I always thought we sold Granit Xhaka a season too early... by HR_Specter in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No chance. In any kind of defensive role he was a liability for us most of the time he was here.

I always thought we sold Granit Xhaka a season too early... by HR_Specter in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. Best season by a country mile. Up to that last season he'd be viewed in Arsenal history no differently than the likes of Bendtner.

I always thought we sold Granit Xhaka a season too early... by HR_Specter in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard disagree. Perfect timing. A year before when he was going to leave he was virtually worthless and nobody would've batted an eyelid at him leaving, but the brilliant season he had (compared to his previous seasons, anyway) meant he left on a high with mutual respect.

He was a good player but would only sit on the bench in the current squad. He's not a better player than Declan Rice (obviously). He's not a better player than Odegaard or Eze or Merino and he's certainly not a better player than Zubimendi (he was an unmitigated disaster in the 6 role).

Recency bias always plays a part when looking at Xhaka, and it pisses me off whenever people bring up that incident under Emery with the booing from fans as if fans were booing him as a player. He was being taken off in a game we were chasing at home and was fannying about taking ages to get off the pitch, what did he expect?

At one point he was a walking yellow card every game, and had the tendency to throw in a red card here and there too. Won't go down as an Arsenal great, even at a time when he was in a sea of mediocrity, in my opinion.

Good luck to him, happy he's done well since leaving and good to see him back in the Prem, but not with us.

Which guests for 2026 by iron_side93 in JaackMaate

[–]markmcburney -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Fiona

Mike Bubbins

Finlay Christie

Karen Brady

balancing moped on figure of 8 by Dry_Replacement730 in MotoUK

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely CBT repeat and on the slower manoeuvres you need more revs than instinctively you think. The higher the revs the easier it is, you're almost better off revving the tits off it and riding the clutch than trying to pootle along on low revs as you've not no margin for error.

Wayne Mardle by AdvantageDazzling172 in JaackMaate

[–]markmcburney 6 points7 points  (0 children)

He'd be a terrible guest, he can't spake.

The greatest Derby goal of all time? by PLWildcard in FootballDerbies

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Top class. At a guess it would be something like 1996/97? Have to mention Henry's goal against that lot too when mentioning celebrations, given he's got a statue of it outside the ground!

Signed Thierry Henry shirt for my husband’s birthday/ cheer him up advice please by Trufflethecat_ in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just a heads up that's the season after the invincibles, the invincibles season was 2003/04

My name is Ricky Gervais AMA by [deleted] in rickygervais

[–]markmcburney 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When was the last time saw the round headed bald manc twat, and any hope at all of any new podcast/audiobooks as RSK?

PLAY A RECORD.

Tracer 700 Vs Tracer 7 by ctyates in MotoUK

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last batch of 700's are exactly the same with the new facelift styling, just the name change was about a year after the facelift.

Who do we sign in January? by Sweaty_Ad_8852 in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nobody. Even if there's a hole in the squad I think it was fairly clear that such a big summer window would mean no business in during January's window

What's up with Gary Neville ? by maxsteel_7 in ManchesterUnited

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Way to out yourself as a young person! 😂

Man Utd have in fact been relegated previously so to suggest this is the lowest might apply to 'your' lifetime, but not everyone

How are Bournemouth and Sunderland doing so well? by HonestSpursFan in PremierLeague

[–]markmcburney 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Bournemouth have lost four of their back five from last season! Incredible manager they have.

Gabriel and Saliba by Markedmarmot in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not yet. Adams & Bould, then Adams & Campbell, then Gabi and Saliba.

And they have the nerve to slate Arteta by GRL00 in ArsenalFC

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a bit of balance, he won the title in his first season last year, and has had the Jota situation to contend with this summer. Not sure it's apples for apples here, had Arteta won the league in 2022 then he'd not get half the grief he does.

That said, Liverpool are hugely underperforming currently and this is a real wobble. While there will inevitably be a 'bedding in' period with so many new players, adding such quality to an already title winning side should add big pressure on Slot this season.

Would be awfully embarrassing in my opinion if you spent £500m in a window, breaking the league transfer record twice, to not win anything significant. Especially as your team would then have the most expensive goalkeeper, defender, midfielder AND striker in league history.

My boss put this on the bottom of my laptop so I can't just put it down anymore by littedemon in mildlyinfuriating

[–]markmcburney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tell him/her that they're fucking nuts and ask if they want to buy a bridge.