“Stay humble.. eh” The words are dripping with irony, wrapped in audacity, and sprinkled with hilarity. It’s already been well documented, that Erling Haaland uttered those words to Mikel Arteta, at the end of a 2-2 draw, between Arsenal and Manchester City, back in September 2024.
I wish to dissect those words with a different scalpel, and I’ll steady my hand, as I make the first incision. It is Manchester City who need to stay humble, because according to the Premier League, they’ve been cheating for over a decade.
In MY not so humble opinion, all the squads they’ve assembled during that time, was under the cheating umbrella, and the silverware acquired during that time, is also under the cheating umbrella… and all trophies, accolades, and plaudits, should be washed away, when punishment FINALLY rains down upon them.
There’s 115 charges, that Manchester City are yet to be punished for. “Stay humble..eh”.
The longer they go unpunished, the more I have to question the integrity of our beautiful game. What message does it send to world football, if a club has been allowed to cheat for over decade, with impunity?
It’s staggering to me that the mainstream football media, have been quieter than a dead church mouse, on this issue. This is something that needs to be discussed until throats are dry, and lips begin sticking to teeth. Podcast mics should be worn out, and speakers should be fed up of emitting the sound of discussion, regarding Manchester City’s alleged cheating, and the time it’s taking for the punishment to be administered. “Stay humble.. eh”.
Manchester City have an army of lawyers, who seem to be exploiting every loophole, nook, back alley, and cranny… to ensure this drags on, and on, which it has. It’s hard not to succumb to the clutches of cynicism, when we seem to be approaching slap on the wrist territory… and with the City owners having limitless financial resources, said wrist is prepped, and ready.
The Premier League cannot boast to be the “Best league in the world” if they don’t make an example of them, but I won’t hold my breath, as I’ll probably expire.
Again, the mainstream football media, are quieter than a gagged mime, on this.
Unfortunately, the mainstream media would rather talk about how Arsenal over celebrate goals, or how Arteta is too animated on the touchline, or… My personal favourite.. How Arsenal’s set-piece dominance, is using “Dark Arts” and is somehow unfair to other teams.
Yeah, that’s right, I haven’t forgotten. “Stay humble..eh”.
Every single team celebrates goals, and when they win a game. They absolutely should! It’s the hardest thing to do in football…But when Arsenal do it, we’re over celebrating.
All managers are animated on the touchline. They throw things, they shout instructions, they remonstrate to the referees, they make demonstrative hand gestures to their players. This is nothing new. It’s called “Passion” when other managers do it, but when Mikel Arteta does it…There’s calls for him to calm down, and words like “Inexperience” and “Touchline conduct” are thrown around… and before you know it, the same circle of pundits are shamelessly playing catch, with a ball of Arsenal negativity.
I have to mention the set-piece thing again, because teams actually complained to the Premier League, about our set-piece plays. They really made official complaints! That means there must be a paper trail, for how ridiculous they are. They wanted us to be punished, just because we’re brilliant at corners, and free-kicks. (Hahahahaha!!)
Pathetic!!
Shout out to Nicolas Jover, our set-piece coach, for successfully rattling all these cages, and long may it continue.
Aaaanywho.. Arsenal face Mancheatster City… Excuse me, I meant.. ManCHESTER City, at the Emirates, and I felt supremely confident. Our home form is formidable, defensively we’ve been immaculate, and offensively, we’ve scored 9 goals, in 4 Premier League games.
Arsenal went with the same team that beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the Champions League, except for the inclusion of the fit again, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard… who started on the left, instead of Eberechi Eze. Saka, also fit again, but was only fit enough to make the bench.
I was scratching my head in disbelief, regarding Trossard starting, because yes, Trossard has come off the bench in the last two games, and has a goal, and two assists to his name.. BUT.. he won’t enable us to start the game on the front foot, he won’t create constantly, or run in behind, the way that Eze can.
My prior supreme confidence, immediately changed.. to extreme concern.
My concern was justified too, as the Gunners started the game sloppily, and early misplaced passes, invited Manchester City to inflict punishment, and in the 9th minute, they did. (Unfortunately)
A mix-up in midfield caused the ball to break loose to Tijjani Reijnders, who spotted a run from deep by Erling Haaland, and played an excellent through ball to him. Erling Haaland completely ignored Gabriel Magalhaes, and William Saliba, and slotted the ball home. 1-0 to Mancheatster… Pardon me.. ManCHESTER City. (I just threw up in my mouth a little bit)
Arsenal struggled to get a foothold in the game, and looked uncharacteristically nervous, in the 5-10 minutes after the goal was conceded.
