The Gunners kicked off the season in style last week by picking up their second trophy in 3 months, but now it's back to serious business as the EPL season takes over the futbol world's attention with an opening slate full of intriguing matchups. Everyone's favorite disciplinarian stepdad Louis Van Gall will have the honors of taking his squad out first, with a visit from a Swansea team that has had a busy summer with enough moves (Gomis, Sigurdson) to make up for the loss of Davies and Worm to Spurs. At least in theory. Nerves will be aplenty, not least by new boys, but look to United to try to replicate the 4-1 thumping they put on the Welsh in last year's opening game. Which makes it about the only thing they'll try to emulate from last year. Mauricio Pochettino will start his new job at Spurs with a very winnable game against a Hammers team whose owners have promised their fans more entertaining play this season. I guess they forgot the part where Big Sam is their coach. Although they did make a couple of potentially interesting signings, such as Diego Poyet or Mauro Zarate. Arsenal will be looking to keep up their good vibes from the Community Shield win by hosting Crystal Palace, a task that looked like a potential test, but Pulis' shock exit looks like very bad news for Palace.
Sunday brings on the LaLaLo Bowl as Liverpool bring out their recruits from Southampton (though Lallana will be out) against their old team. No doubt everyone will be watching to see how they cope without Bitey Mouse; my guess is pretty fucking well, at least on the offensive side. City will close the weekend against Newcastle who are already dealing with Ben Arfa headaches, but who had themselves another sneakily decent recruiting offseason. Remi Cabella could be one of the best pickups of the summer IMO. On Monday we'll close the opening round with Chelsea and Burnley, a game which has already generated 1 million references to that time Burnley beat United 1-0 in their first game, but sadly for them I'm not sure the title juggernaut that Mourinho has built will let that happen.

France: Claude Makelele will make his first return the Parc des Princes when his Bastia team take on PSG tomorrow. They had a feisty encounter with Marseille (unfortunately the feistiness was not limited to the pitch, as there was a violent encounter between some supporters and riot police before the game. Corsica gonna corsica), so PSG will have their hands full if they want to improve on last year's tepid start to the season.

EPL
Saturday Aug 16
07:45 Man Utd v Swansea
10:00 Leicester v Everton
10:00 QPR v Hull
10:00 Stoke v Aston Villa
10:00 West Brom v Sunderland
10:00 West Ham v Spurs
12:30 Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Sunday Aug 17
8:30 Liverpool v Southampton
11:00 Newcastle v Man City
Monday Aug 18
2:00 Chelsea v Burnley

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

(from @DTGuardian)

nine players out, including Shaw, Evans, Welbeck, Valencia, Carrick, Rafael and RVP

that seems like a pretty huge number of injuries to take in a season, although I guess some of those players might not figure in the 11 this year? I have no clue, honestly I try to avoid watching ManU as much as possible, only peek in on them when they have a big game, not week to week. But those are names I recognize, is Van Gaal turning the roster over or are those real misses?

___________

HOPE!
https://vine.co/v/i7JjIBL3Qix
https://vine.co/v/i7JtqEFwxDu

maybe rafael but i cant imagine why.

<--- Big Baller World Order

Esp. after pulling Palace out of the relegation zone last year when he did. I just do't understand what these teams are thinking sometimes.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

Only soccer media twitter chatter I picked up (why in the world would I actually read about organizational drama at Crystal Palace?), but that was the impression I got. If Palace want to be frugal, that's their call. If Pulis feels like he can't succeed without $, he's in the wrong situation anyway.

Too bad for Palace to face the turmoil at this stage, but it seems like a necessarry parting of ways.

___________

HOPE!
https://vine.co/v/i7JjIBL3Qix
https://vine.co/v/i7JtqEFwxDu

you'd think he would get a bit more support to improve the squad.

if Pulis doesn't like it, it's best for all involved he take a differenet job. Woulda been more professional to actually transition out, but however it shakes out...

___________

HOPE!
https://vine.co/v/i7JjIBL3Qix
https://vine.co/v/i7JtqEFwxDu

the timing is completely unprofessional.

but there's still something weird here. TP would have been aware of his budget earlier than the week before the start of the season. CP are a well supported club and the new TV contract should be helping. it's not like stoke were big spenders. cmon.

>but there's still something weird here. TP would have been
>aware of his budget earlier than the week before the start of
>the season. CP are a well supported club and the new TV
>contract should be helping. it's not like stoke were big
>spenders. cmon.

