Premier League Gameweek 1

ThierryHenry14

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Not sure what people are expecting. It is the same team with a new forward and a left back. I don't expect the game play will be much different than last year.
 

FatTails

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Palace had a pretty terrible preseason. Not that impressed with Arsenal all things considered. If we sort our shit, we can pip them to 5th in the table.
 

Suv666

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Explain the relevance of that stat? Sancho's career didn't start last season in a shit United side did it
The relevance of the stat is that he's been shit in England and no one cares about doing it in the Bundesliga.
Mkhitarayan scored like a madman in Germany means feck all.
 

Lash

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On a separate note, I thought Anthony Taylor had a very good game. Few fouls i was surprised he gave, considering what he let go, but in general made it a very free flowing and good game.
 

GoonerBear

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I am really happy with 3 points. It is always good to win the first game of the season.
Indeed. I had the fear about this game, opening game, Selhurst Park, Friday Night game, PTSD from both opening game last season and Palace game, had banana skin written all over it.

I'll gladly take the 3 points and run. Next fixtures are Leicester (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H), Villa (H). Got a chance to build a bit of momentum before going to Utd.
 

charlenefan

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The relevance of the stat is that he's been shit in England and no one cares about doing it in the Bundesliga.
Mkhitarayan scored like a madman in Germany means feck all.
Writing him off after 1 season in a shit side. Cool
 

V.O.

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On a separate note, I thought Anthony Taylor had a very good game. Few fouls i was surprised he gave, considering what he let go, but in general made it a very free flowing and good game.
I thought the same actually. I especially liked that he booked Xhaka for diving (which barely seemed to happen at all last year), and gave a free kick to Zaha without him having to go to ground (which feels like it never happens).

I hope that signals new directives, because both of those things being implemented over the season would make football a much less irritating sport to watch.
 

KiD MoYeS

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Arsenal looked pretty impressive, particularly in the first half. I think with our squad we'll have a hard time finishing above them to be honest, but then again it is Arsenal.
 

Suv666

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Writing him off after 1 season in a shit side. Cool
No one's writing him off. You're the one overhyping him over potential which isnt guaranteed to translate.

As things stand comparing him to Saka isn't batshit crazy. I hope a day comes when it is but right now its not.
 

charlenefan

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No one's writing him off. You're the one overhyping him over potential which isnt guaranteed to translate.

As things stand comparing him to Saka isn't batshit crazy. I hope a day comes when it is but right now its not.
You literally just did
 

Champ

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Palace had a very fragmented pre season, they won't get fully going until three/four games in.

Arsenal however should be ready to go already, yet they looked rather average going forward.

Artetas downfall will be this continuation of getting his team to sit back after scoring. Happened tonight, happened repeatedly last season.
 

Lash

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I thought the same actually. I especially liked that he booked Xhaka for diving (which barely seemed to happen at all last year), and gave a free kick to Zaha without him having to go to ground (which feels like it never happens).

I hope that signals new directives, because both of those things being implemented over the season would make football a much less irritating sport to watch.
Agreed, especially on the Zaha incident.

Fingers crossed, he also looked in very good nick from previous seasons, so maybe being sharper really helped too.
 

Nish115

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First half we were good, 2nd half less so.

But that is a very tough first game, so a 2-0 win is a perfect result.

Could tell we had no options really on the bench though, hopefully ESR, Tomi and Vieira help. Also hopefully 1 or 2 more signings.

Saliba looks just an animal tbh. Tierney was nice when he came on too. Zinchenko really ran out of steam but he hasn't played much tbh. Think Saka was a danger all game, but Odegaard poor. If Vieira was fit, or ESR, I imagine Odegaard would have been off earlier.
 

Harry190

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Gotta put some respect on Andersen's name. He's been very good since last season.
 

Pogue Mahone

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I thought the same actually. I especially liked that he booked Xhaka for diving (which barely seemed to happen at all last year), and gave a free kick to Zaha without him having to go to ground (which feels like it never happens).

