Slot

[Steveo]

You could see last season as the dying kicks of Klopp's team. We all knew we needed a rebuild are were praying that Salah and VVD would stay fit. Thankfully they did and we had the mentality, as you say, to get through. Reminds me a bit of Fergie's last few seasons: the team wasn't great and you could see the Fergie was the one pushing them to achieve. When he left they collapsed.

Yep and still don’t know how the hell they won that 20th title. They weren’t even the 3rd best team in the league. 89 sodding points… Same total they got the year before and missed out to City on. They flayed themselves and the net result was Gollums fate…

[Kev0909]

posted in another thread but it's better here


FSG& The team have basically fucked up, we should've been doing more previous windows not just one window.... and the harsh fact is we still need about 4 players CB CDM LW... probably another CB and RW this time next season too.

we've known we need another top body in the middle, we've known we need another top CB we know the likes of salah,VVD,robbo coming to a end... why try sort everything in one window?? too many changes is going to cause a shitstorm

Is it the managers fault, fsg or what ??

and now what's the plan?? I'm guessing we're going to be limited to how much we can spend over the next few seasons... any team in saudi fancy bidding 100m for salah?

[Insidious]

why try sort everything in one window?? too many changes is going to cause a shitstorm

Is it the managers fault, fsg or what ??

and now what's the plan??

Have popped into the forum for 5 minutes - suspect I'll do the occasional longer post once a month or something in here, but my usage overall will likely be pretty sporadic/sparse.

I might do a lengthy thread intro post in future, on the amount of change, which, in my limited opinion, is about a few things.

Firstly, an attempt at a transitional phase whilst still remaining competitive - hence keeping Van Dijk and Salah.

The club seems to believe we can make big changes whilst still having a chance at the one or two of the four "elite" trophies we can try to win while they're still here in the next 2 seasons. There are 2 Champion's Leagues and 2 Premier Leagues to have a stab at before they (probably) depart and the club seems to feel we can integrate full-backs, a young keeper, a young centre-back, a young Trequartista whilst still being there or thereabouts with the bigger pots. Not a great start so far in terms of performance, but if we treat that as a 24-month spell, I'd happily take 7-10 months of teething trouble if we become an elite outfit (with a considerable drop in average age) further down the line in the remaining 14-17 months. No guarantees though - we could as easily fail as win.

Secondly, the blueprint/model change. Slot appears to be somewhat obsessed with the 24/25 PSG side and I am not surprised to see hints of emulation with us - rotation in midfield positions in the game, issues with misplaced passes as individuals try to grasp new roles/positioning and we lose the muscle memory of Klopp's years and of last season etc - pressing triggers etc seem way off, so we're clearly working on new bits and pieces. All adds up.

Then Richard Hughes and David Woodfine (under Michael Edwards) seem to also have identified (recent) PSG as a good template and seem keen to address an issue we had last season in terms of firepower. We often won matches by a single goal, whereas we have seen sides like PSG and Man City have matches wrapped up by 60-70 minutes via being 2-0 or 3-0 up. Slot has been entrusted with working with an.....unusual.....balance of players and it will take time. Besides the attacking intent, we are dealing with the fact that -

Isak likes the left half-space.
Ekitike likes the left half-space.
Wirtz likes the left half-space.
Gakpo likes to cut inside and drift into the left half-space.
Robertson and Kerkez will both underlap into the left half-space when Gakpo mixes it up by hugging the touchline.

This compounds other issues, such as individuals in poor form, our defensively weaker right-hand side, Salah forgetting he's a footballer and so on.

If we're committed to the change, then we should commit 100% and play through an uncomfortable period for the benefit of the years to come - in my view. I totally understand here-and-now thoughts mind. Ideally we can manage both.

Lastly, you touched on something in another thread that I think I might (?) have mentioned in pre-season on here, can't remember, but regularly chat to a mate about - and strongly agree with you on as a prospect for some matches - a Diamond.

I'd be all over (not every match) using -

..................Grav
..........Szob......Mac
...................Wirtz

With mix-and-match strike partnerships of Isak and Ekitike, Salah and Ekitike, Salah and Isak, etc and the likes of Chiesa or Gakpo being able to play in almost any of the Wirtz/Isak/Ekitike roles for the sake of rotation. Kerkez and Frimpong can take turns to bomb forward (not both at once) while Mac covers the gap on the left, Szoboszlai the gap on the right. We would be narrow, so it's not without flaw - but could definitely work for certain games.

