James Fitzgerald
@js-fitzy.bsky.social
Here for Arsenal talk. But I teach, I read, I run, amongst other things. I might occasionally say nonsense about other stuff and things.
Arsenal fans being justifiably irked about the Phil Foden stuff has led to some funny comments.
Just imagining the outrage - from far more than Arsenal fans - that would have been generated had Eze said the pass was fine but he was the one who stuck it top corner from 18 yards.
Just imagining the outrage - from far more than Arsenal fans - that would have been generated had Eze said the pass was fine but he was the one who stuck it top corner from 18 yards.
Woke up feeling fresh, my cousin’s getting married, it’s also my name day - just wanted to thank Phil Foden for everything.
November 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Arsenal fans being justifiably irked about the Phil Foden stuff has led to some funny comments.
Just imagining the outrage - from far more than Arsenal fans - that would have been generated had Eze said the pass was fine but he was the one who stuck it top corner from 18 yards.
Just imagining the outrage - from far more than Arsenal fans - that would have been generated had Eze said the pass was fine but he was the one who stuck it top corner from 18 yards.
Theo pundits like he plays. To torture an analogy, put him into space with a free run at his own opinion and he's good enough at some stuff. Introduce some challenge in the form of a strong challenge or opinion from others, particularly someone with a bit of reputation, and he'll back out.
Alan Shearer was pretty fair on MOTD, but I did find his "gotta stop (foul) him or else the manager will go crazy at you for letting him get across you" bit quite amusing.
Theo just needed to say you can have your arms up, but you cannot throw your arm.
Theo just needed to say you can have your arms up, but you cannot throw your arm.
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Theo pundits like he plays. To torture an analogy, put him into space with a free run at his own opinion and he's good enough at some stuff. Introduce some challenge in the form of a strong challenge or opinion from others, particularly someone with a bit of reputation, and he'll back out.
Alan Shearer was pretty fair on MOTD, but I did find his "gotta stop (foul) him or else the manager will go crazy at you for letting him get across you" bit quite amusing.
Theo just needed to say you can have your arms up, but you cannot throw your arm.
Theo just needed to say you can have your arms up, but you cannot throw your arm.
November 9, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Alan Shearer was pretty fair on MOTD, but I did find his "gotta stop (foul) him or else the manager will go crazy at you for letting him get across you" bit quite amusing.
Theo just needed to say you can have your arms up, but you cannot throw your arm.
Theo just needed to say you can have your arms up, but you cannot throw your arm.
At half time, a draw would have been okay. But to concede so late makes the same point sting more.
Still need to keep our heads, players and fans. What Arteta says will set the tone. It's not the time to make excuses.
Still need to keep our heads, players and fans. What Arteta says will set the tone. It's not the time to make excuses.
November 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
At half time, a draw would have been okay. But to concede so late makes the same point sting more.
Still need to keep our heads, players and fans. What Arteta says will set the tone. It's not the time to make excuses.
Still need to keep our heads, players and fans. What Arteta says will set the tone. It's not the time to make excuses.
Pretty meh. But there's a need for everyone to keep their heads. So used to winning at a canter that we mustn't forget that's not typical.
November 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Pretty meh. But there's a need for everyone to keep their heads. So used to winning at a canter that we mustn't forget that's not typical.
Our long throw strategy is bizarre, largely because we don't have anyone good at long throws.
November 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Our long throw strategy is bizarre, largely because we don't have anyone good at long throws.
Criticism of the ref, who was very very very bad, also needs to include the stinker for Pelova. Terrible tackle. If she gets the red the tackle warranted, the game is done.
Guesses a handball, misses a studs up above the ankle foul.
Is Howard Webb in charge of the female officials, too?
Guesses a handball, misses a studs up above the ankle foul.
Is Howard Webb in charge of the female officials, too?
November 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Criticism of the ref, who was very very very bad, also needs to include the stinker for Pelova. Terrible tackle. If she gets the red the tackle warranted, the game is done.
Guesses a handball, misses a studs up above the ankle foul.
Is Howard Webb in charge of the female officials, too?
Guesses a handball, misses a studs up above the ankle foul.
Is Howard Webb in charge of the female officials, too?
And that should be a red for Pelova.
Let's just say the ref is out of her depth.
Let's just say the ref is out of her depth.
November 8, 2025 at 1:24 PM
And that should be a red for Pelova.
Let's just say the ref is out of her depth.
Let's just say the ref is out of her depth.
Nonsense decision. The ref is guessing.
And the comms are blind. It hits Bronze's knee last.
And the comms are blind. It hits Bronze's knee last.
November 8, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Nonsense decision. The ref is guessing.
And the comms are blind. It hits Bronze's knee last.
And the comms are blind. It hits Bronze's knee last.
If Nick thought there were three traitors, and got rid of JR, then Cat and Joe, ending the game there was logical.
If anything, Alan ended the game when he had got only two traitors (JR/Joe) - he didn't vote Cat or implicate/indicate her her in any way. Imagine if he had kept the game going!
If anything, Alan ended the game when he had got only two traitors (JR/Joe) - he didn't vote Cat or implicate/indicate her her in any way. Imagine if he had kept the game going!
November 6, 2025 at 11:53 PM
If Nick thought there were three traitors, and got rid of JR, then Cat and Joe, ending the game there was logical.
