beautifulgroan
@beautifulgroan.bsky.social
Arsenal, former blogger, Dad of three, lover of dogs, politics addict and oligarch/tech bro disliker.
If Gabriel is out of the NLD (expected), we could bring Hincapie or Mosquera in, or move Calafiori inside and play MLS at left back.
I suspect Oliver being ref might make the latter choice a less likely one.
I suspect Oliver being ref might make the latter choice a less likely one.
November 18, 2025 at 8:14 AM
If Gabriel is out of the NLD (expected), we could bring Hincapie or Mosquera in, or move Calafiori inside and play MLS at left back.
I suspect Oliver being ref might make the latter choice a less likely one.
I suspect Oliver being ref might make the latter choice a less likely one.
The run is over.
Speaking of Michael Oliver, fun fact - this weekend will be the 20th consecutive league game that he has NOT officiated us, since the ridiculous January red he gave to MLS, that PGMOL tried to double down on and was unanimously overturned.
Previously he took an average of one in five Arsenal games.
Previously he took an average of one in five Arsenal games.
November 18, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The run is over.
In the last ten years, both UK main parties have used the tactic of putting an ethnic minority as Home Secretary so when they enact racist policies it is harder to call them out.
Patel, Braverman and now Mahmood are all echoing the far right and it's utterly gross.
Patel, Braverman and now Mahmood are all echoing the far right and it's utterly gross.
November 17, 2025 at 9:11 AM
In the last ten years, both UK main parties have used the tactic of putting an ethnic minority as Home Secretary so when they enact racist policies it is harder to call them out.
Patel, Braverman and now Mahmood are all echoing the far right and it's utterly gross.
Patel, Braverman and now Mahmood are all echoing the far right and it's utterly gross.
I just made the mistake of watching the Sky VAR breakdown with Dermot Gallagher of van Dijk's disallowed goal. Two points:
1) What a pointless presence Dermot is - contradicts himself and misrepresents the rules to always agree with the ref.
2) How have we managed to make offside so subjective?
1) What a pointless presence Dermot is - contradicts himself and misrepresents the rules to always agree with the ref.
2) How have we managed to make offside so subjective?
November 11, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I just made the mistake of watching the Sky VAR breakdown with Dermot Gallagher of van Dijk's disallowed goal. Two points:
1) What a pointless presence Dermot is - contradicts himself and misrepresents the rules to always agree with the ref.
2) How have we managed to make offside so subjective?
1) What a pointless presence Dermot is - contradicts himself and misrepresents the rules to always agree with the ref.
2) How have we managed to make offside so subjective?
So, this weekend we went to the North East against a physical side and got held to a draw, while City beat rivals at home.
After the break, City go the North east against a physical side and we play rivals at home.
Bring it.
After the break, City go the North east against a physical side and we play rivals at home.
Bring it.
November 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
So, this weekend we went to the North East against a physical side and got held to a draw, while City beat rivals at home.
After the break, City go the North east against a physical side and we play rivals at home.
Bring it.
After the break, City go the North east against a physical side and we play rivals at home.
Bring it.
I always says goal difference gives you an indication of a team's true ability and where they'll settle.
Arsenal and City both have +15. City have the better attack, Arsenal have the better defence. Sounds about right, and it'll be hard fought.
City DO have more singular points of failure though.
Arsenal and City both have +15. City have the better attack, Arsenal have the better defence. Sounds about right, and it'll be hard fought.
City DO have more singular points of failure though.
November 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I always says goal difference gives you an indication of a team's true ability and where they'll settle.
Arsenal and City both have +15. City have the better attack, Arsenal have the better defence. Sounds about right, and it'll be hard fought.
City DO have more singular points of failure though.
Arsenal and City both have +15. City have the better attack, Arsenal have the better defence. Sounds about right, and it'll be hard fought.
City DO have more singular points of failure though.
Szoboszlai could've been sent off there. Deliberate and petulant shoulder into the back of Foden's head who didn't even know he was there. Dangerous.
Ref saw it and booked him, makes me wonder what made the ref think that *wasn't* violent conduct.
Ref saw it and booked him, makes me wonder what made the ref think that *wasn't* violent conduct.
November 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Szoboszlai could've been sent off there. Deliberate and petulant shoulder into the back of Foden's head who didn't even know he was there. Dangerous.
Ref saw it and booked him, makes me wonder what made the ref think that *wasn't* violent conduct.
Ref saw it and booked him, makes me wonder what made the ref think that *wasn't* violent conduct.
That Doku goal is the 27th Liverpool have conceded in all competitions this season.
27.
Yesterday Arsenal went from 3 to 5.
27.
Yesterday Arsenal went from 3 to 5.
November 9, 2025 at 5:58 PM
That Doku goal is the 27th Liverpool have conceded in all competitions this season.
27.
Yesterday Arsenal went from 3 to 5.
27.
Yesterday Arsenal went from 3 to 5.
Doku has destroyed Liverpool today.
November 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Doku has destroyed Liverpool today.
Conor Bradley could easily have suffered the Martinelli double yellow there. Absolutely wiped out Doku, ref played advantage and then when the ball broke out, he committed another poor challenge.
