AustinScubaAg said:

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wangus12 said:

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Love how this has been completely ignored by all parties

IFAB rules are clear. The FA & PGMOL allow their refs to interpret & apply them as inconsistently as they wish to both on-field & with the VAR. The rules vindicate a straight red for this Mbeumo elbow on Zubimendi.
Moan all you want but the officiating is, again, abysmal at best. pic.twitter.com/m5zXC7Pc4q

— 𝑱𝒂𝒚 (@Jopaowitt) August 18, 2025

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This was not even called a foul.

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And pretty much ignored by the tv commentators (at least on the 4K side).

I WAS OUTRAGED. Not really, but I was pissed it wasn't even looked at by VAR. OK, I assumed it wasn't looked it since nothing was mentioned.

It appears Trossard is staying.

🚨 Exclusive: Leandro Trossard has agreed a new deal at Arsenal.

30-year-old will have salary increased to reflect valued role in squad.

Deal not extended - will still run to 2027.@TheAthleticFC 🔴⚪️ #AFC https://t.co/Flal6oI6QL

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) August 19, 2025

I'm guessing that either a) we can't find a replacement we like available now and/or b) we can't find anyone willing to give us what we want. The problem is that he is 30 and you just increased his pay. He will 100% be walking away on a free at the end of this deal.

I'm not mad at this. If he's content knowing minutes are going to be hard to come by, I love having him with the squad. He seems to have a knack for coming in the game when we've been stagnant offensively and creating.

I also assume this means we won't be imminently signing another left W addition. Also not too upset with that as I can't see how we could do that and not have an issue with Nwaneri.

I wouldn't expect another W for a couple seasons unless we sell Marti or Noni. Saka is likely never being sold (only if he forces), no one is gonna take Trossard on inflated wages and with Nwaneri & Dowman able to put in a shift (though both could end up in other positions long term) there is really no room for another W until 1-2 leave.

I mean I wouldn't know what to think if one of our better players left and we got a pile of cash for him. It wouldn't feel right.

chjoak said:

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Not only that, the ref called play on and left Zubi on the ground holding his head. He NEVER stopped play to check on him.

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Was the ref Simon Hooper (I didn't watch the game). He's terrible.

chjoak said:

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I'm guessing that either a) we can't find a replacement we like available now and/or b) we can't find anyone willing to give us what we want. The problem is that he is 30 and you just increased his pay. He will 100% be walking away on a free at the end of this deal.

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Maybe, but he obviously was serious about leaving otherwise we don't end up needing to provide a pay rise late in the window. It is possible he will "cash in" for a year and then will go look for some playing time on a decent 2 or 3 year contract elsewhere.

Time will tell how the minutes get split up on the left. I'm not too worried about it, I don't think selling Trossard was going to unlock a move for a needle-moving winger this year and was it ever likely to do that next year either? Highly doubtful.

chjoak said:

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I wouldn't expect another W for a couple seasons unless we sell Marti or Noni. Saka is likely never being sold (only if he forces), no one is gonna take Trossard on inflated wages and with Nwaneri & Dowman able to put in a shift (though both could end up in other positions long term) there is really no room for another W until 1-2 leave.

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If we sign a winger this winter or next summer, I think it'll either be a big name and Martinelli leaves or it'll be a younger guy who we can keep on the fringes for a bit until Trossard rotates out.

Point taken, but I wasn't ever under the illusion that our 30 year old (mostly) reserve was going to add too much to the coffer

Agree. I think this is a critical season for Martinelli to bounce back and start finding the net again on a regular basis. I love what he does off the ball, but if he's going to avoid being "top-graded" he's going to need to produce some goals.

ChipFTAC01 said:

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chjoak said:

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Not only that, the ref called play on and left Zubi on the ground holding his head. He NEVER stopped play to check on him.

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Was the ref Simon Hooper (I didn't watch the game). He's terrible.

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Oh shocking you got it. Yes he was very bad.

He always has that panicked look like a 4th grader trying to give a book report on a book he didn't read.

I don't really follow other leagues but do they have refs that every fan base can name as being horrible?