Over the last five years (saw it in a tweet this morning, too lazy to look back, might be in @DTGuardian timeline). But yeah, actually Pulis DID spend more money than anyone besides Chelsea, Man City, et. al. and what exactly did all that investment get Stoke? Brek Shea on loan to the 3rd division? So yeah, good chance Pulis is just dumb about money, should focus on the on-field challenges (and success) more.

___________

HOPE!
https://vine.co/v/i7JjIBL3Qix
https://vine.co/v/i7JtqEFwxDu

that's talking net spend. all the other teams on that list tripled their gross spend if not more ...

liverpool - £309m (£62m)
united - £287m (£57m)
chelsea - £436m (£87m)
citeh - £640m (£128m)

compare that with stoke's gross of £99m (£20m) and it's a bit misleading. stoke isn't exactly known for developing profitable youth or buying young. if they even had one decent sale in those five years, they wouldn't be sniffing the list.

i guess this still serves your narrative. maybe TP is dumb with money, but he obviously knows what he's doing with a marginal talent pool. it's still odd to me.

why are we arguing about CP/TP again?

i mean ... no. just no.

http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2014/8/15/6006261/fat-eggs-and-sam

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

HA! i do CFC quite a bit. good group over there. mostly lurk, though.

i have very mixed expectations for tomorrow. if last season taught me anything, it was expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised when it doesn't happen.

... but that preseason? with actual strategery? and LAMELA/ERIKSEN?

i be like OOH OOH OOH (c) redman

The feat of Spurs jumping ahead to get the Arsene Wenger trophy along with CL is pretty huge this year. City and Chelsea are locks for top 4, Arsenal is looking good with the Sanchez signing, especially if Ozil has a comeback year, leaving Spurs, United, Liverpool and Everton all wanting that last spot. I think Liverpool won't do so well having to deal without Suarez and having to play in Europe, not totally convinced about Van Gaal being the savior for United, and Everton isn't all that scary so who knows.

There's a lot of talent on this Spurs team, and MoPo even in preseason had the team looking more cohesive than Tactics Tim did all year. A lot of people are talking about Europa being the goal with a CL berth, but I can't see MoPo going all in for it unless Spurs make the quarterfinal or something.

Right now, all i'm looking for is beating the piss out of West Ham tomorrow after what happened last year, and the defense staying healthier than last year when things fell apart.

Dat Coco/Eriksen combo is going to be fun to watch

>... but that preseason? with actual strategery? and
>LAMELA/ERIKSEN?

...And Soldado and Lennon and Capoue and Holtby and Townsend???? It's not healthy to get hyped over preseason friendlies, BUT I'M HYPED!


COYS!

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

1. chelsea
2. city
3. man utd
4. arsenal

fa cup: arsenal
la liga: barca
champions league: real madrid

<--- Big Baller World Order

>
>1. chelsea
>2. city
>3. LFC
>4. arsenal

Talk about youth at the "back"

Excited to see the way this midfield works in a proper league game

:(

Scripps Spelling Bee : ARSENAL

Wenger will simultaneously cure cancer and ease the civil unrest in Ferguson.

I LOVE the start of the season!

and im pretty sure a bird shit in ashley youngs mouth
https://vine.co/v/M37F1mB5IzB

<--- Big Baller World Order

a nice summation of the day.

i think it was someones loogie.

fucking gross.

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

http://gfycat.com/WhimsicalCleverGoshawk

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT NOW!!!

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

I've firmly held that the holding mid transfer is the most important one of the summer...Flamini isn't a starter at this point and Arteta, although he tries hard, simply doesn't have the physicality needed, gets shrugged off so many times. We have to get a real holding mid in order to compete at the top level. Further, with Kosc already having an injury issue with his Achilles, Per coming off the extended summer, AND Verma leaving, there's no way we can get by with only Calum and *shudders* Nacho as cover at CB. Obviously Wenger knows this, and I think he will address it before the month is out...whether he gets a player who can play both (which he has hinted at) or gets two dedicated position players.

That being said..let's start this season off right at Emirates. Let's go Gunners!!!

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Lucas still trash though

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

His skill level is obviously evident and another item that's evident is his work-rate. He's involved in everything, from making runs to stretch the backline to getting back to help defensively and close down on the right. He's gonna make such a significant overall impact.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

---

But hell, what do I know?

