Arsenal banter 8
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21 Sep 2025 23:33:38
Gyokeres 90 minutes in a nutshell
24 touches on the ball, fewer than any other outfield player on the pitch.
zero shots
zero dribbles
lost possession 13 times
passing accuracy of just 62%
Hmmmm - find that hunger young man and put yourself about better.
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22 Sep 2025 06:43:17
Hi SY
Firstly is that his fault though? Is it the way we set up that denies us getting the ball to him?
I also have had my doubts about him, if he is that good why didn't other clubs sniff around him when he was at Coventry. Don't get me wrong but 2 against newly promoted Leeds and a 5 yard tap in against Forest isn't frightening anyone, I really hope hope he can get going though.
Funnily enough I bet a work colleague that Havertz would score more than Gyokeres. he still could :)
22 Sep 2025 08:20:27
Hi Banbury mate, I must admit I was concerned at the time that signing VG might be an appeasement signing to get the fans and pundits off the clubs/ managers backs about not signing a striker rather than him being the type of striker who would naturally blend in with our team.
Hopefully he will come good for us but at the moment he looks lost and we look like we are playing with 10 men with him in the team. If that's the reason for Arteta trying to play safe then double shame on Arteta because he should have signed a striker for less money who he thought could fit in with our style of play.
22 Sep 2025 08:41:34
I just love it how easily people can turn on our players. He got no service what so ever. Now not good enough. I mean city parked the bus yesterday and tells a lot how even city and Liverpool scared to give us any space.
Its becoming a moaning site rather then banter unfortunately. You win and you play good and no one has a thing to say and suddenly something goes a little wrong and everybody jump on to criticise anything just for the sake of it.
Yes arteta got it wrong yesterday and against Liverpool for playing safe where he should have more gutts. Yes he nade a mistake with beanching Eze as its obvious we need a creative midfielder to unleash iur striker. But it was obvious we were miles better then them.
Its not the end of the world and we can only learn and move forward and I hope arteta recognise his mistake too.
So all this becoming a bit too boring.
Everyone entitled to thier opinion, but wheres your opinion when the team wins and do good.
Sorry for the rant but i think that the last thing I will be posting.
Have faith in your team and I believe we are that good to win it this year and have no doubt about it
COYG.
22 Sep 2025 09:26:24
Hi Moe I hope you will keep posting mate. For me and i think for some other people it's not about not taking all 6pts from Liverpool and City 1 point from those games can happen no matter how well your manger sets up the team or how well the players play, it's all about Arteta fear of going for it against our biggest rivals despite us having the squad to so.
Results don't always go the way any of us want them to that's football but the intent to perform at your highest possible level should always be there mate. I can understand mangers with less talented squads taking a safety first approach against City and Liverpool but we are now City and Liverpools equals and shouldn't be afraid to go toe to toe with them anymore.
22 Sep 2025 09:38:20
Hello Moe hope you and family are safe and well.
I beg to differ mate sorry.
Its not moaning its difference of opinions. If we won and I came on here, people would be saying what are you moaning for. The performance in the week against Bilbao was poor but we came away with the points and that's what I posted next day. Awful tactics against Liverpool and bad team selection yesterday and Arteta needs to be held to account over it
Take care mate.
22 Sep 2025 10:45:20
Im with you 100% Bill mate. If we don't play well and will Arteta will I get away with it but when we lack intent and fail to win with the squad he now has at his disposal then quit rightly he should be held accountable.
He's had the backing from most fans pundits and the club while he's collected all the pieces to complete the jigsaw but if he insists on putting the wrong pieces in the wrong places and keep making the picture look awful then its got to be adios amigo.
22 Sep 2025 11:38:27
It's an opinion MOE and it's facts and they don't lie, winning is ok and trophies always are key so let's see. I am not turning on Gyokeres as I had doubts from the start but if we aren't getting him the ball he has zero chance to prove himself.
We have a very strong squad and I expect a trophy this season for sure. as for praising when they win hmmmmmmm really, as Roy Keane says " it's their job " :)
5-0 v Leeds expected 3-0 v Forest expected, I haven't seen a performance that raises the brow yet, but for sure we have the squad to do it, an excellent squad it is.
