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**Official** English Football Season 2024/25
- Thread starter Furball
- Start date
I feel like PSG are a heavyweight who works behind the jab. Without needing to be on top all the time, they can control a game then come through with the big hit when they need it. Not sure you could blame either Arteta or the players for coming up short against them.
Skipper Pup
First Class Debutant
Just left the casino. Unlucky Arsenal, this PSG side is the real deal.
Can't help but feel Arteta's natural conservatism cost them that a shot at that game. It was crying out for a risk to be taken and once again he had nothing up his sleeve to change the game.
Just have to hope now Spurs dont win Europa or things become quite awkward.
Can't help but feel Arteta's natural conservatism cost them that a shot at that game. It was crying out for a risk to be taken and once again he had nothing up his sleeve to change the game.
Just have to hope now Spurs dont win Europa or things become quite awkward.
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By the letter of the law it’s obviously not a penalty. The law says the player has to ‘deliberately handle the ball’ and nobody with a brain would say he deliberately handled the ball.
By the letter of the ridiculous interpretation that UEFA pulled out of their arses a few years back, sure.
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I don’t think it was conservatism, I think they’re just unusually bad at attacking from open play this year. They’re built on rock-solid defence and great set pieces, which made falling behind in the tie after 2 minutes a disaster.
Skipper Pup
First Class Debutant
He waited until the 70th minute (after a pen was awarded) to make substitutions, which were then Calafiori and Trossard in identical positions to the players they replaced.
I know people defend the guy but he wasnt prepared to take a risk, to throw another attacker on and try get a goal back. After the penalty save it was inevitable PSG were going to score again because the changes made no difference.
Was worth the risk of losing by 3 or 4 instead of going out in the fashion they did. Even the PSG fans around me all said Villa and Liverpool gave them a tougher time over two legs.
Maybe I'm being harsh but I think Arsenal didn't make a great account of themselves there. Fine to say its their style of play (its an effective one) but there simply has to be a plan B.
Molehill
Cricketer Of The Year
A couple of points I'd make here. First, if it wasn't for Donnarumma, Arsenal could've been 2 up inside 5 minutes. That they then got done by a deflection kind of summed up their luck in the first half. But you can't fault their strategy to start off, they were by far the better team and didn't have much luck.
Second, this is still a squad with injury issues. I'm sure he'd love to have the likes of Havertz or Jesus available to him, but there really wasn't a whole lot of option on that bench.
One thing I would add, he is talking some rubbish though. Arsenal were not the best team in the competition. I'm not entirely sure who is, but we've got a Final between 2 of the Top 6 anyway. And comparing previous Prem seasons is also daft. He's displaying a lot of victim traits which I know we can all do, but a professional manager should know better. It doesn't help.
Skipper Pup
First Class Debutant
1. That's what a world class GK does. Alisson did the same, so did Sommer. If anything I'd argue the luck fell equally Arsenal's way for their only goal.
2. I think Arsenal get through that tie with Gabriel and Havertz fit. I'd have given them a great chance in the final with those two but injuries happen to nearly every team.
Nwaneri and Sterling didn't touch the pitch - what are they even doing in the squad if they can't get minutes in a desperate situation with nothing to lose? Two defensive players were thrown on instead, even one in the 83rd minute at 3-1 on aggregate and with Timber needing to go off.
I haven't watched or read any of the press conference if that's what I think your final point is referring to. I'm making no judgement of Arteta outside of what I see on the pitch.
It was his nature as a player as it is now as a manager, conservative and defensive-minded first.
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Molehill
Cricketer Of The Year
Well the dream Final for the Europa League has materialised. I really couldn't care who wins, I'm just there for the Lolz. But as I'll be watching it with a bunch of Scousers on a golf trip in Turkey who I suspect will be supporting Spurs, might become an honorary Manc for the night.
Skipper Pup
First Class Debutant
My guess is the vast majority of 'neutral' fans will be supporting Spurs.
No one really wants to see United win anything. Spurs are irrelevant but it would be worth it to see the reaction in North London if they can pick up a European trophy before their noisy neighbours.
Throw in Ange too and yeah, let's go Spurs.
No one really wants to see United win anything. Spurs are irrelevant but it would be worth it to see the reaction in North London if they can pick up a European trophy before their noisy neighbours.
Throw in Ange too and yeah, let's go Spurs.
Molehill
Cricketer Of The Year
Yeah, but have you ever come across the arrogance of Spurs fans? My greatest day as a Pompey fan was beating them in the 2010 FA Cup semi when they thought they just had to turn up to beat a team in financial strife. I'll never forget the fire exit in their end with 5 mins to go when we got our 2nd!!