Mantis

I'd be fairly confident that Emery wouldn't go to United. Too much shit there, he wouldn't get anywhere near as much control and they have a very toxic fanbase.

I'm worried about Chelsea now etc

27 minutes ago, 479Villan said:

I don't know all the permutations, but I'm not convinced about Arsenal at all for the same reasons I cited for Liverpool. We bossed them in the second half, but not beating Bayern when they had the whole stadium full of Gooners is an embarrassment. The worst Bayern side in a decade and Arsenal were technically naive on both sides until the 70th minute.

I think City is through, and I'll trust Diego with a 1 goal lead 11 times out of 10.

Honestly it's tough to call. Sure Arsenal looked poor today but there's nothing to say they can't go out and put in the kind of performance we did against them when they play Bayern.

1 minute ago, 479Villan said:

I think Liverpool have to take a real look at themselves and consider the Atalanta away to be their season. They have players back healthy, and yet they have been dogshit at home for 2 fixtures in 4 days. They are 90 minutes from "Jurgen's Last Ride" being a Milk Cup and that's it. They somehow pull off advancing and we do also, then you start the same lineup you did today and Bournemouth are roadkill and it's a lot more comfortable.

If we get knocked out? Screw it, let's go firm up 4th and the VP crowd should be on their feet early to praise the team that housed Arsenal the week before.

I might be wrong but if Arsenal, City and Atletico advance then regardless of what happens on Thursday, 5th spot CL is all but certain.

10 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

I still actually think Bournemouth is still a must win. It depends what happens at Lille I think. Another good performance and result to get through and we'll be buzzing going into the Bournemouth game. Elimination and it will be a flattish atmosphere so we might start slow and that's risky how Bournemouth can press and attack with pace.

Game where the narrative has changed is Chelsea at home I'd say. If we beat Bournemouth we can sit back a bit in that one, wait for them to come at us, hopefully defend better than we did in the cup and then hit them on the counter.

As said over the other page we have a chance to build a 9 point lead and big GD advantage on Spurs before they next play so let's continue to be ruthless and give them little chance to get that back even if they will have loads of games in hand.

Also if we beat Chelsea they'll be way out of contention for anything so Poch really can't afford to lose to Spurs at home otherwise he probably won't even make the end of the season.

Of course it's a must-win but it's a "lower level" of must-win than it otherwise would've been had we lost. But yeah I agree the midweek fixtures will determine a lot. If results go our way with the coefficient and we see off Lille then Sunday could be very comfortable indeed.

Another good thing about yesterday's result is that it takes the pressure off the Bournemouth game somewhat. If we want to finish top 4 it's still vitally important to win it of course but psychologically it just doesn't have that same air of desperate importance now. A draw isn't the end of the world (although still costly). I mean, we'd have all taken 4 points from those two fixtures this time 12 hours ago.

4 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

He'd be a very useful player for champions league football next season.

Exactly. Football is a squad game and I just don't think there are that many players out there we'd be able to get for a similar price with the same potential and experience.

18 minutes ago, stewiek2 said:

If Luton stay up it has to be Rob Edwards but if not I agree

Even if Luton stay up Unai still deserves it more if we finish top 4.

They're done title-wise I think. They don't have the mental strength to come back from this setback and even if they do City are unlikely to slip up enough to let them back in.

10 minutes ago, bobzy said:

People want to say it’s Alisson or Ederson or whoever else.

It isn’t - it’s Emi Martinez. 

Yeah Emi is pretty clearly above those two.

He's the best in the world right now. I'm sorry but objectively this is true.

Just realised, in the last 11 years we've now scored not one but two "own half offside" (can't think of a better term for it) goals. Luna did the same when we beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates under Lambert.

Quote from an Arsenal forum:

"This is on Arteta. He pulled an Emery classic vs Emery. **** off "

We have to show this guy as much love as possible. Thought the banner in the Holte against Lille for his 1,000th game for a nice touch. Would love to see more of that sort of thing.

11 minutes ago, Stevo985 said:

Surely the 20 goals in a season is finally going to happen. 
 

And couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy. Without penalties as well, it will be an unreal achievement. 
 

Best striker we’ve had in the premier league era. 

Half a year ago I would've said no Benteke is better but now I'm inclined to agree. Sure Benteke put up similar goal numbers (not assists though) in a much worse team but Watkins just adds so much more all round. Also, Watkins' fitness levels and resistance to injury are insane and have to count in his favour if you're having that discussion.

2 minutes ago, PaulC said:

If we get awarded a penalty against Bournemouth I wonder if Ollie wouid take it 

Nah, even with Luiz out there are still others you'd want taking it ahead of him.

That very late suspension could end up being a huge blessing in disguise now.

Just needed time. Now an important player in a very serious push for top 4.

I honestly believe that even if he gets another couple of goals before the end of the season, he still isn't a sure thing for the England squad. That's how little I rate Southprick.

1 minute ago, CVByrne said:

Two more wins and a draw should be enough for 4th. Spurs will get 8 to 10 points I think 

We have to keep focus. I'm worried our next two games are at home where we aren't very good anymore. 

Bournemouth Chelsea Brighton and Palace. There are two wins there for us I hope 

If Arsenal and City win this week, where does that leave us coefficient-wise? Because while 4th is far from sorted, 5th all but is now.

4th is gone now.

Now we go for 3rd.

BUILD. THE. STATUE.

1 minute ago, Tom13 said:

How many people have Dimitri as their profile pic @Mantis

No idea but I was the Original.

**** Liverpool. Hope they get battered after their screw up against Atalanta.