Stubborn Nottingham Forest dealt another blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, holding the Gunners to a frustrating draw.
The game began with both teams battling to break the deadlock, but it was Arsenal who came closest early on, as Riccardo Calafiori was denied by the post. The Gunners showed far more urgency in attack compared to their defeat against West Ham, yet Forest proved equally resilient, matching their intensity.
The hosts defended with remarkable determination, while Arsenal continued to create chances in search of an opening. Despite their pressure, neither side could find the net before half-time, prompting Mikel Arteta to introduce Kieran Tierney for Calafiori in an attempt to change the game.
Mikel Merino went close with a well-struck effort, only to be denied by the Forest goalkeeper. The home side, however, remained patient, waiting for an opportunity of their own. When it finally arrived, Chris Wood forced a fine save from David Raya, giving Arsenal a moment of real concern.
Forest threatened again, but William Saliba produced a superb tackle to prevent Wood from getting a shot on goal. As the match neared its conclusion, the contest became more open, with both teams pushing forward. However, neither could find a breakthrough, and Arsenal were left to rue another missed opportunity in their pursuit of the title.
This team is embarrassing us fans always hehe!
It’s just a shit show. This is on Arteta. Anyone who says it is not is deluded and dishonest. Poor squad management. We needed goals and still he went for the likes of Ben white and Partey. Disgraceful! Why not play the youngster? Poor spending! Forcing out players who were very okay being squad players.
Oh to be an arsenal fan! One of the most painful emotional investments which can be made. If arsenal were a spouse, divorce will definitely be on the cards year in year out.
We fans can rant, but there is nothing we can do! Just sit back, grab a beer, ease up and prep for the next series of heartaches!
Where should we be with a colossal injury crisis and 5 red cards? Just the sending offs along resulted in 10 dropped points! Was that Arteta’s fault, or do you think the players are responsible for getting themselves sent off?
I wonder where Liverpool would be in the table if the situation was reversed? Imagine taking out Salah for at least 4 months, thats 50 goal contributions gone, plus a catalog of other big injuries.
For those fans that say injuries don’t matter, so Nunez or Jota or Gakpo would post the same numbers as Salah? Haha!
If only Lucy they had a period in the season x say like a month where all teams had a chance to buy players say if they had injuries and squads need help.?
Yeah Dan and if only other clubs were willing to sell the players we wanted at reasonable prices.
Wouldn’t it also have been nice to know what players would be injured and how long they would have been out.
I can’t think of any club that actually bought a top class striker or any club that was willing to sell one either.
I seem to remember Rashford’s name being mentioned, but he was immediately passed over as not being good enough and who wanted a manure reject anyway?
Perhaps we should have asked city115 if they’d sell us Haaland, pool might have sold us Salah or even ask Newcastle if they would part company with their star forward in order for us to go on and win the PL?
It really irritates me that these clubs wouldn’t play ball with us, especially as we needed help.
It’s not as if any of the above had lost four of their attacking players, with two out for the rest of the season.
Why we even tried to sign an England International from Villa, but the fans said he was too old anyway, the bid wasn’t real and the offer was an insult to Villa anyway!!
For goodness sake, we’re The Arsenal and all these clubs should be bending over backwards to help our squad out don’t you agree?
The most incredible thing is though, we’re still the second highest goal scorers in the PL and Arteta went on record as saying we needed a goalscorer, just like you and yet, your still criticising him 🤔
There were players at reasonable prices mate .
You say a top class striker
We didn’t expect that in January.
But was there better options then Sterling , a teenager and Trossard ?
Were there better finishers then Havertz ?
Were there alternatives that could come off the bench better then a midfielder or left back when you need a goal
Our own manager said , we are short in attack and need helps
Other clubs managed it
Howe bought Isak for 60M+ when he was doing good at Sociedad. Mikel hired Gabby and Kai – both misfits to replace PEA / Laca. That’s 105m+. That tells you which manager is smarter. Jonathan David – oh wait he is worse than Gabby for those wearing rose tinted glasses.
Halland came for 51M.
Randal Kolo Mani was available.
Santiago Giminez was available.
Your discussions holds no water – Halaand, Salah, Isak did not come from EPL clubs, they came from the continent.
It is the brilliance of Saka that has brought us to 2ns spot, he unites the MF, he galvanizes the team, and he was not hired by Mikel. Remove him from the team and the 750M is relegation class. BTW, we can still win the title according to Mikel .
Salah came from chelsea I do believe.
I’ll ask you once again though, what has Howe won while being in the PL longer than Arteta and was he relegated from the PL whilst managing Bournemouth?
If my memory is right, Salah joined LFC from AS Roma on july1, 2017 from AS Roma, having played for CFC between 2014-15.
Regarding Howe, we won nothing as we all know.
The point i wish to make is that he hired Isak for 60M+, now valued at 100M+. Mikel hired Kai + Gabby for 110M, how much would any club pay for them today?. Rice for 105M, what is his value today? Howe Bought Bruno for 40M+,
In 5 years Mikel won the same as Howe – a big fat zero (not counting the FA won with Emery’s/Mr Wenger’s team)
Give 800M to Howe and he will hire the right players and see their upward revision in fees. Owners gave 800M to Mikel, now we need
Back up GK
Replacements for Zinny, Tomiyasu, Kiwor, Partey, Jorginho, a 20 Goal a season CF, back up for Saka, that is 8-10 players need to be hired to challenge for the big ones, another 3-400M.