Really allows Debuchy a lot more freedom. I'm sure Gibbs is looking at Cazorla like "wtf man"

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Hangeland runs across the face, Kosc sees him late entering into his zone, uncontested header...great ball and a flick on leads to a goal. I sincerely hate the zonal marking on corners...allows for so many momentum runners who can create chances.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Giving away the ball constantly and consistently...so frustrating. Wilshere and Ramsey have made so many inaccurate passes and Cazorla's service off corners has been garbage (woefully short on everything).

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

And woila, an equalizer. Great header by Kosc...but shit, Santi hasn't even given anyone a chance with his service thus far.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Artetta old and flabby. Santi is so whatever. Nacho is splattered with 7-11 cheez


I'm pretty pissed Arteta was named captain.

Bring in Giroud and OX

Wilshere and Ramsey have been so inaccurate, Arteta simply isn't strong or quick enough, Santi has been inaccurate and slow (counting Santi as a mid bc regardless of what the formation says, he's basically playing as a mid considering the pockets he plays in).

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Incredible one touch pass to Alexis off that huge deflection after the corner. I really think he has the most potential as a central player.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

RSL plays some of the most sophisticated soccer in MLS, Seattle is star-studded and playing great this year, and this ends up being a battle for the top of the league. This is genuinely one of the most compelling matchups we'll see in MLS this year, let's hope the game lives up to it...

___________

HOPE!
https://vine.co/v/i7JjIBL3Qix
https://vine.co/v/i7JtqEFwxDu

First off, Giroud has to start....Sanogo has flashes but the beta between these two, especially in terms of hold-up strength and first touch, is gigantic. Secondly, Arteta can't be our holding mid; was clear last year and is still clear now, please lord bring in some teeth Wenger. Thirdly, Wilshere doesn't inspire much confidence in me...he's so sloppy in dangerous counter positions, gives away the ball with inaccurate passes or by holding onto it far too long. Getting caught on the break from midfield turnovers was our biggest issue against top teams last year, and Jack is such a risk. Fourthly, looks like Santi is gonna have another slow start to the season...he was just off. Fifth, Alexis is still clearly acclimating but his work-rate paired with Debuchy is gonna make that right side so dangerous because Alexis covers so well defensively. Lastly, Chambers looked pretty damn good (outside of one mistake where he allowed himself to get pulled too far upfield and then had to basically use a take-down on Campbell when the ball broke, deserved yellow).

3 points are 3 points, but that was not a well played game, by any sense of the imagination.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

https://vine.co/v/M3ZQ2T72lzl

i didn't realize he was at everton since january.

<--- Big Baller World Order

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

that yellow.

with the money at stake for not getting back in the champions league (a highly likely scenario), we should be willing to break the bank to accomplish that.

the squad needs are obvious. the money is no longer an issue.
i'd love to see what the problem is in the board room because it just doesn't add up. why cant we be a properly ran club and get business done before the season starts? it's already cost us 3 critical points.

<--- Big Baller World Order

>why cant we be a properly ran club
>and get business done before the season starts? it's already
>cost us 3 critical points.

A new coach who enters in the summer always needs some time to figure out the state of the team and personally see which players he feels should stay and go...often times, you can't just tell from training, most coaches will wait until seeing real meaningful game action before making decisions. I never expected ManU to do their business early this summer because LVG doesn't exactly know what his major strengths or weaknesses are until he gets a bigger sample size.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Bielsa mini-meltdown in 5..4..3..2..

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

only caught snippets of the game on the radio, including that sterling goal. i love his composure.

i really hope some of the defensive lapses will be corrected with can in there and the addition of moreno. i'm wondering if the firesale at southampton led rodgers to believe this would be more of a cakewalk. i don't expect lovren to work miracles and figure it will take some time for the unit in the back to gel. as long as the offensive output continues it should buy us a little time.

was a bit surprised to see manquillo get the start, but he seemed to do well. i'm looking forward to see markovic in action, too.

still interested in seeing what liverpool's standard formation will be. i'm leaning towards the 4-2-3-1 that was deployed against Dortmund. having can and gerrard playing a little deeper can help prevent some of the exploitation we saw southampton capable of.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

the difference being that BR has acquired depth and has some options.

I love Lucas but he kind of seems without a place in the starting XI right now. He just can't do enough going forward, and for now, Gerrard is capable of helping tidy things up in front of the back four. I assume Gerrard will need a lot of rest so it will be nice to have Lucas, but I don't know if I'd start both of them again.

