GWT: 2021-22 PL Matchweek 1

[HoseEmDown]

Get better man!

Thanks. AB13 posts are also helping keep a smile on my face.

 

[Fro]

Thanks. AB13 posts are also helping keep a smile on my face.

Hope you are improving...

I also am almost upset I muted him today...almost

 

[Rob]

Probably already mentioned earlier in the thread but I thought it was very classy of the Brentford fans to give Saka a standing ovation.

 

[YNWA14]

I see Arsenal challenging for the top 4 again is off to a flying start. Already trash talking European competition on the first day...must have been a great performance.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Just watched the highlights. That second goal was absolutely hilarious. Could watch it 50 times and still laugh every time.

It was genuinely comical. From missed kick to the other kick wildly nowhere. Only for the ball to come back and the same player backing up until he gets scored on.

 

[PanniniClaus]

What in the literal f*** did I just watch?

These knobhead clown wankers, just absolutely played off the pitch against a beer league club. There was so many negatives tonight I can't even remember from my long-term memory bank it's so numerous. The worst and I mean absolute WORST aspect tonight was if you count out Leno, the f***ing team had nine individual players run around a green grass getting a workout and one only one f***ing bloke who actually bought into the team atmosphere and played like an f***ing teammate...that was Emile Smith-Rowe.

Pepe tried to dribble through five players because he has no idea what to do. Mari is slow as icebergs. White was caught playing too aggressive at times. Chambers, though has been a good warrior, just doesn't even come close to the level we should be at. Tierney did stuff, but nothing too impressive. Xhaka did nothing. Lokonga looked alright, but shouldn't be starting. Saka just ran around. Martinelli looks like his knees are destroyed and can't run at defenders anymore. Balogun shouldn't be a starter, but got zero passes.

Holy shit, so many individual players conducting so many useless individual runs. And the next worst is Arteta rubbish Spanish ball...

- Arsenal looks good when they conduct nice give and go balls and run towards the opposing goal.

But this Spanish paella eating bastard rather try and kill any momentum by slowing the game to this level...

- Arsenal passes it into the slot above the box, players don't see anything, and then eventually passes LITERALLY back to Leno.

It's like I am on effing crazy pills here and because Leno can't play the ball from the ball the possession goes back to Brentford. They had like three good scoring chances because we passed the f***ing ball from the top of their box all the way back to our zone. Like the literal f***? Seriously f*** this Spanish football, it only works if you have a Barca or City level calibre team who can actually make a f***ing pass under pressure.

Another aspect is that the English refs are so f***ing Pejorative Slured I can't even start, this dumbarse balded freak doesn't even see that Leno is getting pinned into a porn position by their tattoo bullocks defender. HE CAN'T EVEN MAKE A SAVE!!!! Like what is the literal f*** of having a VAR that should be able to review stuff but Dean decides not to do it? I am not saying we would've won, but it's not like Arsenal was held to zero shots or something like some brutal performances in the past.

And every single f***ing weakness that was displayed in preseason was carried over to here in the regular season. Just fire the set pieces coach because it was so damn f***ing awful in the preseason and they got beat by another one tonight, even though the goal was as illegitimate as a baby on the Maury Show. I'm seriously done with this shit because I can handle individual mistakes, I can handle bad games where no one shows up, but I can't handle the lack of energy, intensity, tactics, and just overall team-work environment. SERIOUSLY F***

Tremendous flipper.. enjoyed that one.

 

[luiginb]

I enjoy Arsenal's misery just as much as the next guy, but that second goal standing is proof English refereeing is by far the worst out of all top 5 leagues, the goalkeeper had no chance, and in his protection area to boot! I'd kill the ref if I were in Leno's position. Fortunately for the ref, Leno just didn't seem to care all that much.

By the way, I got crucified here when I called Ben White a Championship quality defender. Enjoy your 50 mil signing Arsenal fans, because this is who you're getting.

Sergi Canos is someone I had barely heard about before, but he put in an absolutely dominating two-way performance from that right flank. From Arsenal, the only players who seemed to give a damn were Xhaka, Tierney and ESR.

 

[Evilo]

I enjoy Arsenal's misery just as much as the next guy, but that second goal standing is proof English refereeing is by far the worst out of all top 5 leagues, the goalkeeper had no chance, and in his protection area to boot! I'd kill the ref if I were in Leno's position. Fortunately for the ref, Leno just didn't seem to care all that much.

