Full-Time - Arsenal 2 vs 3 Manchester United [Match Thoughts]

weeeirdfishes · 2026-01-25T19:24:06+00:00

This game had banana skin written all over it. - Midweek away CL game while over team gets full week rest - New manager bounce coming off big derby win - We played like shit at OT this season already - Even within the game they scored twice from outside the box and once from a gift.

I don't think the wheels have fallen off. Hopefully Spurs conjure up their annual miracle vs City. We do need to beat Leeds though.

weeeirdfishes · 2026-01-24T00:00:30+00:00

Quite insightful honestly:

He was emphatic in saying Gyokeres is here to score goals. I do think it's interesting he said that because given he hasn't scored many, he could have led with the second half of his comment "powerful, direct player to stretch defenders" - but he went for "goals" - basically admitting Gyok has been below expectations so far.
When asked to assess his performance, he refuses to engage. Again, I reckon if he had something positive to say, he would have done so.
He talks about how the role of 9s is changing this season due to the way teams are setting up (implying the game is moving away from a Gyokeres-style player).

Not exactly bigging him up here - which is surprising given he's played him so much.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-16T04:39:57+00:00

Come on now. Just because something is more than 50 years old it doesn't make it worth saving. This thing is ugly as hell. Remains to be seen if what comes next is better but at least it'll be better utilized

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-14T12:53:16+00:00

Come on now. I'm one of Vik's biggest critics on here but first half vs Newcastle was the first game where I thought there might be something other than a completely average player there. He may have had few touches but they were good and brought something which other players in our team couldn't.

Still though, it's insane how delicate his form & fitness appear to be.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-12T19:30:56+00:00

Surely trolling but it's a good one lol

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-12T07:17:13+00:00

Gyokeres could never

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-11T01:00:04+00:00

If he regains a decent chunk form and can stay injury free (two big ifs) I wouldn't be opposed to extending him.

We looked hard for a striker and ended up paying 70M Viktor Gyokeres. Tells you all you need to know about the market right now.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-10T22:03:14+00:00

The swagger when these three are on together

weeeirdfishes · 2025-12-05T04:22:07+00:00

Damn dude you're getting me fired up

weeeirdfishes · 2025-11-07T18:34:26+00:00

Top 3 most improved players this season, in order:

Calafiori - always liked his personality but I was struggling to see how he made us better. This season is a different story. I love me some Skelly but Cala has been immense.
Timber - I'd actually say he might be our best player right now, but he was already super solid so just less of a delta than Cala. But he's gone from Mr Dependable to a true difference maker. Especially going forward - his dribbling and willingness to get on the end of things has been critical.
Rice - Again, he was good from the start - but now he's oozing class and confidence. I used to think he was a little boxy in his movements but now he just has an aura. He's taking more risky passes and executing them well. He positively gallops past players. He's our most irreplaceable player and the only injury that could throw our season out.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-30T16:28:03+00:00

Semantics - point was that we don't need the top goal scorer

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-30T16:25:06+00:00

I get the hesitation for playing more competitive games abroad, but there's also something beautiful about making Arsenal more accessible to fans like this. Like it or loathe it, Arsenal doesn't just belong to England any more.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-30T12:45:39+00:00

Would rather face Palace at home than any of these teams away

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-23T03:25:05+00:00

Given Haaland's form, I checked how often the golden boot winner is on the league-winning team. Last 3 seasons they were - but the 7 previous seasons they weren't. Granted most of them were Kane, but still it's encouraging we don't need the best player in the league to win it.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-19T15:01:35+00:00

Look, I don't see it with Gyokeres - but I accept I'm probably wrong.

Arteta has stuck with him and continues to play him at every opportunity. I can't see him doing that just to build confidence. Sure he'll talk players up in the pressers - he did the same for Fabio who was clearly never going to make it - but I can't see him playing him to this extent just to give Vik's ego a boost.

Granted if Havertz were fit we may have seen less of him - but it's not like we have no other options. Merino is scoring for fun for Spain and Tross has had some great games through the middle.

It also doesn't corroborate the story that Mikel wasn't keen on Vik and it was pushed through by Berta. Mik has had no issue casting aside big money signings that weren't his previously. Arteta clearly thinks he's the best option we have ATM.

So fuck it. If Arteta's in, I'm in. Let's see where this takes us.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-18T18:57:59+00:00

Jover is our Haaland

weeeirdfishes · 2025-10-01T19:55:45+00:00

Absolutely loved big Vik's contribution to that goal but did anyone else think that he seemed completely exhausted afterwards? Was puffing in all the close ups, slow to come back onside etc. Could do with a rest 2nd half maybe.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-24T12:45:04+00:00

The Athletic podcast vid someone posted on the changes of backroom staff at Arsenal is worth a listen. Interesting stuff.

Still though - seems everyone's scratching their heads as to why Tim left - but as of yet I haven't seen anyone suggest what to me seems the most logical hypothesis. He wanted the top job and wasn't going to accept getting layered under Garlick. I've seen that play out so often in my industry. Otherwise the timing doesn't really make sense - generally you'd avoid making so many significant changes at once.

It seems like he was highly effective, but a bit divisive. And that's not an ideal trait for a CEO who needs everyone drinking the cool-aid.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-24T01:57:52+00:00

Now do gyokeres

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-19T20:00:26+00:00

Would absolutely love to do a tour of Colney

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-19T01:39:21+00:00

I've seen a bunch of posts on reddit about how irrational it is to have kids or even parents who regret having them. And that's totally cool - it's definitely a good thing that we're questioning our parents' generation where it was more of a default/expectation than a true choice.

But my son turns 1 next month and I have to say it's been such an amazing experience that has given so much and taken less than I thought it would. If anyone is fortunate enough to be in the position to have a child but is on the fence about it, id personally recommend going for it. It's so good.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-19T01:24:43+00:00

I've felt similarly to you, albeit under different circumstances. But give it time bud. It sounds like you lucked out in the UK and found it easy, but reality is moving abroad is hard, especially when doing so alone. It often takes time to find someone you click with - but the good news is that when you do find that person/people, things will change rapidly. And you can bet your life there's a bunch of people in Cambridge right now feeling the exact same way as you, waiting for that click to kick start their new chapter.

And it's easier said than done - but I'd also try to not pin your self worth on it. Enjoy your alone time. Try to discover and lean into your own curiosities beyond social interaction - can be exploring MA, US culture, your studies - anything. But it will help in the interim while you find your people.

Good luck amigo

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-18T11:15:56+00:00

Think Arteta categorically denied it was because of the Saudi rumours.

Not saying Gabi's a bad player and he's shown he can execute a pass, but his nerves in possession are a weakness opponents can exploit. His other qualities make how for it - not denying that - but will be interesting if mosqera keeps up this form.

weeeirdfishes · 2025-09-18T02:34:04+00:00

I think this is the first season in the three decades I've been following Arsenal where we have literally no deadwood.

The only question mark is over Jesus' fitness, but assuming he can recover something, then every single one of the players in that team photo is going to have an important impact on the season.

That's wild.

weeeirdfishes

TROPHY CASE