Give Irola or Howe 1Billion, we would not be limping towards the top 2.
You know I think Iraola has done really well but would you seriously offer either him or Howe the job on the basis of their body of work?
It’s half baked to think that just they or anybody would be better than Arteta. Come up with a proven winner like Emery was at the very least. He found it hard enough at Arsenal and is finding it a bit sticky now at Villa.
It’s frustrating but throwing the baby out with the bath water is hardly a solution
Is Arteta any better?
We gambled with Mr. Wenger and it worked
We gambled with Arteta and it worked (from 8th to 2nd), but he is not the man to take us from no2 to no1. For that you need a man who knows what it takes to be no1.
Howe or Iraola or Nuno have taken teams from the bottom half to the top half. I really cannot answer if they can take AFC from no2 to no1.
But, realize that Arteta is hiring the WRONG players at INFLATED rates for the WRONG positions. His success was due to Saka in attack and Saliba in defense. Remove these 2 individuals and we would be relegation material. Iraola or Howe are using existing talent in a smart way, so imagine if they had the likes of Saka and Saliba or Gabby M, what they could achieve. Why no one came for Sterling except Arteta. Because other managers care for the clubs. Who pays the wages Arteta pays Gabby J and Kai? Money for nothing, SueP.
At 15M per year, something Carlo Ancelotti is not earning and yet the gentleman delivers every season.
The Arteta Apologetics new mantra is to provoke fear in the fans mindsets that there is no one better than Arteta. It wont work cause PSV will play a 0-0 here and batter us over there and we go home empty handed because of some failed ideas, failed players.
Well that is a matter of opinion
However, I see no point replacing Arteta with any manager who is yet to do any better. I have not the slightest problem with him going if he goes as the reasons will be obvious. (although I know you would have him out of the door yesterday) but all I do suggest is caution. LIverpool did their due diligence with Slot, plus the length of time the club’s owners had to research a suitable candidate with Klopp giving notice, rather than being sacked. Although largely off the radar, Slot has an excellent body of work behind him – certainly better than most of the suggestions that have been doing the rounds.
Lets just clarify
It hasn’t worked yet
Mr Wenger worked because he was successful
Arteta yet to do that
You are a joke, these excuses will keep arsenal trophy less in decades to come. Embrace a winner reality
Sorry Ken, I think you seem to refuse seeing the blindingly obvious reality.
We needed a striker.
There were strikers available, even on loan.
We didn’t need or expect a world class finisher, just someone that can do a job. The more I see Kolo Muani doing exploits at Juventus while on a straight loan, the more I’m wondering why we didn’t even try for him. Would he be worse than Merino at CF?
The results speak for themselves.
Right, so blame the board for January then.
Lucy78,
If’s and but’s. Just more excuses to cover Arteta’s shortcomings.
Some people just refuse to see the glaringly obvious. 🙄🤦♂️🤷♂️
I completely agree that people cannot see the glaringly obvious. Apparently, 5 early red cards, and tons of injuries, especially to key players, and we should at least level, if not ahead of Liverpool. Crazy isn’t it?
Lucy78,
Yet more excuses. 😭
“We fans can rant”
You don’t sound much like a fan to me.
Agree Jax, I rant because I want better. Does that make me a better fan? Maybe it does. Maybe other people don’t want change because they don’t want better.
Lots of views on this. but one way of looking at it would be if all Arsenals squad was fit how many would get into Liverpools team in the positions that Liverpool play. Would even Saka replace Salah.? Answers on a postcard
Raya over Alison
White over Trent
VVD and Saliba
Timber or Calfori over Robinson
Rice and Gaverberch ( based on form )
Odegarrd would still be best AM between the two
Salah
Jota
And I would be Saka on left
Allison won a league and CL, Raya hasn’t. Trent won a league and CL White hasn’t. Robinson won a league and CL Timber and Calaforini hasn’t. On this seasons form, no way Odergaard. At the start, I did not rate Liverpools squad next to ours but they are better and the manager is getting everything out of them. Arteta isn’t.
I wasnt asked what had they won
I was asked who I would prefer
My team would beat yours😄
Biggest conman since John Darwin
It’s over, the season is done for Arsenal.. our team is not in the right frame of mind to compete at the highest level. Liverpool will surely win the EPL unless something extra ordinary happens. Our battle now is to finish in the top 4. Which is not seemingly possible considering the dead wood we call players that we have at the bench.
You realizing now!!!! The season was long over in January mate.
Just not good enough. Really poor January window and poor management. We threw it all away….
Is phase 6 now in motion?
Have we finished rebuilding 5 years later or is it time for renovation for another 5?
@HH
Phases are ongoing and subject to change. 😁
It’s wengers fault and then Emery’s next week.
@Ibrahim
😂
I blame the weather🤣😂😉👍.