I hope that signals new directives, because both of those things being implemented over the season would make football a much less irritating sport to watch.
In that incident he let Zaha play on for a bit, only to pull play back for the original foul. Which also seems like it never happens.
 

McTerminator

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Palace had a very fragmented pre season, they won't get fully going until three/four games in.

Arsenal however should be ready to go already, yet they looked rather average going forward.

Artetas downfall will be this continuation of getting his team to sit back after scoring. Happened tonight, happened repeatedly last season.
This is spot on.
 

ThierryHenry14

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Indeed. I had the fear about this game, opening game, Selhurst Park, Friday Night game, PTSD from both opening game last season and Palace game, had banana skin written all over it.

I'll gladly take the 3 points and run. Next fixtures are Leicester (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H), Villa (H). Got a chance to build a bit of momentum before going to Utd.
My over simplified math told me if Jesus can score 10 - 15 league goals, he may earn the team 5 to 6 more points in total compared with last season, and that may be enough to get the 4th spot. Of course it may require even more points for the 4th spot this season.
 

Che Guevara

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Sancho is 1 year older and by Sakas age had set records for Dortmund with his productivity. Come on. Surely you can see some sense that United having a disaster year doesn't mean a player has to prove it all.

Or is Ben white better than Varane in your eyes too? Its a crazy statement to make. A club situation for 1 year doesn't erase Sancho being the 2nd/3rd best young talent after mbappe and haaland - by a distance.
In the Premier League Saka's stats are clearly far better than Sancho's. It's fair to say Sancho has been playing in a less competitive German league.
 

bosnian_red

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Yeah, that's an utterly ridiculous take and I'm not even going to bother arguing with it :lol:
Sancho has over 100 goals and assist in the league or CL or international football by age 22. Saka is 1 year younger and has less than half of that. You tell me what the ridiculous take is
 

SilentWitness

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Arsenal definitely didn’t dominate the game but had the more impressive spells and most importantly got over the line with the win and clean sheet.
 

V.O.

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In that incident he let Zaha play on for a bit, only to pull play back for the original foul. Which also seems like it never happens.
Yeah, that's a fair point too. I think playing an advantage and bringing things back to the original foul is a little more common than the other two points, but it was a good bit of reffing all round.
 

NoPace

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Since everyone loves xG:

Makes sense, it was an even game by the end. Eze should have scored and made it 1-1. Arsenal dominated the first 30, Palace much of the 2nd half and the rest was even.

Great debut for Saliba and solid one for Doucoure. Palace still need a new RB and a #8 who can pass, Clyne just isn't the same player as he used to be. More of a solid Champo type now. And Schlupp/Hughes are decent squad players for a team hoping to finish around 10th every season now.
 

bucky

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Makes sense, it was an even game by the end. Eze should have scored and made it 1-1. Arsenal dominated the first 30, Palace much of the 2nd half and the rest was even.

Great debut for Saliba and solid one for Doucoure. Palace still need a new RB and a #8 who can pass, Clyne just isn't the same player as he used to be. More of a solid Champo type now. And Schlupp/Hughes are decent squad players for a team hoping to finish around 10th every season now.
Agreed.
 

bosnian_red

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Ok, that is a really tough place to go and win, especially under the lights first game of the season. I don't think Palace lost by more than 1 goal in any home game last season.

Man Utd play there soon I believe. Let's see if you do better... I'll be back to see you.

Really pleased with that, Saliba is top class.

"Like fair enough over Rashford if that's your preference, but over Sancho is like saying you prefer Mahrez to Messi, not on the same planet"

Werner scored every week in Germany, outscored Harry Kane, are they 'not on the same planet' either? embarrassing pal.
Oh it's an excellent result! Just thought the performance wasn't actually good but result is what matters early. Saliba was great though yeah.

Bit different though. Sancho was absolutely ridiculous since he stepped foot there. Different to being a poacher. He's an elite young player, among the best in the world. Saka just isn't there, as good as he is.
 

GoonerInPeace

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I'm pleased with this arsenal performance. After pre season I was concerned they might be getting better.

