wonder how the energy will go through the game. Can imagine Kolasinac/Ramsey and others who did big miles against United needing earlier withdrawls. That said, big time off after this to rest so really need to go for it. I'm in a course all day so saving the game for tonight, 9ish hours of avoiding the result!

Legend
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Oh yesss have some of that then. Great comeback. Awesome energy from the get-go, the lads really wanted that. 

Some hairy moments, some hairy tackles, a couple of bad misses from Auba toward the end there, but overall can't ask for much more. 

Bit of a break now, then into the season run-in!

Legend
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Bit hairy at times but got the job done, another first leg deficit overturned.

This is a very strong last 8. Compare that with what United had a couple years ago. If we go all the way we truly would have earned it this year.

WeeNix
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Another great win this morning, despite the mid-season dip we really have hit form again the last month. Thought the yellow for Aubameyang's celebration was unnecessary and Rennes embarrassing attempts at trying to get Laca sent off made the win even sweeter.  Emery still a fraud? Surely everyone can see his quality now.

A perfect scenario finishing third and winning the Europa League but even from here if it doesn't work out I'm happy with our progress and changes from last year. As a bonus having the yids finishing fifth while watching us win another trophy in their "golden era"

Legend
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Couldn't agree more POL. 

Best development recently has been Ozil's resurgence. He hasn't even played that well by his standards, but you can see a difference in his demeanour. Actually going up for headers for a start... He just seems more willing to do the off-the-ball work these days, he's been fit for training consistently, and Emery is selecting him as a result. 

Although to be fair I'm not sure it would have gone like this for him if Mkhitaryan had been fully fit the last week. Mkhi has been oustanding for us over the last 2 months or so. What a trade that has ended up being :) 

valeo
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I'll give Emery credit where it is due.  He screwed up in Rennes, but he righted his wrongs today. The fact that we had a formation that we could easily switch to, with Mkhi + Iwobi coming on, and everyone still knew their roles - that is the biggest advantage of his constant chopping and changing.

Really, really good win. We did exactly what we needed to do; and more than anything, we played with urgency.

Imagine if Auba buried that pen v Spurs...Even though he didn't, we're still in such a better position than we were a couple of weeks ago. Europa League now just seems like a 2nd bite at the cherry, not the be all and end all.

Marquee
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valeo wrote:

I'll give Emery credit where it is due.  He screwed up in Rennes, but he righted his wrongs today. The fact that we had a formation that we could easily switch to, with Mkhi + Iwobi coming on, and everyone still knew their roles - that is the biggest advantage of his constant chopping and changing.

Really, really good win. We did exactly what we needed to do; and more than anything, we played with urgency.

Imagine if Auba buried that pen v Spurs...Even though he didn't, we're still in such a better position than we were a couple of weeks ago. Europa League now just seems like a 2nd bite at the cherry, not the be all and end all.

Imagine if Auba buried half his chances in this game!! we would have put 8 past them!

Also, did anyone else see Mustafi with the ball, lose his man only to turn back into him? I tihnk it was the first half. oddest piece of defending i have ever seen. 

valeo
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Mustafi needs to go ASAP. He will be good for 90% of the game, and then inevitably give them one or two big chances. He did it again this game with them hitting the post and he completely missed the ball in the last chance of the game for Rennes

Marquee
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The bloke who hit the post was offside so not exactly a chance for them.

Great result and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Confirmed we won't face Chelsea until the final, assuming we both win our next 2 rounds.

Tough draw for us with Napoli first then either Valencia or Villarreal. All of those are genuine banana peels for us. Chelsea did do us a favour by taking Higuian off their hands, but still plenty of attacking power there. I can't seem to find how long Sokratis suspension is, I'm hoping it's just the 1 match as it wasn't a straight red?

Phoenix Academy
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brumbys wrote:

Tough draw for us with Napoli first then either Valencia or Villarreal. All of those are genuine banana peels for us. Chelsea did do us a favour by taking Higuian off their hands, but still plenty of attacking power there.