If anything, Alan ended the game when he had got only two traitors (JR/Joe) - he didn't vote Cat or implicate/indicate her her in any way. Imagine if he had kept the game going!
If anything, Alan ended the game when he had got only two traitors (JR/Joe) - he didn't vote Cat or implicate/indicate her her in any way. Imagine if he had kept the game going!
Someone called him Crossard the other day. Well played all round.
November 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Someone called him Crossard the other day. Well played all round.
Christmas adverts on 4th November is not for me, Clive.
November 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Christmas adverts on 4th November is not for me, Clive.
The prevailing view is that it's not a penalty, but I'd say the ball looks goal bound and diverts over the crossbar off his hand which is up in the air by his head, not in a natural jumping position. So they gain a fairly big advantage from it.
If anything, the question is: why didn't we appeal?
If anything, the question is: why didn't we appeal?
November 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The prevailing view is that it's not a penalty, but I'd say the ball looks goal bound and diverts over the crossbar off his hand which is up in the air by his head, not in a natural jumping position. So they gain a fairly big advantage from it.
If anything, the question is: why didn't we appeal?
If anything, the question is: why didn't we appeal?
Nice, see.
If we score, that's nice. If we win, nice too. If we concede or lose, that's not optimum, but nice enough really.
Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to win, but I can't get too worked up about any of it.
Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to win, but I can't get too worked up about any of it.
October 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Nice, see.
The Coca Cola cup is nice, isn't it.
October 29, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The Coca Cola cup is nice, isn't it.
4-0 without Saka being especially involved in the goals. Good signs.
He was good though, as always.
He was good though, as always.
October 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
4-0 without Saka being especially involved in the goals. Good signs.
He was good though, as always.
He was good though, as always.
Syed talking about a lack of building... while sat in a newly built school.
Which is not to say more building doesn't need to be done, but not the strongest point.
Which is not to say more building doesn't need to be done, but not the strongest point.
October 16, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Syed talking about a lack of building... while sat in a newly built school.
Which is not to say more building doesn't need to be done, but not the strongest point.
Which is not to say more building doesn't need to be done, but not the strongest point.
My favourite thing about today's win is how completely forgettable it will ultimately be.
Being so formidable that winning becomes inevitable (and a bit boring because of it) is sort of the aim as far as I am concerned.
Being so formidable that winning becomes inevitable (and a bit boring because of it) is sort of the aim as far as I am concerned.
October 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM
My favourite thing about today's win is how completely forgettable it will ultimately be.
Being so formidable that winning becomes inevitable (and a bit boring because of it) is sort of the aim as far as I am concerned.
Being so formidable that winning becomes inevitable (and a bit boring because of it) is sort of the aim as far as I am concerned.
Offside goal, fine, but we are mucking about a bit here. Be decisive, score another two, then do the dumb stuff. We are giving them a chance.
October 1, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Offside goal, fine, but we are mucking about a bit here. Be decisive, score another two, then do the dumb stuff. We are giving them a chance.
White and Saliba are a) both in need of game time, b) both rhythm players who get better with more games, c) look like they haven't played together very much of late (because they haven't).
Still think it's odd that they have let the ball bounce, though.
Still think it's odd that they have let the ball bounce, though.
October 1, 2025 at 7:50 PM
White and Saliba are a) both in need of game time, b) both rhythm players who get better with more games, c) look like they haven't played together very much of late (because they haven't).
Still think it's odd that they have let the ball bounce, though.
Still think it's odd that they have let the ball bounce, though.
Sky Sports News doing a highlights of ref watch right now.
How much does Gallagher still get from PGMOL to shill for them?
If he's what refs are/were, it's no surprise there's no trust. To vouch for the decision, no matter what it is, only highlights their lack of integrity.
How much does Gallagher still get from PGMOL to shill for them?
If he's what refs are/were, it's no surprise there's no trust. To vouch for the decision, no matter what it is, only highlights their lack of integrity.
September 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Sky Sports News doing a highlights of ref watch right now.
How much does Gallagher still get from PGMOL to shill for them?
If he's what refs are/were, it's no surprise there's no trust. To vouch for the decision, no matter what it is, only highlights their lack of integrity.
How much does Gallagher still get from PGMOL to shill for them?
If he's what refs are/were, it's no surprise there's no trust. To vouch for the decision, no matter what it is, only highlights their lack of integrity.
Football is a great game. It could be even better with competent officials.
1. It's a foul, even if he touches the ball. It's not a clear and obvious error.
2. Gabriel is weak and naive for their goal.
3. Gabriel was strong and determined to score.
4. We kept going and got what we deserved.
1. It's a foul, even if he touches the ball. It's not a clear and obvious error.
2. Gabriel is weak and naive for their goal.
3. Gabriel was strong and determined to score.
4. We kept going and got what we deserved.
September 28, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Football is a great game. It could be even better with competent officials.
1. It's a foul, even if he touches the ball. It's not a clear and obvious error.
2. Gabriel is weak and naive for their goal.
3. Gabriel was strong and determined to score.
4. We kept going and got what we deserved.
1. It's a foul, even if he touches the ball. It's not a clear and obvious error.
2. Gabriel is weak and naive for their goal.
3. Gabriel was strong and determined to score.
4. We kept going and got what we deserved.
I've sussed it... bring Trossard on after 1 minute.
September 24, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I've sussed it... bring Trossard on after 1 minute.
Martinelli not very brave there?
September 24, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Martinelli not very brave there?