Excellent performance yesterday from the Gunners Mikel got his tactics spot on after that display either Xhaka or Ceballos might find it difficult to displace Elneny partnering Thomas Partey in midfield.
I agree Salah’s dive accompanied with that blood curdling scream was embarrassing.
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Diving/cheating is a cancer on the game. Harry “Timber!” Kane is among the worst; one fingertip on his shoulder and down he goes. But they ALL do it.
Other things that need to be expunged: Waving imaginary cards at the ref; surrounding the officials to protest decisions. And while we’re at it, how do we address the ridiculous handball, offside & penalty laws?
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Totally agree Kane is one of the worse offenders and he’s not even good at it. I know people will say Arsenal over the years have also been guilty and they have but I’d say that now it’s time for the FA to stamp it out a 3 match ban would put a halt to it.
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I used to like watching football but since the rule changes around offside and penalties, I’ve pretty much stopped, as games are being decided on minute interpretations.
Was it Shanks who said something like, if you’re on the pitch and you’re not interfering with play, then what are you doing there? All this 1st phase and 2nd phase play analysis around off-side isn’t logical to me, as defenders’ behaviours will be influenced by all players around them.
…and don’t start me off on the ‘he was OK to go down, as he felt contact in the box’ rubbish.
For a reason I haven’t been able to identify, I see an underlying culture of cheating in high-level football e.g. like when a ball is kicked out and the player who did it/or who it touched, then puts their hand up appealing for the throw-in.
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Hard to disagree. One of the reasons I enjoy watching stuff across five divisions is that, whilst cheating goes on at all levels, watching those levels really exposes the level of cheating and defensive incompetence at EPL level. The EPL is essentially a form of non-contact ballet entirely disconnected from actual football. It’s the video game version if you like.
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Heavy enough for you tonight? 
That’s more like it!
They really played well tonight…Atalanta had obviously not been watching any PL games or done their research on how to defend a Liverpool side these days. But it made for a much better game.
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Diogo is fast becoming the talk of the town, it will be interesting to see if Kopp starts him on Saturday against Cite.
I think Fabinho could do with a rest, both mentally and physically, so Diogo’s rise could be a blessing for Bobby in the long run.
You mean Firmino, I think. Anyway, I agree. Jota is undroppable.
yeah, but it was “Squeaky Bum Time” at the end 
Well, MOTD2 called it correctly. Kane very obviously knew exactly what he was doing in “making a back” for Lallana - dangerous play - but gets away with it.
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Yes, Firmino.
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Unfortunately my addiction to football and to Arsenal Football club even out weigh and go back further than my love of Hifi so not watching isn’t really an option
It may be for one night only but Saints top of the league! 
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Romeu is playing so well. And what a masterstroke to pull Armstrong in from the wing, where he (like most wingers) would vanish for large chunks of the game.
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Although Danny Ings is now injured, I am so happy that he has been able to show how skilled he is in front of goal and has had a really good scoring run for the Saints.
Returning to Southampton was a very good decision on his part, he’s looked very dangerous…once again. Let’s hope his injury spelll is short and not serious.
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Thanks JOF.
@Christopher_M - I guess you’re currently a supporter of the ‘Stop the Count’ campaign, Chris 
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yup, stuff the politics, this is much more important
As Ralph H. said “Our fans will love it and they’ll make a picture of the table,”
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