First day of skirmishes is upon us.
I usually try to be positive at the beginning of the season. Blank slate, the benefit of another transfer window, unbounded potential, and all that.
But I have to admit, this is the first season I've gone into with a fair degree of trepidation.
Maybe it's the number of new faces in very key positions.
Maybe it's the very short - albeit very competitive - preseason.
Maybe it's the prospect of life without the Ghanaian metronome in midfield who kept both our attack and defence ticking for half a decade.
Maybe it's the grudging acceptance of yet another season with a left flank staffed with players who play as if they've just met each other.
Maybe it's the fact that Gabriel Magalhaes has only played 2 games since April. Maybe it's the constant rotation of partners he has to work with at left back.
Maybe it's the challenging opening run of fixtures.
Or maybe it's just me turning into a curmudgeon as the years go by. That's probably it.
Anyways, I'm sure I'll be back to my giddy self when the lads walk out at Old Trafford. We've had some quality talent come in during the summer. And as far as I can tell, Trossard is the only addition to our list of players carrying a niggle.
I'd take a draw today. I wouldn't be too fussed with a loss either, to be honest. There's plenty of new faces, and getting them to work together will take time.
(The bookies are off their rocker putting us at 9/11. But anything can happen.)
New Season.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 6 minutes ago
Maybe it's the prospect of life without the Ghanaian metronome in midfield who kept both our attack and defence ticking for half a decade.
===
he was injured for most of it
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Well, there was that one season where he only made 16 appearances across all comps. (2023/24)
But other than that, he's had a pretty decent run.
36,26,40 and 52 appearances in each of his other 4 seasons. Usually as a starter.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
The Arsenal team doesn’t need much adjustments. IMO the right areas have been targeted and recruited. Obviously a better winger would’ve been better but Dowman and Nwaneri are also coming through.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
Maybe it's the very short - albeit very competitive - preseason.
======
Huh??? Same as every recent pre-season.
Some Arsenal fans are so negative they literally make things up to moan about.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
comment by Gillespie Road. (U18361)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 6 minutes ago
Maybe it's the prospect of life without the Ghanaian metronome in midfield who kept both our attack and defence ticking for half a decade.
===
he was injured for most of it
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, there was that one season where he only made 16 appearances across all comps. (2023/24)
But other than that, he's had a pretty decent run.
36,26,40 and 52 appearances in each of his other 4 seasons. Usually as a starter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I seem to remember he was never available during the most crucial periods of the season.
The one season he managed to keep himself fit, it's because he was angling for a new contract.
Also, he's probably a raaaapist.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
Being accused of a criminal offence is a harsh way to judge someone’s playing quality.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 minutes ago
Maybe it's the very short - albeit very competitive - preseason.
======
Huh??? Same as every recent pre-season.
Some Arsenal fans are so negative they literally make things up to moan about.
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More games are always welcome. Even against much weaker sides on the other side of the world. Gives the coaches more leeway to test out a few ideas. And gets everyone match fit.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
I wouldn't be too fussed with a loss either, to be honest.
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Spoken like a true fan.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
comment by GJ #COYS (U23170)
posted 28 minutes ago
The bookies' odds are proportionate with the bets they receive
So what you really mean is that the majority od punters are off their rocket which, let's face it, they arent
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Bookies also lay traps, to influence how people bet.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
The standard this season looks HIGH. Not being fussed with a loss is crazy, no excuse not to go to the team that finished in the bottom 5 and win comfortably.
posted 2 weeks, 3 days ago
How about that.
One nil to the Arsenal
Onwards and upwards.