22 Sep 2025 11:41:47
Hi Bill, i agree with you and 62, atreta got his tactics wrong for both city and Liverpool games. But the way some are coming cross as if we were absolutely shyte, slating this and that. Who ever was on the pitch yesterday put some shift, its not easy as people think to beark the city bus, all 11 were defending. Yes we needed the creative player on to create. But I don't think arteta was expecting city to lie thay deep from early on.
22 Sep 2025 11:59:00
The way that Arteta set you all up against us and City doesn't benefit Gyok at all. Arteta played what is essentially four CBs and three CDMs against both us and City so of course your attack is isolated. Gyok has shown that when the team plays more openly and with more fluidity, he can do a job.
Arteta needs to stop having this mentality of bunkering down against the bigger teams and just go for the win. The Arsenal squad is just as good as any and can give any team right now a run for their money.
22 Sep 2025 13:17:06
Gyokeres like any other typical no9 needs service to do his job, whether its a tap in or not. Banbury mate you might have your doubt in him but as long as he's not getting the service right how on earth can he be judged too early.
Also, its not because keane said so that means he's right. there's absolutely nothing wrong with praising your team effort and commitment.
I just see most on here concentrate on the negative rather then the positive. And don't get me wrong I'm with you all that arteta got it awfully wrong again and I freaking hope he does recognise that.
And yes liverpool and city were there for the taking and that's on him.
Lets see what he'll do away to Newcastle.
22 Sep 2025 14:09:48
Hi Moe mate, our player's always put a shift in these days, we can definitely rely on that and that's to theirs and Arteta credit. I think we all agree that it's the fact that we have the players at our disposal to play top quality proactive football but Arteta is chosing to use those players to play a cautious reactive game that's upsetting everyone mate.
If he loses it's job because he was incapable of trusting the wonderful squad he's put together that would be sad but it's ultimately his choice.
22 Sep 2025 18:52:15
Hi Moe, hope you are well.
Viktor hasn’t helped himself and Arteta hasn’t helped him either. He needs to show more hunger and work on getting into more dangerous positions and force the creative players to find him. Did Eze find Martinelli because of an intelligent run or did Martinelli run into a hopeful ball? I genuinely hope he does well but he needs to look at himself and do more. He’s a big guy and doesn’t create enough danger in the box or beating the CD to the ball plus his touch was poor. To give the ball away you have to have had it. I haven’t turned on him but both him and Arteta need to do something different.
I haven’t turned personally posted positive stuff but unfortunately I’m not going to post a lot about us beating Forest who also had their chances. I don’t think we’ve started well, I don’t think Arteta is playing to the squads strengths or addressed things. It’s an opinion - I’m not posting stuff on their social media. I posted plenty positives about Noni, Eze etc but if I feel the cannon is too heavy for someone’s shoulders then I will say it.
I don’t doubt the guys put a bit of a shift in but so does every player and athlete. Winners make tough decisions and will be criticised more especially if they are at a big club. I would say they are lazy passing sideways or backwards - it’s a lazy ass pass. Letting Haaland rip you apart when he was miles away was lazy. We are talking elite athletes on elite pay ar an elite club - that comes with the turf. If they can’t handle it then they should clear off as we won’t win the league that way. We also can use a gazilion subs now - Saka wasn’t tired but I wasn’t super impressed with his input or effort. I’m not turning on him. It’s an observation and opinion.
Ode - I’m not turning on him. I think he slows us down, runs in circles and takes too many passes. Esp in last 14 months. I think he goes missing in big tight games unlike Kevin De Bruyne who turns up and impacts big games. that's the standard if we want to win leagues.
Look at a highlights real of Eze and tell me if his thought is forward, sideways or backwards first. Look how he turns, controls, let's ball run etc etc. then look at Ode. The difference is huge and that’s why I want Eze as he’s that star man who can change a game.
Who else tried to drive our team forward yesterday by actions? Rice at times. Noni most of the time.
