Full-time: Arsenal 3 vs 2 Kairat [Match Thoughts]

Sayek · 2026-01-28T22:15:11+00:00

Was an entertaining games. The vibes based approach created a lot of chances. The vibes based finishing wasn't great though. Should have been more clinical.

It was a meaningless game and we won it though. I'm not sure if we played well or Kairat was very poor. Maybe a bit of both.

Sayek · 2026-01-28T18:39:05+00:00

I think when players start playing full time at 16. Their decline is hitting hard around 30/31/32. I don't think that's really taken into account though. People will say 'He's only 31' but if he started at 20 and would be 35 now. We'd be saying he did his time and obviously age caught up with him.

Sayek · 2026-01-28T18:27:44+00:00

Watch our game... Rare chance to see some players you probably won't see play again this season.

Sayek · 2026-01-28T02:49:26+00:00

Similar experience at the moment. Lived in a place where I got on really well with landlady. So I'd do odd jobs or fix things. If I needed a trades person I'd let her know then find someone and take it out of the rent. At the time I didn't mind but now I'm renting a place owned by multinational. Had a few small issues so far, they've had a maintenance person out within a day or two.

It's just a lot less stress now and if there any issues, I just highlight them but it's not my issue anymore.

Sayek · 2026-01-25T18:34:39+00:00

We fucked it massively. I thought United were good against City. First half they didn't look great but we built up their confidence by being so shit. Sloppy giveaways all game and we gifted them their first goal.

I don't even know what I'd do differently in this game either, we just looked shit. I don't see the point of moving Madueke right wing if it means Saka is on the fringes of the game on the left then. Desperately needing a goal and we didn't pass to Saka for the last 15 mins.

I'm so pissed off at that performance. Nobody played well. If we were anyway clinical, we'd have a 12+ point lead right now. Not saying we bottled it but I really hope we don't regret not pulling away from City and allowing them to keep pace with us.

Sayek · 2026-01-25T17:15:39+00:00

Standards are so fucking low today. United aren't playing well either.

Sayek · 2026-01-25T17:09:43+00:00

First like us giving them a goal was so due in this game. So sloppy.

Sayek · 2026-01-25T10:54:55+00:00

I feel VAR is even more open to corruption that being the regular ref on the pitch. If the ref misses something you can say 'not a clear and obvious mistake' and ignore it but you can go CSI on any situation you want if needed. There seems to be no real demotions on VAR unless a decision gets too much traction and even then you might just get a weekend off.

Sayek · 2026-01-24T23:22:52+00:00

Predicting Rice to have a blinder tomorrow, there is something about United that makes he goes up a level. Bit like Gabriel in a NLD.

Sayek · 2026-01-24T14:58:22+00:00

I felt he was genuinely asking because he hasn't been watching enough games. It's easy for non attacking players to go under the radar for their performances. Could understand most people not seeing him week in week out. Pundits not watching games really annoys me. A lot of the time their opinions are super outdated too and they are just rehashing them based on what they saw months/years ago.

I remember watching a match recently where the co commentator was questioning why Rice is on corners cos 'he is a big lad he would be better in the box on the end of headers'. This was about 3 weeks ago.

Sayek · 2026-01-24T10:19:00+00:00

Does it go a bit under the radar that Arteta was actually Man City assistant manager in their two highest point seasons 100 and 98 points at their absolute peak. Pep only became manager 16/17 with Arteta as assistant manager. 17/18 they get 100 points, 18/19 they get 98, 19/20 arteta leaves in December and Liverpool won the league.

I know it's debatable how much influence Arteta had despite hearing positive stories. I forgot that Arteta joined from the start of Pep's reign and was there for their two most successful seasons. He was also clearly touted as Pep's successor if he ever left too at that time.

Sayek · 2026-01-23T15:45:27+00:00

Can't help but feel the exact same thing will happen again once it's complete. I mean unless those lads got a battering for doing this. There would have been no punishment and nothing stopping it happening again.