Not sure which he was booked for but he could've gone. Y'know, if that ever happened to anyone else.
Not sure which he was booked for but he could've gone. Y'know, if that ever happened to anyone else.
November 9, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Conor Bradley could easily have suffered the Martinelli double yellow there. Absolutely wiped out Doku, ref played advantage and then when the ball broke out, he committed another poor challenge.
Not sure which he was booked for but he could've gone. Y'know, if that ever happened to anyone else.
Not sure which he was booked for but he could've gone. Y'know, if that ever happened to anyone else.
I wanted a draw, I would've taken a Liverpool win as I think City are the bigger threat. This is exactly what we didn't want to happen.
Maybe Haaland can punch someone in the second half to make it better.
Maybe Haaland can punch someone in the second half to make it better.
November 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I wanted a draw, I would've taken a Liverpool win as I think City are the bigger threat. This is exactly what we didn't want to happen.
Maybe Haaland can punch someone in the second half to make it better.
Maybe Haaland can punch someone in the second half to make it better.
Tierney just scored his first goal since returning to Celtic.
November 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Tierney just scored his first goal since returning to Celtic.
van Dijk goal disallowed. I agree that if you're in the six yard area and offside you can't be deemed not to be involved.
Having said that, I can remember City benefiting from a goal being allowed in very similar circumstances.
It isn't consistent - in my view it is the right decision though.
Having said that, I can remember City benefiting from a goal being allowed in very similar circumstances.
It isn't consistent - in my view it is the right decision though.
November 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
van Dijk goal disallowed. I agree that if you're in the six yard area and offside you can't be deemed not to be involved.
Having said that, I can remember City benefiting from a goal being allowed in very similar circumstances.
It isn't consistent - in my view it is the right decision though.
Having said that, I can remember City benefiting from a goal being allowed in very similar circumstances.
It isn't consistent - in my view it is the right decision though.
Haaland is even scoring flukes now. That was headed on to him and rebounded in.
November 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Haaland is even scoring flukes now. That was headed on to him and rebounded in.
Really not sure how van Dijk didn't get booked around the penalty. Sarcastically applauded the ref and then refused to give City the ball. Pick your offence.
November 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Really not sure how van Dijk didn't get booked around the penalty. Sarcastically applauded the ref and then refused to give City the ball. Pick your offence.
Anything but a City win today. A draw is the obvious desire but I actually wouldn't mind a Liverpool win either.
November 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Anything but a City win today. A draw is the obvious desire but I actually wouldn't mind a Liverpool win either.
You don't win every game. You don't keep clean sheets in every game.
It happens. We move on.
We didn't lose (Chelsea did to this lot).
It happens. We move on.
We didn't lose (Chelsea did to this lot).
November 8, 2025 at 7:56 PM
You don't win every game. You don't keep clean sheets in every game.
It happens. We move on.
We didn't lose (Chelsea did to this lot).
It happens. We move on.
We didn't lose (Chelsea did to this lot).
We also looked exhausted at the end, Rice was running on empty. We need the numbers back and hopefully we will have soon.
Three tough away matches in a week and we didn't quite have enough to make it perfect.
Three tough away matches in a week and we didn't quite have enough to make it perfect.
November 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
We also looked exhausted at the end, Rice was running on empty. We need the numbers back and hopefully we will have soon.
Three tough away matches in a week and we didn't quite have enough to make it perfect.
Three tough away matches in a week and we didn't quite have enough to make it perfect.
Very frustrating to concede that late goal, but you can argue a draw was fair.
Our goals came from a mistake and a rocket, and while we created a few other openings, so did they. We didn't defend as well as usual and were punished.
Tough place to come, others will find that too.
Our goals came from a mistake and a rocket, and while we created a few other openings, so did they. We didn't defend as well as usual and were punished.
Tough place to come, others will find that too.
November 8, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Very frustrating to concede that late goal, but you can argue a draw was fair.
Our goals came from a mistake and a rocket, and while we created a few other openings, so did they. We didn't defend as well as usual and were punished.
Tough place to come, others will find that too.
Our goals came from a mistake and a rocket, and while we created a few other openings, so did they. We didn't defend as well as usual and were punished.
Tough place to come, others will find that too.
Ugh. Great finish. Might well have been a penalty for them even if he hadn't to be honest.
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Ugh. Great finish. Might well have been a penalty for them even if he hadn't to be honest.
I love David Raya.
November 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I love David Raya.
Calafiori lucky not to be booked. We get a decision at last. A wrong one, but...
November 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Calafiori lucky not to be booked. We get a decision at last. A wrong one, but...
Prescient.
He's been superb today, and out of very little - bang.
He's been superb today, and out of very little - bang.
Trossard is playing really well - again. His ability to create out of very little is superb.
November 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Prescient.
He's been superb today, and out of very little - bang.
He's been superb today, and out of very little - bang.
Reinaldo finally booked. To say that was overdue is quite the understatement.
November 8, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reinaldo finally booked. To say that was overdue is quite the understatement.
Trossard is playing really well - again. His ability to create out of very little is superb.
November 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Trossard is playing really well - again. His ability to create out of very little is superb.