I feel I am a miserable poster and repeat myself and have high standards. So certain players get it, Arteta does but certain players on certain days get huge praise and rightly so.
We’ve strayed poorly and the new striker isn’t delivering and Artetas tactics suck. Not too many positives to post but I’m sure I’ve posted some and will do. I’m not turning on our players - I have an opinion and expectation.
Sorry - another long defensive non/ positive repetitive post.
22 Sep 2025 21:59:58
Alternately Arteta is the first manager to go 5 consecutive games unbeaten against Pep, and that's the first time I ever saw a pep team play like that.
Criticism and suggestions are fair, I was thoroughly disappointed when I saw our starting midfield as i want gungho attacking football, but certainly it does seem a few people have forgotten what being a supporter means. We drew at home to city and lost a tight 1-0 at anfield, keep your toys in the pram.
23 Sep 2025 08:05:38
Good morning Sir! You have an element of truth in there and yes that’s a great record but it’s how you do it, what’s the performance like, how many of the 6 points against our rivals who were there for the taking did we get? Also even against Forest at 1 nil - what did he do and where are we learning. Arteta played with 4 center backs and 3 defensive midfielders. Did he think 6 or 2 points were on the table. It bit us last year and will do again.
23 Sep 2025 08:34:02
Hello SW. Hope you are good mate.
Just like to comment on your post some people forgetting what a supporter means. I am 69 I have supported Arsenal since I was 7, was 8 when I saw my first match, travelled all over the country even been to Europe, seen the good, the bad and the ugly, made some great friends. Over the years I have criticized them when criticism is due like now and if we end up having a bad season I will criticize them but I do not repeat do not stop supporting them, if you think my posts fail the definition of a a supporter then your entitled to your opinion but I am entitled to mine.
23 Sep 2025 13:54:07
What's all this 4 CB and 3 DM talk
Are we suddenly saying that Timber, White, and Calofori are not good enough to play full back and should be removed from the team?
We have the best defence in the league for 3 seasons and one of the best in Europe, but for these 2 games thay are classed as 4 CB with the narrative being that arteta doesn't know what he is doing?
and 3 DM's, when has merino been a DM, he has never been that. and his GS form has been good, Rice yes started as a DM at west ham, but certinaly is not that for arsenal for over a season, and is not for england anymore also.
are we suggesting that we only play one of Rice, Zuba or merino as they are all the same player?
both the liverpool and city performances were good (the outcomes were not) , when do liverpool get restricted to mimimal chances at Home? when have city been reduced to parking the bus? never.
both were certinaly missed opportunities, but only because of how well we played in those games, making both those very good teams look ordinary and giving the impression that we should have taken more from the games.
we had chances in both games, but defently not enough chances, and certinaly not enough for what our dominace in both thoes games warrented.
Rant over, haha.
I absaloulty reespect everyones has different opinions and we are frustrated due to dropped points. but let's not get distracted from what has been a decent start to the season, without playing anything like what we all know we can, which is athe same for most teams at the moment.
23 Sep 2025 18:50:03
Hi Bill
I am saying we don’t play stereotypical fullbacks. We buy players that play CD / FB or even convert CD to fullbacks. They aren’t your bombing up the wing fullback like Cole. More defence minded. Believe that’s accurate. The fullback that did - we never played and is at Celtic.
The 3 midfielders are they more work horse / Defence minded bearing in mind the alternative was 2 of the 3 plus the creative Eze. It was a defence minded and workload orientated set up.
Is that not true?
It’s not been a great start - sorry. We got 1 point from our rivals out of 6. What’s decent about that. Although I’m more bothered about the performances to be fair.
21 Sep 2025 21:39:26
Liverpool fan in peace, I watched most of the game today as I still think you'll both be our biggest rivals for the title
The one big takeaway from the game is Arteta still doesn't get it does he? He repeats the same trick of 'must not lose' but in these races you need to beat the teams around you. Draws do more damage then good especially at home. Going to Anfield and hoping to get a draw is understandable to some degree but at home to a rival is a must win imo.
