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Post by harrypalmer on Sept 10, 2024 8:58:51 GMT
The timing is very unfortunate (FUCKING INTERNATIONALS 3 GAMES INTO THE SEASON). Merino not back for another month at least, but at least we'll have Rice back for the other games. Don't forget we have Sterling, I know a different position but looking forward to what he brings. Just really hoping Odegaard is just a knock, if he's out for more than a couple of games it really is bad.
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 10, 2024 9:01:13 GMT
Indeed, and that would be the Rodri who has rested whilst they easily collected 9pts this season.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 10, 2024 9:26:54 GMT
Saka in at 10, Sterling on the right imo.
Or Havertz at 10, Jesus up top (apparently fit)
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 10, 2024 11:25:19 GMT
Saka in at 10, Sterling on the right imo. Or Havertz at 10, Jesus up top (apparently fit) Yeah, I mean I'm not worried about us fielding a team at this stage. We have enough defenders and forwards who can play out of position with varying degrees of compromise. I don't think Arteta will do it, but seeing Saka inside would be fun. Part of me suspects he'd be just as brilliant there as well. October's fixtures aren't too bad so there's an opportunity to stabilise things, at least results wise. It's just the volume of games is relentless so those midfielders that are fit are considerably less likely to stay fit if they have to play everything. Short term injuries here and there we can cope with, it's the long term ones that will kill us with a squad this size. We've had no official update on Merino since the pre-Brighton press conference so I guess that one isn't long term and we can all look forward to his glorious match winning debut at City. It'll be fine.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 10, 2024 12:57:04 GMT
The socials all seem to think Merino will be out for a couple of months all told.
Agree re Saka - he'd be dynamite wherever but would love to see him pulling the strings. Would be in a slightly different way, a bit more direct I suspect.
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askew
Full Member
Posts: 6,559
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Post by askew on Sept 10, 2024 13:04:09 GMT
6-1-3 ftw
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Post by zisssou on Sept 10, 2024 13:38:53 GMT
Diaby and Bendtner on the wing. Chamakh up front.
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jp
New Member
Posts: 698
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Post by jp on Sept 10, 2024 15:59:50 GMT
I’d probably go with Martinelli up top with Havertz in the Odegaard role. Jorginho - Partey is not an ideal midfield but still think we’ve got enough on the break to win.
City we’re probably fucked for but until Pep leaves/City are sanctioned I find it difficult to care too much.
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Post by baihu1983 on Sept 10, 2024 19:23:10 GMT
Looks like Bissouma has picked up an injury.
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 10, 2024 20:21:06 GMT
I’d probably go with Martinelli up top with Havertz in the Odegaard role. Jorginho - Partey is not an ideal midfield but still think we’ve got enough on the break to win. City we’re probably fucked for but until Pep leaves/City are sanctioned I find it difficult to care too much. I think I'm struggling with these setbacks more than previous years because I didn't really believe we had a serious chance to beat City before. I was happy with second. I really think we strengthened more than City. Timber (kind of), Calafiori, Merino and Sterling are better than those they replaced. Not expecting us to romp to the title or anything but I expect(ed) to be in the hunt again in April and May. The prospect of it being almost over in September is galling. I'm aware how this sounds but let's not forget that City didn't lose a game after mid December last year. There are so few opportunities to regain lost ground that an 8pt deficit by end of the month might be insurmountable.
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jp
New Member
Posts: 698
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Post by jp on Sept 10, 2024 20:59:23 GMT
I’m hopeful this is Guardiola, De Bruyne and potentially Haaland’s last season with City.
I just want Arsenal to solidify their position as the second best team in the league and ready to strike when City have to transition.
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 11, 2024 8:39:41 GMT
There's obviously plenty to play for even if the title becomes a long shot and long term the best chance is to be in the prime position whenever Pep leaves. On that front we're in decent shape.