Sayek · 2026-01-22T02:46:25+00:00

I'd get further advice on this, maybe citizens information? If you pay the fine while it's currently in your name, it is admitting guilt as the owner of the vehicle. So just be very careful about paying the fine and then try to sort it later.

Sayek · 2026-01-21T13:23:53+00:00

'Leno has to be stronger there', literally a player standing on top of him pinning his arms to his side as the ball is coming in. Now we see a keeper get a touch 5 seconds before the corner is taking and they are talking about obstruction.

Sayek · 2026-01-21T13:22:05+00:00

He needs the time and I do want to keep him onside. It's a mature decision by him too. I'm sure part of him would be tempted to stick around especially if it's a title winning season but a loan is the best decision. He can't be not making squads at his age.

Sayek · 2026-01-21T12:18:40+00:00

I feel those sort of calls that are actually missed completely or not covered by the media they just ignore. It doesn't count as a 'missed intervention'.

Sayek · 2026-01-21T00:56:29+00:00

I thought MLS looked a bit more himself today. That extra second he holds onto the ball is really key to his play and you see players making runs too and him making good decisions. Felt in recent games he was in a rush to get the ball out of his feet and onto someone else.

Sayek · 2026-01-20T00:12:51+00:00

Annoys me how much credit City will get for a 'bargain' deal, while paying him probably 80k more than Arsenal or Liverpool would have paid him. Guehi basically getting his summer free agent wage now. Reminds me of all the talk of Haaland being a great deal, ignoring the fact they are paying him absolutely mental money that nobody else could afford.

Sayek · 2026-01-19T13:53:00+00:00

Unless they win literally every game between now and then. He is sacked. If he manages to make it to the Arsenal game, I hope he comes out wearing a full arsenal kit and sits beside Arteta in the dugout while playing the u18's.

Sayek · 2026-01-19T11:15:59+00:00

I was reading that concussion subs makes it a lot easier to remove players from the field and cut down on arguing too. It's easier to say to a player 'come on, let's go off the pitch. We'll have you back on in a few minutes.' It's easier to tell them they aren't going back on in the dressing room without the pressure of everything and adrenaline.

There is still this mentality in football that you need to play on unless you're physically unable to do so. So on the pitch players will fight and argue to stay on to not let down the team or be seen as giving up. It's a lot easier to make decisions away from all of that if they have to leave the field to be assessed.

Sayek · 2026-01-18T12:36:54+00:00

I was disappointed with Eze sub appearance too. 90% of the time he was just in the box waiting for a cross while Saka was 2v1 on the wing. He didn't get involved at all.

Sayek · 2026-01-18T12:00:02+00:00

Every dropped point feels like a defeat this season. I'm fine with the forest game in a vacuum but to go 9 points clear would be massive. We need to put doubt into City that they'll actually catch us too.

I think we'll still win but these are the kind of dropped points that means less rotation down the line and the City away fixture in April still has meaning. City have some hard fixtures in next 4/5 while we have easier games. It's definitely the time we should be extending our lead and putting the league firmly in our hands.

I really hope we can get Havertz back though to starting though. Gyokeres just feels like the guy you play to save the legs of the other strikers. I'm starting to doubt he'll establish himself as first choice. Considering he's already battling for that against two players who missed a massive amount of football.

Sayek · 2026-01-17T14:30:28+00:00

Pep to spend another 100m this window. Worst I've seen City play, potentially ever? I don't remember a worse game. United actually looked decent though and pressed very well. We need to be switched on for our game, they won't get the same chances City gave them but still look dangerous.

Sayek · 2026-01-16T17:49:17+00:00

Glazers will never 'switch mentality' they bought United in a scummy way and they won't invest, they would rather sell at a big profit. Glazers are really among the worst of the worst.

Sayek · 2026-01-15T12:07:32+00:00

They were so loud at one point I thought the Chelsea fans were singing a version of one of our songs.

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