Offical match day thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
TheBear said:
Coming out with just about every footballing fallacy in the book Brunel.

Over-rating the EPL and underating other leagues. Classic.
Click to expand...

Right I want this argument to end, but you can't keep making things up and expect me to not reply back.

It's got nothing to do with overrating the EPL and everything to do with the fact that the Portuguese league isn't strong.

Objectively, UEFA rank Portugal as the 6th strongest league in Europe: https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2021
Even if you want to base it on subjective attributes like excitement, skill and competition, it's not mentioned anywhere near the considered top 5: https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ranking-top-5-football-leagues-europe/2
Statista have done an analysis on the leading European football leagues. Portugal is not even mentioned:
https://www.statista.com/study/64713/leading-football-leagues-in-europe/

You're totally wrong if you think the Portuguese league is comparable to the Premier League.

Also th Cliche that if a player leaves a Club its because they were'nt good enough anymore.:emoticon-0114-dull:
Click to expand...

Again, you've mischaracterised my argument. That wasn't what I said. I said you have to look at the quality of the team and the league that players move to. Benfica, and the Portuguese league, right now, aren't up there at all. It's not even close to be honest.

In regards to Vertonghen. Spurs have conistently sold and let players leave at the wrong time: Dembele, Ericksen, Bale, Modric, Defoe, Vertonghen even Andeirwerld was almost sold in 2018
Click to expand...

Eriksen wanted to go, they tried to keep him and he rejected any proposals of a new deal.
What could they do to stop Bale joining Real Madrid? Not a good example.
Likewise with Modric, who was also refusing to play. Spurs were effectively powerless in both instances.
Defoe was past his best when Spurs sold him.

The only one you have a valid point with is Dembele. But that situation does not compare with Vertonghen's.

Otamendi won 2 x EPL titles, an FA Cup and a 4x League Cups at City.
At Porto he won the Champions League and the League 4 times.
You cant say anything about a player whos been that successful at multiple Clubs.
Click to expand...

He didn't win the Champions League with Porto, so that's wrong. He also didn't win the league with Porto 4 times, so that's also wrong.

Secondly, this argument is so asinine and reductive. A player's CV does not reflect their ability. If we're basing this on silverware alone, Anderson when he was at Man United was one of the greatest to ever play the game. As was Jose Pinto at Barcelona. As was Belletti at both Barcelona and Chelsea.

You need to apply context and you haven't.

Also again Taraabt is a player who could have been TOP Class. Lazy probably but he's the kind of player many ambitious managers should sign. If you can get him to put the work in you have a real talent.
Click to expand...

This is your opinion and not the one of most Arsenal fans, who you claimed many were clamouring to sign him. There's no real evidence for this at all. The fact is, as skilful and technically gifted as he may have been, you need more than that to succeed.

That article you showed me proves my point - he's had to totally remodel his game, to now playing as a defensive-minded midfielder, in a substantially inferior league, to get minutes.
 
BrunelGunner said:
Right I want this argument to end, but you can't keep making things up and expect me to not reply back.
Click to expand...

What are you talking abou?. You are the one with the lengthy non-sensical replies.
My point has always been that Benifica have a decent team. Thats it.


BrunelGunner said:
It's got nothing to do with overrating the EPL and everything to do with the fact that the Portuguese league isn't strong.
Objectively, UEFA rank Portugal as the 6th strongest league in Europe: https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2021
Even if you want to base it on subjective attributes like excitement, skill and competition, it's not mentioned anywhere near the considered top 5: https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ranking-top-5-football-leagues-europe/2
Statista have done an analysis on the leading European football leagues. Portugal is not even mentioned:
https://www.statista.com/study/64713/leading-football-leagues-in-europe/

You're totally wrong if you think the Portuguese league is comparable to the Premier League.
Click to expand...

Again - there's nothing objectively true here. Other than the UEFA ranking of the Potuguese league. However those rankings are somewhat subjective in themselves.

https://www.football-coefficient.eu/coefficient/
Also looking at this Spain are now higher than England. Do you think the EPL is weaker than Spain?
Personally I think the German Bundesliga is currently better than LaLiga. (and it's ranked 3rd)

I rank a league on the level of player. Portugal has consistently produced some of best players in Europe for decades. Along with the fact its the first stop for many South American players. Portugal is a relatively small country with a small economy many of these players go to Spain/Italy/UK to earn the big bucks. Doesnt change the fact theres a huge pool of talent there. I never said said it was as good as the EPL it's just not as far behind as you seem to think.

And in all honesty I think the arrogance about the EPL superiority borders on racism at times.

BrunelGunner said:
Eriksen wanted to go, they tried to keep him and he rejected any proposals of a new deal.
What could they do to stop Bale joining Real Madrid? Not a good example.
Likewise with Modric, who was also refusing to play. Spurs were effectively powerless in both instances.
Defoe was past his best when Spurs sold him.