I don’t understand why the commentary team were highlighting the result as an “achievement” for Forrest considering it was their home game and they are challenging for a top for position. In the end they got the result through determined defending including from their attacking players’ willingness to put their bodies on the line. Putting aside our shrinking title race aspirations I thought our lads did well considering the quality of the players we had on the field.
EPL title wrapped, signed and delivered to Liverpool. That’s it guys, damage limitation from here, we have to hold our top four place.
I thought the team fought well but lacked ideas once we got anywhere near their box. Can’t fault them for effort but Calafiori has always been a liability much in the same way that Xhaka was discipline wise, Sterling can’t go past a defender and as we all are aware, we desperately need a striker. Liverpool being 2 nil up against Liverpool at present means it’s a lost cause.
For eff sake Arteta give up on the continued sideways and backwards passing please!
I don’t like the way we fall over badly to try and win bogus free kicks, where has that come from? ffs fight!!!!!
And we don’t win them.
Same pathetic setup every week with the same outcome. We can’t create or score even if they keep on playing until tomorrow. MA is a system coach that can only work with plan A. He is risk averse coach who plays not to lose and that’s why he is obsessed with defence at the expense of attack. He changed from exciting football from 2021/22 to a dull useless heavy possession football because he can’t stand losing possession to other teams. His obsession with double inverted wingbacks are taking a toll on our wingers and none of them can perform well unless they are good as Saka.
Sack the set piece coach, he has run out of ideas. Just like Arteta.
Dissapointing result but we move unto PSV Eindhoven next. COYG!!!
Yeh!!!!! Let’s carry the fight to them, come on you gunners. Lets show more than we have in the league cup, FA cup and league💪💪💪💪
We all know what went wrong, and there is no point in playing the blame game—it won’t help at this stage. Right now, we need to support the team and the manager as much as possible. We have a strong defense, and the last thing we want is to weaken their resilience by criticizing them.
It’s about standing by them through both the highs and lows, offering support and lifting their spirits when their confidence takes a hit.
Absolutely
Nothing whatsoever to gain by making a difficult situation worse
No you can’t do that mate
The majority of us pleaded with the club all January to help the attack
That was us helping the team and supporting the club
You can’t then not listen to us , we get proven right then go down the line of we need support
I don’t understand your reply. It’s what it is until the end of the season
Because Sue if fans had been listened too we wouldn’t be in this situation
The majority of us wanted help for our players because we want them to be Champions, we dont want a Saliba to leave due to a lack of ambition , we want the best for the club and it to try and be the best version it can be
The irony is the minority who are positive for the sake of positivity are supporting the club less then those who question things
They do it because they have an agenda and don’t want to say they are wrong
Most of us say it because it hurts and we saw this coming
So the irony is not lost that you who made excuses why January was okay now shrug and say it is what it is ?
Yeah it is what it is ….but it didn’t need to be and we are allowed to ask why
👍🏽
You have got it so wrong about my view I don’t know how I could have made it more clear. It was obvious that there was nothing of any consequence happening to bolster our position. It wasn’t going to happen. I got excited by the prospect of Watkins and when that went t*ts up I realised that we were in a pickle. Clearly there is a misunderstanding but to suggest that I thought the status quo was fine is miles wide of the mark. But it won’t help us now which is mine and Gunner’s point
Why wasn’t it going to happen ?
Why did other clubs manage to find attackers ?
Why pretend that there was no one out there who could have helped ?
And that’s fine , that’s your opinion
You support how you wish
Yet don’t tell the Gooners who were proven right and are coming to terms with how conned we have been to …support the team
Say that to our owners
Hang on a minute
I’ve done nothing of the sort
What did you not understand about my post. ? I thought it was blindingly obvious
Nothing was going to happen so WTF do you expect me to do? Am I satisfied? No! But can I change anything between now and MY? No!
My = then
For example when I said why are our owners did nothing you said …..
‘Do you assume they are doing nothing? What an odd assumption’
So now when I’m correct you say oh well what can we do ?
I know we wouldn’t do anything anyway ?
That’s not how I remember it
I remember me saying Watkins bid was not genuine and you making excuses why it was
Then you said what if they have reasons ?
What if there is no one available ?
Now your saying nothing was going to happen ?
So if I read back I’ll find you saying in January nothing was going to happen ?
I thought it was genuine. Why would it have been me making an excuse? The fact that Duran or whatever his name is went off to Saudi then whatever I believed was an exciting development then became dead in the water. Everything coming out of the club suggested nobody was coming in after that. I giant full stop. So what do you suggest I should have done? Hop on the overground with my Kroenke out placard and parade it along the Holloway Rd?
Well said. SueP.
Well Dan, Villa thought it was genuine enough to call it an insult, so there was obviously a bid put in!!
Of course, it was criticised immediately by our own fans, who didn’t want a current England international because he was too old, didn’t fit the type of player image Arteta supposedly wants (that should have appealed to those knocking Arteta!! 😂) and it was a last minute panic buy.
Yeah I disagreed with them mate and bet they would take him now ?
It’s not that the bid wasn’t genuine but if you bid knowing they won’t accept is that a bid ?
If a house is 200-000 and I bid 50 pence is that a genuine bid lol ?
Factually yes but I’m not truly doing everything to buy that house am I ?
