[Match Thread] Arsenal F.C. vs. Fulham F.C.

If there's anything I want coming out of this match it's to dispense with the Partey at RB thing. No sense in destabilizing the partnerships of both RB and LB because of an injury. Play with the back 4 we played with last season and let Rice and Havertz find their feet in that system. Then experiment.

some guy on twatter claiming to be a scout says Partey is steadily losing athleticism. Might be some truth to it.

He's more of a depth option now. We need another good CDM backup and RB, then we'll have moved on past him.

How's the USA folks saying it's harsh, that's a clear DOGSO

These two are idiots

Saka my child, you gotta work on those corners man

Is it miss-a-sitter day today

We have more chance from an opposition goal kick than from a set piece

We really need to like, score a goal. I think I would like that.

You set up a team to make passes. You don't set up a team expecting Saka to pass it into space for them. We'll be good.

Yeah but every single team can and will make mistakes, even prime Barca. Either because the players make mistakes or cuz they're forced into mistakes. This system barely lets us make any I feel like.

Saka dropped a 6 today, even with the penalty

We're knocking on the door, but it's as if the door sees like solar panel salespeople 🙃

The goal peeking through the curtain at us. Haha

Why do we always slow down when we're 1 nil up.. keep the pressure on man

20 minutes to get 3 points, LETTS GOOOO

FUCK OFF PAUL TIERNEY

Worst Tierney in the league
- Only now?

Fabio my feelings are dead and buried I'm destroyed

Damn look at that rain

You can't hang all over Saka and then go down to stop play.

Fuck sake, feels like a loss with how dominant we were.

of course, they were a man down and they equalized.

I do not feel comfortable with Partey as RB, I'm not gonna lie. Zinchenko looks like the better defender.

Buckle up, this is going to be bumpy

Our first couple home matches being a reunion for our old goalkeepers.

Yasss my cock your butthole YASSSSW

So about this experiment...

Saka with a rare mistake.
- Systematic issue to me, there's no one defending that entire side.

Horny for a third goal 🥺

Utd 2 nil down to forest less goo

I had to check when I saw this wtf
at least there's that
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH I THOUGHT YOU WERE JOKING
- Of course its the match at the same time as us! I would love to be cheering on Forest.

Ok so when are Fulham gonna get fouls called on them.

Starting in the 85th minute, as is tradition

Viera already threatening with the whipping cross

Is it just me or has Martin not been too sharp lately

The ole Zini overlap. How I missed that.

Miss Tierney's overlaps more myself :p
- Tierney's overlaps never seemed to be on the same page as Martinelli

This game is shouting Nelson to me lol

How did that not go in!

Offside anyway

And a Vieira assist to boot!

What happens if lightning hits the carpet

I know it's physically near impossible but what happens lol
- Everyone collapses...saw a video of a match once where that happened, damn scary shit

It's on the spot fam what is ref doing

Wow we got a foul called for us? That's a miracle

Also the ball kick away should be a card lol

Tbf it wasn't on screen but I swear I saw the ball get rolling away lol

Kayo Kayo Kayo

BUUUkayo

Martinelli's made some good chances already.

Wtf Kai it was right there

Fuck off Raul

Which journalist mentioned the "haven't lost to Fulham" thing and how do we get him gone

Our backline isn't fully awake today

Partey looks like a passenger.
Almost all players are playing outside of their usual position
- To be fair it's just our two fullbacks that are.

Almost gave away the Puskas right there lol

Shit.

Kiwi first touch man!

Gabriel scores that

For fucks sake

Another "how did that not go in"

Put Nelson on, immediately!

woulda been a red for Zinny if he actually got the player tbh

Wish it was the red.

Fucking hell. We do know we are a man up right?

The straight at Leno show at the Emirates

It was offside anyways... But yeesh gotta finish it man

Can we not gift them majority possession now that we're ahead???

We literally have one more man

Serves you right you diiiick

So why did Nketiah get dropped exactly?

Arteta showing us why Trossard hasn't been starting.
- It's like why Boba Fett should've never gotten his own series 😂
I think we really could've used him today, he definitely would've poached those few balls Kai missed and bump it into the net
- More than that, Trossard has been nonexistent tbh.

Viera holy shit

Eddie with the armband once again, love to see it

He will keep Jesus on the bench with how he's playing.

I know I'm not seeing the full match but my FM strikers have been putting away much harder chances than we have today, and we're in the fucking Welsh league

Eddie forcing a red! He was hungry watching this match from the bench

Honestly I feel like Jesus has a fight to get back in the team.

Mikel...🤦🏻‍♀️

How many yellows for a manager before they're suspended? XD
- If a manager collects four yellow cards, they would receive a one-match ban, eight would result in a two-match ban, 12 a three-match ban and 16 would result in them facing a FA disciplinary panel.
  I had to go back to a text I sent my brother 😂

Referee trying his best

Pundits will trash Havertz but it's the inversion of Partey and the new system that was the biggest problem.