One game I know, but at best these look like they did last season to me. They'll get taken apart by the better sides as usual
Yeah but who are those better sides? You dont get to pick how you take 3 points at Selhurst Park. Palace lost only 4 home games last year. How can a 2-0 away win at Palace be anything other than a fantastic start to the season.
 

iamking

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I watched Crystal Palace play Pool out of the park last season, until VAR bailed them with a shite penalty (Jota I think). A very difficult team to beat at their home. Without Gallagher they are not just missing out a creative midfielder, but also lost out on playing Eze on the wings! He is much better beating fullbacks in space, than holding play and slipping balls through CBs. Arsenal were good for a good 15 mins or so! Gabriel Jesus bothers me, he is a world class talent lacking consistency. If he slots into rhythm, they will break the low blocks nicking their way to a top 4 CL spot.
 

mancan92

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Like fair enough over Rashford if that's your preference, but over Sancho is like saying you prefer Mahrez to Messi, not on the same planet
What are you on about? Saka is the same age as Sancho and legitimately gets picked over him due to performances for club and Country. You might be believe that Sancho has the ability to be better. But at the moment Saka is the more consistent performer.
 

mancan92

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Sancho has over 100 goals and assist in the league or CL or international football by age 22. Saka is 1 year younger and has less than half of that. You tell me what the ridiculous take is
Let's be honest here one was in bundersliga. Mhiki scored a ridiculous amount of goals there aswell. There is literally nothing to show at the moment that Sancho is any crazy level above Saka. There's things that Sancho is better at and others that Saka is better. Sancho is better on the ball in close quarters. But for example Saka has far better physical aspects so might be more dangerous on the wing depending on the match. There is no clear difference yet and even in head to heads like for England Saka has performed where Sancho hasn't.
 

bosnian_red

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What are you on about? Saka is the same age as Sancho and legitimately gets picked over him due to performances for club and Country. You might be believe that Sancho has the ability to be better. But at the moment Saka is the more consistent performer.
Being picked for England is irrelevant. Southgate is a garbage defensive manager and he prioritizes defensive ability. Perfect example is picking players who were on the bench for city over the players that Pep actually started. Yes, Saka is better suited for England, because he is better defensively and that is the only footballing quality he has over Sancho. Literally everything else on the ball he falls well short. Not actually like Saka has done a whole lot there, but anyway.

Seriously the way some of you go on about Saka and discounting all other leagues, it's like you would rate Mbappe as shit as he hasn't proved it in the Prem. We also aren't comparing Sancho with an actual world class player like Salah, and we aren't even talking about Mahrez (and Sancho is ahead of him too imo, but anyway). Its fecking Saka, what the hell has he done! He's a good young player and that's it! He hasn't even shown anything close to what Rashfords best season for United was, and Rashford isn't even a patch on how talented and good Sancho is and what Sancho has shown in his career. Craziness. Anyway. You'll see this season where Manchester United have an actual coach and are not a complete disaster team that even Mo Salah would look garbage in (which was United, last season).
 

bosnian_red

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Let's be honest here one was in bundersliga. Mhiki scored a ridiculous amount of goals there aswell. There is literally nothing to show at the moment that Sancho is any crazy level above Saka. There's things that Sancho is better at and others that Saka is better. Sancho is better on the ball in close quarters. But for example Saka has far better physical aspects so might be more dangerous on the wing depending on the match. There is no clear difference yet and even in head to heads like for England Saka has performed where Sancho hasn't.
Yes, the Bundesliga, one of the top leagues in the world. Sancho has a record before the age of 20 of having just 1 goal or assist fewer than Mbappe, and those 2 are well clear of anyone else over the past 30+ year, for league goals and assists in the main 5 leagues. That's an insane record to have. Whatever the feck Saka has done (looked a good young player but that's literally it), isn't close. What Greenwood was doing wasn't close to what Sancho did, and this place pretty unanimously had Greenwood over Saka. There's tiers of players and talents. Saka and Sancho are not in the same tier, at all. Sancho has the potential and has previously shown a level that would have him among the best players in the league already. Saka hopes he can get there but doesn't really have that potential if we're honest. He's more of a peak Rashford tier potential.