Burnley is there for the taking and Vincent Kompany is struggling. We can use today game to improve to win big and up our confidence, improve goal difference and go closer to Man City. I don’t understand how they always end up at top, they have lost 2 games in 11 and still. Catching Pep is one of the toughest thing on this planet and you can’t afford to drop points against the likes of Burnley if you want to do that.
Team News
Martin Odegaard still remains a doubt for the game after missing our last few ones. It’s such a shame that Emile Smith Rowe picked up an injury right when he was needed. He is not made for LCM, but fits the Odegaard role more. It also comes with the benefit that Saka plays on the same side and we have seen glimpse of their chemistry in Arteta’s early career at Arsenal. Such a shame for such a talent.
Saka limped off in our Champions League game against Sevilla where he communicated to physio that he don’t want to continue. Hopefully he is fine and fit for today because we need him. Dependency on Bukayo for the right wing has started becoming a concern because though he is made like brick, I’m not sure how much he can sustain the kicking and fouling happening against him.
Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and ESR are yet not available for selection.
I was reminded about my change of heart towards Havertz in the comment section earlier but trust me, it’s more the acceptance that Mikel is going to play him no matter what and if he is going to start 100%, there is no point in speculating. It’s quite similar to the 37 game run of Willian. I have accepted it to keep myself sane.
If you ask me, I would prefer the same back 4 of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Tomiyasu with Declan Rice in the DM role. Front three picks itself and midfield remains a conundrum. Seeing a midfield of Havertz, Rice and Jorginho baffles me, because Havertz hasn’t been doing a great job, Jorginho should be a crisis option and not when we have other options available. What happened to Vieira and his brilliant minutes initially in the season. We should have given him more minutes to grow in that performance but he is side lined; hopefully he starts today.
Positives
There were few positives against Sevilla. We have been too predictable recently. Wenger ruined us by showing how you can control a midfield, and rely on individual brilliance for moments to remember. Under Mikel, we have a rigid system and that system runs on wings and keeping the possession. How many times have we seen runs like Wilshere, Sanchez, Ramsey, Walcott or Cazorla? I don’t remember bar few of those Thomas Partey rocket launchers that landed in East Ham. Our wingers hug the sidelines and teams that sit low doubles up on them to nullify our threat. Odegaard used to get the benefit sometime and we have seen Xhaka and even Tomiyasu these days shifting in the middle to try and exploit this doubling down but it hasn’t helped at all.
In my opinion, we need to be more direct. Calling out that we don’t have a player to do that means you have forgotten that we didn’t have a right winger as Saka played at LB and unless we try out things, we will never know. This is primarily why I love Klopp’s version of football more than Pep’s because it’s a not rigid, keep passing till eternity and wait for a mistake football.
Against Sevilla, our wingers were more central and I loved it. Martinelli had a game of his career, his first touch is better than the coffee I have in morning with some whipped cream on it. Saka, too.
Right, there’s one more thing to talk about. I thought of writing a different post altogether but it’s frustrating me so I am gonna add it here.
Take the short corners for fuck sake
Against Sevilla, we had our first corner in the 1st minute. Martinelli took it and Havertz missed it, no idea how you can miss that one though. Another corner in 28th minute, nothing happens. 49th minute – two corners, 55th, 58th and we didn’t score from any of them. Do you even remember when we scored a header from a corner? I don’t. So what’s the point if no one can head into the goal, just take a short one and do what you can. Fans gets excited when a corner is awarded because it ‘can’ lead to a goal, but not if you are playing against Arsenal. We need someone in the mould of Giroud because of Strikers are not good enough.
Negatives
Bukayo Saka has to buy Martinelli a dinner for his assist.
Right, I know I am always complaining. I won’t if Mikel delivers a Premier League title and I will accept his way of football if he does that. Till then, LiR remains critical of him and his football.
See you during the game.
Sorry TRVL too much going on to even find time to get here.
If Arteta leaves, I’ll be back in a heartbeat. I know you will echo my thoughts on all things Arteta, and in some ways it’s not cathartic to write any more because we have to continue to write about mistakes and so much more that in the end is really just toxicity Arteta brings to the club.
It pains me to see ESR’s tears: I so much feel for him. Many others, too. so for now and until I have had time to get to a retreat for body and mind check ups I’m getting rid of all toxicity in my life.
You, KP and a few others here are positives I see going forward. You’re people I’d like to meet on my photography travels with any welcome along for the adventure it’ll be.
I think Hasselbadding India will be a lot of fun. Start in Nepal and work south to Goa I would imagine. Nepal is on my to do with cameras list.
If you get Ambarish to send me an email you’re happy to use or just use mine when Ambarish sends it to you, I’m sure we’ll find other areas of interest in our lives, such as cars.
Incidentally, if you see an MMA fight card with Benoit Saint-Denis the French Foreign Legion and later special forces vet – last week dismantled a very decent contender in the first round again to hit the top 15 rankings. He’s a joy to watch. His jujitsu off his back is brutal. Once his on top it’s game over for everyone thus far. He has all the weapons and knows how to use them with such accuracy.
He might revive some interest in the sport again for you.
Hope your winter is not too severe and I look forward to communicating with you in the future.
Hey KP
Hope you’re getting to at least some football this weekend. If I had it here, I would enjoy it at any level.
The Arsenal will have to do without me at least until the 3 stooges have been relived of their duties.
Call it a trial separation if you will that hopefully won’t be too long, but with KSE could be decades. There is a precedence.
Once my MOT check ups are complete, I’ll know my movements for next year at least. Sounds a long time off, but really about 6 weeks.
I’ve started reading a Michael J Fox book who I truly find inspirational. A fine actor, too. Then I’ll finally get round to reading the author TRVL recommended. Football blogs took my reading time from me when I think about it.
Have a great weekend all.