The way I describe it is Arteta is fighting for the title like it's the 90s/ 00s. In that period a draw against rivals was always seen as a good result. Now teams are capable of hitting high 90's these games are critical. And draws are just as bad as a defeat. We fell into the trap when we lost one game and lost the title.
The issue with Arteta is he doesn't seem to learn and you run the risk of ruining your best chances at the big trophies by sticking by him
He may prove me wrong and if he does I'll happily hold my hands up. However, pundits will point to a lack of creativity or desire from the team. In my opinion, the only thing holding you back now is Arteta.
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21 Sep 2025 22:36:11
Hi WYred to Arteta's credit, leading up to this season he got us to a place where we not only didn't have to fear playing Liverpool and City anymore we actually expected to get something out of every game we played against you both, and I genuinely thank him for that.
The issue is that now we have a squad where we fans and many pundits believe we should be looking to get 3pts against Liverpool and City both home and away but our manager doesn't share our positivity. Because of this i think we are very close to the point where it's time to say " thank you for your efforts but with regret, your fired "
21 Sep 2025 23:10:08
But Arteta said we dominated City and played better than we did when we beat them 5 1. Dominated them in every department.
Glad that’s cleared up as Arteta knows best so I guess I can relax and have a great sleep.
Congrats on dominating City Boss - well played 👏 👏 amazing job and I’m soo soo proud of you and our ambitious team.
Keep it up and I’m sure we will be champions by Christmas.
21 Sep 2025 19:38:28
Set up negatively from the start should have started eze for merino and have ago at them this is not the city of old but we are being held back by poor team selection we have to take these games by the scruff of the neck or we will be runners up yet again!
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21 Sep 2025 21:34:04
The problem is we are set up to not lose, and not to win. This is causing the issues we have with creativity as the players don’t want to take a risk which might mean losing the ball.
A prime example of this is Odegaard- 2 seasons ago he was making incredible forward passes but if you watch him now he very rarely takes the chance, and the ball ends up going sideways or backwards.
21 Sep 2025 23:27:00
At long last - someone highlighting Ode…The elephant in the room.
Yep - it’s unpopular but : drop Ode and upgrade with Eze in that role. That single move changes our approach yet fans jump to Ode’s defence. He’s been terrible this and last season plus before then disappeared in big tight games. Unpopular but true, sorry if you love him.
Exe is a game changer that special ingredient we simply haven’t had.
Sorts out our captain issue although Arteta is intent on giving it to someone who doesn’t give 💩 or shout at players hence Saka took the armband when he came on. Love Saka but he’s not a captain. He needs to find his mojo as Noni attacks better than him. Thought Saka was poor today.
Zubi not yet looking the player I thought we needed or got. Bit slow and liteweight. Hope that gets sorted. Is that why Merino started?
Winter window - still need LW and a striker.
21 Sep 2025 19:00:04
Hello everyone
First of all brilliant taken goal by Gabi, and yes I openly championed on this sight to sell him.
But the team selection was wrong from the off, no creativity and Vic not getting no service. I fully understand that with the new signings we need time to find the right mix but today and against Liverpool it has to be on Arteta.
Mal mate, you have to accept that people have different opinions and views and that's what this sight is about.
On the plus side great to see Saka back and Eze looked good. Sorry if the post was a bit of a downer but am genuinely disappointed.
Take care everyone.
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21 Sep 2025 19:36:52
Superb pass from Eze and exquisite finish from Martinelli
You could say great subs but both should have started and took 45 mins to see it.
Noni looked sharp also
Well done Noni, Eze and Martinelli - really good performance for the 45 you were given
Viktor looked like a poor man’s Giroud - needs to sharpen up, get hungry and we need to play to his strengths. He needs to be more aggressive and predator like.
21 Sep 2025 19:42:23
Agree 100%. I cannot understand why we have the luxury of options to replace Odegaard, and we play Merino. As soon as Eze cane on the dynamics were so much better. Great goal from Gabi, showing his values yet again, a deserved point, but could and should have been three. 🤔🤔.
21 Sep 2025 19:55:50
Hi Bill I think your post is a spot on mate. Arteta has put a target on his own back by picking a safety first line up even though he has abundance of attacking talent available to him.