But it was said that he was old and would have no resale value, so the reported £40 million bid makes perfect sense as a business deal.
If the house you wanted to buy was going to have no resell value, you wouldn’t bid the asking price would you?
Villa, reportedly, wanted £60 million plus, would you have offered that?
Why do you think Villa said it was insulting then ?
Yes I would have offered 60
Never going to get him for less
Put it this way , we got 30 for Eddie Nketiah
One of the worst strikers we ever had in Prem history
Watkins is not only 10 million better then Eddie is he ?
Well, villa wanted more money and Nketiah wasn’t worth the reported £30 million.
But let’s step back and revisit the window – we did put in a bid for a strike, a current England international at that as you agree.
So our club valued him at x while villa valued him at xx and we declined to bid higher, so villa said he’s not for sale… what have The Arsenal done wrong?
Arsenal knew Villa would say no
So then certain fans falls for the PR trap and defend them saying ….oh well look they tried
Hence what your doing now
But it’s you who have fallen into a trap Dan.
One minute your saying there wasn’t a bid, then there was a bid but it was too low, then you say it was only a PR stunt, while finally announcing that Mr Kronkie has let Arteta down because he didn’t release any money!!!!
Which of the four was it Dan and I’ll give you a clue… villa said an insulting bid had been received…..
Simple really
You have zero intention of doing any business so you make a low bid for Watkins knowing it will be turned down straight away
You therefore don’t have to realise any funds or make money available
Then they can say we tried and some will believe them.
If I ring up and offer 500 pound for a 1500 pound TV I have not released any money have I ?
I simply made a bid
A long running saga which is gripping 😉
Having looked at Transfermarkt the valuation for Ollie Watkins is 55million euros. I then looked at a currency exchange rate and this equated to £45m plus a bit. Arsenal then put in a cheeky bid and Aston Villa wanted £60m. Would that still rate as good business from Arsenal?
SueP, it seems Dan doesn’t want to give our club any credit whatsoever!!
That “cheeky” bid turns out to be a sensible one don’t you think.
The problem is, it blows Dan’s theory about our owner not supporting the manager out of the water!!
Your correct Ken
I refuse to give the club any credit whatsoever for January
You are literally not just on this site the only Gooner anywhere I have heard who suggests they should be given credit
How is bidding for someone sensible ?lol
Makes zero sense
If I say to my brother I’m going to support you and buy you a house leave it with me and he says you got till deadline day else I’m homeless and I say
Well the best I did was I offered for a house no where near close the valuation he’s not going to say is he
‘ wow that’s sensible bro , thanks for releasing funds for me at least , you really backed me ‘
Because I have not backed him , I said I would do some , sat on me settlie and did nothing
As in having a bid rejected due to being insulting ( your words ) is not a sensible bid
And out of respect to Sue to answer your question
No , when you need attackers to save your season having an offer rejected is not good business
Remember we got 30 for Eddie
No Dan, the word “” insulting ” was used by Villa.
You said that you would bid £60 odd million for Watkins, but his value is only around £45 odd million…. the price our club offered.
You, on the other hand would give villa an extra £15 million!!
Let’s hope you never buy a house 💷😂💷😂
No the value is what Villa say it is.
In 2025 I would say that based on what others are going for ( Eddie for 30 million ) Villa are not selling their best striker in January for 40-45
That’s obvious hence …they didn’t
If Arsenal disagree that’s fine , you then move on to your next name on shortlist
So no , your not going to get any credit from many fans
Your manager said we need help up front and you got …..,0
Yet you seem to want Arsenal to be given credit ?
The damage that has done will last for a long time and could define this whole regime
It has cost us the league
Makes the CL now impossible to win
Upset fans
Means Arteta will start under pressure next season that he wouldn’t have been under otherwise
It will impact on Saliba signing a new contract
We are now letting down Nwaneri
There is so much wrong with what they did
For you to ask for them to give them credit ?.
While it’s your opinion mate and it’s up to you how to support your club …..I question if your trolling a bit ? Lol
I’ve opened up a hornet’s nest 😬
I’m now trying to put aside the bid as either genuine or a ruse.
My personal opinion was the bid was genuine as I hadn’t foreseen Duran going to Saudi Arabia He was getting game time so Watkins could have been sold.
HOWEVER, even if we had paid over the odds for OW, would he and Havertz have won us the league? I’m not mystic Meg but a decent hunch would be that the combination would have made a real difference. That still doesn’t mean the points could be clawed back and Arsenal have then got a player on its books that wasn’t originally in the plan.
As Havertz then got ruled out, Ollie would have been our only recognised striker. The question is, would Ollie Watkins have won us the league? I suggest not. I thought it was a tall order before KH got injured but I kept hoping that Liverpool would slip up.
Sue , would Arsenal win us the league ?
We don’t no do we
Now answer this honestly …..
Would he give us a better chance then a teenager , Sterling or Merino ?
The irony being is your attitude is just like our owners .
Can that player win us the league ?
If the answer is no , don’t try then .
Then in the next breath ….
