This interlull seems never ending. In many ways I’m thankful to Manchester City for giving us something to talk about during this 3 week period, but even that is running a little dry now. That is to say, I’m ready for football – or rather, REAL football – to return.
So, here’s a few things I’m looking forward to in particular.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
It’s rare for me to put Arsenal second to another team/competition. Even during the years we were bang-average and Liverpool vs Man City was the best football on display, my bias to Arsenal kept me away because I was very, very jealous busy.
This is different though. It’s not the match in particular I’m looking forward to. It’s the narrative. It’s the fact almost anyone outside of Man City fans are aligned to the Liverpool fans. I hope Anfield is as loud as it’s ever been. I want the football to be drowned in boos and the chants of “cheats” every time Man City are in possession.
As much as Liverpool fans irritate me, I don’t think I’d have asked for a better set of fans for Man City to visit straight after their guilty verdict.
And it’s not just the fact Anfield is probably the loudest stadium in England, it’s that they were the team that have perhaps suffered the most due to Man City’s cheating. I never understood why there wasn’t more of a rivalry between these teams… I was always a bit sick at how Pep and Klopp came across as BFFs. Fuck that shit. I wanted a Wenger vs Fergie 2.0.
Anyhoo – that changes now. Give them hell, lads.
I’ve gone on about this more than I was trying to. But one final thought on the City case – if… IF… they somehow get away with some sort of slap on the wrist, I will walk away from following Premier League football.
Gyökeres the Striker
I’ve always maintained that Kai Havertz is our no1 striker. On his day, his intelligent movement improves the players around him by bringing them in. Yes, he can be a bit inconsistent in front of goal, but usually the pressure results in a goal.
But he’s crocked right now… Enter Victor Gyökeres.
I admit, I’d have thought he’d have more minutes than he currently does. But, his goals for Sweden have come at the perfect time. And a game against Leeds, where he scored a brace last season, is the perfect way for him to get going at club level.
Also – I’m looking at Odegaard here. We have one of the best creative midfielders, on form, and I’d like to see him apply those “Haaland passes” for Gyökeres. I want to see connection.
A Response
The Brighton game still hurts. To the point I’m YET to do an OddSketch for it. Maybe I’ll do it once we get a result against Leeds – fingers crossed.
More than anything I hope Arteta has been working during this interlull to never let such a thing happen to us again. In a way, I’m glad it shuts down the stupid “Invincibles” conversation the media were trying to hype up after 10 minutes of football had been played this season. I’d rather if we were going to lose that match it was by a single goal after we fought hard.
We didn’t fight at all. I know some people have watched back the game and mentioned it wasn’t as bad as we thought and was down to two somewhat-lucky goals. I can only go by what I felt during the game, and I just remember Brighton being on top for large periods of it.
So, let’s pick ourselves up – and remind everyone why Arsenal are THE Champions of England.
COYG!