Last season we had so many injuries his options were extremely limited and I had total understanding of his situation, but I have no understanding of his safety first choices today against City or a fortnight ago against Liverpool.
He should have got the message loud and clear after the Liverpool game that the fans expect this Arsenal squad to go for it, but it seems he didn't listen the. Well only Martinel saved him today but if he has any genuine friends who care about him enough to be completely honest with him they will sit him down tonight and tell him straight
" the fans believe in the squad 100%, it's you they are doubting more and more "
If the club give him until Christmas so be it, but if they are already looking for our next manger then I certainly wouldn't blame them for doing so as Arteta would have brought his personal own downfall 100% on himself.
{Ed025's Note - i cant argue with that G62..
21 Sep 2025 20:12:05
Who will do that - spineless captain? His back room staff? He doesn’t do conflict so who will do that. He needs a number 2 that gives him a shake every so often, a captain who will knock on his door and question him. Ode is more likely to ack for hair advice than challenge him. The Keowns or Adams would not put up with it but our team and back room staff? He should surround himself with people that make him stronger not his life easier.
Who will do it? Where have they been over past 3 years
Emperor is showing his clothes.
21 Sep 2025 20:37:53
Hello John its frustrating mate isn't it.
For me what I cannot understand how we have gone from the attacking football of a couple seasons back, spent a shed load of money and have become to this stage.
Take care John mate.
21 Sep 2025 21:32:12
Hi Bill mate it is very frustrating and extremely difficult to understand and impossible to accept.
For any manager to play like that when they have so many mpre positive options available to them they absolutely have to come away with 6pts from Liverpool and City games to get away with it, and he certainly didn't achieve that. Mystifying to say the least.
21 Sep 2025 18:53:36
Forward line - Martinelli. VIk, Noni / Saka
( Noni is more direct to be fair)
In the winter - but a fast striker for love of god
Midfield - drop Ode and put Eze there for good.
Eze - every thought he had is -- go forward. The passes, how he controls the ball, his turns, his body position everything about him.
Ode - takes the ball to naturally go backwards
Let's change our mentality.
Rest of midfield Rice (captain) and Zubi
Don't make Saka captain or Ode. Why change captain when Saka cones on. He's not a captain.
Defence is obvious
We have to change our attacking mindset and at present I would start Noni over Saka but wouldn't let Noni go left wing. RW or bench.
Our goal - Saka lazy ball sideways. EZE grabs hold of it runs forward and early long-ish ball and Martinelli shows what pace does. That shows what's wrong with us and how easy we can change. If boss wants it.
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21 Sep 2025 17:29:45
Big 45 minutes coming up for Arteta, he has to show he is capable of overriding his cautious nature and using a quality squad to its full potential.
Lose today after once again showing his fear of his biggest rivals and he's in big trouble.
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21 Sep 2025 18:42:23
Absolute bottle job from Arteta. He’s an embarrassment to our so called 1Bn investment and title credentials. Viktor looked slow and not hungry to get into dangerous positions. Team happy to play sideways and the boss watches on happy as Larry. Eze on the bench and Merino starts. Come on. We were the home team and City meant to be a poor City. Haaland showing how you buy a proper fast deadly striker. Bloody Martinelli showing we need a speedy striker as an option because we don’t play to whatever Vik’s strengths are. Perhaps delaying so long to get him hasn’t helped but we aren’t playing to our strengths or with any intent like a title challengers.
BOTTLE JOB BOTTLE JOB BOTTLE JOB ARTETA PATHETIC BOSS - you should be ashamed and embarrassed if not - get your coat.
{Ed025's Note - you can be over the top at times SY but i dont think you are far wrong today mate, the set up and the tactics are very underwhelming and the "we must not lose" mantra rather than "we must win" is dragging the side down, unless you change that attitude you will soon find yourselves as top 4 contenders only and another false dawn will come and go..
21 Sep 2025 19:08:52
City were there for the taking, and our starting eleven was a poor decision by the manager.
I understood it slightly away from home at Liverpool, but at home today it was almost cowardly.
{Ed025's Note - almost?..