The cheapest ticket for Arsenal PSV is 70 pound !!!;
70 pound to see Merino , Trossard and a 17 year old
70 pound for left backs to be our attacking subs
Shameful
And yet some say …..you won’t give Arsenal credit for last month
I mean Watkins not Arsenal lol
But now your changing the narrative Dan and doing a Jon Fox type reply by assuming other fans see the situation as you do.
The discussion was about whether our club had put in a decent and meaningful bid for Olkie Watkins.
We, reportedly offered £40 million for him, which coincided with the value that “Transfer market” said he was worth…. according to SueP.
Villa stated that this was an insulting offer.
That means there was a concrete offer put in for the player, otherwise how could it have been “insulting?”
You then went on to say that it was only a PR stunt, but he was worth around the £60 million mark anyway and that’s what you would have been willing to offer……. All that is well documented yes?
But suddenly, the fact that we didn’t sign Watkins, or any other forward, in the transfer window, means that Saliba could leave, we’ll be knocked out of the CL and the untold damage will be immeasurable…. that, of course, is a completely different discussion to the one that we were discussing and the fact is, Dan, a bid was put in, based on the value given by “Transfer market” – they could be wrong of course, but it seems our club wasn’t prepared to spend the extra money you would have paid to secure his services.
As SueP says, we’ll never know if Watkins would have won us the PL or the CL, or if Saliba etc would have stayed and untold damage to the club averted by him signing for us…. but, crucially, your argument that the owners didn’t put any money forward for MA to strengthen our attack is wrong.
My attitude is not like our owners Dan, but I do recognise the thinking behind the club’s actions. I expect they were weighing up the pros and cons of buying him at £60m.
1. Possibly paying £15m above the valuation by Transfermarkt and not getting the league title
2. Having him rather than the desired player in the summer at an age where he just may begin to tail off on a longish contract on big money etc etc.
3. Gambling and winning and everything is then hunky dory
There are other scenarios I’m sure. God forbid Watkins broke his leg
All I’m aware of is that the club were not intending to do business. It was said by Arteta at the beginning of the window and they would look for support from within
Move on 2 weeks and Jesus is out for months and then suddenly Arsenal bid for Watkins. They had their own valuation which was rejected. Im guessing at this point the majority of options had been snapped up or there were reasons for not pursuing others.
With the benefit of hindsight, the loss of Havertz was catastrophic and it was too late to act. Clearly before this occurred, within the club there was a meeting over tea and biscuits and the decision to hope for the best was made so as to secure summer targets instead of pursuing what could well have been a hopeless cause.
But please don’t think that I’m not upset by what has happened
Oh Sue there is thought behind their actions
Your laugh at me for saying it again its a genius business model
Top 4 is secure
We could try in January but it’s not going to get us anymore revenue
Merchandise will still sell, tickets will still sell
So make an offer for Watkins that we know will be not accepted and the likes of Sue will say well they did back him because they tried
Then imagine Sue being told cheapest ticket is like 70 pound for most adults
Even as a customer 70 pound the cheapest ticket to watch a club who are bringing on full backs because they have not invested in attack ?
Then a Ken writes to you
‘ he can’t give them any credit ‘
No Ken
It’s not about Watkins
It’s about the attack needing help and we did nothing but you wanting them to have some credit for not meeting Aston Villa valuation ?
You have months to make a shortlist , people talk behind the scenes
You ask Villa for asking price and if you disagree you move on to next target
You and Sue agree with the Koronke’s that unless you can guarantee winning the league no point trying ?
That’s fine but when Rice , Salba and eventually Saka leave I’ll remind you that you defended this January or very least what they club to have some credit
Our players deserve better in my opinion
First of all Dan, you have got your ticket pricing wrong, as I’ve just purchased mine for £30.89!!
On to the subject in hand and it’s good to see that your now admitting an actual bid was put in, but the club wasn’t prepared to add a further 50% or half as much again.
Now that was the original point of contention, as you said it was just a PR job by the owners and, by your own admission, that was not true.
On to your next point and, of course Watkins would have made a difference, that’s why the club put in a very realistic bid!!
He would certainly have been a better choice than Sterling (on present form) but your claim that him not signing would bring Armaggedon to the club has no rhyme or reason whatsoever… in my opinion.
I’ve not defended the January window at all, rather I’ve pointed out that your accusation about our owners not supporting MA is not correct – nothing more nothing less my friend.
As for Saka, Saliba and Rice leaving the club, when do you think this will happen?
In the summer, at the end of their contracts, before or after MA leaves?
Such an open ended statement gives you complete autonomy to say “I told you so” doesn’t it?
Arsenal PSV at home ?
Well done lol
It was a PR stunt
Make an offer Villa will reject and then some fans ( with respect the likes of you and Sue ) will be manipulated and say ‘ well at least they tried ‘
People literally told you and Sue the day of the offer this was a PR move .
If they bid 10 million for Mbappe is that backing the manager ?
Not Armageddon
Because your right – top 4 , CL next season …not end of world right ?
Exactly what Stan Koronke wants you to say
I don’t think this summer no but eventually our best players will leave due to lack of ambition at the club that y
Dan, I deal in facts and use the Arsenal official site for news.
The fact is, an offer was made – you denied this.
The fact is Watkins is valued at £40,000,000 and we bid a reported £40,000,000.