Napoli sold Higuain to Juventus in 2016 for 75m. We're renting him from Juve, not Napoli.

Marquee
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Gullitesque wrote:
brumbys wrote:

Tough draw for us with Napoli first then either Valencia or Villarreal. All of those are genuine banana peels for us. Chelsea did do us a favour by taking Higuian off their hands, but still plenty of attacking power there.

Napoli sold Higuain to Juventus in 2016 for 75m. We're renting him from Juve, not Napoli.

What a transfer whore!

Marquee
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This Napoli draw is going to really require a lift away from home in the Europa league. Our home form is solid, only City have beaten us in the league, while United & Sp*rs did it in the FA Cup & Carabao cup. But we don't want to be trying to overturn a Rennes type result against Napoli.

Marquee
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Found this an absolutely fascinating watch.
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brumbys wrote:

Found this an absolutely fascinating watch.

Saw this on Twitter, very interesting. Chelsea just explode out of nowhere in 2003, as do Man City in 2008. Two sharkhouse oil clubs that would be in League 1 if they weren't taken over by corrupt oligarchs.

Legend
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Saw that, bloody interesting. 

Arsenal made a brief appearance at the bottom in the late nineties, not seen since. 

Surprising that Spurs were actually in there for a long time. Liverpool consistently one of the biggest spenders right throughout the period too. 

Chelsea and Man City smashing it up the ranks was hilarious to watch. Chelsea were at the top before they'd won a title! Better than Spurs not winning a title at all I guess. 

Legend
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Bit late with this, but the Winners and Losers column on football365 after the ManU win had some good comments:

https://www.football365.com/news/premier-league-wi...

"Arsenal are currently taking points at a rate of exactly 2.0 per game in the Premier League. Extend that over their final eight matches (and, to repeat, their run-in is decidedly gentle) and Emery’s Arsenal will reach 76 points. They have beaten that total once in the last decade."

Very interesting. We should be looking to get that at the very least, if we want to make top 4.

Personally I feel we might need as many as 78 this time round, which is absolutely insane. We won the league with 78 in 1997/98!!!!

Marquee
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This year has been a tough year for points required, and Chelsea seem to be the first major victim of it. I'm surprised Sarri is still in his seat TBH. There's a part of me hoping we'll go back in for Giroud on a season long spell, would be good to get him in to replace Welbeck and save the cash for a decent defensive investment at CB and RB, plus a winger.

On the transfer front Monchi has returned to Sevilla and won't be joining us. Disappointing for us. Need someone in Sven's seat ASAP as this summer will be a big one.

Legend
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We missed out with 75 points two years ago. The quality of the top 6 is like no other league in Europe.

Legend
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Szczesny did a polish interview where he commented on heaps of arsenal players, its hilarious. Transcript of the player commemts here: https://arseblog.news/2019/03/szczesnys-hilarious-assessment-of-former-arsenal-teammates/

valeo
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paulm wrote:

Szczesny did a polish interview where he commented on heaps of arsenal players, its hilarious. Transcript of the player commemts here: https://arseblog.news/2019/03/szczesnys-hilarious...

This was the best Arsenal related thing I've read in a while. We should get Szcz. Podolski and Frimpong in a room together for a roundtable.

Also, would love if Giroud came back to fill the Welbeck role. Not sure if that's enough for him though.

Marquee
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Wilshere drunk and sleeping in the bushes hahahaha

Marquee
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Good lord this international window is the worst. We've got no real Arsenal news, and an active forum arguing the definition of Ole's experience and what the manc evening news thinks of the scenario. Jesus wept.

Legend
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Giroud scored for France again, there's always that 

Marquee
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Gabon's missed out on qualifying for the ACN this summer which mean Auba gets a solid break.

Guys from Arseblog are totally freaking out about the lack of sporting director. It seems justified, but at the same time it's not like our entire scouting department have left, of Emery & Sanllehi have no idea about the type of players we need/want this coming summer.