Anywho, life's a bit wild at the mo - probably pop my head in some time near the Man United match or the European game after if energy/urge permits.

Later dudes.

[CCTV]

@CCTV

Comparison with the Last Decade's Champions
To put a title win with 84 points into perspective, let's look at the points totals of the Premier League winners over the past ten seasons:

Season Winner Points
2023/24 Man City 91
2022/23 Man City 89
2021/22 Man City 93
2020/21 Man City 86
2019/20 Liverpool 99
2018/19 Man City 98
2017/18 Man City 100
2016/17 Chelsea 93
2015/16 Leicester 81
2014/15 Chelsea 87

84 points is great - but most of us know why it was enough. And it cost us in the other competitions - as Slot has admitted.. 84 points only wins the title the year the Foxes won it.

Worth noting that Brendan Rodgers Liverpool took 84 points in 2013/14 and second place - and within 15 months he was sacked.

After 34 games in 2024/25 Cituae had 61 points & Arsenal 67 & LFC 82.

After 34 games in 2023/24 Cituae had 79 points & Arsenal 77 & LFC 74.

After 34 games in 2022/33 Cituae had 82 points & Arsenal 78 & LFC 59.

After 34 games in 2021/22 Cituae had 83 points & Arsenal 63 & LFC 82.

After 34 games in 2020/21 Cituae had 80 points & Arsenal 49 & LFC 57.

After 34 games, Slots LFC had comparable points with every other Premier league winners above, namely Cituae.
Klopp could have won in 2021/2022, needed to beat citaue. And in 2023/2024 that could have been anyone of the 3 in fairness in what was a var crazy season. Arteta/Saka might have won it in 2022/23.
The idea our final points total is down to the quality of last seasons team and squad is bollix.
We were on the beach quite literally in Ibiza celebrating, and dropped 10 points out of 12 in our last 4. Out of the CL & FA cup....

Slot ballsed up around PSG. The Southampton selection, PSG at Anfield. The team smashed spurs to win the league, all had a decent time and season ultimately. Our lads were literally on the beaches in Ibiza during our PL end of season run. And you know what with Jotas tragic passing, just as well they had number 20 wrapped up with weeks to go. Not disregarding his death but at least the lads got to celebrate it, even before the parade incident and the Jotas passing tragically.

No - nobody is diminishing the title. But 83 points the season we won it with 99 wouldn't indicate a monster team at all. in fact going out of the CL v Atletico and taking 83 points would have been seen as a significantly less impressive season as the season prior.


I am saying it - we were not that special last season. You went to games right? I did - I didn't get to too many games but saw us live 4 times - and at best we were decent, never special and often matched by relatively ordinary opposition. The team had the smarts and the mentality to win the close games. That's it. The Palace away game - was dour and could have gone either way. The home game v Leicester probably the best we looked and even then... it was as you expect any Liverpool side to handle such a weak side. The game v little Bologna was just poor. My first game post Klopp and they more than matched us. As the away side in Europe - they not only out sung the Kop but they played to my eye the better football. We were not close to the same level as we had been in 2019 or 2020 or 2022 - Not close in fact and no better than we had been the season prior with a huge injury list and a totally new starting midfield.

You can only beat what is in front of you and last season we did just that. However - imo Arsenal had a significantly stronger/deeper squad than we did. Arteta's players were not Klopp players tho, just as Arteta is not and never will be a match for Jurgen Klopp. They had no title winning pedigree in their ranks and no mentality monsters. Slots team (left to him by Jurgen) had every ounce of that PLUS a midfield 4 (4 counting Endo) with its first season under its belt at a new club - 3 of them in a new league.

We took 84 points without any real threat. City vanished 20 points down and despite the fact most on here want to sweep it under the carpet Arsenal with a mountain of injuries and no striker.

Now it is debatable either way as to whether it is easier to make 84 points without a rival breathing down your neck or with no challenge in sight. But I know where my money is.

Last season - we had:
ZERO expectation
Settled squad with no signings whatsoever bar a player Slot refused to use.
City devoid of any impetus to win ANYTHING at all.
Arsenal's campaign severely hampered by a relentless string of significant injuries to their most important players, while we had a relative clean bill of health.


Decisive factors in why our 84 points was attainable and enough imo.

Doesn't diminish anything - and every season some teams suffer injuries and others escape unscathed. Arsenal might have had no injuries and took less points - nobody knows BUT a weaker Arsenal the season prior in a more competitive year took 89 points and came second.

cry harder fam

You didn't concede the league was done, forever. And took a whole day off before forgetting that success. Here you are belittling the side and performance. Psg under Enrique are still a damn good side.

