The Football Thread 2021/22: England thrown to Hungary lions

[Abacus]

I was delighted by the dreary biased commentary from Alan Smith.

Schar was knocked out by a dangerous elbow which strangely wasn't replayed 100 times in slo-mo like every challenge that goes against the ESL 6 is, and then Mr Smith decided that it was the ground that was at fault for the subsequent concussion, since he had landed on it.

[Finiarél]

Hopefully, everything to play for for a lot of teams going into the last game on Sunday!

Potential title winner, Top 4 Race, Relegation battle still on going. Hopefully be a great day of football!

[Mockmaster]

I just remembered Arsenal are being filmed for their All or Nothing documentary this season. The curse continues.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

It's by no means a given that spurs will beat Norwich. We've not been as convincing against the weaker clubs who tend to play a more defensive game as we rely so much on the counter attacking game.

Come on mate behave.

Spurs haven't lost an away game all season. Absolutely no chance that Tottenham don't win an away game and enter the Champions League(tm)

Dude I'm a negative Nancy. Helps me cope with disappointment

I'm here to tell you that we're going to do this.

Well we’ve already had ‘The Return of Optimus Prime Mockmaster this year so why not the return of Spurs to the Champions League

[Tomous]

I was delighted by the dreary biased commentary from Alan Smith.

Schar was knocked out by a dangerous elbow which strangely wasn't replayed 100 times in slo-mo like every challenge that goes against the ESL 6 is, and then Mr Smith decided that it was the ground that was at fault for the subsequent concussion, since he had landed on it.

I really don't mind Alan Smith compared to some but "dready" is a fair description

[Dowbocop]

I was delighted by the dreary biased commentary from Alan Smith.

Schar was knocked out by a dangerous elbow which strangely wasn't replayed 100 times in slo-mo like every challenge that goes against the ESL 6 is, and then Mr Smith decided that it was the ground that was at fault for the subsequent concussion, since he had landed on it.

I would've liked to see another replay of that because it honestly looked like a fairly innocuous coming together to me with Nketiah following the ball at all times - not even a booking (and I said so at the time). I'm surprised there weren't more replays of it. You're probably able to find the video clip on Toon Twitter better than me and I'll admit I'm wrong if there's more to it, but I would be surprised if there was. There was no kick off from your players which probably says a lot about the egregiousness of it.

I mean, this would be the second argument about an elbow going unpunished that I've had this week, so I clearly live for this gooseberry fool . I could then come back with the two red cards Everton got away with when they beat us earlier in the season and the red card Palace got away with when we salvaged a draw - two sides that are most definitely not in the "ESL 6", and then also look at some of the mental gymnastics referees have done to justify sending off our players (like the Martinelli one where he got the caution and the red in the space of about five seconds because the ref wanted to be a pub quiz answer). I think it's fair to say the the standard of officiating has been terrible across the board for quite some time and this is a bad thing for the game.

Also, just so you know, Newcastle fans' ability to take the moral high ground about the "ESL 6" went to get a marriage licence in Istanbul earlier this season - no idea how it came back in so many pieces, whoopsie!

[Lotus]

Urgh, Newcastle are going to do quite well next season aren't they.

[Benzin]

and the red card Palace got away with when we salvaged a draw

Whilst the general point of the quality of officiating is correct, the continued saltiness of Arsenal fans over that McArthur kick is just hilarious

Though I remember when the referee told Wenger to sub off the player rather than send him off, so it's a small bit of karma

[Imrahil]

Yep, you've got to look at the overall picture. Arsenal have improved this season but are still too lightweight - they need to be able to go to places like Newcastle and go toe-to-toe with them.

They got chewed up and spat out last night. You get the sense Spurs wouldn't have let that happen - they probably deserve 4th spot.

[ITSMILNER]

Next season will be worse for Arsenal, being in the Europa League and playing Thursday/Sunday won’t help them at all. This season they were without European football so they could just fully focus on the league, whilst they have been slightly better in where they will finish over last season the fact is they should have done better this year. I’m at a point now where I don’t think Arteta is the right man at this stage to help Arsenal improve.

[Drumstick]

twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1526231638660849667

Not sure who would want him considering his apparent lack of interest in football beyond money and he'd have to take a massive pay cut.

[Drumstick]

Is there a highlight reel from AFTV last night?

[Curls]

I hear he may become a Professional Golfer?

[Tomous]

Is there a highlight reel from AFTV last night?

Yep:

[Dowbocop]

Next season will be worse for Arsenal, being in the Europa League and playing Thursday/Sunday won’t help them at all. This season they were without European football so they could just fully focus on the league, whilst they have been slightly better in where they will finish over last season the fact is they should have done better this year. I’m at a point now where I don’t think Arteta is the right man at this stage to help Arsenal improve.