For the most part I thought the defense looked ok, though obviously there were some real chances in the 2nd half. I'm interested in seeing what Lovern can do for organization.

People say Manquillo had a good game but I thought he was showing a pretty steep learning curve. Lots of potential though.

As long as there isn't another striker, the attack rests on Radio Rahim, Sturridge and Coutinho. (look forward to getting Lallana back.)

Could be a lot worse.

two dope passes leading to goals today already

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

With Matic doing the dirty work behind him and covering, he's so free to link-up and control distribution. As you said, he's gonna be a beast...Mourinho has setup such a great midfield. I said it in the transfer thread but dude is absolutely perfect for Chelsea....I love him but I hate to see him do it for the cotdamn Blues.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

2nd year under Mourinho's influence and now setup so well for his style of play. Courtois in net, Fabregas playing in his perfect role with Matic covering, and Costa up front + Drogba to spell.....he has fitted the team so well to his liking and done some ridiculously good business in the meantime (thanks PSG, good grief).

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

thank god futbol is back

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

How many times can I see a player completely bungle a great chance and then yell at himself? Ramsey set him up perfectly and dude completely whiffs, smfh.

We've had so many possible chances but cannot find the quality on the final pass. Alexis is doing everything but getting little to no support after taking possession into dangerous areas.

Defensively, we've hurt ourselves significantly with silly mistakes. Have to keep tracking Ba and Chambers nearly cost us with that mistake...he's had issues whenever he's been asked to turn and really run. He isn't slow, he just is a bit hesitant and it hurts his fluidity.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Great vision and touch but lacks any of the cutting edge needed from a striker.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Great touch? No, maybe great for a big uncoordinated guy with two left feet

We'll see incredible control once or so every season (like on the goal he scored last season when the ball was lofted into the box, he killed the ball with one incredible touch, which then was too perfect of a setup for even his clumsy finishing to screw up) but the rest is so lacking.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

I'll presume the Germans will be back next week, right?

Wouldn't surprise me at all if Wenger puts Calum at holding mid with bfg back with Kosc. Regardless, we need a holding mid so fucking badly...Arteta is too slow, not strong enough, and completely out of position

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

If the ref is gonna call the first on a jersey pull, then why isn't the jersey pull on Ramsey, right fucking before that, a yellow? Then on the 2nd yellow, Ramsey is beat and puts his arm out with minimal contact, besiktas dude goes down like a sack...come the fuck on. That is not a 2nd yellow card.

To make matters worse, Ramsey knicked the ball away at about 20 yards after the besiktas dude lost his balance, is clean through...and it's called a damn foul. Stop calling the fucking reactions, if you don't see what actually happens then you can't call it properly.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Some of that is certainly attributed to rust, some of it to the garbage pitch, but some of the missed passes in the final 1/3 and especially the bone-headed decisions in the middle of the field are inexcusable. How many times can our midfielders get caught in possession?

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

you mentioned Giroud, and rightly so, but Alexis disappeared pretty quickly as well. Besiktas look like a proper counter team, it won't be easy at the Emirates and the midfield will need to cut down on the silly mistakes

With that said, it would've been a very dope goal had the Ox's strike gone in

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

In the first half, there were a number of times where he got himself into dangerous areas but there was no one there to link up with him or no one in the box making a run. In the 2nd half, the midfield gave him pretty much zero supply lines. To his credit, he continued to track back (my fav part about him) and he created our one real (non Besiktas mistake) chance of the 2nd half when he linked beautifully with Debuchy who squared for Giroud. Wenger rightfully subbed him out because he was certainly tired and we need him fresh for the weekend plus next week.

Would have loved to see Ox score (the team wasn't at all deserving though)....it was a great touch save.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

And Bilic is a good manager.

And Ba is better than Giroud

on a Tuesday night no less, those Spaniards are crazy

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Wow. I think I like this.

Super Mario + Sterling + Sturridge = Dat Blackness!

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

that attack is serious.

The risk-reward is definitely worth it...if Rogers can harness him, look the fuck out.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

we all know this.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

i think i can even tolerate that its gonna be for liverpool as long as they don't prosper at our expense

<--- Big Baller World Order

---

But hell, what do I know?

not sure how Sturridge and Balotelli feature in the same lineup at all. All the same, this a good move to strengthen the CL campaign.

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.