Only Guendouzi cared and he was sent packing for it.

 

[Savant]

Did Rodgers lose the dressing room during that time?

Absolutely

 

[Fro]

I enjoy Arsenal's misery just as much as the next guy, but that second goal standing is proof English refereeing is by far the worst out of all top 5 leagues, the goalkeeper had no chance, and in his protection area to boot! I'd kill the ref if I were in Leno's position. Fortunately for the ref, Leno just didn't seem to care all that much.

By the way, I got crucified here when I called Ben White a Championship quality defender. Enjoy your 50 mil signing Arsenal fans, because this is who you're getting.

Sergi Canos is someone I had barely heard about before, but he put in an absolutely dominating two-way performance from that right flank. From Arsenal, the only players who seemed to give a damn were Xhaka, Tierney and ESR.

That was my stance, Leno didn't seem to care or really try, so ref didn't call anything

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I am no way a fan of Arsenal but there was clear as day interference on Leno on the 2nd goal. I was shocked they did not even reviewed it.

 

[bluesfan94]

I think Arteta is a boob.


But, I also think he was qualified to have a decent shot at a job in the top part of the EPL. My issue is whether or not he got much support, or was the guy to really get the club where they needed to go. Unai is a much better manager, and had not been able to get the club moving, so asking a guy who has never done it was a stretch. Would their side be better with a better manager? Yeah, I guess. But they’re not a top 4 side, and you could make an argument that most of what they’ve spent in a couple of windows isn’t cutting it either.

it’s tough cause he came in and then COVID happened.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

One thing that stood out to me was that Ben White was targeted because he was poor in the air. Bit weird considering the narrative someone here tried to push not too long ago.

 

[Venkman]

Sancho on the bench. Didn't think McTom would start after only 20 minutes in pre-season. United going with:

Greenwood
Pogba Fernandes James
Fred McTom
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
de Gea
​

 

[hatterson]

Sancho on the bench. Didn't think McTom would start after only 20 minutes in pre-season. United going with:

Greenwood
Pogba Fernandes James
Fred McTom
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
de Gea
​

Pogba on the left wing could be really fun.

And this is one of the few games where James might actually be decent given how Leeds play.

 

[AB13]

I’m still kind of gutted about the game yesterday because of how Arsenal approached the game. The thing about Arteta’s soulless approach to football is that there’s no freedom, no improvisation. It’s like watching a machine that needs a tune up. It’s joyless. Without a result you’re left with absolutely nothing. When watching Wengers teams play, I was always entertained and usually left the match feeling somewhat happy regarless of result (because of the football I had been treated to). Even when we lost I appreciated the spontaniety, creativity and flow of our play. After watching an Arteta team I usually feel no real positive emotion. It’s a chore to watch us now, not a hobby.

Do the other Arsenal fans feel the same way? What do you get out of watching Arteta’s Arsenal?

 

[hatterson]

I enjoy Arsenal's misery just as much as the next guy, but that second goal standing is proof English refereeing is by far the worst out of all top 5 leagues, the goalkeeper had no chance, and in his protection area to boot! I'd kill the ref if I were in Leno's position. Fortunately for the ref, Leno just didn't seem to care all that much

Honestly that’s part of what makes it so hilarious. A comedy of atrociously weak defending that lets a ball bounce inside inside the 6 yard box like that, helped by a foul that absolutely no one cared about and just kinda shrugged.

 

[Jussi]

BT Sports with a female commentator, Lucy something. Ward?

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Premier Pogba

 

[Jussi]

Premier Pogba

Should have shot with his right foot. Granted the keeper closed the angle well.

 

[hatterson]

Should have shot with his right foot. Granted the keeper closed the angle well.

Yea he took an extra second and the keeper closed really well. Still gotta hit the target though. Make the keeper get a hand or foot on it.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

super ball by French Pogba

 

[Jussi]

BRUNO!

 

[Venkman]

Good half. Great ball by Pogba for the goal. Should have scored his chance though.

Greenwood, Shaw and McTom playing well. Looking forward to seeing Sancho.

 

[hatterson]

Brilliant penalty goal from Bruno