The new system is there to force havertz into the team. He's not done anything for three matches we looked instantly better and more fluid with him off the pitch
- I didn't know if the new system was to force Havertz into the team. From my understanding, I thought it was to invert the right side since Zinchenko wasn't at full health. Then unpredictably inverting the right or left side when he's back.
yes - let's see Havertz in our proper system.
Havertz looked better than Trossard and Partey, and I'd argue even Ødegaard at times.
- Better than Partey and Trossard but never Odegaard. Kai was sluggish on 2 clear chances.

Fabio masterclass TDK in the mud lessgoooo

Viera seriously showing why he's here
Tbf TDK specifically said to wait on him lol

RING RING RING, IT'S EDDIE

KNOCK KNOCK OPEN UP THE DOOR IT'S REAL

WOOOOOALL THE WAY BACK

Should've started Leno in goal for my FPL with all these saves he's making.

Havertz back pass when there was a chance to break

if I speak I am in big trouble

smth smth tomiyasu smth if that was xhaka

Damnit Turner why you conceding against United man

Note: I have not seen the goal, idk whose fault it is

Zinny on the left and White on the right and suddenly we see all the familiar triangles open up

Raul deaf or something?

Nah he's just timewasting

EDDIE NKETIAH LETS FUCKING GO

PROVING WHY HES THE BETTER STRIKER THAN BALOGUN

Viera assist!

Viera trying to pull off Saka's goal

@ironeaglebird @Astrealix if we’re gonna sell Gabriel M let’s just go ahead and do it so we can get a replacement. Don’t understand what’s happening!!!
Nearly did it tbh

I love youuuu Edward!!!!!

On the bright side, surely we'll score one eventually if we keep playing like this

Used all our blood magic to get that pen at Crystal Palace.

still some left!!!
- Arteta went into the backroom to sacrifice another goat

heart in mouth

Trossard needs to actually step up rn or like, be subbed off first tbh. Nketiah would be way better for this game imo.

This shit again...

Oh boy, it's like a RB would be nice to have there 🙃

5 minutes have not been played lol, barely 2 have

Omg Kai is absolutely frustrating me today, go after the fucking ball

Cam on Arsenal, score some facking goals

Is Leno holding a grudge?

Just doing his job
- LMAO

Anyone know about our xG stat?

FotMob says 1.41

If it weren't for Saliba that's 2-0 tbh

I just realised that Traore is Adama Traore. When the hell did he go to Fulham?

They went a picked away all Wolves attackers.
- Traore not much of an attacker anymore

Eddie should have started

Sake taking the pen with the form he's shown this match...

Nevermind. He can still knock them in. Even if the ref is being an ass.

Ugh you're fucking joking! wtf

EDWARD

How's that NOT A FOUL FOR US WTF MAN THANK GOD FOR RAMSDALE

VIEIRA OOOOOOHHHHHH

Viera!!!

We will blow out teams away but will win by one goal at home

Let Vieira kick it? He earned it, feels like should be his.

He's been huge off the bench lately.

They will literally check every one of our passes for offside

Technically doesn't even need to lol Bassey keeps them all onside innit

Smth smth Zinchenko smth smth defend smth smth Kieran Tierney

lol come on, it is pretty obvious Arteta favors his signings.
- Tbf besides Tierney idk that any of them are great lol
  And Xhaka is a clear exception imo

Sorry guys. I'll take Saka out of my FPL.

Ramsdale with a huge save

Yeah fuck on off🖕🏼

Tete literally just shoved Martinelli at the end there!

Tete* but that should honestly be a card tbh
- Autocorrect! Lol

Jesus for Trossard, ESR for Havertz before the 75 minute pls

If Jesus is too much of an injury risk, then Nketiah
Willing to give Havertz a bit more time, but Partey and Tross need to be off rn.
- Yes bring in Zinchenko for Partey. Then revert back to a back 4 with White at RB, Kiwior as LCB, and Zinchenko as LB.
- Zinny and Jesus on?

2 players in the 6 y box both out of position

Ffs man

Yes get fucked you slimy twat

Good {blocked} cross fabio

Feels crazy to suggest it but... sub Raya on for some long balls?

Saka and White playing like they're in the old system.

Everton continuing the elite relegation form. It's going to be hard to deny them this year.

They're gonna have the nicest stadium in the Championship
Dycheball falling flat, eh?
I mean, they haven't conceded yet... Granted against Wolves but
- They're going to sack Dyche after like January and bring in someone crazy like Marsch

Havertz baby what are you doing

9 minutes LMAOOOO, we should be thankful

Need to stop attacking down the right.

Ok a bit better

We need a goal. Fast.

They took one minute to score one, why can't we

Arteta trying to weed out fans with a weak heart with this season

Hey, at least this game might tell him to not fuck with the formation next game

Lots of switches and long balls from benny

lol come on Kai

Great shot from Jiminez ngl, even if it didn't hit the target lol

Oh thank god

Is this better than a low block + 80% possession game?