The fact is we know that’s correct, because villa said it was an insulting offer and slapped a further £200,000,000 for his transfer.
The fact is our club didn’t think he was worth that and decided not to pursue the transfer (of course many on JA said he was too old and wouldn’t have any sell on value, so were against it anyway!!)
Thank goodness Armaggedon has been averted and Rice, Saliba and Saka will honour their contracts.
Finally, if you want to see the invoice that shows what I paid for the CL match, then I’ll gladly send it to you. lol.
With respect mate that’s your business
If you a child , a DA member or a certain age you might have some kind of reduction
For majority of us members it’s starting off at 70 pound and that’s a disgrace
Anyone can go to website and look
Again you defend this that’s up to you ?
Who said Watkins value is 40 million ?
Surely the only team who can set that value is Villa
Arsenal knew they were not getting Watkins for 40 million.
You and Sue are only two in whole football community who I have heard believe that
Your opinion though
Send me though where on Arsenal site they confirmed they offered for Watkins ?
All I did was look on TransferMarkt
55m euros is approx £45m so close to Arsenal’s offer. Villa slapped a £20m higher figure. Duran went for the money and the likelihood of Watkins moving was zilch.
You have obviously put a lot of time and effort into researching the Kroenkes’ business model but I feel you have put all your eggs and emotions into one basket on the subject which boils down to the owners operating a PR stunt. On the other hand, I might well be the only mug that thinks the bid was genuine. In my innocence, I believed that the Jesus injury demanded action as no signing was planned prior to then.
Yeah in football sites don’t decide valuations clubs do
So if Villa say he’s valued at 60 million that’s his valuation
Indeed Dan and The Arsenal didn’t think he was worth more than the bid they put in – end of the story.
As for the official site, I use that to see if rumours are correct.
I didn’t say that there was any bids, but they confirm when a signing is completed.
My ticket price is a concession price, but you quoted a price as if everyone was paying that and it wasn’t correct – seniors and juniors pay what I’ve quoted.
Anyway, that’s enough of this subject for me anyway.
I’m now going to see what that bell end Carragher, from skysports has been saying about our club under Arteta
Let’s hope we can agree on this one Dan 😂👍
Yeah fair play mate
I was confused by Carragher’s AFCON comments
I really don’t understand the point you’re trying to make here.
We’re not a Crystal Palace or Fulham. We’re supposed to be an ambitious team set up not only to challenge but to win silverwares.
So if after after all the resources, time and effort put in to build this team, we are still where we are right now, then fans have the right to be angry.
In fact more questions need to be asked and we need to see individuals taking responsibility.
Definitely.
Of course, you wont understand because you think right now, criticizing and getting angry will help the team or the manager!!! 😥.
What they need is support and encouragement—lifting their spirits might actually bring out the best in them.
We are still in 2nd place!!! Thats not exactly a disaster, and we certainly don’t want to end up like Crystal Palace or Fulham. The reality is that with this current squad, we are struggling just to secure a top-four finish. All SueP and I are saying is that criticism won’t change the situation, and frustration won’t make things better. The best thing we can do now is back the team as much as possible to ensure we at least secure a Champions League spot.
You know saying we need attackers and that this is not good enough ?
That is supporting the team and manager
That’s my take on the situation Gunner. Can’t turn back the clock but at least we can give the players our support as they are the ones trying their best to overcome a very tough period until our injured wingers return
What we need is a manager that can win things.
What we need is supporters who understand having four attacking players out with long term injuries might just hamper the requirement to win things.
Well Ken thats an excuse we can use this year. What excuse will it be next year. I think we went something like 10 games where a “striker” in the Arteta striker manual, only scored one goal earlier in the season. The rest were by non strikers at set pieces.
I personally think the lack of a “striker” is only one of many problems, hamstringing this team. The way we play at times Shearer wouldn’t have been able to score, he wouldn’t get the service.
We did understand this
That’s why we said bring in more attackers in January to help
Twinlights,
I agree with you, but if you dare to try and hold Arteta to account certain fans come for you in their little Arteta fan club.
Just watch them go into meltdown.
I will naturally like to support my, but u support a team and a coach that is trying absolutely everything to win games and not a coach that knows everything and every other person is wrong. Even a blind man could see that we needed CF badly in the summer let alone in the January window, even an Ivan Toney would have helped a lot , I keep saying this, only to get Merino and Calofiori. I don’t even want to mention a certain Sterling. In Nigeria, Arsenal fans are being mocked at so badly and I feel so ashamed. How can one person be responsible for so many bad decisions.
Everyone could see clearly during the January transfer window what we were lacking. If we had gotten even just one attacking options it could have been a different case and there were lot of them. Even a rashford right now would have been better. I would have taken even an Anthony at that point we were because we had only two natural attacker.
I hope we can make the top 4.
Unless you have forwards who can run the lines it’s difficult to create chances.When you are depending on a teenager as your main attacking weapon our inability to score is not at all surprising to me.On a more positive note,keeping a clean sheet against the surprise package of the season is commendable and personally I was delighted to see KT on the field of play rather than on the bench.For someone who has hardly kicked a ball in anger, I thought he did rather well.