21 Sep 2025 19:27:27
I know I have been and am
Why…
There’s been a circus protecting him in media and in fan base. Feels like at last questions are being asked.
He’s been this way for past 3 or so years but never under pressure because we were rubbish before he joined. Somehow that means expectations have to drop - no.
He turned us around - well done but you’ve been praised and paid. Now we need to win.
Can he take us forward - I don’t think so but hope wrong
Enjoy your Sunday and thanks for reply - I know I annoy people and repeat myself. I am sorry.
{Ed025's Note - i dont think you are annoying SY, you are a passionate supporter mate who cant take being second best and there is nothing wrong with that in my eyes..
21 Sep 2025 19:43:11
Sy 4 I do not blame victor we are not giving him any kind of service. We have all longed for a number 9 we have to play to his strengths or it's a waste of money!
21 Sep 2025 21:24:47
Viktor didn’t make use of the chances or crosses that were there for him. He didn’t do anything except look slow and not hungry. No decent runs, no great touches, no turn of speed and no shouting at people to pass quicker. Would Ian Wright put up with that service. Would he have been in a better position for the couple of great crosses Noni did. Viktor wasn’t to blame but he doesn’t look part of the solution at present or a 25 epl goals per season striker. Did he put their keeper under pressure at corners? Where was he dangerous?
Look at Haaland - fast and deadly. If he’s not happy - the team know. He’s a winner.
Where is our boy going to cause big teams away from home challenges? Caused zero today. Zero against Liverpool and to be fair not much in other games. He needs to step up PLUS we need to play to his strengths.
Would he have pulled off Martinelli goal - have the run and pace? Where is he going to be dangerous as I don’t see it yet. It’s not pace. I really wanted a pacey striker to start or be in the bench.
21 Sep 2025 23:03:56
His touch was terrible also.
21 Sep 2025 17:28:00
Right now I want Merino and trossard off. Eze in central and martinelli on lw. Zubi seems to be taking an age to be a better fit than partay or jorginho. I wouldn’t have thought that’d be too difficult either. Maybe Saka in at 10? Honestly anything is better than this.
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21 Sep 2025 17:12:13
This is pathetic to watch! Staring Merino over Eze. Saka if fit for bench can surely start! We need both of them at the START of the second half and not the customary 70 mins mark!
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21 Sep 2025 15:40:50
Exactly the line up I didn't want to see. Happy to be proved wrong, but it almost seems like hubris on Artetas part.
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21 Sep 2025 16:08:39
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Madueke, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Saka, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly.
Eze on bench and Merino starts….
We are at home - right.
21 Sep 2025 16:09:53
Not certain if it's hubris or Arteta simply lacking a pair. Regardless of today's ultimate outcome, it demonstrates Arteta's frustrating risk-aversion tactics against bigger sides. which may in the end make it exceedingly difficult to overtake Liverpool.
21 Sep 2025 16:38:29
Someone needs to give him a shake and see - Trossard and Merino shows limited intent.
21 Sep 2025 11:44:38
Here we go - love these days.
Let's get after them and show them how great we can be from both an attacking and defending force!
Let's get after them and see it click - looking forward to that
COYG - let's GO!
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21 Sep 2025 15:04:00
Buzzing for the game today just on my way now.
Repeat of last season please.
21 Sep 2025 15:32:55
Fantastic R_G
COYG👍👍👍👍.
21 Sep 2025 10:51:28

SY4 has written an article entitled, Is Mikel Arteta A Bottler As Arsenal Manager?
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21 Sep 2025 11:38:00
Boring tripe as usual.
21 Sep 2025 13:18:47
It was a reply to Gabi not an article or whatever.
21 Sep 2025 11:41:32
When did I write that?
{Ed033's Note - Your reply was very long, so i took most of your reply text and put it as an article.
21 Sep 2025 16:02:57
Fair enough Ed, guilty as charged on a long reply but certainly not an article on Arteta or it would have been quite different…. 😂
Enjoy your Sunday and thanks.
21 Sep 2025 18:43:31
Yes he is a bottler - I agree 😂
He bottled it years ago and has every season since.
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