Citeh A Weds 26th Apr KO 8pm

[Midz]

Don't suppose there is any (Good) news on Saliba???

No......in fact I wouldn't be surprised if he's out for the season. Anyway, he won't be match fit, especially for a game of this intensity. What would the plan be, ease him back in on 70 minutes when we are 3-0 down?

Only 3?

[Kingralph]

I can honestly see us getting spanked like the barcodes did to the scum yesterday. 3-0 down in the first 20-odd minutes.

[BFG4]

We have obviously shown ourselves to be massive bottlers again but I think that needs to be separated from what we are seeing from City. They are a financially doped plaything in which Pep and Co. Can play real life Fifa in order to achieve 'success'. The media in England had the chance to properly call them out when the allegations about fraud were made recently but instead they covered it for a day or two and have gone back to drooling over them. Pep is a great mirror for the entire club, hides behind money to win and even then can't win a CL without Messi. Should they finally win it this year it will be because they bought a goal machine in Halland, anything a child playing Fifa could do.

[Retro Gunner]

Even if the recent collapse had not happened, we would still get well beaten at City. It's not for no reason that we've lost 11 consecutive league games against them (plus any recent cup games), which is, I believe, our worst losing run against any side in our history.

The reason is our style of play. The teams that can trouble City play a more dynamic and direct style, who break fast and have strikers that can maximise the few opportunities that come along. Even the scum, on their day, can do this and have caused City problems, as have Liverpool and United.

Unfortunately for us, we have the exact same style of play as City, but have lesser qualities players, so come off second best. It's like putting two classical, technically gifted boxers in the ring...the styles are the same, but the one with a higher level of ability will win. However, you can put a highly skilled boxer in with a slugger, who'll take 5 shots to land one big one and the technical boxer might well lose...he'll certainly have an uncomfortable time. We don't have the ammunition to hurt City in our armoury. We'll play their style (DB correctly calls it Pep-lite) and we'll get blown away.

Sadly, I can only see us losing this by at least 3.

[SteveO 35]

Even if the recent collapse had not happened, we would still get well beaten at City. It's not for no reason that we've lost 11 consecutive league games against them (plus any recent cup games), which is, I believe, our worst losing run against any side in our history.

The reason is our style of play. The teams that can trouble City play a more dynamic and direct style, who break fast and have strikers that can maximise the few opportunities that come along. Even the scum, on their day, can do this and have caused City problems, as have Liverpool and United.

Unfortunately for us, we have the exact same style of play as City, but have lesser qualities players, so come off second best. It's like putting two classical, technically gifted boxers in the ring...the styles are the same, but the one with a higher level of ability will win. However, you can put a highly skilled boxer in with a slugger, who'll take 5 shots to land one big one and the technical boxer might well lose...he'll certainly have an uncomfortable time. We don't have the ammunition to hurt City in our armoury. We'll play their style (DB correctly calls it Pep-lite) and we'll get blown away.

Sadly, I can only see us losing this by at least 3.

Exactly right - look at the stats when the likes of Brentford and Palace have beaten them. They literally close the shop, absorb everything and then just have a Toney or Zaha that are strong, direct and catch them out. We will go there playing pretty triangles but once they hit rhythm our midfield and backline won't be able to cope

It's an absolutely appalling record and one we should be ashamed about and determined to end. Sadly I see this being a blitz - 3 at a minimum but possibly one of those mega defeats ("special circumstances") that we used to experience regularly in Wenger's last few years

[augie]

Anyone know what odds city win is ? Just asking for "a friend" who claims to support AFC, but then frequently backs against them

[augie]

Have to say that I find it comical how much of our successes/hopes now seem to rest on the fitness of saliba - this is a guy that the basque one didnt rate and bought ben white to play there, and now he is viewed as irreplaceable

Pointless saying it I know, but IF we had got 9pts from our last 3 games I could have seen us get something from this game cos I still question the backbone of some city players when the pressure is on, and I do suspect that they will shit the bed AGAIN in champs league when the thing is there for them. However, while they have a few big game bottlers (thats you de bruyne), we have a club full of them, and it will take a gigantic turnaround to see our lads lift themselves enough to win this game

[Retro Gunner]

Even if the recent collapse had not happened, we would still get well beaten at City. It's not for no reason that we've lost 11 consecutive league games against them (plus any recent cup games), which is, I believe, our worst losing run against any side in our history.

