Blue Armour

Once again, full credit to James and Maresca for managing his fitness carefully. Along with Caicedo, one of the big MVPs in this team.

Gusto has got to be the dumbest player in the squad. Worse footballing IQ than even Sanchez IMO. He's capable of raising his level and doing a job for the team, but it really feels like he has rocks for brains during key moments of the game.

Also, they won't be as constrained by FFP or PSR rules because of their massive revenue. Tbh, spending money was never really an issue for them until Ratcliffe came on board and they began to dial back massively on spending.

Taking care of his son, Diarra... ... iykyk 👀

Which is why we can't remain in 'science project' mode forever. Top players won't always stick around, so best to set them and the team up for success, when we can actually win stuff. Instead of only scraping top 4 finishes.

Not sure how true this statement is, but it would be laughable for them to think a PL win nearly 10 years ago with a completely different team is worth anything now.

Well, if its from the game, and because he played the full 90 mins, might not be too bad. Probably the gash on his leg that he showed on Instagram after the game?

Well done to Caicedo, and well done James too. Started at RB and done well at CB. The passing out from the back was fantastic. Wouldn't mind seeing him in CB position in more games.

Maresca taking one for the team.

Would've been nice. But there's an international break. Which might not be a bad thing atm. So many injuries. Team needs a break.

Imagine Disasi having a Rudiger like form transformation after returning.

Remember when Morata scored on his debut, then soon after scored a hattrick (with right foot, left foot and header) against Stoke...? Yeah, it sucks to remember all of that. At least Joao Pedro seems to have a better mindset compared to Lukaku and Morata.

Surprised they didn't include Fabregas on that list.

And from that elite group, Sterling is still collecting 300k a week doing nothing, and Mudryk is pursuing a career change because of drugs. It would be hilarious, if it weren't so sad.

Maresca isn't blameless. But we were all questioning some of the moves (and lack of moves in some areas) made during the summer window. The base of the team starts at CB and GK, and they've neglected that part of the team since the beginning, only adding barely passable members to the squad over the years. Tosin, Badiashile, and co are only squad level players at best. You've also admitted before that we're weak in the CB department. Instead they go and spend excess amounts of money on project players like Gittens and Garnacho. They pretended to go after a GK like Maignan, just to generate buzz, when their intent all along was just to stick with Sanchez. And now there's talk in the press claiming that their intent was only ever to be also-rans in big competitions. Not intention to truly challenge.

It's the way of the Arsenal, the way of the Wenger. As long as you're finishing as also-rans in major competitions, getting that broadcast revenue, who cares about the acutal trophy? At the same time, you can showcase certain players, give them minutes to demonstrate their capability to a decent club, and sell them for a profit, ala Madueke. It's a good investment vehicle. So good, you dont even need a shirt sponsorship.

Don't give them ideas. Imagine them bringing him on as an interim till end of the season

When disaster strikes, who you gonna call..

Miserable fuckers. People should be marching into their office instead to tell them to wake up and stop wasting funds on second rate, no purpose buys. The team has weak foundations, with a few good players tossed in here and there. Nothing more.

How our sporting directors assess injury crock center backs Fofana and Badiashile every transfer window :

Would not be surprised if Tyrique is going to start. That goal midweek is going to gain him another 90mins. Yay.

Concussion is no joke, and I hope Fofana recovers well enough, but its a sadly comical state of affairs with this guy. Always out.

Would be shameful if they're quietly pulling the rug out from under Maresca. Don't get me wrong. He has been making a lot of bonehead moves on his own lately, but these decision makers are big part of the reason this squad is still subpar after 3 years.

Winstanley spotted sniffing around the Brighton locker room.

Yup, very obvious now from his comments he's at war with the directors and the board (rightfully) I dont agree with the way he's going about it though, i.e. by dropping points through bonehead moves. Fans deserve better. And yeah, a manager at loggerheads with the board. Never a good sign. Winning a single CWC trophy doesn't give you much room for argument.