Rival watch

Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been banned for 8 games for racially abusing an opponent.
Puts him out until the last game of the season. Good.

 

All four Portuguese teams went out

 

If I was to liken Kroenke to anyone in football, it would be Alan Sugar.

During his reign, we spent money, buying Klinsmann, Ginola, Ferdinand, etc. We got to some semi-finals, won a Worthington Cup, didn't get relegated and made it into Europe once, without needing a war to achieve it. We weren't ruined, we just made a series of "Meh" decisions and succeeded in drifting into the footballing backwaters.

Arsenal's owners need to decide upon an identy, now that City, Chelsea, Liverpool and United can blow you out of the water financially. Make that decision and commit to it. Currently, it's got no identifiable plan about it and the money's being mis-managed, which is always a bad sign.

 

I've always said that Arsenal signing Andrei Arshavin was the exact point where the identity that Wenger had cultivated for a decade at that point was tossed aside, and the fact this happened once Kroenke was established at the club can't be a coincidence

Before they signed him the club's identity was obvious for everyone to see: scout a youngster who would be a starter 2-3 years down the line, carefully nurture them as they go from prospect to first teamer to guaranteed starter/full international, and if they were to depart the club would make a huge profit so they would be able to repeat the process with two or three or four more prospects

Arshavin completely went against this: he wasn't an unpolished gem, he was a player at his peak with his profile raised by his performances for Zenit and the Russian team at the previous summer's Euros, meaning that not only was the fee significantly more than they paid for Fabregas, van Persie, Toure etc but the expectations were significantly higher, and within a couple of years the club's transfer policy started to drastically change with Mertesacker, Podolski, Arteta and whoever Barca or Los Ladrones needed to get rid of to meet FFP being brought in

 

The thing with the Ozil contract situation is that he wasn't delivering consistently enough to justify the wage hike in the first place. I even remember saying at the time it happened that it was a massive risk which could backfire if he doesn't raise his game. The fact he's still at the club is telling.

Aubameyang on the other hand has delivered for us more often than not. He is without question one of the best strikers around. IF he was interested in staying, I would be inclined to keep him even if it meant offering him Ozil-esque wages. Let's be honest, if we sold him, we will have to spend crazy amounts to replace him anyway. It will be nigh on impossible to get a reliable goalscorer of that calibre considering our current status as a 'has-been'.

I'd be inclined to push the boat out for Aubameyang. More so if Ozil leaves this Summer with 1 year left on his deal.

 

If it's any consolation, we somewhat Ozil'd ourselves with Alderweireld.

 

Your squad is still in a better shape than ours and you're not as financially hamstrung like we are. I'd rather be in your position than ours. And this is something I absolutely should not have been saying considering the money we've spent from 2014 onwards.

 

Apart from Wolves.

 

Good goal by Lewis. Might be one worth keeping an eye on if Norwich go down.

 

Reminiscent of Bale's goal against Stoke.

 

Leicester are doing there best to be involved in the scrap for the champions league places, they were nailed on a month ago but all of a sudden they will be looking over their shoulders

 

Reading today an article about American "Football" stars who earned millions during their careers and are now almost bankrupt,having spent on lavish parties and mansions.
Are our footballers being taken care of by their agents etc I wonder? Or...…..

 

Chelsea and West ham both winning at ht

 

Chelsea not so much at the moment

 

The wheels are coming off for Liverpool

 

Still plenty of time for a VAR hat-trick

 

Once more!