Optimism left the Emirates Stadium, and frustration began to get comfortable in its seat.
Mikel Arteta not starting Eze, had us chasing a game,. that we didn’t need to be chasing.
Manchester City sat back deep in their own half, and refused to be broken down. They parked the bus, built a wall in front of the bus, and then parked a tank, in front of the wall.
This was viewed by the commentary team, as a “Great defensive display”…Which confused me, because when Arsenal did the same at City’s ground, AFTER being down to ten men, we were accused of “Lacking ambition” and “Being too negative”.
Anyway, City went in at half-time 1-0 up, and I was left wondering why Mikel Arteta, and Arsenal, were casually toying with my emotions, when all I do is love them.
The second half started, and amazingly, there were changes made by Arteta. He hardly ever makes half-time changes, but I’m so glad he reacted to us being 1-0 down, bullishly.
He took off Noni Madueke, for Bukayo Saka, and he took off Mikel Merino, for Eberechi Eze.
YES!! YES ARTETA!!… I believe he saw the error of his ways, and acted upon it. He needs to be commended for this, because he can be quite stubborn, and often leaves substitutions until it’s too late.
The Arsenal faithful, looked on anxiously, and prayed that we had enough time to change the game in our favour.
Saka, and Eze, were involved immediately, and were linking up to great effect, determined to loosen some of the sky blue bricks, in the Manchester City wall of defence.
We were controlling the game now, with 67% of the possession, to City’s 33%… and though shots from Eze, and Zubimendi, reaffirmed our dominance, the goal we desperately needed still eluded us. Time was against us, like it played for the opposing team, and it began to feel like the Gunners used their arsenal, to shoot themselves in the foot.
Watching us limping towards a defeat, I wondered where this goal was coming from, because like when church is closed…There was no service, for Viktor Gyokeres.
Gabriel Martinelli was introduced for Jurrien Timber, in the 80th minute, and Ethan Nwaneri came on for Leandro Trossard, shortly after. We now had five attackers on the pitch, but Manchester City continued to defend doggedly, and even took off Erling Haaland, and brought on MORE defenders!
10 more minutes of “Nearly moments” tortured Arsenal, and in the 90th minute, defeat stared at me menacingly, like a generic goon in a movie, about to hurt our beloved hero.
In the 93rd minute, deep inside the Arsenal half, Saka passes the ball square to Eze, who carried the ball just inside the midfield semi-circle.. He looked up, spotted Martinelli making a great run… and he passed the ball magnificently over the top, with a surgeons preciseness. Martinelli chased the ball down like it owed him money, and matched Eze’s precision, with an excellent first touch, followed by a delicate chip.. over the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“Stay humble..eh”
What a sublime goal by Gabrielle Martinelli. He once again came on, and changed a game in our favour, to devastating effect. WOW!! He’s definitely earned himself a start, in the next game, or two.. and I’m pleased for him.
With the score now at 1-1, I expected Arsenal to push for a winner, but we didn’t. We instead chose to protect what we had, and accept the draw… and that’s how the match finished… a 1-1 draw, honours even.
Of course this is better than a defeat, but a point could’ve very easily of been three points, if the manager started the match with Eberechi Eze.
I feel there’s a lesson to be learned here for Mikel Arteta, and it’s a simple one… ALWAYS play your best players, and don’t choose caution, over creativity. ESPECIALLY, at home.
Chances cannot be created for Viktor Gyokeres, if our most creative players are on the bench. Simple as that.
I won’t suggest that being a football manager is easy, but playing your best players, IS.
We have Port Vale next, in the Carabao Cup, on Wednesday… and I’m looking forward to seeing players get some much needed minutes under their belt. Fringe players, and players just coming back from injury.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White, Christian Norgarrd, Ethan Nwaneri, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, and Max Dowman.
I’m sure Port Vale will make it a bruising, difficult encounter, at their ground.. but we have to be ruthless, and give them a good hiding.
gunnersayit.com 
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