The only one you have a valid point with is Dembele. But that situation does not compare with Vertonghen's.


He didn't win the Champions League with Porto, so that's wrong. He also didn't win the league with Porto 4 times, so that's also wrong.
Click to expand...
He won the Europa league not the Champions League my mistake but yes he did win the League multiple times.

Vélez
Porto
Manchester City
Argentina
Individual
BrunelGunner said:
That article you showed me proves my point - he's had to totally remodel his game, to now playing as a defensive-minded midfielder, in a substantially inferior league, to get minutes.
Click to expand...
Now you are just clutching at straws. A player who can adapt and do well in a new role shows quality.

I'm happy to agree to disagree. I am saying Benfica are a decent side nothing more
 
Last edited:
TheBear said:
What are you talking abou?. You are the one with the lengthy non-sensical replies.
My point has always been that Benifica have a decent team. Thats it.
Click to expand...

And my point to you is that they aren't as good as you seem to think they are. 'Decent' compared to what? But I can tell we're not going to agree on this, so I'll leave it there.

Again - there's nothing objectively true here. Other than the UEFA ranking of the Potuguese league. However those rankings are somewhat subjective in themselves.

I rank a league on the level of player. Portugal has consistently produced some of best players in Europe for decades. Along with the fact its the first stop for many South American players. Portugal is a relatively small country with a small economy many of these players go to Spain/Italy/UK to earn the big bucks. Doesnt change the fact theres a huge pool of talent there. I never said said it was as good as the EPL it's just not as far behind as you seem to think.
Click to expand...

If you want to go by this definition, then everything is subjective. In any case, I will trust the official governing bodies in Europe and data analysts/statisticians who predominately agree that Portugal is one of the weaker European leagues.

You can disagree if you want, but I don't think many will share your view.

And in all honesty I think the arrogance about the EPL superiority borders on racism at times.
Click to expand...

Based on what? Also, you can't be racist to nationalities - nationalities aren't the same thing as race. If you mean Xenophobia, then that's a different argument altogether.

Again though, even if that is what you meant, I don't think that's true, either.

He won the Europa league not the Champions League my mistake but yes he did win the League multiple times.[

Vélez
Porto
Manchester City
Argentina
Individual
Click to expand...
I was being a pedant but you said he won the league 4 times with Porto. He hasn't, as you've just demonstrated yourself by copying and pasting his honours-list from Wikipedia.

Now you are just clutching at straws. A player who can adapt and do well in a new role shows quality.

I'm happy to agree to disagree. I am saying Benfica are a decent side nothing more
Click to expand...

You've been getting facts wrong, made a series of unsubstantiated claims and shifted the goalposts throughout, but I'm the one clutching at straws? I think you need to re-read your posts with a fresh mind.
 
BrunelGunner said:
If you want to go by this definition, then everything is subjective. In any case, I will trust the official governing bodies in Europe and data analysts/statisticians who predominately agree that Portugal is one of the weaker European leagues.

You can disagree if you want, but I don't think many will share your view.
Click to expand...

I dont have time to argue with you every little point here. Frankly I find you a tedious person.

There are 32 main professional European League members. Portual are ranked sixth so to claim it one of the 'weaker' leagues is clearly false.

There are 900 Clubs in Europe Benfica are currently ranked 20th.
Putting them in the TOP 0.5%

In other Arbitary World Rankings they are placed 38th In the World. One place ahaed of Arsenal. https://footballdatabase.com/ranking/world/1

Its obectively true they are a a great Club who produce a constant stream of World Class talent. A few of the players you banded poor will no doubt end up being called World Class playing for one of Europes current Big Boys.
 
City Just look more ruthless than us. They look like they are going to score whenever they get in our box. We look alot less dangerous.

This is the area Arteta really needs to improve things.
 
Conceding a goal within 3 minutes of the game is criminal.. Just plain criminal. The best we can finish is 9th, the manager is completely out of his depth, will he learn? Maybe in 7yrs time? You cannot have L Plates round your neck and be in charge of Arsenal!
 
We've actually been Ok though. City are back to there old selves - properly ruthless but it's still been a close game. Still all to play for.

Saka and Tierney are always perpetual motion. Wish the whole 11 could show this energy.
 
I would throw on all 3 subs now.

Bring on Smith Rowe, Lacazette and Martinelli.

Take Auba, Pepe and Elneny off.
 
You think they use in game stats to change things tactically much?

Looking at the game we've won 77.9% of aerial duels. Why not attempt to Sam Allardyce this one and just concentrate on firing crosses in.
 
Sigh. Arteta really seems poor at getting the best out of his strikers.

18 straight wins for City. Impressive
 
Also I’m going to mention David luiz joking around with the Portuguese city players at the end. Laughing, joking - does he care?

You’ve just lost a game; this type of thing really irks me. I find it unacceptable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back