Hello all, After what seems like no offseason at all, the Premier League is back. And with a twist: Friday Night Lights has crossed the pond. While this heresy should not happen, we must bear it for at least one week, before we suffer an even greater ignominy: Thursday Night Football. Despite all that, Arsenal had a decent summer: signing a Champions League-level left back and striker before the end of June. Not especially shabby, even though needs in the midfield have yet to be addressed, and the Alexis, Ozil, and Ox situations have not sorted themselves out. Yet. We play Leicester this week, who somehow shocked the world two seasons ago by carrying out one of the more brazen doping programs of the last few decades. Last season involved playing in European competition, with the testing that accompanies it, and Leicester understandably dropped off a bit. If Vardy and Mahrez play like they did two seasons ago, it becomes a lot harder to argue that Leicester didn't dope. Anyway, here are the particulars: Location: Chez Emirates Time: 1945 GMT/1445 ET/1345 CT/1145 PT/Good Morning Maui (0945 HT) TV: NBCSN. Everyone else, google it.
Looking forward to the new season. I am trying to get Friday off so I can watch the game live (work sux too so extra time off is always good). Losing the home opener is turning into a tradition for Arsenal. However, I think we win this one big. What's the deal with NBC this year? Are the games not going to be available for replay on the app? And are 3 Arsenal matches not going to be available without shelling out $50 more on top of the $130 per month I'm already paying to DIRECTV? I hope it stays the same as last season Edit: looks like Mike Dean will be referee. Maybe better than Jon Moss?
Remember this from 2 years ago??? LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!! Leicester City have been our bitch the last couple of years!!! (edit to find working video clip)
If only there was evidence that @goonermaui hadn't forsaken BigSoccer. In fact quite to the contrary... his account seems to be deleted. Anyway, thanks @mebeSajid for being on top of your thread-starting duties, and yes long may you reign!! p.s. Friday night lights started in the EPL some years ago. I don't like it either. But compared to what they're talking about with moving matches to other countries, it seems pretty tame.
From all indications NBC's coverage plan this season will suck in comparison to the first few years of their coverage, which I'm convinced we'll look back on with fond memories, as the "salad days". Sigh. I'm no fan of Mike Dean. I will never ever forget the clip of him skipping/hopping down the pitch, following a Spurs attack which led to them scoring on us. Google it.
Based off the solid performance in the Shield, I'm cautiously optimistic about the home opener. Cech Holding-BFG-Monreal Bellerin-Ramsey-Xhaka-Ox Ozil-Laca-Welbz 2-0 to the good guys.
https://arseblog.com/2017/08/tactics-column-tactical-season-preview/ Link is down, but says that Welbeck makes Arsenal's press much more effective.
I'm pretty confident of a win here and maybe a big one. Is my concern that Iwobi won't get decent playing time going forward valid? Was he even on the bench for Community Shield? I don't want to see him become a Perez.
Not sure Per will start... with ~8 stitches in his forehead just five days prior. If he does, he'll need some protective headgear I figure. I'd rest him or at least leave him on the bench.
Koscielny is suspended. Unless Mustafi is ready, don't see what other options we have? Gabriel is out, so if Mustafi isn't available, we're looking at a backline of Chambers - Holding - Monreal if Mertesacker doesn't play. Per arseblog, Ramsey, Ozil, and Mertesacker are all fit for this game.
Welcome back Yoss! We were starting to wonder about you and that other @antifan mod that no longer posts. Sign of the times perhaps. Yes there is a game this Friday and yes ...we will win it.