The reason is our style of play. The teams that can trouble City play a more dynamic and direct style, who break fast and have strikers that can maximise the few opportunities that come along. Even the scum, on their day, can do this and have caused City problems, as have Liverpool and United.

Unfortunately for us, we have the exact same style of play as City, but have lesser qualities players, so come off second best. It's like putting two classical, technically gifted boxers in the ring...the styles are the same, but the one with a higher level of ability will win. However, you can put a highly skilled boxer in with a slugger, who'll take 5 shots to land one big one and the technical boxer might well lose...he'll certainly have an uncomfortable time. We don't have the ammunition to hurt City in our armoury. We'll play their style (DB correctly calls it Pep-lite) and we'll get blown away.

Sadly, I can only see us losing this by at least 3.

Exactly right - look at the stats when the likes of Brentford and Palace have beaten them. They literally close the shop, absorb everything and then just have a Toney or Zaha that are strong, direct and catch them out. We will go there playing pretty triangles but once they hit rhythm our midfield and backline won't be able to cope

It's an absolutely appalling record and one we should be ashamed about and determined to end. Sadly I see this being a blitz - 3 at a minimum but possibly one of those mega defeats ("special circumstances") that we used to experience regularly in Wenger's last few years

Yep, exactly the point and that’s exactly how those teams can cause an upset. Our style is to “outplay” the other side. Well, that doesn’t work against City, as it never used to work against Barca etc.

“Special circumstances” , another absolute Wenger classic. He even used that after the 8-2 at OT. To think that at least half the crowd at the stadium in 2018 were still backing that ego driven, greedy old fraud. I could never believe how many people (some very intelligent) could be taken in by the despotic French prat for so many years.

[BobbyPires7]

If City did a Ramsdale to put us 1 nil up. Then went down to 10 men. We still wouldn’t win the game.

[SteveO 35]

Even if the recent collapse had not happened, we would still get well beaten at City. It's not for no reason that we've lost 11 consecutive league games against them (plus any recent cup games), which is, I believe, our worst losing run against any side in our history.

The reason is our style of play. The teams that can trouble City play a more dynamic and direct style, who break fast and have strikers that can maximise the few opportunities that come along. Even the scum, on their day, can do this and have caused City problems, as have Liverpool and United.

Unfortunately for us, we have the exact same style of play as City, but have lesser qualities players, so come off second best. It's like putting two classical, technically gifted boxers in the ring...the styles are the same, but the one with a higher level of ability will win. However, you can put a highly skilled boxer in with a slugger, who'll take 5 shots to land one big one and the technical boxer might well lose...he'll certainly have an uncomfortable time. We don't have the ammunition to hurt City in our armoury. We'll play their style (DB correctly calls it Pep-lite) and we'll get blown away.

Sadly, I can only see us losing this by at least 3.

Exactly right - look at the stats when the likes of Brentford and Palace have beaten them. They literally close the shop, absorb everything and then just have a Toney or Zaha that are strong, direct and catch them out. We will go there playing pretty triangles but once they hit rhythm our midfield and backline won't be able to cope

It's an absolutely appalling record and one we should be ashamed about and determined to end. Sadly I see this being a blitz - 3 at a minimum but possibly one of those mega defeats ("special circumstances") that we used to experience regularly in Wenger's last few years

Yep, exactly the point and that’s exactly how those teams can cause an upset. Our style is to “outplay” the other side. Well, that doesn’t work against City, as it never used to work against Barca etc.

“Special circumstances” , another absolute Wenger classic. He even used that after the 8-2 at OT. To think that at least half the crowd at the stadium in 2018 were still backing that ego driven, greedy old fraud. I could never believe how many people (some very intelligent) could be taken in by the despotic French prat for so many years.

The special circumstances also came out at Stamford Bridge when he "celebrated" his 1000th game in charge by deploying the same tactics against Chavski for the umpteenth time and duly getting hammered 6-0. Was "little bit accident"

[rodders999]

I was on my stag weekend the time of the 6 nil against the chavs, there was nothing special about the circumstances I found myself in after sitting through that game - drank myself into fucking oblivion

[Retro Gunner]

Even if the recent collapse had not happened, we would still get well beaten at City. It's not for no reason that we've lost 11 consecutive league games against them (plus any recent cup games), which is, I believe, our worst losing run against any side in our history.