It's still quite an exciting time in my opinion. There's the nucleus of a great squad there and it's the first year that they've all been together and settled. The lack of a top quality striker for a large part of the season has cost us in my opinion - it is no surprise that when Eddie had a mini streak recently we put some big results together - I was fine with him leaving but now I'd actually quite like him to be with us next season. I think the inopportune injuries to both full backs and Partey have just been too much for a small squad as well. I think one of the things we've lacked very recently is maturity in the squad (and indeed the management) as it is so young - there's no shortcut to experience of big games and big moments of the season, you just have to go through them and learn if you falter.

[Preezy]

Is there a highlight reel from AFTV last night?

Yep:

[speedboatchase]

Next season will be worse for Arsenal, being in the Europa League and playing Thursday/Sunday won’t help them at all. This season they were without European football so they could just fully focus on the league, whilst they have been slightly better in where they will finish over last season the fact is they should have done better this year. I’m at a point now where I don’t think Arteta is the right man at this stage to help Arsenal improve.

It's still quite an exciting time in my opinion. There's the nucleus of a great squad there and it's the first year that they've all been together and settled. The lack of a top quality striker for a large part of the season has cost us in my opinion - it is no surprise that when Eddie had a mini streak recently we put some big results together - I was fine with him leaving but now I'd actually quite like him to be with us next season. I think the inopportune injuries to both full backs and Partey have just been too much for a small squad as well. I think one of the things we've lacked very recently is maturity in the squad (and indeed the management) as it is so young - there's no shortcut to experience of big games and big moments of the season, you just have to go through them and learn if you falter.

A part of me says, well we lost the first three games and yet will end up 5th - great season. BUT when you consider that we dropped out of every competition fairly quickly and thus the whole season became a gamble for 4th, why did we essentially prioritise next season by offloading Aubameyang in January? I realise his wages were crazy and his form had dipped, but in the closing months Spurs had Son and Kane, and we oscillated between two strikers who won't be at Emirates next summer.

Spurs and Utd both imploded and sacked their managers. We had barely any games to play all season. I feel like we blew our shot and will be back around 7th/8th next time when you consider how Spurs will be with a full season under Conte and CL revenue, Utd's usual enormous net spend and Newcastle relatively untouched by FFP for a few transfer windows to come. I think by November we'll be hearing about how the team has given up on challenging for CL spots and will - once again - put everything on gaining access via winning the Europa.

[Dowbocop]

Next season will be worse for Arsenal, being in the Europa League and playing Thursday/Sunday won’t help them at all. This season they were without European football so they could just fully focus on the league, whilst they have been slightly better in where they will finish over last season the fact is they should have done better this year. I’m at a point now where I don’t think Arteta is the right man at this stage to help Arsenal improve.

It's still quite an exciting time in my opinion. There's the nucleus of a great squad there and it's the first year that they've all been together and settled. The lack of a top quality striker for a large part of the season has cost us in my opinion - it is no surprise that when Eddie had a mini streak recently we put some big results together - I was fine with him leaving but now I'd actually quite like him to be with us next season. I think the inopportune injuries to both full backs and Partey have just been too much for a small squad as well. I think one of the things we've lacked very recently is maturity in the squad (and indeed the management) as it is so young - there's no shortcut to experience of big games and big moments of the season, you just have to go through them and learn if you falter.

A part of me says, well we lost the first three games and yet will end up 5th - great season. BUT when you consider that we dropped out of every competition fairly quickly and thus the whole season became a gamble for 4th, why did we essentially prioritise next season by offloading Aubameyang in January? I realise his wages were crazy and his form had dipped, but in the closing months Spurs had Son and Kane, and we oscillated between two strikers who won't be at Emirates next summer.

Spurs and Utd both imploded and sacked their managers. We had barely any games to play all season. I feel like we blew our shot and will be back around 7th/8th next time when you consider how Spurs will be with a full season under Conte and CL revenue, Utd's usual enormous net spend and Newcastle relatively untouched by FFP for a few transfer windows to come. I think by November we'll be hearing about how the team has given up on challenging for CL spots and will - once again - put everything on gaining access via winning the Europa.

We did get to the semi of the League Cup, it was only the FA Cup we underachieved in.

Auba wasn't working for us and hadn't been for a while - he needed to leave. With 20/20 hindsight not getting a striker in, even on a short term deal, was a mistake, but I don't recall any good January loans in Arsenal's history (maybe we were due one ). I don't share your pessimism that all the positives of this campaign are going to evaporate just because we are in the Europa League - and do you know what, we might actually win it! We got to the semi final twice and the final once with an absolute shambles of a squad, and I think this current team is far more effective.

[KingK]

twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1526231638660849667

Not sure who would want him considering his apparent lack of interest in football beyond money and he'd have to take a massive pay cut.

I read Cardiff City are almost nailed on to get him

[Denster]

Its a curious situation with Arsenal. After their start youd have taken 5th - no question but to have let 4th slip when it was theirs to lose - that cant be easy to take.
On the United front - im hoping Ten Hag does what new managers often do and poaches from his old club. Timber and Anthony would be very good additions.