A dreary old game. Frustrating not to have seen more of the new bods.

[Burney]

Defence looked oddly sound, but Newcastle didn't offer much threat - apart from the French Tony Daley they appear to have signed.

Until Pepe does something good, I will continue to assume that he's the new Gervinho.

[IUFG]

Defence looked oddly sound, but Newcastle didn't offer much threat - apart from the French Tony Daley they appear to have signed.

Until Pepe does something good, I will continue to assume that he's the new Gervinho.

A dreary, sterile away match; grinding out a one-nil to The Arsenal.

We've got our Arsenal back :cloud9:

[Burney]

A dreary, sterile away match; grinding out a one-nil to The Arsenal.

We've got our Arsenal back :cloud9:

The Arsenal of 1994? :-(

[Ash]

Defence looked oddly sound, but Newcastle didn't offer much threat - apart from the French Tony Daley they appear to have signed.

Until Pepe does something good, I will continue to assume that he's the new Gervinho.

Just rejoice!

[IUFG]

The Arsenal of 1994? :-(

Stefan Schwarz :cloud9:

[Burney]

The Arsenal of 1994? :-(

:nod: Man of the Tournament in the 1994 Makita Tournament

He peaked too early. :-(

[Burney]

Just rejoice!

That we beat a team who will be in a relegation fight this year one-nil?

I think rejoicing may be a touch overdoing it. Can I just say it's a better start than last year and leave it at that?

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

Can I just say it's a better start than last year and leave it at that?

I'd say where you're concerned b that counts as ruddy faced enthusiasm

[Luis Anaconda]

That we beat a team who will be in a relegation fight this year one-nil?

I think rejoicing may be a touch overdoing it. Can I just say it's a better start than last year and leave it at that?

Would say that only Leno, Sokratis, Aubameyang and possibly Xhaka are guaranteed starters when everyone is up to speed/fit :hehe: if ever that happens

[Ash]

That we beat a team who will be in a relegation fight this year one-nil?

I think rejoicing may be a touch overdoing it. Can I just say it's a better start than last year and leave it at that?

We've already equalled the number of clean sheets away from home we managed all last year. :cloud9:

[Burney]

Would say that only Leno, Sokratis, Aubameyang and possibly Xhaka are guaranteed starters when everyone is up to speed/fit :hehe: if ever that happens

That's a fair point. I will say I rather liked the look of young Willock, though.

[Burney]

We've already equalled the number of clean sheets away from home we managed all last year. :cloud9:

We've won the Intra-Club First Game Away Clean Sheet Trophy!? :trophy:

[Luis Anaconda]

That's a fair point. I will say I rather liked the look of young Willock, though.

Yep - looks very promising. Should get a fair few games this season which is good for a 19year old

[Viva Prat Vegas]

:nod: Absolutely
Really hoping to see both Willock, Nelson and maybe even Saka given some learning experience game time this season
Good timez

I like the notion that we were without half a dozen odd potential first teamers and also that none of the new signings started
Squad almighty!

[IUFG]

.. and possibly Xhaka

shame, really. He certainly hasn't lived up to the level he (allegedly) performed at in Germany.

[Tony C]

The 2nd team

Martinez

Bellend
Holding
Tiereny
Kolasinac

Luiz
Torreira

Pepe
Ozil
Saka / Fartinelli

Lacazette

[7sisters]

That's a fair point. I will say I rather liked the look of young Willock, though.

He was known as Willock the pillock, in the youths.

I may have made that bit up.

[Burney]

The 2nd team

Martinez

Bellend
Holding
Tiereny
Kolasinac

Luiz
Torreira

Pepe
Ozil
Saka / Fartinelli

Lacazette

Poor old Kolasinac and Ozil are under threat of death from the Seven Sisters Massive, though. We'll need to hire top, top quality bodyguards for them. Possibly Jason Statham.

[Sir C]

Defence looked oddly sound, but Newcastle didn't offer much threat - apart from the French Tony Daley they appear to have signed.

Until Pepe does something good, I will continue to assume that he's the new Gervinho.

Cheerful stuff: Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Aubamayang

Worrying stuff: The absolute, utter lack of creativity in that team. Are we relying on Ozil (lols) and Ceballos for a bit of flair?

Suicide watch stuff: Mkhytarian. Jesus H Christ.

[IUFG]

Suicide watch stuff: Mkhytarian. Jesus H Christ.

He was fúcking dogdirt, tbh

[Sir C]

He was fúcking dogdirt, tbh

I'll defend any Arsenal player with logic and loyalty, i. I'll point out that any professional footballer who gets to play in the top division in England is, by definition, a fine player. I'll remind you that anyone can have a poor day, or a poor run of form. I'll explain that sometimes the team's tactics may not suit an individual player. I'll eben mention the quality of his teammates and how that might detract from his performance.

