Sideshow Luiz

It's like a video game. They just keep doing the same thing over and over.

these cut-backs are killing us

Yup, it feels like we're going to concede at any moment (just like last week). We've come out with great intensity, but we're still a work in progress.

How many open goals do Arsenal need?

Morata has his tail up.

Because we came to play from the kick-off. Too intense for Arsenal so far. The pessimist in me says that we can't keep that up for 90 min, but Arsenal obviously thought this was a friendly.

MORATA!!!!!!!

What a week of training they must have had. The intensity is electric.

GET THE FUCK IN!!!!!!!

I think we'll see 30-45 min from Hazard today. Maybe 20 min Kovacic?

He's so crazy. I have to admit, I admire some of it. But, this whole "He didn't dump me, I dumped him. Plus, he's shit in bed anyway" thing is quite pathetic.

God, ADL won't stop talking:

Don't let the title fool you. It should just be "Chelsea v. Arsenal preview". Not the Arsenal-centric title that was used.

That's why I'm thinking a draw. I tend to be fairly cautious, especially when people (not just here) get too optimistic. Conversely, I have optimism when people think we'll lose (re: Spurs this time last season). We're at our best when people write us off.

I'd love it. I just think it's a step too far. IMO.

I think that's too ambitious (if we're talking league only). In 15/16 Neymar had 24G and 12A (his best season at Barca) when Messi was injured and he had to step up. I think that 30+ would be great. I'm kind of expecting 25-ish.

Yeah, I saw that. They were idiots.

I wish we had our shit together a bit more before playing Arsenal. I'm thinking 1-1. Arsenal's key players have all had longer pre-seasons with the new manager.

Also, most contracts are back loaded as well for salary cap purposes. So, the majority of the contract figure is for years that the team will probably not be paying them. It's all about the signing bonus/guaranteed money. The NFLPA has the worst player's union deal in North American sports (Big 4).

I think it's funny how he went off on the lack of transfers. Yet 2 weeks ago, to Martial, it was: "You do not always get what you want in life".

No, I'm an accountant. And if I show up for work a little overweight and lethargic shit hits the fan.......wait....no.....I totally fit in.

I like xG. I think it's a good metric. It also has some good predictive qualities if you take some history (assuming you can derive some sort of history for a player). Morata is all over the place: 14/15 - Juventus - 8G - 5.01 xG 15/16 - Juventus - 7G - 8.10 xG 16/17 - Madrid - 15G - 9.52 xG 17/18 Chelsea - 11G - 13.90 xG So, that's 41G vs 36.53 xG in 4 seasons. https://understat.com/player/1804 Either he's regressing to the mean (statistically) from that super efficient 16/17 season (bad news for us). Or, he's a good finisher who will outperform (slightly) his xG (his xG should go up under Sarri, if you're curious, Mertens and Higuain both had xG numbers between 20-25 under Sarri). These 4 seasons don't tell us very much for Morata (in comparison, Aguero has outperformed his xG in 3 of the last 4 seasons) In relation to the match today, it really shows how flattering the scoreline was (it's early days, it's to be expected, before anyone accuses me of not being patient).

I really liked the bit in his press conference about "doing a Chelsea". He doesn't want to do a Napoli again, he wants to do a Chelsea.

If the biggest problem with Kepa is that no one can agree on his height, then we'll be okay!

Go for it! I eat like fuck on my holidays too.