Legend
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paulm wrote:

Giroud scored for France again, there's always that 

And again this morning...

Clear third on France's all time list now, behind only Thierry Henry and Michel Platini. Levels. 

Legend
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Giroud is a beautiful man.

Feels like we haven't played in about 3 years. This international stuff is sharke.

Marquee
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Starting XI
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Buffon II wrote:
brumbys wrote:

Found this an absolutely fascinating watch.

Saw this on Twitter, very interesting. Chelsea just explode out of nowhere in 2003, as do Man City in 2008. Two sharkhouse oil clubs that would be in League 1 if they weren't taken over by corrupt oligarchs.

Ok I know you might not be all that serious but I'll bite anyway. 

It always grates me when Chelsea and City are lumped together with regards to their takeovers. 

In the 7 seasons prior to our takeover we finished 6th, 4th, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 6th, 4th. In those 7 seasons we won 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, a Cup Winners Cup, a Super Cup and a Community Shield. As well as making a Champions League QF and losing another FA Cup final.

Man City really were a mid tabling team before their takeover with a best finish in the 7 seasons prior to their takeover of 8th.

Also there were key players in our first title winning season 04/05 who were at the team prior to the takeover (Terry, Lampard, Gudjohnson, Gallas)

valeo
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Yeah, have to agree with that - Chelsea were never the best, but they were always there or there abouts. Man City were, at times, a complete and utter joke.

Legend
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Downey26 wrote:
Buffon II wrote:
brumbys wrote:

Found this an absolutely fascinating watch.

Saw this on Twitter, very interesting. Chelsea just explode out of nowhere in 2003, as do Man City in 2008. Two sharkhouse oil clubs that would be in League 1 if they weren't taken over by corrupt oligarchs.

Ok I know you might not be all that serious but I'll bite anyway. 

It always grates me when Chelsea and City are lumped together with regards to their takeovers. 

In the 7 seasons prior to our takeover we finished 6th, 4th, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 6th, 4th. In those 7 seasons we won 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, a Cup Winners Cup, a Super Cup and a Community Shield. As well as making a Champions League QF and losing another FA Cup final.

Man City really were a mid tabling team before their takeover with a best finish in the 7 seasons prior to their takeover of 8th.

Also there were key players in our first title winning season 04/05 who were at the team prior to the takeover (Terry, Lampard, Gudjohnson, Gallas)

Not entirely serious no but you are aware of the financial situation surrounding Chelsea prior to Abramovich buying the club, right? 

Legend
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Downey26 wrote:
Buffon II wrote:
brumbys wrote:

Found this an absolutely fascinating watch.

Saw this on Twitter, very interesting. Chelsea just explode out of nowhere in 2003, as do Man City in 2008. Two sharkhouse oil clubs that would be in League 1 if they weren't taken over by corrupt oligarchs.

Ok I know you might not be all that serious but I'll bite anyway. 

It always grates me when Chelsea and City are lumped together with regards to their takeovers. 

In the 7 seasons prior to our takeover we finished 6th, 4th, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 6th, 4th. In those 7 seasons we won 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, a Cup Winners Cup, a Super Cup and a Community Shield. As well as making a Champions League QF and losing another FA Cup final.

Man City really were a mid tabling team before their takeover with a best finish in the 7 seasons prior to their takeover of 8th.

Also there were key players in our first title winning season 04/05 who were at the team prior to the takeover (Terry, Lampard, Gudjohnson, Gallas)

All fair comments, but doesn't change anything. Chelsea did indeed 'explode out of nowhere' when it comes to the animation we are talking about. They were not big spenders, then they were. Same as Man City. 

Their credibility and results as a club prior to that happening are a different story altogether, and were very different to Man City's - I agree with you on that, for sure. 

Starting XI
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paulm wrote:
Downey26 wrote:
Buffon II wrote:
brumbys wrote:

Found this an absolutely fascinating watch.

