Let’s try this new feature out. For the duration of halftime of the Arsenal-Chelsea game — i.e. 10 minutes from now — I’ll be in the comments, responding to your questions. (This is what it’ll look like.) I’ll swing by again after the match for another 15-20 minutes to chat some more. Ask away!
Do you think there is too much time between the end of the PL season and the 2 European finals? I know it's because other leagues finish later, and most years don't have 4 England teams in the 2 final games, but as an LFC fan it's weird to have this 3 week break between the craziest finish for a season and this massive final.
Sturridge, Moreno confirmed leaving today. Likely Mignolet and Lallana and other fringe squad players. Will LFC look to sign like for like replacements - backup GK, Fullback, CAM, Striker? Who do you think they target? Do you think they look to improve any areas or just backfill the edges of the squad?
Riffing off Goodman's Ringer article which discusses both the advantages and perils of having all your best players the same age, would you accept an unsolicited $100 million+ offer for Mane/Salah this summer and start the reloading process now? Or give it a few more years?
How much more important are attacking players than defensive players? In the NBA it has definitely become a league where offensive players have larger impact than defensive players. Is this the case in football? Arsenal and United have huge holes across their back lines, yet they are both constantly looking and being linked with high priced forwards and attacking midfielders. I tend to think it's just poor team building (shout out Malcom Gladwell, this is very much a weak link sport), but maybe the way the game is played now means great attackers have a more positive impact than great defenders? What is you thought on this
Regardless of today’s result shouldn’t Sarri be sacked simply because of his mis-use of Kanté? IMO a candidate for most impactful player of the last 4-5 years
How is Arsenal's situation getting any better? Kroenke has given every indication he's not willing to spend, their best players are all aging past their prime, and Emery has been nothing more than just fine. I just don't see this club being able to compete with the rest of the top 6 in the future.
Arsenal are playing like a team of betas. No heart, no passion, no drive to win. They clearly lack champion mentality, especially because their hopes for CL were solely based off a win in this game.
Non-match related question: do you think there is any remote possibility that LFC goes all in for Griezmann, given Barca's hesitation? I keep trying to convince myself that 1) they have the money to spend, 2) Bobby has played AM in the past, 3) the true fab four to rival Citeh??
Who is the striker best suited for Sarri-ball? Higuain did well for him at Napoli, but it's apparent those days are long gone. Giroud obviously doesn't have it, and neither did Morata. Is there someone you can think of that would thrive?
How much more important are attacking players than defensive players? In the NBA it has definitely become a league where offensive players have larger impact than defensive players. Is this the case in football? Arsenal and United have huge holes across their back lines, yet they are both constantly looking and being linked with high priced forwards and attacking midfielders. I tend to think it's just poor team building (shout out Malcom Gladwell, this is very much a weak link sport), but maybe the way the game is played now means great attackers have a more positive impact than great defenders? What is you thought on this
Is it possible to recruit the type of players needed to improve a squad if there's no promise of Champion's League? My hunch is that the younger players want European experience early and often and the peak plus players don't want to waste years they don't have investing in getting a club back to the Champion's League.
At what point do we assume that FIFA and UEFA are trolling us with their choice of venues for the World Cup/UCL/Europa League? Russia is obviously not the choicest country deserving of a reward, but Qatar and Azerbaijan? If Mikhi can't travel to Azerbaijan, I am sure we will miss a few stars in 2020. This strikes me as some sort of long con
Thoughts on the idea (put forward by Michael Cox) that Arsenal and Chelsea should swap managers as this would make their fan-bases happier (in brief, Arsenal fans love possession and attacking as Sarri does, Chelsea fans would be happy to have Emery grind out some 1-0 results)?
Maybe it's silly to be worried about this while Arsenal are *in a European Cup Final* but I worry about what this team will look like over the next few years. This squad is sneaky-old - does their future seem bright to you?
OK! Thread is closed. Thanks for all the questions. We'll do it again real soon. Go hug your nearest Arsenal fan.
Seeing some new comments pop up in this thread -- please move them over to today's thread if you want me to answer!
All right -- I gotta run in five. Can fit in a couple more quick Qs if you guys have any.
Opening this back up after the final whistle! SARRIBALL!
All right -- sorry I couldn't get to everything. Let's watch the second half, and I'll come back after the game to chat some more.
Also, what's worse in this game? The play or the commentary?
Am I wrong in saying that on a scale of 1-10, the first half of this match has been a solid 3?
Ronaldo ruuuuuuulllllleeeeeeesssssssss
no
How good do you think Arsenal would be if McVay coached them
Baku is a bore. I was promised fire.
Who’s your pick for the 30-something year old player Arsenal inevitably wastes $30 million on?
can superman outrun the flash? and can the winner outrun Aubameyang?
Do you think there is too much time between the end of the PL season and the 2 European finals? I know it's because other leagues finish later, and most years don't have 4 England teams in the 2 final games, but as an LFC fan it's weird to have this 3 week break between the craziest finish for a season and this massive final.
