Rival watch

Well stand by for action over the next transfer window then because, allegedly, most of the Sky 5 are going to replace their entire team. Whilst I don't believe this at all, there will be enough players wanted by this seasons big failures together with vast TV money to ensure that fortunes will again be spent on dross.

 

Caught a bit of the regularly scheduled Liverpool love-in on TalkShite earlier. It would be hilarious if they weren't being serious. Apparently Liverpool are going to replace half their first team (at least), without any consideration of the consequences of such action, or considering what might make that a bit difficult. Klopp is even going to raid Dortmund apparently (yeah, I'm sure they'll all want to leave Dortmund for Liverpool!) I think it must be some kind of contractual thing that TalkShite have to talk up Liverpool from time to (not long enough) time. Chief WUM Durham thinks they will be challenging for the title next season.

They will probably be in a complete frenzy tomorrow after tonight's result!

 

City's negotiating seems a bit wacky. If you recall their pursuit of Sterling there was a time when Pool wanted more but City appeared to be the only bidder. Moreover, Sterling had burned his bridges so was going to go somewhere or really cause problems if he stayed. This put City in a very strong position but instead of holding out for the same deal (or it might be argued they could have offered less!) they upped their offer.

Clearly money is no object - but didn't they fall foul of FFP a couple of seasons ago (for which the punishment was hardly noticeable). Since then they've spent fortunes again and if the media is to be believed, will be spending fortunes again when the messiah comes to manage. So what happened? Did Etihad come up with another ludicrously dubious sponsorship deal? How they can get away with the whole Etidhad / City deal is laughable anyway.

 

Donald Trump for FIFA president. How can you go wrong.He'd build a wall to keep the Russians out......and anyone else who ticks him off!!!!!~!

 

None of the money-throwing clubs have been punished properly, both City and PSG were barely given slaps on the wrist by their standards, this was from July 2015:

"City and PSG were ordered to play in last year's Champions League with only 21 players in the squad and spending on new signings in last summer's transfer window was capped at £49 million as punishment for breaching FFP rules."

That's not even a punishment in my eyes, 21 players is more than enough for the Champions League when you take into account most sides field their strongest XI anyway, besides, when all or most of those players have market values way above the norm and thus the quality is greater, it won't really affect them at being just a few slots less.

And capping the spending at £49m for the Summer window! That's more than what 95% of teams in Europe's top divisions could afford in a whole season or two!

 

Most years this would be one of the only days that I would be hoping the Gooners get a result. Not this year......... Come on you Irons!!

 

Carroll should be off.

 

It was a yellow. A poor one, but still a yellow, for me.

West Ham have a goal wrongly chalked off for offside. Poor.

 

Ozil puts Arsenal into the lead, following a dive by Monreal.
Looked closer to being offside than the Lanzini one, though I think he was just on.
The Spam will be furious.

 

It's getting tasty. My money's going on 2 red cards.

 

Coquelin's getting away with murder. Chucking himself in constantly.
Clearly hasn't learned from his red at the Lane.

It does look like the chant is right and Ozil's eyes were offside, too.
I suspect that Bilic will be letting the officials know at half-time.

 

Also expect a Spammers 2nd half penalty after the ref finds out the disallowed goal was good

 

2-0. Long way back from here.
Monreal looks like a real vulnerability, but I can't see a comeback.
Pawson's done his job.

 

Aside from Lanzini being three feet onside for West Ham's wrongly disallowed goal, I question whether he affected play. One of the worst calls of the year, just when Arsenal needed a strong run-in. I hate and I mean really hate to agree with Karen Brady, but I think West Ham are in Spurs' usual position of just outside of the top four--so this year they're the team the officals are screwing to help the big clubs.

 

When he scored?

 

2-1 Game back on!

 

2-1. Arsenal have struggled with Carroll in the air.
Cresswell showing his England credentials, again. Still won't get called up, mind.

 

Sanchez is a fantastic player, but he's just not bothering to defend at all, is he?

 

Whoooo hooo!

 

2-2. Didn't see that coming.