But Mkhytarian. Jesus. H. Christ.

[Burney]

Cheerful stuff: Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Aubamayang

Worrying stuff: The absolute, utter lack of creativity in that team. Are we relying on Ozil (lols) and Ceballos for a bit of flair?

Suicide watch stuff: Mkhytarian. Jesus H Christ.

Agreed. I actually feel a bit sorry for Mkhytarian - the man's confidence appears to be shot.

Guendouzi I find frustrating. He does some good tidying up stuff, but then immediately looks for a pass backwards or sideways rather than trying to create anything. Xhaka is Xhaka. Torreira is never going to be creative and - as you say - Ozil is a passenger. I've no idea what Ceballos (does that mean 'Onions', btw?) is going to do, since what he mostly did yesterday was fúck up simple passes.

[IUFG]

I've no idea what Ceballos (does that mean 'Onions', btw?) is going to do, since what he mostly did yesterday was fúck up simple passes.

him and Mkhytarian will be interchangeable :nod:

[Burney]

him and Mkhytarian will be interchangeable :nod:

:nod: He's a dislike-for-dislike replacement.

[Sir C]

Agreed. I actually feel a bit sorry for Mkhytarian - the man's confidence appears to be shot.

Guendouzi I find frustrating. He does some good tidying up stuff, but then immediately looks for a pass backwards or sideways rather than trying to create anything. Xhaka is Xhaka. Torreira is never going to be creative and - as you say - Ozil is a passenger. I've no idea what Ceballos (does that mean 'Onions', btw?) is going to do, since what he mostly did yesterday was fúck up simple passes.

From what I understand of Cellabos, he's able to run with the ball and can pick a pass, so I guess we'll have to see.

There was a character in a Leslie Thomas novel called Lance Onions. That's always struck me as a fine name.

[Tony C]

You can tell why the club cashed in on Iwobi now.

Reece, Willock, Fartinelli, Ceballos, Saka, Pepe, Mickey, Ozil all covering his positions. Although not over wild about the last two...

Willock will be a £100m midfielder by the end of this season imo #fact

[Burney]

From what I understand of Cellabos, he's able to run with the ball and can pick a pass, so I guess we'll have to see.

There was a character in a Leslie Thomas novel called Lance Onions. That's always struck me as a fine name.

Yes. I haven't passed judgement on Danny Onions...yet.

There is a former England bowler called Graham Onions. He was good, but was held back by injury. Strong name, though.

[IUFG]

You can tell why the club cashed in on Iwobi now.

£35m :rubshands:

[Burney]

£35m :rubshands:

I still can't believe that someone watched Iwobi play last season and thought 'Yes, that's our new £35m player'.

[Ash]

There is a former England bowler called Graham Onions. He was good, but was held back by injury. Strong name, though.

A contemporary with players called Lettuce and Mustard ISTR. Two of them at Durham?

LA in 5...4...3....

[Burney]

A contemporary with players called Lettuce and Mustard ISTR. Two of them at Durham?

LA in 5...4...3....

Clive Rice? Allan Lamb? Any others?

[Luis Anaconda]

Yes. I haven't passed judgement on Danny Onions...yet.

There is a former England bowler called Graham Onions. He was good, but was held back by injury. Strong name, though.

It doesn't mean onions by the way

[Luis Anaconda]

Clive Rice? Allan Lamb? Any others?

Should have played rugby really - they could have featured in the Curry Cup

[Luis Anaconda]

A contemporary with players called Lettuce and Mustard ISTR. Two of them at Durham?

LA in 5...4...3....

Onions and Mustard were frequently together in Durham team, yes. Probably shouldn't leave out Beefy Botham

[Burney]

It doesn't mean onions by the way

Close enough imo.

[Burney]

Should have played rugby really - they could have featured in the Curry Cup

South Africa have the Currie Cup. Or did.

[WES]

I'll defend any Arsenal player with logic and loyalty, i. I'll point out that any professional footballer who gets to play in the top division in England is, by definition, a fine player. I'll remind you that anyone can have a poor day, or a poor run of form. I'll explain that sometimes the team's tactics may not suit an individual player. I'll eben mention the quality of his teammates and how that might detract from his performance.

But Mkhytarian. Jesus. H. Christ.

Funny, Smudger was complimentary about his play and the man in the Times rated him and Boomerang our best players. I thought he was Mikki, sloppy at times but creative and skilful at times. As an example, his ball to Boomerang for the chance before the goal was sublime, ball of the match (not that it had a lot of competition).

[Maravilloso Marvo]

Ceballos (does that mean 'Onions', btw?)

Onions are cebollas, not ceballos.

[Ash]

Onions are cebollas, not ceballos.

