Weekend Football

[Sutekh]

I see the predictable Arsenal bus has arrived. Looking forward to the inevitable spectacle being ruined by one side playing for set pieces and random VAR comedy. Mind you with Konate playing it could be

Yeah, thought I would wait before replying to your penalty comment above and see what crazy VAR decision would go for/against LFC

It’s pretty awful fare. Liverpool, despite all their forward might, have a midfield divorced from their attack and seem content to just sit back and avoid shooting at all costs while Arsenal’s players throw themselves to the ground at every opportunity. Referee is the usual inconsistent waste of space. Gravenberch booked immediately he runs into a player, meanwhile Zubimendi is fouling all over the place and doesn’t get a booking.

[BRO_BOT]

I see the predictable Arsenal bus has arrived. Looking forward to the inevitable spectacle being ruined by one side playing for set pieces and random VAR comedy. Mind you with Konate playing it could be

Yeah, thought I would wait before replying to your penalty comment above and see what crazy VAR decision would go for/against LFC

It’s pretty awful fare. Liverpool, despite all their forward might, have a midfield divorced from their attack and seem content to just sit back and avoid shooting at all costs while Arsenal’s players throw themselves to the ground at every opportunity. Referee is the usual inconsistent waste of space. Gravenberch booked immediately he runs into a player, meanwhile Zubimendi is fouling all over the place and doesn’t get a booking.

It's a bit harsh on Gravenberch, but you're gonna get booked for bringing down a player that is past you.

[Sutekh]

Jesus Christ! Where was Szboszlai hiding that!

[Orion1871]

Passing back to your keeper when you're 1 down in the 89th minute and bringing on 15 year olds. ArsenaLOL are not a serious football club.

[Sutekh]

Passing back to your keeper when you're 1 down in the 89th minute and bringing on 15 year olds. ArsenaLOL are not a serious football club.

Arteta tried to close the game down and failed, unlikely to win anything with so much “anti-football” tactics. No Saka and it’s all play to win set pieces.

[Royal Rother]

So frustrating. Clearly the better team but it’s always safety first.

Same old….

Arteta is becoming the PL’s equivalent of Southgate in international football. Excellent manager in many ways but his approach to the big games means he just isn’t going to be a winner.

There was a “statement win” to be had yesterday but no, they are unable to seize the big moments because their approach is always “don’t lose” before “let’s go out and win”.

[Sanguine]

It's not like Arsenal didn't have chances. Not taking those isn't a symptom of 'don't lose'. Arteta's record against the rest of the big six is excellent. Disagree with Sutekh - Arsenal totally shut Liverpool down in the first half, and for much of the second. Was only after the attacking subs - Odegaard and Eze - that the game opened up.

Absolute worldie of a free-kick from Szobozslai, worthy of winning any match. And then the internet shows me he has done it before, for Hungary. World class. And arguably their best player so far this season, filling in at right back.

[Winston Biscuit]

a thing I hate in modern day football - something happens in a game over the weekend, or someone high profile at least claims it happens, it gathers legs over the Sunday, it gets expanded out further, by Monday its now taken as fact that it happens, and in fact is a widespread thing and we all just have to take it as the accepted narrative now

[From Despair To Where?]

The Arsenal excuse train is pulling in at platform 1.

David Raya as to why he didn't save the free kick. He's used to Nike balls, not Puma balls.

Not like you've had all pre season to train with Puma balls.

[BRO_BOT]

a thing I hate in modern day football - something happens in a game over the weekend, or someone high profile at least claims it happens, it gathers legs over the Sunday, it gets expanded out further, by Monday its now taken as fact that it happens, and in fact is a widespread thing and we all just have to take it as the accepted narrative now

They're footballers i.e. a bit thick!

[South Coast Royal]

So frustrating. Clearly the better team but it’s always safety first.

Same old….

Arteta is becoming the PL’s equivalent of Southgate in international football. Excellent manager in many ways but his approach to the big games means he just isn’t going to be a winner.

There was a “statement win” to be had yesterday but no, they are unable to seize the big moments because their approach is always “don’t lose” before “let’s go out and win”.

"Clearly the better team"?
Not sure about that.
Arsenal were IMHO the better team in the first half but the only attacker ever on the ball was Madueke who looked threatening but his possession only yielded corners and no shots on target.
Liverpool , unlike some other teams last season, were not prepared to be bullied by Arsenal and stood up well to what has become a great source of goals for Wimbledon/Arsenal.

