Premier League 2016-17 and Other Soccer Musings

[duke74]

Crazy, lucky finish for the Gunners today (not that I'm complaining).
Spurs looked awfully good in manhandling City this morning, and did everyone a favor by tightening the top of the table.

Nor am I. COYG.

[luburch]

International break upcoming now, correct?

Arsenal fans should always cheer for Spurs to win, because if Spurs finish second in the League then it means Arsenal finished first

[duke74]

International break upcoming now, correct?

Arsenal fans should always cheer for Spurs to win, because if Spurs finish second in the League then it means Arsenal finished first

Well played...

[OldPhiKap]

Got up looking forward to action today, forgot it was a break week. Replay of Spurs and City not doing it for me.

[duke74]

Midteens % for matchday, most on broadcast rest in commercial. Broadcast growth projected in 2016/7 at the expense of the other two components.

See p 16 http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam...nance-2016.pdf

Just came across this article re the Emirates' profitability - quoting a Deloitte study. "The most profitable stadium"

http://news.arseblog.com/2016/10/rep...edium=facebook

And here's an interesting article about the Gunners' finances, including transfer spend. Can't vouch for accuracy, but interesting nonetheless.

http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/20...sensation.html

[OldPhiKap]

Looks like Leicester is regressing to the mean. Gunners taking their defense apart. But it's hard to pull against the Foxes.

[OldPhiKap]

Go Bob Bradley and Swansea! First American to coach in the Premier League IIRC. Wales is a long way from, well, everywhere.

[duke74]

Looks like Leicester is regressing to the mean. Gunners taking their defense apart. But it's hard to pull against the Foxes.

Not for us Gooners. But aren't we playing Swansea today?

[OldPhiKap]

Not for us Gooners. But aren't we playing Swansea today?

Correct, not awake yet. Leicester had Chelsea.

[duke74]

Gunners 2-1 over Swansea. Two by Theo and one by Ozil. Ozil's on a beautiful volley on an looping cross by Alexis. Six in a row for the Gunners.

City and Spurs both drew so Gunners and City tied at the top of the table, Spurs a point behind. Reds and Chelski three behind the leaders.

[OldPhiKap]

Middlesbrough with a very credible first half.

[OldPhiKap]

I know that Duke74 wanted three points there, but as a neutral observer I was glad to see Middlesbrough gain the point. Entertaining match.

[duke74]

I know that Duke74 wanted three points there, but as a neutral observer I was glad to see Middlesbrough gain the point. Entertaining match.

You got it, OPK! Hate giving up points that we should garner, especially at the Emirates. But still have a good feeling about this team.

[luburch]

Top of the table is looking pretty tight, but still early days. Chelsea should have a major advantage this year with no European football at all. Similar to Leicester last year.

Always nice to see Mourinho battered. 4-0. Woof.

[OldPhiKap]

Top of the table is looking pretty tight, but still early days. Chelsea should have a major advantage this year with no European football at all. Similar to Leicester last year.

Always nice to see Mourinho battered. 4-0. Woof.

Mourinho apparently was not happy with Conte:

https://www.theguardian.com/football...stakes-chelsea

[luburch]

Mourinho apparently was not happy with Conte:

https://www.theguardian.com/football...stakes-chelsea

This isn't surprising. Mourinho isn't happy with anyone - especially when he loses.

Pogba has been bang average this season at best. The transfer amount seems more and more ridiculous each day.

[OldPhiKap]

This isn't surprising. Mourinho isn't happy with anyone - especially when he loses.

Pogba has been bang average this season at best. The transfer amount seems more and more ridiculous each day.

Per recent tweet from @ AnsfieldBond:

"Liverpool signed Coutinho, Firmino, Origi, Mane, Milner, Matip and Karius for less than Man United signed Pogba for. Let that sink in. #LFC"

[duke74]

This isn't surprising. Mourinho isn't happy with anyone - especially when he loses.

Pogba has been bang average this season at best. The transfer amount seems more and more ridiculous each day.

And...as someone who (also) roots for Juve, I couldn't be happier.

[duke74]

Per recent tweet from @ AnsfieldBond:

"Liverpool signed Coutinho, Firmino, Origi, Mane, Milner, Matip and Karius for less than Man United signed Pogba for. Let that sink in. #LFC"

The Gunner blogs and boards have been loading up on this as well.

[wilson]

If you haven't yet seen Mesut Özil's stoppage time game-winner from yesterday's Champs League tilt vs. Ludogorets, you need to. A thing of true beauty.