This game has been really bad right
Would you change the Champions League (format, no. of teams, etc)? If so, how?
Is there a more fun striker pairing than Lacazette and Aubameyang in any league this year?
Sturridge, Moreno confirmed leaving today. Likely Mignolet and Lallana and other fringe squad players. Will LFC look to sign like for like replacements - backup GK, Fullback, CAM, Striker? Who do you think they target? Do you think they look to improve any areas or just backfill the edges of the squad?
Who are some younger players on Big 6 squads in the EPL that you want to see get more tick next year?
Riffing off Goodman's Ringer article which discusses both the advantages and perils of having all your best players the same age, would you accept an unsolicited $100 million+ offer for Mane/Salah this summer and start the reloading process now? Or give it a few more years?
How much more important are attacking players than defensive players? In the NBA it has definitely become a league where offensive players have larger impact than defensive players. Is this the case in football? Arsenal and United have huge holes across their back lines, yet they are both constantly looking and being linked with high priced forwards and attacking midfielders. I tend to think it's just poor team building (shout out Malcom Gladwell, this is very much a weak link sport), but maybe the way the game is played now means great attackers have a more positive impact than great defenders? What is you thought on this
Regardless of today’s result shouldn’t Sarri be sacked simply because of his mis-use of Kanté? IMO a candidate for most impactful player of the last 4-5 years
Can Arsenal sell Ozil to anyone or are they stuck with his giant wage bill?
Is there a clear top 4 next season? Arsenal and United (sans potential massive spending) seem quite far below this year's top 4
Thoughts on Saturday? I’m a nervous wreck already
IF Chelsea could sign players this summer, what sorts of players would be able to replace what Hazard offers them? Are there any?
Do you know of a good therapist for us Arsenal sufferers?
Are Arsenal the Lakers of the EPL?
How is Arsenal's situation getting any better? Kroenke has given every indication he's not willing to spend, their best players are all aging past their prime, and Emery has been nothing more than just fine. I just don't see this club being able to compete with the rest of the top 6 in the future.
CFC Masterclass
Arsenal are playing like a team of betas. No heart, no passion, no drive to win. They clearly lack champion mentality, especially because their hopes for CL were solely based off a win in this game.
Will Liverpool buy anyone in this transfer window?
Non-match related question: do you think there is any remote possibility that LFC goes all in for Griezmann, given Barca's hesitation? I keep trying to convince myself that 1) they have the money to spend, 2) Bobby has played AM in the past, 3) the true fab four to rival Citeh??
How should Chelsea handle Jorginho and Kante in the midfield? Seeing him play this advanced-wide role is painful.
What are your halftime adjustments for each team? Who should be the first subs off the bench?
Mustafi, great CB or the greatest CB?
Who is the striker best suited for Sarri-ball? Higuain did well for him at Napoli, but it's apparent those days are long gone. Giroud obviously doesn't have it, and neither did Morata. Is there someone you can think of that would thrive?
What can Arsenal do this summer to become remotely champions league caliber?
How much more important are attacking players than defensive players? In the NBA it has definitely become a league where offensive players have larger impact than defensive players. Is this the case in football? Arsenal and United have huge holes across their back lines, yet they are both constantly looking and being linked with high priced forwards and attacking midfielders. I tend to think it's just poor team building (shout out Malcom Gladwell, this is very much a weak link sport), but maybe the way the game is played now means great attackers have a more positive impact than great defenders? What is you thought on this
Is it possible to recruit the type of players needed to improve a squad if there's no promise of Champion's League? My hunch is that the younger players want European experience early and often and the peak plus players don't want to waste years they don't have investing in getting a club back to the Champion's League.
All finals always seem so cagey - can you think of a rule change that would lead to more expansive football?
How rare is it for all 4 teams in European finals to be from the same domestic league? And is that at all significant?
Do you think Arsenal will miss Mkhitaryan?
What do you think is the most likely outcome for the CL final?
Has emery been an improvement from the last few years of Wenger? And what position do Arsenal need to improve most this summer?
At what point do we assume that FIFA and UEFA are trolling us with their choice of venues for the World Cup/UCL/Europa League? Russia is obviously not the choicest country deserving of a reward, but Qatar and Azerbaijan? If Mikhi can't travel to Azerbaijan, I am sure we will miss a few stars in 2020. This strikes me as some sort of long con
Of Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea fans...who should be most worried the next few years about falling back out of the Champions' League places?
Thoughts on the idea (put forward by Michael Cox) that Arsenal and Chelsea should swap managers as this would make their fan-bases happier (in brief, Arsenal fans love possession and attacking as Sarri does, Chelsea fans would be happy to have Emery grind out some 1-0 results)?
Maybe it's silly to be worried about this while Arsenal are *in a European Cup Final* but I worry about what this team will look like over the next few years. This squad is sneaky-old - does their future seem bright to you?
A little tactical analysis of the half and what to expect changed in the second?