I thought Liverpool were the better team in the second half and became much stronger as the game progressed with a wonderful ending.
BTW does Rice now just take corner kicks?

I think we saw yesterday the clear difference between the way Slot wants his team to play and how Klopp used to.
Whereas with Klopp it was frantic at times and football at full speed, with Slot it is very much his philosophy of managing the game.
Yesterday the managing was rather overdone but I suspect that Slot sees this as a way of doing better in Europe.

[Sutekh]

So frustrating. Clearly the better team but it’s always safety first.

Same old….

Arteta is becoming the PL’s equivalent of Southgate in international football. Excellent manager in many ways but his approach to the big games means he just isn’t going to be a winner.

There was a “statement win” to be had yesterday but no, they are unable to seize the big moments because their approach is always “don’t lose” before “let’s go out and win”.

"Clearly the better team"?
Not sure about that.
Arsenal were IMHO the better team in the first half but the only attacker ever on the ball was Madueke who looked threatening but his possession only yielded corners and no shots on target.
Liverpool , unlike some other teams last season, were not prepared to be bullied by Arsenal and stood up well to what has become a great source of goals for Wimbledon/Arsenal.

I thought Liverpool were the better team in the second half and became much stronger as the game progressed with a wonderful ending.
BTW does Rice now just take corner kicks?

I think we saw yesterday the clear difference between the way Slot wants his team to play and how Klopp used to.
Whereas with Klopp it was frantic at times and football at full speed, with Slot it is very much his philosophy of managing the game.
Yesterday the managing was rather overdone but I suspect that Slot sees this as a way of doing better in Europe.

Liverpool also demonstrated that they have a superb defence when they actually turn up. Mandueke gave Kerkez a good game but Kerkez managed to pocket him. Szboszlai was an outstanding right back even though he’s not a right back. Konate actually managed to bring his football head to the game and Virgil was just solid throughout.

Arsenal were scary with Mandueke but the rest just never got going despite all the possession they had first half. And if Gyokeres is the answer for them just what the hell was the question that they were asking?

[Royal Rother]

I think Gyokeres looks like he'll be good but Arsenal have played for so long without a centre forward they don't really know how to bring him into the game.

The excellent goal he did score last week was all his own work.

[BRO_BOT]

I think Gyokeres looks like he'll be good but Arsenal have played for so long without a centre forward they don't really know how to bring him into the game.

The excellent goal he did score last week was all his own work.

I don't know if it's how football is set up at the moment, but it does seem much tougher for number 9s that require service

[Sutekh]

Very much enjoyed that with Kyle Walker leaving, Spurs new right-back in academy product, erm, Kyle Walker-Peters.

He’s West Ham player, joined on a free in July.

[Whore Jackie]

It's not like Arsenal didn't have chances. Not taking those isn't a symptom of 'don't lose'. Arteta's record against the rest of the big six is excellent. Disagree with Sutekh - Arsenal totally shut Liverpool down in the first half, and for much of the second. Was only after the attacking subs - Odegaard and Eze - that the game opened up.

Absolute worldie of a free-kick from Szobozslai, worthy of winning any match. And then the internet shows me he has done it before, for Hungary. World class. And arguably their best player so far this season, filling in at right back.

Actually thought the Curtis Jones for Mac Allister was the substitution that changed the game. Mac Allister looks like he's still recovering from injury. Was really surprised that Arteta didn't switch Eze for Martinelli earlier, he had a really poor game against the stand-in, albeit excellent again, right-back Szobozslai. Slot's going to have a conundrum when Frimpong (and Bradley) are fully fit.

[Royal Rother]

Martinelli has offered very little for a long time now - was surprised to see him start.

If he starts Trossard in front of Eze next week that would be really funny - wouldn't put it past him though.

[Sutekh]

Martinelli has offered very little for a long time now - was surprised to see him start.

If he starts Trossard in front of Eze next week that would be really funny - wouldn't put it past him though.

Arsenal's next game is on 13th, at home to Forest (they've then got Man City and a trip to Newcastle to see out September).

[Winston Biscuit]

Joe Murphy played for Tranmere at the weekend in their L2 match against Salford

He made his debut for them in October 1999

[Sutekh]

Joe Murphy played for Tranmere at the weekend in their L2 match against Salford

He made his debut for them in October 1999

and played for a load of other clubs before returning to Tranmere in 2020, when he was only 38 - but then age doesn't really matter for goalkeepers as long as they are retaining their agility.