Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
To be fair we held then out for 5 minutes longer than expected. Should be out of sight by 25 minutes though.
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
Must be the earliest we've written off a season now. 
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
It's like our only purpose is to be a meme club and bring fans of everyone else joy. Farcenal.

Anyway thought I'd make it to half time but after a family bereavement in midweek I'm not putting myself through anymore of this. Night.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
ajc28
It's like our only purpose is to be a meme club and bring fans of everyone else joy. Farcenal.

Anyway thought I'd make it to half time but after a family bereavement in midweek I'm not putting myself through anymore of this. Night.

Sorry to hear that mate, hope you and your family are doing Ok.
Legend
2.3K
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17K
·
almost 17 years
Fudge Xhaka

Fudge Arteta

Fudge Edu

Fudge Kroenke
First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
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over 15 years
As hilarious as this is, Chambers getting as close to being punched in the face as you can get could only not be called against City.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
I actually give up on the PL refs and rules. What is or isn’t a foul, what is or isn’t a red card, and what is or isn’t an intervention for VAR is so wildly inconsistent.

How Xhaka gets a red for barely touching a player makes no sense too me, when they won’t intervene when Chambers cops it in the face in the build up to a goal, and when Kolasinac makes less contact and gets a yellow.

I know we’re shark, I don’t expect to beat City, but when they rules and their application are this wildly inconsistent I actually can’t watch.
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
whilst i agree it wasnt red you have to ask why Xhaka was diving in with two feet like that, reckless, dangerous worthy of a yellow at least.
Just another dumb piece of defending by a senior player, we need him gone and Partey back asap!.  
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
I'm not gonna lie, I wrote this game off so have no expectations from it so am not buying into the angst. Nevertheless, a couple of thoughts:
If Kola gets a yellow for a swinging arm, then it should be no goal for the arm to the face on chambers. if the arm to the face in the goal is ok, then no yellow for kola. 
Xhaka in the euros is nothing like this guy. but at least he is trying and was running his arse off. Can't say the same for Auba. 
Cedric is pants.
if Saliba is on loan and isn't up to the standard of these guys, then we need to check what the fudge the standard is.
having a bunch of really good defensive players out when playing one of the best-attacking sides on the planet will make you look bad. 

Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
theprof
whilst i agree it wasnt red you have to ask why Xhaka was diving in with two feet like that, reckless, dangerous worthy of a yellow at least.
Just another dumb piece of defending by a senior player, we need him gone and Partey back asap!.  
 no problem with the red for me. he went in with 2 feet and game the ref an easy decision to make. 
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
and with that 4th goal, im done, sleep is more enjoyable than this sharke!
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years

Sure, but just because it’s dumb doesn’t mean it deserves a red. IE if he had actually got the player I expect it to be a red. But carding players for almost being dangerous is baffling.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years

Xhaka at the Euros had team mates willing to bleed for their team - I wouldn’t say that about half of this lot.
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
Thanks mate. Was expected and not out of the blue but bit rough being in lockdown and not able to do anything.  
Marquee
1.5K
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5.2K
·
over 16 years
I was chatting to a friend of mine who supports Man United when it was looking like Ronaldo was going to go to City. He said he was afraid that if that happened then City and Chelsea would be title favourites and United would have no chance.
I then reflected on his comment and thought that I used to think like him back in the late 90's and early 2000's about Arsenals title chances before the start of each season but being an Arsenal fan now, I now wonder if we will be involved in a relegation battle or at best, how close to the top 6 can we get. 
How times have changed.
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years