The reason is our style of play. The teams that can trouble City play a more dynamic and direct style, who break fast and have strikers that can maximise the few opportunities that come along. Even the scum, on their day, can do this and have caused City problems, as have Liverpool and United.

Unfortunately for us, we have the exact same style of play as City, but have lesser qualities players, so come off second best. It's like putting two classical, technically gifted boxers in the ring...the styles are the same, but the one with a higher level of ability will win. However, you can put a highly skilled boxer in with a slugger, who'll take 5 shots to land one big one and the technical boxer might well lose...he'll certainly have an uncomfortable time. We don't have the ammunition to hurt City in our armoury. We'll play their style (DB correctly calls it Pep-lite) and we'll get blown away.

Sadly, I can only see us losing this by at least 3.

Exactly right - look at the stats when the likes of Brentford and Palace have beaten them. They literally close the shop, absorb everything and then just have a Toney or Zaha that are strong, direct and catch them out. We will go there playing pretty triangles but once they hit rhythm our midfield and backline won't be able to cope

It's an absolutely appalling record and one we should be ashamed about and determined to end. Sadly I see this being a blitz - 3 at a minimum but possibly one of those mega defeats ("special circumstances") that we used to experience regularly in Wenger's last few years

Yep, exactly the point and that’s exactly how those teams can cause an upset. Our style is to “outplay” the other side. Well, that doesn’t work against City, as it never used to work against Barca etc.

“Special circumstances” , another absolute Wenger classic. He even used that after the 8-2 at OT. To think that at least half the crowd at the stadium in 2018 were still backing that ego driven, greedy old fraud. I could never believe how many people (some very intelligent) could be taken in by the despotic French prat for so many years.

The special circumstances also came out at Stamford Bridge when he "celebrated" his 1000th game in charge by deploying the same tactics against Chavski for the umpteenth time and duly getting hammered 6-0. Was "little bit accident"

I'd forgot the "little bit accident" comment.

Fuck knows it's just as well I can laugh about it now, because my head used to feel like exploding at the time. As much as we had all stopped caring with the passion that we'd once known (and which I doubted would ever be possible again, so at least Arteta has given us that back), it was this place that used to keep me going. The gallows humour was fucking fantastic and as depressing as those last 10-12 years were, I'd come on here, even before I'd officially joined and piss myself laughing.

[SteveO 35]

Even if the recent collapse had not happened, we would still get well beaten at City. It's not for no reason that we've lost 11 consecutive league games against them (plus any recent cup games), which is, I believe, our worst losing run against any side in our history.

The reason is our style of play. The teams that can trouble City play a more dynamic and direct style, who break fast and have strikers that can maximise the few opportunities that come along. Even the scum, on their day, can do this and have caused City problems, as have Liverpool and United.

Unfortunately for us, we have the exact same style of play as City, but have lesser qualities players, so come off second best. It's like putting two classical, technically gifted boxers in the ring...the styles are the same, but the one with a higher level of ability will win. However, you can put a highly skilled boxer in with a slugger, who'll take 5 shots to land one big one and the technical boxer might well lose...he'll certainly have an uncomfortable time. We don't have the ammunition to hurt City in our armoury. We'll play their style (DB correctly calls it Pep-lite) and we'll get blown away.

Sadly, I can only see us losing this by at least 3.

Exactly right - look at the stats when the likes of Brentford and Palace have beaten them. They literally close the shop, absorb everything and then just have a Toney or Zaha that are strong, direct and catch them out. We will go there playing pretty triangles but once they hit rhythm our midfield and backline won't be able to cope

It's an absolutely appalling record and one we should be ashamed about and determined to end. Sadly I see this being a blitz - 3 at a minimum but possibly one of those mega defeats ("special circumstances") that we used to experience regularly in Wenger's last few years

Yep, exactly the point and that’s exactly how those teams can cause an upset. Our style is to “outplay” the other side. Well, that doesn’t work against City, as it never used to work against Barca etc.

