Chin up boys and girls.
Last night was a mess for all sorts of reasons, including our own mistakes and a dodgy ref.
But this is not the time to be downhearted. Instead, we should look forward with optimism to what could be a memorable final day of the season.
For at 5.45pm on Sunday May 22nd we will all hopefully be able to do that thing that we love so much: laugh at Tottenham.
Their fans can gloat all they like about last night’s win, but if we can keep our heads and carve out two more victories, celebrations in N17 will turn to ashes in their mouth.
Now, obviously it’s not a slam dunk that we’ll win our next two games. It looks like we’re going to be putting out some kind of makeshift defence against Newcastle on Monday night with Holding suspended, Gabriel an injury doubt and White’s fitness still questionable.
But we have to find a way to win – and I believe we will.
With Saka, Martinelli, ESR, Nketiah and Odegaard we have plenty of goal potential to make up for any shortcomings at the back.
Arteta’s post match comments last night (where he basically said the ref was awful without directly saying the ref was awful) were exactly what was needed in the circumstances, reinforcing a sense of injustice among our squad and building a siege mentality.
So let’s write off last night as just one of those nights and start thinking positively about the week ahead.
We’re already winners. At the start of the season, finishing in the top six and getting into the Europa League were the summit of most people’s hopes. We have already achieved that. Everything else will be bunce.
Keep the faith, Gooners.
RockyLives
Arsenal News 24/7
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Thank God for the reassuring and comforting voice of Papa Rocky.
I too believe it will happen and the gloating Spuds will be weeping and wailing on the 22nd as we celebrate another St Totteringham Day.
The Vines Boys will all be attending the Everton game and would be happy to see any other arsenalarsenal bloggers in our usual pre- match aperitif venue – The Faltering Fullback – pre match. COYG
Great post, Rocky. Would they have beaten us with a ref who understands what a derby is like and two or more of Partey, White, Tierney and (not distracted) Laca in the line up?! No way Conte.
I think we will finish fifth and that’s a great achievement. We may lose one more battle v Spuddies but we are winning the war alright. Next year they will be well below us. It’s a long term project with Arteta and he has been over-achieving with this young and small squad. So yes let’s keep the faith. We’ll be mashing those Spuddies for years and years to come.
Love that vibe.
Rocky made me shuckle by putting odegard in the same line as we need goals
Rocky,
You are a glass half full for sure.
Defense leaking like a sieve, players injured, can’t score goals, lost the biggest game of the season, but can still eek out 4th.
However, a draw and a win will not be enough, will need to win both.
Can AFC get it over the line? Galaxy brain messed up big time yesterday, and we sure could have used AMN on the left, does Mikel have it in his wheelhouse?
Crater and it does not bode well going forward, win and get us CL, and build for squad depth this summer or it will be a horror show next year.
We shall all see soon enough.
Gutted. My head told me that probably may happen. My heart said we would go outplay them. Son and Kane were way too savvy for Holding. Cedric, bless his heart, just isn’t that good but he works hard for the team. If you want to target weaknesses, we had two or three players that aren’t quite at the level we need to get to top 16 Champions League. They do too, at least three. Difference was they exploited ours before we could exploit theirs. Fine margins. I don’t expect us to win our last two games but we could. The thin squad is taking it’s toll. Maybe Europa League would be best for this team at this stage anyway. Whatever happens, this has been a great season. Arteta said we have to suffer. No Shit !!! But I think we as fans, the team and the club are all suffering the same. And for once (over the last 10 years) it isn’t for lack of effort. It’s just the way t has to be.
I love my Arsenal.
Well, I was on to smt with my 1-4 prediction: 3 goals difference…I love RL’s positive attitude and the rest of you who also see the glass half-full…On my side, I am a bit more disappointed 😦
The ref was not great but Cedric gives a PK cheaply and Holding gets sent off poorly as well…Rookie mistake in this type of game is not great, really…Son-Kane always cause us trouble as well as to other teams…Kane scores vs us for fun and Son usually glides through our mid and defense…It s a bit like Vardy or Rooney a few years back…
Anyways, a tough and poor loss…biggest concern is Holding suspension and Gabi’s muscle issue…Ramsdale was outstanding and I thought that Martinelli and Saka did try hard too…
So how do we line up vs in-form Newcastle…
I think we just have to play this make-shit team:
Ramsdale – Tomy, El Neny, Xhaka, Cedric – Saka, Lokonga, Tavares – Odegaard, ESR – Martinelli
Can we recall saliba from loan? Lol
Or Mavro…
Arsenal purchased 19 y.o. Marquinhos (not from PSG but from Sao Paolo), a left-footed winger/forward for 3.5 Mln Pounds who enjoys playing from the right side…This is the end of Pepe as Marquinhos is pbbly seen as Saka’s back-up, while maybe R.Nelsson may provide cover for Martinelli although I believe it would be nice to also go after someone like Kostic, Raphinha, Barnes, Traore, St-Maximin…
RC, I don’t see Marquinhos jumping into the first team, especially as there are rumors on his immediate loan deal.
On the defensive line-up against Newcastle I expect one from White/Gabriel to be available (obviously if both are we wouldn’t have issues), so I wouldn’t reposition Elneny to CB, but rather field a Cedric-Tomiyasu-White/Gabi-Tavares back 4. Hell even Rekik or Swanson could have a first senior start. They’ve been training with the first team for months now.
Saliba suspended for last game so surely we can recall him now
That’s not how these things work, Fred. Furthermore he has never played with Aaron, Tomi or Nuno, so even if would be legally possible (which it isn’t) I seriously doubt Mikel would be interested in such scenario a few days before the game.
Lol damn
Good idea though Fred.
Lucky old Totteringham!
Watch out Magpies we are on the hunt for three points.
We gotta win to keep our destiny in our hands but it ll be tough against a resurgent and confident Newcastle…Spuds riding their luck…
Well, if Monday started with Arsenal-related good news. let’s hope for more to come.
To be honest, I foresee (expect?) some hammering on Newcastle. The boys should be rather motivated – and not panicking – and their central defense is “very English”, with big, strong, but slow CBs, who could be confused by Saka, Martinelli, ESR or Eddie. They have 3 in form players: Targett, Guimaraes and Saint-Maximin, but the others are not expected to put up a fight.
However we have to be alert for the crosses and corners as Wood is a big fella, and Burn is a freaking giant, but neither of them are particularly good technically. So whoever will make the central defense for Arsenal will fight an uphill battle vertically, but I’m optimistic about the outcome.
COYG!
Fred
Well done Saliba, now you are ready to join the most famous Club in the World. Shame you are banned from the last two Marseilles games because of that booking.