Klopp impressed in his first season. Built an incredible side, and won number 6 & 19. Could and should have won more.

Slot smashed it in his 1st season. Winning number 20. He's in his second season, 1 point off Arsenal after playing 7 PL games. The gap last season was built prior to any injuries at Arsenal. Your reality is absolute bollocks.

You slated the squad last summer September and earned the moniker ArtetaFamTV....

This season.

LFC Played
Bournemouth (h), Toon (a), Arsenal (h), Burnley (a), Everton (h), Palace (a), Chelsea (a)

Arsenal Played
Manu (a), Leeds (h), LFC (a), Forrest (h), Cituae (h), Toon (a), Westham (h)

***Now using BPF's method, assigning league position rank to opponents.*****

LFC played
1,4,6,7,8,11,18=55
Average rank 7.86th place

Arsenal played
2,5,10,11,15,17,19=79
Average rank 11.29th place

That BPF method suggests we've had a harder start than Arsenal. So you shouldn't get carried away just yet fam

[Steveo]

The shill has nowhere to run.

[CCTV]

You've got nothing ratman. This thread serves as a glorious reminder to all.

[Steveo]

Many of us have plenty.. this comment sums one aspect of it up for me and other fans capable of employing some critical thinking.

You could see last season as the dying kicks of Klopp's team. We all knew we needed a rebuild are were praying that Salah and VVD would stay fit. Thankfully they did and we had the mentality, as you say, to get through. Reminds me a bit of Fergie's last few seasons: the team wasn't great and you could see the Fergie was the one pushing them to achieve. When he left they collapsed.

and it doesn't stack up with your relentless bullshit.

I suggest there was more at play too.

Arsenal had a stronger squad than we had the season they took 89 points - which we all know was Klopp's last season. This side - unfortunately for you - contained ALL of the players that Slot is on record saying played almost every game winning us the title last season..!

Arsenal actually started last season with a strengthened squad from the season before YET still dropped 15 points. The how and why can be debated but most of us know the primary reason, and even an 'F$G Fan Boi' will have a hard time - even with his incessant word porridge - proving that the following isn't true:

Arsenal's bid for the Premier League title in the 2024/25 season was substantially undermined by a significantly tougher injury crisis compared to the triumphant Liverpool side. The Gunners suffered more injuries to key players for more extended periods, a stark contrast to the relatively clean bill of health that was a cornerstone of Liverpool's success.

Statistically, the disparity is clear. Arsenal ranked as the fourth most injury-hit team in the league, accumulating 36 separate injuries that led to players missing matches. This resulted in a staggering 1,297 days lost to injury throughout the campaign. On the other hand, Liverpool enjoyed one of the best injury records in the Premier League, sitting 19th in the injury table with just 22 injuries and a comparatively modest 765 days lost. This gave Liverpool a crucial advantage in consistency and team selection.

AND beyond the sheer numbers, the gravity of Arsenal's injuries is evident in the status of the players sidelined. Throughout the season, manager Mikel Arteta was consistently without a host of his most influential players. Key attackers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus faced lengthy spells on the sidelines, with both requiring surgery. The creative fulcrum of the team, Martin Ødegaard, also missed significant game time.

The defensive unit was similarly disrupted, with long-term injuries to crucial players from the previous season, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko. This was compounded by persistent fitness issues for midfielder Thomas Partey and an eventual surgery for key central defender Gabriel Magalhães. On average, Arsenal were missing six to seven first-team players each week, forcing constant tactical adjustments and lineup shuffles.

In stark contrast, Liverpool's manager Arne Slot was able to field a largely consistent starting eleven for the majority of the season. While they were not entirely without issues, such as injuries to goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defender Ibrahima Konate, they avoided the long-term absences to their most critical outfield players that plagued their North London rivals. Key figures like Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Virgil van Dijk remained available for the majority of the campaign, providing the stability and quality needed to maintain a successful title charge.

In conclusion, while all top clubs navigate a demanding schedule, the 2024/25 season saw a clear divergence in the fortunes of Arsenal and Liverpool on the injury front. Arsenal's campaign was severely hampered by a relentless string of significant injuries to their most important players, whereas Liverpool's relative clean bill of health was a decisive factor in their title victory.


On the other hand the Liverpool side that took advantage so well was literally 100% the team left by Jurgen Klopp.


Suck it up. Accept it like a good little shill.. and start joining the rest of us in the real world.