Grandad look at the position of Nwaneri and Trossard every time we broke. They were far too deep to do anything. Now they are either told to play that way or they are doing it themselves. I never saw Arteta tell them once to change, they didn’t change, so I presume it is orders. We don’t move the ball forwards quick enough and we haven’t got players ready to attack. We do not make diagonal runs and our movement is poor. Thats coaching.
TBH I don’t know why he didn’t bring on nathan butler-oyedeji rather than Sterling. I just felt it was game over when Sterling came on, don’t see the point.
Well lets give the manager a round of applause 👏 for creating a team that makes it hard for other teams to beat us. Most of the time. BUT I can not take much more of this turgid football. We will never ever win anything playing this guys football. It is so so passive and deliberate. A few months ago a few were having a go at me because i was not happy with the FACT we were winning games by set pieces. BUT I highlighted (and got slagged off) the fact it was hiding the FACT we were not creating. I said we will struggle because of the way we play, to win, when the set pieces dry up. Well they have and we are still playing the same turgid football but NOW we are NOT winning. Arteta is at his absolute limit of his abilities and its taking us no further. If some of you are happy with that, then good luck to you. I am not and I do not enjoy watching this awful football. I sometimes can not believe what I am seeing, the way we play, the way we set up and the naive things we do, that cost us. They have cost us in the past, they are costing us now and they will in the future. Smell the coffee, Arteta is not upto it. Timber has regressed, Trossard has regressed, Rice has regressed, Odergaard has regressed, Martinelli had regressed, Haverz had regressed. I wonder if they are bored, playing Artetaball. I know I am with it.
I think we have to acknowledge J A Slot’s first season achievements at Liverpool. It shows the strength of Liverpool as a squad and how good a manager they have. Credit to them. It also shows the gulf between us and them in every department. Maybe next year, eh?!
That’s point mate there is no gulf
That’s why it hurts
We simply let moment pass us by because we decided to give up
Slot is a better manager. While we have Arteta, Slot is better and Pep is better. So like some of us have been saying a while. Why do we stick with someone inferior.
Or was one left with a front three of a teenager , someone on loan and Trossard
While the other has Gapko ,Salah , Diaz Jota and Nunez
And last season, and the season before, and the league cup, and the FA cup and the season before and the season before? I would put big money on nothing changing even if we got a striker. We don’t play the right way. And there will always be a problem that arises and Arteta ca not solve. Because there always is. He is not upto it. He is not clever enough. 5 years and counting. 800 mil and counting. There are no more excuses. Whatever we say, you can not win titles playing negative slow boring football. I do not trust or rate Arteta good enough. He isn’t that special.
There is a theme.
There is a theme. Be negative every chance you get and blame Arteta.
No David, He Arterta is the one in charge, the decisions he is making are dire stupid and its hurt the team big time. We let pool run with the title and his arrogance is there for everyone to see with his “over my dead body ” Statement! We keep being ridiculed and rightly so. We fans are taking some stick out here. Every man and his dog knew we needed help in the transfer market. We were in a title race! A manager will go out there and push the owners, if they not helping you put in your resignation unless Offcourse you have no ambition as well. We have Regressed with the football on display.
No David, the theme is we fail every year to follow through.
And I will ask you again? Is Arteta overachieving? The answer to that is a big fat NO. So what is all the fuss about Arteta?
Reggie,
You can always rely on David. 😂🤣😉👍
But but…if you sack the novice…who is out there to replace him ??? I woukd even take mourinho atm.
Slot was an unknown b4 this season…pr..k..should have stayed so.
As for who can take over…i said it ydy …quite a few
I hadn’t heard of Slot either, but that’s because I don’t follow the Dutch league. A quick check on his record in Wikipedia will show his record to be rather good. Not a Mickey Mouse league and Liverpool did their research rather well
P.doff,
Mourinho, really! I see he’s going down a storm in Turkey. They’ve really taken him to their hearts. 😂🤣🤦♂️👍
In all, the fans are the greatest losers. They buy expensive tickets, they pay TP to go see games. Even for games you expect your team to win they lose or draw and it really hurts to be honest. I thing its different when you support a small team with not much expectations. They players on the other hand might just get disappointed and by weekend they all will get credit alerts and move on after all most of them are not even fans of the clubs they play for. Very pathetic.
I knew the season was lost last summer when the transfer window ended and we didn’t get a Gyokeres or Osimhem or Martinez or Vlahovic or even Ivan Toney who was giving us a come and get me plea.
Even if we had bought one of them in January we still would lose the league because we would only chase Liverpool better but they would acquire more points than us and end up winning the league.
Up next PSV. I’m very sure we will drop points again because once again there is absolutely nobody to score a goal for us.
I see us drawing like 7 out of the 13 matches remaining for us to play, maybe one or two wins from Southampton and Ipswich.
It will be too late for only Saka to come and save us in the middle of April.
Arteta is just lucky that he has injuries to blame his so called 5th phase on.
Let’s see what he will do this upcoming summer and the whole of next season. If he fails to sign right and he does not win a trophy then all hell will let loose and he will see the fans rut and boos.