Kai needs some time to feel this system out but bruh how does Martinelli not score that

9 minutes!

Eddie's first goal off the bench for a while

Tbf that's a good corner and a good shot but sigh

Serves Bassey right for all that fouling

Keeps everyone onside btw lol

It is so weird seeing Raya on the bench behind Arteta.

Kai Kai Kai...

Like how that's a foul from Havertz but not the one that Tete did on Martinelli somehow

Zini and Viera on for...

This reminds me of those matches mid 2010s where we’re just probing constantly for that goal.

dreaded horseshoe of death era

Already trying to injured Zinchenko for another couple months.

Fucking a.....

Rice making way for Jesus

Good run for Havertz tbh

Feel like lines needed to be drawn there and weren't...
He was offside 40 metres from goal...
- It was close, i think the LB was keeping him on

Well this game's started fast.

Alrighty Edward

Lmao I don't want the penalty merchant reputation on my club

If teams are going to resort to "block the middle, foul Saka", then I do
Nah fuck it a goal is a goal lmao

Nelli loves passing it back centrally

Just get up Raul!

It'll be 10 at this rate

It's okay guys. We're saving up our comfortable win for United.

perhaps we fell into the trap of looking ahead

Sub Trossard on! ...

Trossard is class

Done jack shit today tbh

What was that heel flick, lol

So many BCM you'd think Jesus was starting

something something penalty not given

I don't think it was one but I'm just angry lol

They're already wrestling Saka...

Rice is so good

Leno give us a favour lol

Trossard hasn't looked great, not sure why he's started ahead of Nketiah.

Holy shit Raul bro, I was scared

Last thing Ramsdale needs is being the goalie trying to stop a Puskas Award winning goal.

Omg were absolutely fluffing it with these sitters

I'm usually a Havertz defender but he's been ghosting today

Whole team is. Havertz is doing way, way better than Trossard at least.
He's done nothing in all three matches so far and we've changed our entire system to try and shoehorn him into the side. It makes no sense

@HaleEndGrad@lemmygrad.ml it really is miss a sitter day 🤦🏻‍♀️

That dark cloud overhead is ominous 🙃

hopefully for Fulham

Btw Fulham have been quite good lol, only defending tho basically...

Is there something with the pitch today? Lots of weird movement on the ball so far

Trossard.......

How's that not a free kick lol

Not a good idea having 2 support strikers

How's that the fucking whistle, who blows there???

Eddie coming on of course haha

Idek whether to blame Ødegaard or Havertz for that

Ødegaard has been missing a few passes huh

Has Arteta grown a beard?

Good ball to Havertz as he plays it back to Fulham.

Fulham really be acting like they're prime Newcastle

please please not another Chelsea double agent

What's the deadline for Kai to come good?

Is ESR finished at this club? I don't think Vieira's style of play will help going forward. He's just a duplicate of Odegaard.

Do we think Leno's still on our team?

Credit to him Eddie has been great today

That time better be added back on.

VAR actually hate us if they call this off

Never in doubt
- ummm... lol

We're gonna win in spite of the refs again innit

That looked outside the box ngl

Does it count the hands or the ball or

Rice sent it out for a corner btw

How's that a fucking corner

Saliba be like "shit aren't I supposed to be the last line of defence what do I do"

He reverted back to his slide tackle lol

How many extra minutes you think

6? Between the Bassey stuff, the Bassey stuff, and the Bassey stuff, seems fair.
5

Oh Jeeebus

Nelson about to repeat history when he comes on

Well he didn't come on lol

Oh cmon Forest whyd you have to lose man

Paul Tierney needs to be fucking sacked

How's that not a foul on Jesus????

Ball was not cleared, wtf was that whistle

This stupid experiment with us playing half our team out.of position is beyond stupid and needs to be done.

Get Gabriel back in, go to a regular back 4, play partey in the midfield, and for God's sake just keep.kai havertz off the field. We need.to stop buying players from Chelsea it has not gone well even once.

I'm willing to give Kai more time and hopefully the injuries are why he's being played so much, but ideally I'dve liked to see a starting XI with only one of Rice and Havertz at lest for the first month.
I mean, Jorginho is right there...
- Bought as a back up not a starter. And he's alright still would have been fine without him though.

We're really going with Fabio.....?

If we're gonna play the blame game, Arteta is only to blame

Disagree with it being "only" Arteta. Partey dropped a terrible game, and Trossard, and several other players were simply mediocre. And Paul, who doesn't deserve the Tierney name, all but rigged tons of fouls
- Arteta's system doesn't benefit either Partey or Trossard. They are out of position. Having a comfortable role and partnership is key between coupled positions like RB and RW. If they were in their traditional roles, we wouldn't be dropping 2 points to Fulham.