The Offside Chat

The Offside Chat Episode 31: VARsenal!

This week the team discuss Arsenal’s nerve wracking win against relegation threatened West Ham in yesterday’s Super Sunday clash! Both sides needed the win and it was Arsenal who came away with the spoils, it wasn’t a vintage performance and it wasn’t without controversy as West Ham had a goal ruled out at the death for a foul on Keeper Raya. Whilst we send our condolences to West Ham as this result could send them down, we would rather Spurs for obvious reasons however we don’t care that much here at The Offside Chat as there is a title to win and Arsenal are on step closer to achieving this in 22 years! Elsewhere among the league we discussed the fall out of the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea, boos rang out after the result from the home crowd and the fans are no longer happy with Slot. Should he be sacked or does he deserve more time as he did land the Premier League in his maiden season?

The Offside Chat Episode 30: Arsenal Beat Newcastle (Just!)

This week The Team discusses Arsenal nerve wracking win against Newcastle last Saturday, a sobering couple of weeks saw Arsenal slip to second in the table as City beat Burnley in their midweek game in hand. It was imperative that Arsenal won against Newcastle and they did, just not in style! It was a brilliant strike from Eberechi Eze who seems to come alive at the end of Season but other than that nothing else to write home about, it seems Arsenal are just intent on getting the points hook or by crook in order to seal their first league title since 2004. In the other side of North London, beleaguered Spurs travelled to Wolverhampton knowing that anything other than a win could further damage their bid to stave off relegation, a win they got but it was a costly one as they lost Solanke to a hamstring injury and Xavi Simons to an ACL. To add further insult to injury, West Ham beat Everton with a late winner from Callum Wilson to send West Ham two points clear. Spurs are really staring down the barrel of a gun, can they beat the drop or is their 34 year stay in the Premier League over?

The Offside Chat Episode 29: Man City Blow Title Race Wide Open

This week it’s just the usual Team however the subject is still the same, another Arsenal crisis meeting albeit slightly calmer! Arsenal went to the Etihad on Sunday knowing a win against Manchester City would all but confirm them as Champions for the 25/26 Season instead in typical fashion they lost 2-1 to blow the title race wide open! It was all good a month ago, Arsenal in four competitions and cruising at the top of the League with a 9 point gap, they conspired to lose in the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City, get knocked out by Southampton in the FA Cup QF, things are going well in the Champions League and have made it to the SF against Atletico Madrid however if City win their game in hand over Burnley this Wednesday then they go top of the League on goal difference. Safe to say it has been a sobering couple of weeks for Arsenal but nothing new under Mikel Arteta, if the unthinkable happens then the inquest will happen and a decision from KSE will have to be made. However if he wins all the remaining league games and there some dodgy results for City all is well but we’ve seen this movie all too regularly!

The Offside Chat Episode 28: You Can Kill The Man But Not The Idea!

This week The Team are joined by two Special Guest Mike & Kai as The Offside Chat have an official Arsenal Crisis Meeting bordering on a Civil War! It has been a sobering couple of weeks for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, first they lose to Man City in the Carabao Cup Final, they then get dumped out of the FA Cup QF by Championship Side Southampton and last weekend they decided to lose at home to Bournemouth! The panel discuss many issues surrounding Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, will the 22 year wait for the Premier League Title will continue or do Arsenal and Mikel Arteta actually have what takes to win? If Mikel doesn’t win is it time to say goodbye or does he deserve another year?

The Offside Chat Episode 27: Pep Schools Arteta Again!

This week The Team discuss Carabao Cup Final result as Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 to win the first trophy available of the Season. Despite a decent 20 mins from Arsenal, Pep and City proved they still know how to win when it matters most and thanks to a brace from O’Reilly they picked up their 5th Carabao Cup in 10 years. Nobere led a passionate rally cry to all Arsenal fans to hold their nerve as this is the business end of the Season now, whilst the result is not what any Arsenal fan wanted there are bigger fish to fry (always the case with Arteta!). Ted & Naeem felt Arsenal squandered a chance to win a trophy with an insipid performance, you can lose but it’s how you lose in a final that matters as well. Elsewhere along the league all of Arsenal’s enemies, sorry Rivals were enjoying Arsenal’s defeat forgetting they too lost on the weekend! Spurs are in deep deep trouble as they lost 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest in a 6 pointer, if West Ham beat Wolves Spurs will end up in 18th. They really have it all to do and the unthinkable is looking all too real. Chelsea continued their downward slide with a resounding 3-0 reverse to Everton, their shambolic defence made Beto look like prime Drogba as he ran amok. Liverpool also made a mockery of their Title defence at Brighton in the early kick off on Saturday and after spending £500m finishing outside the top four was not in their plans surely. Both their managers need to pull a rabbit out the hat to save their jobs let alone the Season.