Pfft, stick that up yer cebollix.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Would say that only Leno, Sokratis, Aubameyang and possibly Xhaka are guaranteed starters when everyone is up to speed/fit :hehe: if ever that happens

Can someone please explain the point of Xhaka to me? When we signed him we needed aDM to replace Coq. Xhaka couldn't really play with Santi. He can pass but doesn't have the genius to play no.10 or the box-to-box fight and defensive awareness to play deeper.

Santi could play both.

When Hector's back, I'd like to try AMN and Torreira, with Ozil in front.

I hope I'm not jinxing it but AMN's season and a half playing FB/WB has added some skills - step-overs, crossing etc - that might help to make him a more complete midfielder.

[IUFG]

Can someone please explain the point of Xhaka to me?

OI! Join the fúcking queue, gg

[Ash]

OI! Join the fúcking queue, gg

Someone has to wear the armband. :shrug:

[Sir C]

OI! Join the fúcking queue, gg

Nah. Xhaka's going to be our Xabi Alonso, i.

And every team needs a Xabi Alonso.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

OI! Join the fúcking queue, gg

Sorry. I'd been too busy moaning about Mustafi playing, Ozil benched and Rambo being let go. I'd also assumed that if Xhaka was all right, then Torreira would be the missing link.

But I've now paid a bit more attention and worry that he's a bit shît.

Seriously, when Hector's back, I'd like to see AMN given a go with LT and/or the young Willock lad if he keeps it up.

I think AMN is more switched on than GX, and while he may have less Hollywood passes in him, his drive, tackling, and new skills learned about wide re: crossing more than make up for it.

[IUFG]

Nah. Xhaka's going to be our Xabi Alonso, i.

And every team needs a Xabi Alonso.

Alonso appeared to know what his role in the team was...

[Burney]

Alonso appeared to know what his role in the team was...

He had a lovely smile, too.

[Sir C]

He had a lovely smile, too.

Granit has a lovely smile. And Alonsoesque hair. :judge:

I believe my case is proven.

[Burney]

Granit has a lovely smile. And Alonsoesque hair. :judge:

I believe my case is proven.

No. His smile has no warmth.

[Luis Anaconda]

Granit has a lovely smile. And Alonsoesque hair. :judge:

I believe my case is proven.

And had greatly improved his discipline - 81 minutes without a yellow yesterday :)

[IUFG]

The Arsenal of 1994? :-(

I've just thought...


...that's a quarter of a century ago.


Ah well, we'll all be dead soon :cry:

[eastgermanautos]

Sorry. I'd been too busy moaning about Mustafi playing, Ozil benched and Rambo being let go. I'd also assumed that if Xhaka was all right, then Torreira would be the missing link.

But I've now paid a bit more attention and worry that he's a bit shît.

Seriously, when Hector's back, I'd like to see AMN given a go with LT and/or the young Willock lad if he keeps it up.

I think AMN is more switched on than GX, and while he may have less Hollywood passes in him, his drive, tackling, and new skills learned about wide re: crossing more than make up for it.

You people are full of crap. Xhaka is for the rainy away game at Stoke, or, indeed, Newcastle. Pretty simple. He'll fvck the other guys up.

[IUFG]

You people are full of crap. Xhaka is for the rainy away game at Stoke, or, indeed, Newcastle. Pretty simple. He'll fvck the other guys up.

Pssst! Stoke got relegated.

Talking of Stoke, was the injury to Shawcross a really bad one? please say yes :cloud9:

[Ash]

You people are full of crap. Xhaka is for the rainy away game at Stoke, or, indeed, Newcastle. Pretty simple. He'll fvck the other guys up.

Funny way of spelling "Soft red card away at Swansea*".

* I think it was Swansea.

[eastgermanautos]

Funny way of spelling "Soft red card away at Swansea*".

* I think it was Swansea.

Yes, he'll give you a few red cards. But at least he'll keep the throwbacks honest. And yes, I know Stoke got relegated. But their style of football still remains.

[Luis Anaconda]

Funny way of spelling "Soft red card away at Swansea*".

* I think it was Swansea.

:nono: Both red cards he has had have been at home (Swansea was indeed one, Burnley the other). Jon Moss was the ref on both occasions

[IUFG]

:nono: Both red cards he has had have been at home (Swansea was indeed one, Burnley the other). Jon Moss was the ref on both occasions

and one was a trip from behind that 99 times out of 100 would be a :yellowcard:

[Luis Anaconda]

and one was a trip from behind that 99 times out of 100 would be a :yellowcard:

Yeah - not much doubt about the other one but the Swansea one was harsh

[Tony C]

https://gfycat.com/simplisticsplendidarctichare

Unai’s reaction to Willock’s recovery tackle :clap: