Two things, won't be popular but....A. it was a foul and B. those types of fouls have been ignored when we do it. Doesn't matter, we won. And that's that. I didn't think the game would be this difficult. I wouldn't be surprised if both us and City drop points again. Strange, but the CL is easier than the EPL and that gives me a wee bit more confidence going into the final.
I've seen people mentioning a hold on Donnarumma but I can't remember one in the last 3 months where it was as blatantly bad as it was on Raya. Shirt pulled up from being held, arm across the chest and the side angle shows a clear hold on his arm.
So now Calafiori was taken off due to injury? No surprise, White injury looks bad 🚨 Riccardo Calafiori’s half-time substitution was down to an injury suffered by the player, Mikel Arteta has confirmed. ❌🇮🇹Arteta has revealed that Ben White’s knee injury “does NOT look good at all”, but he needs further tests. ❌🤕 pic.twitter.com/jqqKyBdccd— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 10, 2026
I think he was excellent and depending on his legs I'd love to see him start against Burnley but I'm assuming there's a reason for his cameos. If I had my way we would go Tross - Gyok - Saka Eze - MLS at 6 - Ode Give Rice and Zubi a breather.
Decreases the chance White gets moved this summer. Given all the injuries we've had at FB, we really need a new young FB that can play both sides equally well.
Yeah that was a surprise. Seemed like an obvious straight swap was in order. At least he recognized his mistake and corrected it quickly. And with a rare (for him) halftime sub.
Even without rotation, I wouldn’t expect City to drop points against Palace and it will all even out, because they will also rotate against us on the final day of the season with their Conference League final coming up 3 days later. If City are to drop points again it will be midweek against Bournemouth, after the FA Cup final. BTW if Bournemouth do manage to beat City and Villa lose to Liverpool, Villa would have Champions League qualification on the line going into their game with City on the final day.
I said months ago, Rice was our most important outfield player. Raya was just as important. Keepers like him in teams like ours where we have most of the possession and our keepers are scarcely worked are not asked to make 10 saves a game but to make the important saves.
Fouls are like seashells and snowflakes, no two are exactly the same but can be similar. I get it. I'm not gonna argue or debate. Too much emotion regarding this specific issue. Again, it was a foul. That's all that counts in the end. It was the right decision. but...
I think---from what I heard---there were a ton of votes for Raya and split with Rice, which is what let Bruno get the plurality.
Not entirely true. Trossard had a top bins banger taken away a couple of seasons ago because White was daintily holding the Leceister keeper's hand during the set piece immediately preceding the goal.
IIRC, Villa play the Europa League final during that stretch. Depending on that result, Villa may play a skeleton squad against City on the final day.