[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal *** Official Match Thread ***

[Flounce]

He'll be back in about April then.

And a liability for the first three games?

 

[albionalba]

Joao Pedro as captain is absolutely bizarre.

Agree. He has been so petulant (and poor bar two flicks which have lead to goals since Bournmouth) and throwing his arms up in the air at his team mates. Not captain material at all. Maybe it'll produce a better performance from him?

Very odd, perhaps he thinks it might get some work rate from him which I feel he has been lacking, I don't see him as a leader at all. Let's hope he gets a hat full of goals today.

It is a weird one. Didn't see that coming. Must be being given some opportunity to prove a point / build on his assists?

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Massive call with the choice of captain.

What must JPVH be thinking?

 

[Mike Small]

Shame Dunk is injured as he was much better V Villa. That said, our results were better with Igor and JPVH before.

I'm looking for us to be prepared for their corners e.g. not have everyone back meaning a packed penalty area, Ayari to not play like a 10 (leaving everything up to Baleba) and JP to look like a captain. Surprised Mitoma is not starting V a centre midfielder starting at right back.

Results terrible for us today. Hoping we get something.

 

[lawros left foot]

Pedro was skipper at Watford.

 

[AlbionBro]

Massive call with the choice of captain.

What must JPVH be thinking?

You would think the whole squad must have had a head scratch on his decision. But I agree more than one Dutchman scratching furiously I suspect.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Limo with heavy police escort just arrived. KS?

Hope they keep up with play, remain consistent and impartial, it’s all you can ask for, security hopefully won’t be needed

 

[Doc Lynam]

 

[A1X]

Making Pedro captain after his antics against Brentford is a choice

 

[The Fits]

You look at that Arsenal team and you’d fancy a confident Albion to get a result. I’ve gone for 1-3 as that isn’t what we currently are.
Would be dreamy if we could put in 90 minutes of decent football today.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Dunk’s not even on the bench. Is he injured or ill?

He’s helping Ferguson pack

 

[Justice]

To be fair Europe wasn’t the bench mark of an acceptable season this year.

I don’t think going backwards was either.

 

[Merlin57]

Good to see Webbo on the bench after a 3 month absence.
Can he stay fit?

Will take him five games to look like a footballer again

 

[Bodian]

Shall we have a sweepstake on how often Arteta comes out of his technical area, how often he gesticulates at the refereeing team and how often he 'almost' interferes with play.

And maybe a side bet on which manager will get booked.

 

[Krafty]

I want a good performance today; the result doesn't matter. UTA!

 

[southstandandy]

Bugger - 2-0 down already!

Just getting ahead of the crowd.

 

[Krafty]

Someone I'll be keeping a keen eye on will be Ayari. He hasn't convinced me so far this season and I still think he has a point to prove. I hope he shows his true potential today against this Arsenal side. Come on!

 

[slimes]

Gruda playing yet again? ?

 

[Justice]

I want a good performance today; the result doesn't matter. UTA!

And I thought sport was about winning. We really have gone back to the Potter years of draw after draw and thinking a good performance is acceptable.

 

[Flounce]

I don’t think going backwards was either.

It’s called rebuilding

Patience is an annoying virtue