[CCTV]

You're on here claiming our low points total is indicative of lower quality from Slots title winning side. A side you slated at the start of the 2024/25 season.

Simple analysis shows that after 34 games we had as many points as cituae over the last several years.

Our boys were on the beach celebrating their title success and we dropped 10 points in our last 4 games. I'm delighted the boys got that time.

Oh, poor ArtetaFamTV....
The gap developed before the injuries, even Arsenal fans accept that reality....
This has been pointed out to you before on here, and by other posters too

Dishonest to a fault, no integrity, no substance. Enjoy Cobham ratman

[Steveo]

Yes that’s why your employer felt compelled to OUT OF THE BLUE go and thwack down £400,000,000 big ones on players.

Because - we won the title at a canter.. Naturally. Makes sense.

The only thing illuminating about your post is the reflection it shines back on you.

Your inability to accept reality is stark, and to try and ignore Arsenal's points drop of 15 from the season prior shows that you have no balance or credibility. We dropped 30 points the season of our title defence..A season where we suffered our own injury crisis - one of a few this last decade. Were we really only a 69 point squad..? City won the title that year with 86 - do they win it without our injuries..who is to say..?

You are seemingly unable to admit that while last season was a wonderfully great achievement.. Finally getting 20 (which should have come years earlier) was amazing for all reds fans….it came with associated reasons. Reasons why those particular players achieved what they did AND also why somebody at the club felt compelled to go and spend like they never have before. If it was the data specialists at the club then what is it that they saw..? and how compelling must it have been to have convinced the penny pinchers to part with such hefty numbers. Numbers never afforded to the miracle worker upon which almost everything rests.

Something has spooked them…Whoever it was driven by. What could it be?????

Perhaps the biggest problem you have dearest CCTV is that even the very billionaires you are most vocal in defending clearly do not agree with you.

I have told you before - disconnect your internet for the good of humanity. Knowing when to give up is a skill - it seems you’re going learn it the painful way.

[CCTV]

You're an absolute shitter

Trying to muddy the waters by moving on to some new utter bollocks...

I see you little ratman, bitter as fuck at number 20, running your mouth and unable to back anything up.

ArtetaFamTV strikes again

[CCTV]

Anyway what a great thread.

Timelines provided of ArtetaFamTV posts on matters like the squad.
Timelines provided of ArtetaFamTV posts on matters like Grav, Klopp & Slot.
All nicely collated here for everyone to see...

[Kev0909]

Anyway what a great thread.

Timelines provided of ArtetaFamTV posts on matters like the squad.
Timelines provided of ArtetaFamTV posts on matters like Grav, Klopp & Slot.
All nicely collated here for everyone to see...

I am a fan of arsenals transfer team, we'd be better off with those guys behind the scenes I must say

what a position they're in now, so many injuries but it doesn't matter, no problem someone to slot right in, and in future they can just splash out on world-class players in whatever position they want to upgrade, we're still trying to cover and have depth !!!! after spending over 400m jokers, no proper LW no proper no6 VVD on his last legs, konate off leoni injured gomez broken and about everton level, lifes good, not to mention salah coming towards the end.

But it's ok !!!! we don't need any of them positions or players, bigup

We've got big Jones and Endo.... and Rhys williams and a raw 17 year old kid we're praying to the gods turns out class for LW !!! futures bright, YNWA not forgetting the mighty Chiesa who slot loves... and can stay fit all season and never injured, suppose he can step in for salah and we can play PongPong at RW to cover, and Badders at RB

Wonder if Bajcetic is ever going to be fit? maybe he'll be the saviour and can rotate with maca who's playing like he's 40 years old ?!?!...... yeah pray to the lord.... doubt it somehow but if we all pray....

Hmm I was so positive at some point in the summer, I tell ya but it's hard to be now with so many outstanding issues, not just about new players

[Steveo]

Now now… Don’t go triggering the lunatic. He is foaming at the mouth poor fella.

[Kev0909]

Now now… Don’t go triggering the lunatic. He is foaming at the mouth poor fella.

I'm foaming at the mouth over this squad and how fucking thick we've been

[Steveo]

Honestly mate - it's not nearly as bad as you are making out. It looks bad now because too much has changed too fast. It might even get worse before it gets better, but we haven't gone from one of the best squads in the league to utter shyte after adding Wirtz - Isak - Frimpong - Kerkez and Ekitike. It's true we should have added different players IF we aim to persist with the same setup but maybe - just maybe there is method to what appears to be madness.