Ha, completely and utterly predictable: http://www.wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/relegation-picks.56885/page-85#post-2871385 "...we will now have the spectacle of Mikel Arteta talking about the integrity of the competition as he fields their strongest XI against us on Sunday"
No no no. This is incorrect. As stated earlier on this thread, an Arsenal blog has stated they will play the kids. Also, this forum has been adamant they'll be on the beach and/or resting players for a cup final a week later. I know who I believe.
The quote says "Ideally I want to play as strong a team as I can." To me this means the strongest he can in view of the FA Cup coming up. Unlikely to be the same XI that play in the cup final, imo that would be foolish and risky. The headline don't match the quote.
True. It just made me laugh he talks about the integrity of the competition yet played his duffers against Villa in the week. Not that it matters.
Their main priority is to beat Watford. The FA Cup is of secondary importance. I’m just waiting for David Moyes to come out with his announcement that he will play the kids because he has the responsibility to the long term development of West Ham.
There is a growing hostility towards Watford now and it seems to be within the game itself. Didn't Wally brolly man say a couple days ago he hopes Watford go down? David Moyes has shown his disgust towards the sacking of Pearson with recent comments. Pep goes weak against Bournemouth yet strong against us. Arteta is going to do the same. Bruce rested all his players and threw his match at City in order to go strong against us. I'll await with interest to see what type of team both Everton and West Ham pick on Sunday. I just think they hate how Watford go about their business, they want us out, and seeing this as their big opportunity to get it done.
I don’t think we can blame Arse for playing their best team, it would pretty unprofessional to play a weakened side. They may play 1 or 2 fringe players, but I would expect their big hitters. I think we are snookered on this. If we attack, they will easily cut through our defence. If we defend, they will eventually score and we will barely get a shot on target. I’m going for a battling, 0-2. We need Villa to get smashed, to have any chance
Last game of the season. All I hope is we go down fighting. We need to be spiteful in this game and I hope we are. If Arteta wants to play his best 11 then make sure half of them don’t make it to the Cup Final. He wants to talk about respecting the league when he made 6 changes against Villa. They had a responsibility then. So screw him and the FA. So I seriously hope we go into every 50/50 with a little bit extra left in. If we’re losing with 10/15mins to go, then wipe them out. We’re down anyway at that point. Might as well cripple some of them.
This little vendetta EPL clubs seem to have against us, I hope backfires. Sure Arteta can go strong, we cannot stop that from happening. Sure he can fire up his club to give everything they've got in order to beat us.........but I wonder how that would be viewed by the club's top brass if he plays his strongest XI and one or two key players pick up injuries when it wasn't necessary to do so? The cup final is Arsenal's only chance to qualify for Europe, which is so important to these clubs. If he jeopardises that, just because he wants to send Watford down, I don't think that would go down too well.
Lol. I think we should be all over them like a rash, but not sure I want to see spiteful challenges. We can upset Arsenal enough, if we win the 50.50s. But we need to be much, much better on the ball. If we keep giving them the ball, they will score with ease
I guess he might rest Aubameyang. Maybe Tierney. Hopefully Pepe. No idea about the midfield. Would be nice if Luiz plays and has one of his off days rather than his good ones.
We need to be spiteful. Arteta can field his strongest team but they will want none of it if we’re flying in. They will care more about being fit for the FA Cup final and not get injured. They need to know they are in a fight from the first minute. We need to leave a mark on their players and get in their faces. Couple of strong challenges in the opening 10mins will start to play on their minds.
You'd be a mad man to put out your strongest XI against a team fighting for relegation 6 days before a final.
Doubtful. Lacazette has played 3 games in a week. Aubemeyang played Saturday, then the Tuesday. Pepe was rested last game so there is a possibility he could play but not sure. There is a big enough squad for Arteta to say to the media afterwards if they were to draw/lose, that the players he picked had enough quality to win the game, etc.
The luck is turning.......we have Mike Dean in charge......YESSSS....get in. https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/s...referee-watfords-premier-league-game-arsenal/ He's the only ref I trust in the Premier League that would give us a fair crack. I'm delighted he's in charge.
I want some of what you're smoking! What fight!?? More chance of being harassed at full-time for their shirts from our bunch of pathetic clowns! They should put restraining orders in now on Deeney & Foster!
They tiptoed around against Villa dodging every 50/50 challenge and didn't muster a shot on target all game. Let's hope they're all flapping about picking up a pre cup final knock...
Maybe any ‘vendetta’ is based on the fact that most clubs simply don’t like the way we operate...did they find our pursuit of Everton over Silva OTT & threatening? Do we know how many feathers Gino may ruffle in his transfer ‘negotiations’? Is the arrogance we fans are starting to sense so clearly obvious to other clubs’ hierarchies that they really want us out of the EPL? We’re getting more dubious about our ‘modus operandi’...maybe the other clubs have been aware of it all along.
Exactly. And the same goes for every other player, manager and ref in the league. No one could give a tiny shyte about our insignificant club. As Oscar Wilde said, There is only one thing in football worse than being hated, and that is not being hated.
It blows my mind that anyone would think that anyone beyond Watford supporters give 2 shiny ***** about our club. We are so insignificant to everyone that they couldn't give a **** if we are relegated or not. They are just making decisions based on their club - we don't even come into their thinking; I would even go as far to say that 80% of clubs don't even give a **** about our tactics, they just play their way as they know they will beat us without thinking about what we are doing.
