Monday 26 December 2022 Ashburton Grove USA “TV”: Peacock 3pm ET Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends... After a unique break for a looney winter WC, and an odd mid-season pre-season, we now start the second “half” of the season, which could be rather different from the first. Not least, because we’ll be without Jesus until Feb/Mar it seems. Yesterday I wrote about the gals and their huge injury challenges, but it’s about the same for the boys: if we’re gonna end the season competing for these 2* trophies, it’s gonna take some creativity, some serious stepping up by others, and some good luck. *OK, 3 trophies if you consider the Arsene Cup (top 4) along with EPL & UEL. But let’s just reflect on the remarkable position we put ourselves in at this point: atop the league, with Pep & Citeh our closest challengers, 5pts behind. Still, it’s a rare fan or pundit who believes that we will hold on to that pole position. But something tells me that Mikel might. And Boxing Day is the best time to start our defense of the second half, with a victory over Moyes, who hasn’t won at Arsenal... ever... in 18 attempts. Vamos!
The FA Cup is still a thing. So theoretically it is three real trophies. But I’d be fine if we fall out of that one early.
Honestly I kinda forgot about the FA Cup. But also, sadly, when I think about that I no longer think of it as a “major“ competition. And maybe that’s partly because our sights and aspirations have been raised in the last year or so.
I wonder if the Grove will be less than full on Monday, as there is a current rail strike which runs through then.
It's the A lineup today save for Eddie and Tierney in for Jesus and Shevchenko. Scamacca appears the only prominent name out for WHU.
Prime Shevchenko would be a nice option to have at 9 but I fear he's a bit past his best at this point.
That chance for West Ham was the same as all the Man U goals: Gabriel aimlessly up the pitch and not getting back, forcing Saliba to cover a 2 on 1
Wow! Is that the first time since he was fired? I just tuned in a few minutes ago. Had planned to get to the in-laws in time to watch the game but brutal traffic laid waste to that plan.