I agree with yours predictions, as we may get 8 (0-0)draws and a one win at the very end, out of the 11 games. We have to relay in our good defense and we may finish in 3tr. or 4tr. position.The Kroenkes are happy with that.
In Champions, I thing the next one will be the last round of participations.
For next campaign, if the club do not get rid of Arteta because of the costing they should employ a very good and strong mind person as S.D.that can overrule bad decisions made by him.
SJ,
You say that if Arteta fails next season, and doe’s not win a trophy that all hell will break loose and he will see the fans rut and boo.
Don’t bet on it my friend. There will still be those who will be looking forward to phase 7 and then 8 and then 9 and then 10. Are you getting my drift. 😂🤦♂️
Those people will be in the minority if he wins nothing next season, so their voices won’t be heard.
Yawn……same people saying the same things. Not a creative, intelligent thought amongst them. Arteta out, set piece coach out….blah, blah, blah.
Tricky one though mate isn’t it ?
If you see same thing every game logically you have to say it like you see it ?
So how did you see the last two seasons logically Dan?
I thought he generally meant he was tired of the same thing being said this season
Last two seasons players and manager have had lots of praise
So, logically, you should have expected the same this season, yes?
Well, we’re second again (at the moment) we’re the club with the second most goals scored again and we have the second best defence in the league.
We went on an unbeaten run, despite the worst set of injuries in the club’s history (both in numbers, type of injuries and length of time out for each individual).
Did you see this happening by any chance, because I certainly didn’t?
Logically no one has a define right to anything
It’s not if you lose , it’s how you lose
Logically I expect in top level sport you try to be the best version you can be .
If you fail then fair enough
But to not try ?
January was not the club trying their best and that hurts .
Hence why like you said , 2nd last year there wasn’t this reaction because we gave it our best
This January we didn’t
But Dan, we’re still second and we’re in the last 16 of the CL!!
That’s despite the horrendous injury issues that we didn’t have last season or the season before before!!
Of course the football had to change with these injuries and MA has made some awful decisions with the players he had available.
I can’t stand the back passing, the time wasting and I miss jumping out of my seat in excitement… but I understand why it’s like this at the moment.
Is MA the answer? Are the owners at fault? Are the players giving 100%? Are they they being micro managed? Should we have bought a mediocre forward in January? Does Arteta make excuses that don’t hold water?
We all have our own opinions and that’s a fact!!
I agree mate and Im not trying to change your opinion
Your right we are second and in the last 16 of the CL but some ambition in January and who knows , could It have been better
Look at the CL
We sign some players to help the attack there is no guarantees that means we are contenders to win it
But by doing nothing you take away any hope
As fans we should be allowed to at least have hope ?
Mmmmm i woner why. I know i am a boring Ba@@@@d but that is because this team has become boring.
Well done!
Gabriel and Saliba stopped Notts Forest sitting 3 points behind us with a host of other teams breathing down our necks.
Should be okay for ‘top four”.
So frustrating! I wonder if any young homegrown could get a chance when no strikers are available. Rice, Odegaard , Jorgi have 0 goals in them. For that reason someone else should be in the side. So fed up of the corner rountine. slowing down, play omg. Rice is a DM, Odegaard knackered and no confidence or creativity. I don’t think they are used to playing or want to play with Ethan as he had no support out wide. When he came inside, he rarely received the ball. Please revert back to 2024 way and buy creative players so we play more fluid football. Move on Zinny, KT bring in attacking midfielders like (Xavi Simmons ) with goals and two strikers(Isak and one more). Keep Partey. Yes Jesus can go and we didn’t replace Eddie adequately.
Since the departure of Auba and Lacazette, Arteta seems not to rate out an out strikers. He seems to prefer false nines.
He sold Balogun, Chido Obi Martins, Mika Beireth, Eddie Nketiah without replacements. All these players if present in our club could have made a difference now that Havertz and GJ are out for the season.
If the club did not want to spend big in January, they should have at least loaned a forward to convert the numerous chances we create to goals or to help us nick a goal when we play teams that use the low block system.
Now we are toothless in attack and in danger of falling out of the top 4.
The blame goes to the board for not acting in January and to Arteta for his dislike for strikers and prioritizing DMs and LBs instead!
An inquest should be made at the end of the season and there should be consequences for this abysmal management.
Well said Topman.It’s difficult to see where our next goal is coming from given our dearth of forward options and I fear we will be hard pushed to retain a top 4/5 position in which case our Owners may change their supportive attitude towards our Management team.
Its really difficult and scary Grandad.
11 games left. Though we have difficulty scoring, I still expect us to get to 70 points from the current 54. 70 should be good enough to secure 4th
I’m not sure Nottingham Forest were stubborn, Moreover, we didn’t create anything and again lacked the final ball, slow, pedestrian movement upfront again and our lack of urgency just allowed Forest to quickly regain their shape in defence. Or football was dire and I feel for the travelling fans who paid to watch the absolute dross from MA and his team. And I think it goes to show our players just aren’t good enough or the manager isn’t really that clever as it’s show he cannot adapt or change his way of playing. I mean, it’s not the first time the team has played this type of football and again with no end result.
Its the same way week in week out. No difference, no change.
Dan,
Have you got your own you-tube channel?.