Liverpool showed the only way to beat Pep's City is to be almost perfect from the start and get a big enough lead before Christmas that it renders City's usual second half of the season winning streak moot. No one has ever gone toe to toe with them down the stretch and won. I'm not sure it can be done. We have to make them give up the chase and focus elsewhere like Liverpool did to have any chance.
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Post by pierrepressure on Sept 12, 2024 8:18:48 GMT
Ornstein reporting Arteta has agreed to a further 3 year contract.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 12, 2024 8:20:59 GMT
Excellent news
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Post by zisssou on Sept 12, 2024 8:41:35 GMT
Robbie is rubbing his hands together this weekend. Just think new Arteta contact, potential slipup against Spurs.. the views!
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Post by Dougs on Sept 12, 2024 8:41:59 GMT
Bloody Luton Town grifter.
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Post by Trowel 🏴 on Sept 12, 2024 8:52:40 GMT
We've moved on from viral player unveilings to extraordinary contract extensions
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rftp
New Member
Posts: 255
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Post by rftp on Sept 12, 2024 8:53:48 GMT
Presumably, he's going to play upfront.
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Post by zisssou on Sept 12, 2024 8:54:27 GMT
Bloody Luton Town grifter. We need to get you on AFTV with a Font Geek t shirt.
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mcmonkeyplc
Junior Member
General Martok Qapla!
Posts: 2,993
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Post by mcmonkeyplc on Sept 12, 2024 9:15:10 GMT
Ornstein reporting Arteta has agreed to a further 3 year contract. Cool, cool so Arsenal will get more compensation from City.
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Post by A46Matt on Sept 12, 2024 9:32:18 GMT
Bentancur being pulled up by the FA for his comments about Son and rightly so. Be interesting to see if there’s any level of consistency applied to his punishment with the likes of what Fernandez got, a slap on the wrist.
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Post by baihu1983 on Sept 12, 2024 9:34:30 GMT
Could be given a 6-12 game ban.
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Post by muddyfunster on Sept 12, 2024 9:59:03 GMT
Just listened to a really interesting pod on Chelsea situation. First time it's made any sense.
Essentially Boehly is one of three billionaires who each own 13%. Clearlake own the remaining 60%.
Crucially Clearlake have class A shares whereas the billionaires have class B. In practical terms it means that if they sell at a loss class A get their money back with class B taking the hit.
Suddenly why Clearlake would want to buy 'all the players' makes sense. They will take a share of trading profits for their fund and with their class A shares they don't take much risk. Any deficit can be loaded onto the club and if that decreases the value is not ideal but it's not going to hurt their fund.
Another interesting point is that the Clearlake Fund 7 with Chelsea in matures in 2032 so they have to sell by then to return the capital anyway.
Finance expert guy reckons within two months the billionaires will make an offer Clearlake's investors could essentially force them to accept for full control. Probably won't be fast though.
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Post by harrypalmer on Sept 12, 2024 10:06:08 GMT
Sounds like a good way to run a football club.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 12, 2024 10:28:11 GMT
Bloody Luton Town grifter. We need to get you on AFTV with a Font Geek t shirt. He used to sit near me but not seen him for a season or two. Don't think he was well liked (for obvious reasons)
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Post by pierrepressure on Sept 12, 2024 10:44:33 GMT
Could be given a 6-12 game ban. Maybe this ban could start, let's say, this weekend?
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Post by baihu1983 on Sept 12, 2024 11:02:04 GMT
Could they also just ban Partey now for life seeing as you know, everyone knows what he did.
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askew
Full Member
Posts: 6,559
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Post by askew on Sept 12, 2024 11:23:52 GMT
Is he /still/ on bail?
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Post by baihu1983 on Sept 12, 2024 12:06:24 GMT
Still a beautiful moment.
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Post by Trowel 🏴 on Sept 12, 2024 12:23:48 GMT
The mass #Barclaysmen retrospective has been enjoyable this last week or so; almost made me forget it's back to watching Dycheball this weekend.
Hope it's repeated next international break.
More international breaks please.
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