I mean, noone is suggesting for a second that it would have made any difference to the result, and it's our own doing that we are poorly run, poorly managed and have an atrocious squad etc. No excuses at all for the "performance" for lack of a better word. But with VAR in use, is it not beyond belief that this is allowed to happen? Imagine the chance of that being allowed at the other end. They tell us these things "even out" over a season.
Legend
3.6K
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15K
·
almost 17 years
Obviously out-classed and we all knew it was going to happen, but it would be remiss to dismiss some of those decisions against us without acknowledging the lack of consistency. I'm all for having less VAR intervention and more trust in the ref's decision, but the punch on Chambers being ignored was absurd, it was clearly worse than the yellow Kola got a short time later. 
Hopefully we can get some players back during the international break. Someone pointed out that 8 of that starting 11 were with the club when Wenger was still here, which is pretty crazy. It's a sign of just how depleted we are right now, through injury and illness. We desperately need defenders back. Gabriel/White would be very good right now.
Legend
8K
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14K
·
over 16 years
we can make all the excuses we want, ie decisions not going our way, key players missing, but we have to accpet that the players we have are all premier league players earning massive money and at this point in time are being out classed by 19 other teams. 3 games into the season and whilst I'm sure it wont be like this come season end, having scored 0 goals and conceded 9 is abysmal.
image.png 11.3 KB
The saddest thing about the 9 goals we've shipped is the manner in which they have come. Half of them have been come via a mistake or miscommunication between midifeld and backs. This should not be happening at this level, regardless of coach/owner/manager etc. 10 year old kids could figure out the communication stuff within the first 15 mins of a game. There seems to be a real lack of leadership on the field, we need someone in the backs, to step up and control the line, link with the keeper (Leno for mine is on borrowed time) and talk to the defensive mids.
We may look better when the injured players get back, Partey could be key to this.
But I think we as fans need to lock in for a long painful season and keep our sights set on not being relegated and maybe winning a local cup.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
I don’t buy the logic of being outclassed by 19 other teams when we’ve only played 3 of them. Hold the hyperbole, things are bad but we don’t need to go OTT.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Dammit, AMN has Everton after him and he posts this on Instagram...

The Athletics just posted that AMN's been telling Arsenal he wants to play fullback.
If that's the case then how the fudge have we got here with Cedric/Chambers starting ahead of him?
Legend
8K
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14K
·
over 16 years
brumbys
I don’t buy the logic of being outclassed by 19 other teams when we’ve only played 3 of them. Hold the hyperbole, things are bad but we don’t need to go OTT.

Just need to look at the numbers, we haven't scored a goal in three games and we've conceded 9. We are after 3 games the worst team in the league. We can't even beat the new comers to the league.
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
·
over 11 years
It's not so much that it's "only 3 games" or that 2 of them we'd expect to lose anyway. It's the manner of how abject the performances have been and the ridiculousness of the goals conceded. We haven't been competitive or put up any sort of fight at any point in any of the games. Go to any football pitch in Wellington on a Saturday and you will genuinely see better and more committed defending. There's been no commitment, no competitive drive, and no pride in the shirt. The captain even admitted so publicly after the last game. The manner of it was worse than any of the big defeats under Wenger, probably even the 8-2.

Brentford were a newly promoted team who had 3 Premier League appearances between them on the pitch and we weren't even competitive. The 2-0 scoreline flattered us and they won't have an easier game all season. I didn't follow the Championship but I'd be surprised if they had many easier games last season. It's going to take a big job to get out this mess.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Don’t disagree with any of that AJC. When you’re a CB beaten in the air by a looping cross like Chambers was or can’t clear a low free kick like Cedric I just don’t know how anyone can fix that.

Transfer deadline day will be interesting. Sounds like Hector has his wish, but given we won’t let AMN leave it sounds like a replacement isn’t incoming.

We keep getting linked with Trippier but that just makes no sense to me.

Ascensio is another we keep getting linked with, can’t tell if Madrid’s trying to find him a new home post Mbappe (if it happens) or if his agent wants a new deal.

An interesting final day ahead by all accounts.
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
Other transfer rumours-
We’ve enquired about Norwich full back Aarons. Our approach earlier was rejected so I don’t know what’s changed. 
Nelson is off on loan to feyenoord
Amn was off to Everton but now we’ve gone cold on it and Everton are having 2nd thoughts. He has also given up on being a midfielder and what’s to play RB. Personally I’d have him competing for the starting spot though rumours of his attitude towards the club have been circling since he came back from loan. 
Hector is set to be off to Real Betis. wish him all the best. 
Willian is officially gone and wow I can’t believe how much we are saving on it. 
Kola was gone but now isn’t but still could be. 
Nkietah is likely staying unless either of the unnamed German clubs, who were in for him before, come back. 
Aour isn’t coming
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
It seems made to me that we’re at deadline day and Kola, Bellerin, Nketiah, Nelson, Runarson, Elneny, Lacazette are all still at the club.

Laca/Elneny can still offer something but they’re about to run out on their contract so go for free in a summer…
Legend
2.3K
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17K
·
almost 17 years
AMN being told he cannot train with the first team. Don't think he's done a whole lot wrong really. Just wants to play football regularly.
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
·
over 16 years
Buffon II
AMN being told he cannot train with the first team. Don't think he's done a whole lot wrong really. Just wants to play football regularly.
yea i can think of a couple off the top of my head. Firstly by stating that you want to be a starting CM when you've only played RB would be a start. secondly, then getting upset when it didn't happen in the timeframe he wanted.
As Arsenalblog puts it, AMN is in desperate need of some quality advice. 
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Willian has excited with class, as much as it didn’t work out he’s shown how to not leave like Ozil!
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Looks like we’ll get our RB upgrade, while Bellerin goes to Betis. AMN to stay post Arteta talks. Nelson extends a year then off on loan, and Runarson on loan for another 12 months.

Nketiah & Kolasinac looking the most likely to miss out on moves now, shame we didn’t take Palace’s money and tear up Sead’s contract.

That said given the volume of departures we needed to see, and new bodies in I’m impressed with what they got done in a market that didn’t have much money available.

Guessing our best 11 is;
Auba
Saka Odegaard Pepe
Xhaka Partey
Tierney Gabriel White Tomiyaso
Leno

Reserves;
Lacazette
Martinelli ESR Nketiah
Lokonga Elneny
Tavares Mari Holding AMN
Ramsdale

Leftover;
 Onkonkwo, Kolasinac, Chambers, Soares, Balogun

Marquee
3.1K
·
6.7K
·
over 16 years
Who is Tomiyasu? Apparently he's undergoing a medical as we speak. 
LG
Legend
5.5K
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23K
·
over 16 years
Arsenal might as well get the bronze statues outside the ground and use them as a starting line defence. At least they would be more solid...and probably move quicker.
Legend
8K
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14K
·
over 16 years
brumbys
Looks like we’ll get our RB upgrade, while Bellerin goes to Betis. AMN to stay post Arteta talks. Nelson extends a year then off on loan, and Runarson on loan for another 12 months.

Nketiah & Kolasinac looking the most likely to miss out on moves now, shame we didn’t take Palace’s money and tear up Sead’s contract.

That said given the volume of departures we needed to see, and new bodies in I’m impressed with what they got done in a market that didn’t have much money available.

Guessing our best 11 is;
Auba
Saka Odegaard Pepe
Xhaka Partey
Tierney Gabriel White Tomiyaso
Leno

Reserves;
Lacazette
Martinelli ESR Nketiah
Lokonga Elneny
Tavares Mari Holding AMN
Ramsdale

Leftover;
 Onkonkwo, Kolasinac, Chambers, Soares, Balogun


I'd like to see us change the shape we play in and get Auba and Laca on the pitch at the same time, maybe with two up front? I just hate seeing our best scoring options not playing together. Especially when Auba gets nothing from our wide players.
I also thing Leno is on borrowed time, his performances have been pretty poor so far. I hope Ramsdale gets enough game time to show he has what it takes to be the number 1.
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
Never seen Tomiyasu but sounds like he's a more a CB than RB so be interesting to see if this brings more of a permanent shift to 3 at the back. Or if Arteta has very quickly realised White was a mistake. Or maybe we just needed someone else in case we ran out of natural fullbacks to play ahead of Maitland-Niles or centre backs to play ahead of Saliba....
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
22 yr old Japanese CB/RB, at 6'2'' he's in the mix for a CB, but then our current pairing showed that height isnt everything.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takehiro_Tomiyasu
Marquee
1.5K
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5.2K
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over 16 years
White, Mavropanos, Saliba, Gabriel, Mari, Holding, Chambers, Tomiyasu. Is Arteta just collecting centre backs to see which combination will stop conceding 9 goals in three games?
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
yeah I dont understand the need for 8 CB's. Out of those who would be your starting 2? White and ?
Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
Surely the new guy has been bought as a RB
Legend
3.6K
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15K
·
almost 17 years
Dont really understand all the Hector love. 
Dude didn't push on at all in the last 2-3 seasons. Let down both post-wenger managers when both trusted him, played him regularly, and included him in leadership groups. Could've been our captain and one of our best, chose not to. I struggle to see anything to endear him as a good servant. Arsenal has done more for him than the other way round. 

Legend
3.6K
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15K
·
almost 17 years
Good window overall on paper. 
Now can it be better off paper, time to find out. 
Also Willian must be commended for the way he's left, giving up all that money. Absolute failure for us but has now done us a solid. 
Legend
8K
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14K
·
over 16 years
next two games up we have Norwich and Burnley, must wins for mine.
Then its Spurs which will be tough but we need to be competitive.
Brighton and Crystal Palace take us to mid October.
Should be 4 wins there out of 5! 12 points min.

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