“Special circumstances” , another absolute Wenger classic. He even used that after the 8-2 at OT. To think that at least half the crowd at the stadium in 2018 were still backing that ego driven, greedy old fraud. I could never believe how many people (some very intelligent) could be taken in by the despotic French prat for so many years.

The special circumstances also came out at Stamford Bridge when he "celebrated" his 1000th game in charge by deploying the same tactics against Chavski for the umpteenth time and duly getting hammered 6-0. Was "little bit accident"

I'd forgot the "little bit accident" comment.

Fuck knows it's just as well I can laugh about it now, because my head used to feel like exploding at the time. As much as we had all stopped caring with the passion that we'd once known (and which I doubted would ever be possible again, so at least Arteta has given us that back), it was this place that used to keep me going. The gallows humour was fucking fantastic and as depressing as those last 10-12 years were, I'd come on here, even before I'd officially joined and piss myself laughing.

Indeed pal - was all that kept me going. The internal transfer market, rotational leadership, special circumstances, little bit accident, playing with ze handbrake on and only being interested in "super quality" like Park and Chamakh

Like you I'd be exploding with rage when the old fuckball came out with that shit and you lot on here just about got me through a Sunday evening ready for the start of another week of Wengerballs

[Retro Gunner]

Exactly right - look at the stats when the likes of Brentford and Palace have beaten them. They literally close the shop, absorb everything and then just have a Toney or Zaha that are strong, direct and catch them out. We will go there playing pretty triangles but once they hit rhythm our midfield and backline won't be able to cope

It's an absolutely appalling record and one we should be ashamed about and determined to end. Sadly I see this being a blitz - 3 at a minimum but possibly one of those mega defeats ("special circumstances") that we used to experience regularly in Wenger's last few years

Yep, exactly the point and that’s exactly how those teams can cause an upset. Our style is to “outplay” the other side. Well, that doesn’t work against City, as it never used to work against Barca etc.

“Special circumstances” , another absolute Wenger classic. He even used that after the 8-2 at OT. To think that at least half the crowd at the stadium in 2018 were still backing that ego driven, greedy old fraud. I could never believe how many people (some very intelligent) could be taken in by the despotic French prat for so many years.

The special circumstances also came out at Stamford Bridge when he "celebrated" his 1000th game in charge by deploying the same tactics against Chavski for the umpteenth time and duly getting hammered 6-0. Was "little bit accident"

I'd forgot the "little bit accident" comment.

Fuck knows it's just as well I can laugh about it now, because my head used to feel like exploding at the time. As much as we had all stopped caring with the passion that we'd once known (and which I doubted would ever be possible again, so at least Arteta has given us that back), it was this place that used to keep me going. The gallows humour was fucking fantastic and as depressing as those last 10-12 years were, I'd come on here, even before I'd officially joined and piss myself laughing.

Indeed pal - was all that kept me going. The internal transfer market, rotational leadership, special circumstances, little bit accident, playing with ze handbrake on and only being interested in "super quality" like Park and Chamakh

Like you I'd be exploding with rage when the old fuckball came out with that shit and you lot on here just about got me through a Sunday evening ready for the start of another week of Wengerballs

I could never work out why no one ever put him on the spot about all his old bollocks. Given how often we'd hear about the handbrake and special circumstances etc, you'd think an interviewer might have said, "You tell us that a lot Arsene, so what are you doing to correct it?".

I can only think of a couple of times when he was properly challenged....one was by Jacqui Oatley, who really made him squirm and she never covered an Arsenal game again and the other was the young bloke on BT Sport (I think it was), who had a long interview with him and tried to pin him down about what the "next level" actually was....rather than some vague abstraction that actually meant fuck all. Of course, he gave a complete non answer and looked like he wanted to stab the bloke.

Fraud (I think it may have been coined by Sean, who's back on here after a long hiatus) is absolutely the correct descriptor for the old fucker. I detested him and still do. A fraud, a liar and a nasty bastard to boot.

[rodders999]

The next level is the next level is the next level up was his response to that question.

That’s around the time he had gone full blown bat shit and did an interview with some French magazine where he declared himself some sort of footballing philosopher - “I am a facilitator of what’s beautiful in man” was one of the quotes.

That’s the kind of shit some whack job cult leader would put in their manifesto. Still if the glove fits……