You know what's happening on Saturday, don't you?

[Luis Anaconda]

If I recall correctly, he went through a pretty rough period at Villa last year, or maybe the year before. Howlers all over the place.

Wasn't particularly convincing in the WC as well, I think.

Keepers, eh

He's a very good keeper but has his dodgy periods - thrown a couple in the net this season as well. Let's hope for a poor performance from him on Saturday. Is ridiculous the number of ex-keepers we have around - Martinez, Fabianski, Turner, Leno in the Premiership, Szczesny in Italy. Fairly sure Mart Poom will turn up at Luton before the end of the season

[Peter]

He's a very good keeper but has his dodgy periods - thrown a couple in the net this season as well. Let's hope for a poor performance from him on Saturday. Is ridiculous the number of ex-keepers we have around - Martinez, Fabianski, Turner, Leno in the Premiership, Szczesny in Italy. Fairly sure Mart Poom will turn up at Luton before the end of the season

He is a very good keeper but he isn't too hot with his feet and he has far too much to say for and about himself for Arteta's liking. I suspect the 'values' were an issue in him staying with us.

Despite current form, I would think Raya is the slightly better keeper. Both have exceptional handling, Raya is better with his feet. Martinez is more aggressive and full of himself (in a positive sense).

Villa and Anfield are going to be incredibly difficult games.

[IUFG]

Martinez' revenge, that's what's happening.

It will truly be a 'good ebening' for a certain vampirical-looking dude

we survive the first 15 minutes of inevitable onslaught from them...we'll be fine

I'd take a point now, mind.

[Luis Anaconda]

we survive the first 15 minutes of inevitable onslaught from them...we'll be fine

I'd take a point now, mind.

their big strength is their high line and offside trap - watched the Spurs game and they could have been 5 down by half time. Our front three could have a fun time - if they time their runs. Havertz could be very useful in this respect as well

[IUFG]

their big strength is their high line and offside trap - watched the Spurs game and they could have been 5 down by half time. Our front three could have a fun time - if they time their runs. Havertz could be very useful in this respect as well

Emery must have changed, man...

I specifically remember the game at the Emirates, under Unai, when we beat Villa (2-1, 3-2?) with a very late Aubameyang free-kick and was appalled at how our defenders kept dropping off and dropping off, eventually into the area, inviting shots and free movement from Villa. Obviously an instruction from the manager.

Jack Grealish had a field day.

After the 20+ game honeymoon, we were dog**** under Emery. Especially at the end of the season.

[Peter]

Emery must have changed, man...

I specifically remember the game at the Emirates, under Unai, when we beat Villa (2-1, 3-2?) with a very late Aubameyang free-kick and was appalled at how our defenders kept dropping off and dropping off, eventually into the area, inviting shots and free movement from Villa. Obviously an instruction from the manager.

Jack Grealish had a field day.

After the 20+ game honeymoon, we were dog**** under Emery. Especially at the end of the season.

I think the scale of Arteta's rebuild gives a good window into the absolute **** show that Emery inherited. He never stood a chance in the short term and our transfer activity was all over the shop while he was here.

He is clearly a very, very good coach and under different circumstances he could have done well with us.

[IUFG]

I think the scale of Arteta's rebuild gives a good window into the absolute **** show that Emery inherited. He never stood a chance in the short term and our transfer activity was all over the shop while he was here.

He is clearly a very, very good coach and under different circumstances he could have done well with us.

found it...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49705154

that team, smfh

Leno
Maitland-Niles
Papastathopoulos
David Luiz
Kolasinac
Guendouzi
Xhaka
Pépé
Ceballos
Saka
Aubameyang

Subs
Özil
Torreira
Chambers
Nelson
E Martínez
Willock
Martinelli

Perhaps you have a point, P.

[IUFG]

we survive the first 15 minutes of inevitable onslaught from them...we'll be fine

I'd take a point now, mind.

Didn't survive the first 15 minutes. FFS....

[7sisters]

He is a very good keeper but he isn't too hot with his feet and he has far too much to say for and about himself for Arteta's liking. I suspect the 'values' were an issue in him staying with us.

Despite current form, I would think Raya is the slightly better keeper. Both have exceptional handling, Raya is better with his feet. Martinez is more aggressive and full of himself (in a positive sense).

Villa and Anfield are going to be incredibly difficult games.

This keeper mess lays squarely at the feet of Arteta. He saw something he liked in Raya but overlooked the pressure in playing in front of 60k for a top 4 club. He also underestimated the loyalty to Ramsdale who played a huge part in last seasons success.
It was a stupid move in my book. We had other priorities and hooking Ramsdale without the requisite string of poor performances, was ill conceived.
We now have two keepers who are a bundle of nerves every time they take the field.
There’s a fag paper between them in terms of ability where their ought to be an obvious step up in class with Raya.

[Peter]

This keeper mess lays squarely at the feet of Arteta. He saw something he liked in Raya but overlooked the pressure in playing in front of 60k for a top 4 club. He also underestimated the loyalty to Ramsdale who played a huge part in last seasons success.
It was a stupid move in my book. We had other priorities and hooking Ramsdale without the requisite string of poor performances, was ill conceived.
We now have two keepers who are a bundle of nerves every time they take the field.
There’s a fag paper between them in terms of ability where their ought to be an obvious step up in class with Raya.

Overall I agree there is little difference in quality, but they have different strengths. Raya is much better at coming for crosses (bar the other night!), he has better hands and he is more comfortable on the ball. Ramsdale is bigger, cockier, his reflexes are better and I have a feeling that he reads the path of the ball better, explaining some of his more spectacular saves.

If Arteta wants a guy who is good on the ball and stronger on catching crosses, Raya is the better bet.

I do agree though, he has created a problem that wasn't there before. Long term, I am hoping it makes us better but in the hsort term it is a big problem.

This is what you get with an inexperienced manager. We all acknowledge that players improve but we rarely have the same conversation about managers. He is very inexperienced and we have seen almost a surplus of ideas and initiatives. This season he changed too much too soon, as seen with the ridiculous Partey experiment alongside a brand new midfield. Bad idea!

But you also get the creativity- look at our work with throw ins this season. We have caught teams out at least three times with weird runs from throws.