League cup old news. We race on to Crystal Palace thread. A bit fast for an old gadgie. Need more cocoa.
So what you are saying in #273 is, although it has just passed 11pm and the programme started at 10.30pm, I haven't missed a second.?
As this is a 'Real Time' conversation, highlights of the Saints game are about to start....(at 11:05 ish)
What I like about the comment that Arsenal need the league cup to give youth a chance, is it highlights what an excellent job we are doing getting youth into the team in, well, every competition we are in.
There are arguments for and against most players being considered the best but Ozil in particular I think can sometimes be underrated by non Arsenal fans. He is easily our most talented player and has consistently delivered for us. Sanchez gets a lot of the attention because of his style of play, he fights, runs constantly, gets goals etc... But Ozil is relaxed, floats around the pitch and then all of a sudden turns a game. Since the invincible days I don't think we have had a player capable of playing at the level he can. It's worth mentioning he has the record for assists in consistent games in the premiership, missed the overall assist record by one last season and up until this season started (no idea if it still stands) had the best ratio of games to assists in premiership history. I'm pretty sure he still holds the record for assists over like the last 8 years or something in the top 5 European leagues as well. This season he is adding more goals to his play and more leadership which is good to see. He has a good record in the big games as well. I think unless you watch him regularly you can miss just what an incredible player he is. He is the kind of player you build a team around. I think any club in the world would be happy to have him tbh. (You might be able to tell he is my favourite player in a long time )
Obviously the pressure on Arsenal to consistently win means it's difficult to give youth a chance, but the club has consistently done it over the years. Bellerin and Iwobi are probably the most recent examples. Southampton are great though at bringing through youth and developing players. You lot obviously have a great youth setup!
Funnily enough, you could be describing our Dusan Tadic. Hugely underrrated by the media. The most 'head-up' player I think I ever seen play anywhere, since Matt Le Tissier. Tadic sees opportunities that other players dream about.
It occurs to me that for the 1st leg (home) vs Liverpool, they'll have to send two team coaches down, to carry back all of the Saints players that they will be buying in the January transfer window
It has to be said that it is really impressive how Southampton have dealt with larger clubs buying your key players or youth prospects. There is a long list of good quality or potentially good quality players that the big English clubs have come in for yet you consistently produce new talent and seem to have a squad capable of competing in the league with any team on your day. Very resilient club who have dealt well with situations that other clubs have really struggled with. Big credit has to go to the youth setup, scouts and coaches at the club.
Ozil has the best vision? (Must resist eyes joke). Tell me you're not too young to remember Bergkamp!!?
Having watched the CH5 highlights, it reminded me of a couple of seasons ago when, in very similar Away kit, we played Arsenal of the park at times, and that ended 2-1 after a very impressive Sanchez free-kick. That was Mane's first game incidentally. I listened to what remained of the BBC R5 Extra commentary when I came in this evening and you wouldn't have guessed how impressive we were closing Arsenal down and how we pulled them apart at times. Now I'm hoping for some 90 minutes from Footballorgin or Saints themselves.
I rate Tadic. He is a great player and adds so much to our team. He makes a huge difference to and is our most creative player. But to say he is the best in any department since le tiss is going a little far I think.
You watch a Liverpool bid for VVD come in on the eve of one of those fixtures. Mind games shall be played. Still, I'm absolutely buzzing and think we genuinely have a chance at this! Played brilliantly today. Come on Saints!
"The most head-up player I think ive ever seen play anywhere since matt le tiss". I think you might have!