Saw this on Twitter, very interesting. Chelsea just explode out of nowhere in 2003, as do Man City in 2008. Two sharkhouse oil clubs that would be in League 1 if they weren't taken over by corrupt oligarchs.

Ok I know you might not be all that serious but I'll bite anyway. 

It always grates me when Chelsea and City are lumped together with regards to their takeovers. 

In the 7 seasons prior to our takeover we finished 6th, 4th, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 6th, 4th. In those 7 seasons we won 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, a Cup Winners Cup, a Super Cup and a Community Shield. As well as making a Champions League QF and losing another FA Cup final.

Man City really were a mid tabling team before their takeover with a best finish in the 7 seasons prior to their takeover of 8th.

Also there were key players in our first title winning season 04/05 who were at the team prior to the takeover (Terry, Lampard, Gudjohnson, Gallas)

All fair comments, but doesn't change anything. Chelsea did indeed 'explode out of nowhere' when it comes to the animation we are talking about. They were not big spenders, then they were. Same as Man City. 

Their credibility and results as a club prior to that happening are a different story altogether, and were very different to Man City's - I agree with you on that, for sure. 

Yea it was more the "they would be in League 1" comment.

Obviously the club was in trouble financially and it was great to have Roman buy the club, also great to have Ken Bates no longer involved.

Though given their success, being an established top 6 premier league team in the UCL, if Roman didn't buy I'm thinking Bates would have been able to find investors?

Maybe/maybe not. 

Legend
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Some rumours about. 

Guardian and others claiming that Umtiti and Alaba are at the top of our list for the summer. 

There are some personal connections working in our favour, with Alaba saying he's always been an Arsenal fan, and Umtiti being best friends with Lacazette (they played at Lyon together as well). 

To be honest they seem unlikely on the face of it, given our recent financial constraints. however there was talk that the reason we had no money was because we needed to hold back for the Summer due to financial rules, not sure how true that is. And if we can make the Champions League then that would boost us financially, and make us a more attractive destination for the players. 

Also being linked with Herrera who is off contract at ManU at the end of the season. He's an all effort player who I hate when we play against, and he does seem to be the type that Emery would like, so I wouldn't be averse to that, but again seems unlikely. I think he might re-sign there, or if he does leave, some other big clubs are being linked that would probably be more attractive - PSG, Juve, Barca, apparently. Might just be agent noise to get the wages he wants, to be fair. 

Marquee
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Good lord they would be amazing signings.

Arseblog did a good write up the wage savings here: https://arseblog.com/2019/03/the-great-arsenal-wage-saving-of-summer-2019/

Quick summary was that if you estimated the following weekly salaries gone:

Ramsey, Welbeck, Cech, Elneny, Mustafi, Jenkinson, and Ozil we'd be looking at wiping out nearly 850,000 per week, or 44m per year.

Granted, we may offer Welbeck a sympathy extension, Elneny/Mustafi/Jenkinson/Ozil might not be sold. But you'd expect a combination too.

It also doesn't take into account whether Koscielny or Monreal moves on, what happens with Lichsteiner, or any other shock departures.

I think we'll have a massive summer, with a number of outgoings and a smaller amount of incomings of a decent quality.

Edit: I'd take Herera in a heartbeat. If he was going overseas you'd think that would be locked in now like Ramsey is. He's either holding out to stay with United or in the EPL.

valeo
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Transfer window: Wow, Umtiti! Alaba!

Start of next season: Well, Holding is back from injury so he's like a new signing.

Marquee
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valeo wrote:

Transfer window: Wow, Umtiti! Alaba!

Start of next season: Well, Holding is back from injury so he's like a new signing.

Fudgeing spot on.

Marquee
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At a massive risk of jinxing it...

We win tomorrow and we go ahead of Sp*rs and United into 3rd. From here it becomes about defending 3rd place, not about playing catch up. Look at those red dots from their last 5 EPL results - their collapse is on!

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