Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. We are going to play our first home game today against a broken Leicester City and I’m not expecting anything less than a 4-0 win with a hattrick from Jesus. Okay, I am being too optimistic here, but hear me out – we have lost only once in our last 25 games at home against Leicester (W20, D4).
We are going to make it 26 today, at Emirates with a buzzing crowd and an in form team.
Team News
Reiss Nelson has picked up a muscle injury in training and will be out for some time.
Tomi, ESR and Vieira have all trained this week and could be part of the squad today. It would be exciting to see how Vieira is used, we have paid good money for him and he looks to be an Odegaard competition. We already had ESR competing in that area and if we have got another attacking midfielder, there must be something exciting about him.
Coming back to the team, I do not expect any changes to the playing XI we had against Crystal Palace. Back 4 of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko looked solid, with Partey and Xhaka playing ahead of them. Saka on LW, Martinelli on RW and Odegaard playing centrally behind Jesus.
One thing Mikel needs to improve is his in-game management. Against Palace, everyone could see Jesus was exhausted after an hour and we had an in-form Eddie on the bench. It was a similar case with Zinchenko who was subsequently replaced by Tierney but that could have been earlier. We were 2-0 up and Lokonga was brought in, in 93rd minute which makes no sense unless you are holding on a 1-0 lead against a better team and want to waste time; could have been sooner again.
Premier League allows 5 subs, and there is no rule when you should do it – someone needs to update this to Mikel. Plus from what I hear, it’s a hot day today in London and Mikel has to be careful not to burn out one of the players so early in the season. If we are 2-0 up, have that confidence in your team and give it a break to the players who look exhausted. It’s as simple as that.
There are no set backs for us today. We are in form and it shouldn’t be a tough game against Leicester today. What are your expected team line up and score? Let us know in the comments.
Unfortunately, it’s busy days at home and work for another month but I will keep LiR running with your support. I am fcuking committed and passionate and have that energy level which Mikel talked about in All or Nothing, don’t worry 😉
I am also trying to change look and feel for LiR. I have been reached out by a reader mentioning it’s a bit off to read LiR on desktop, and yes, that needs improvement. You might find some part of the website behaving odd in next week, but it shouldn’t last longer. Suggestions are always welcome!
All cool in Cymru too. Well, more like parched, singed and hellish in a Dante-esque kind of way. We had 4 wild fires raging around us within a ten mile radius on Sunday – which made a change. I guess its been the same on your side of the Irish sea.
Anyway, off on a foray into Ingerland tomorrow, West Brom to be precise. Good ground and like Wolves friendlier than the other two in Brum. Cardiff were fucking terrific on Saturday. They now have a midfield that passes, wins balls and creates chances. Genius really. O’Dowda is a brilliant player and a fan favourite already. So it’s on the up. I’m taking 6 teenagers with me so it should be like herding cats. We’re planning all sorts of fun excursions later in the season to exotic places like Blackburn, Norwich, Blackpool and Rotherham if fuel prices don’t go even fucking higher that is. Bluebirds!
Ambarish
Hi mate.
Just wanted to say I think you’ve successfully managed to get the atmosphere absolutely correct on LiR. Diehard fans, who recognise the truth, and can do so in a manner that is amicable, humorous and informative.
In essence the polar opposite of the ‘other place’ where blind faith disciples mix with angry accountants and know-nothing posturing cretins. I’m also glad that these pages don’t stray into topics like sub judice legal issues, sexist and racist tropes and uninformed nonsense including bias against Arsenal by referees, media, fixture computers etc.
Mark and Aitcho seem to be the only regular attendees (I go once a year but used to go all over Europe when I had an ST for ten years and lived 400 metres from Highbury).
It would be great if you can continue with the match previews Ambarish. They get us all ready and bring on the pre-game butterflies. The one before Leicester was top-drawer.
And for people who read these pages but haven’t yet contributed, please get stuck in. Personally I love hearing other fans’ perspectives. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve followed the club or where you’re based. Those of us already on here don’t bite I promise (except when rampedro puts his catweasly head above the parapet). This season already feels sooo much more positive than last year’s disastrous start.
“ The other Place “
Abode of Believers i.e. believers of Dogma sacrilege is their take on any opinion , presided over, lorded over the selected lemmings sprouting same nonsense over and over again like a rosary over beads.
Dogma is a take on dog and his ma…all curated by the pop dog
Okay just got carried away ….came back here from Dogshit 😂😂
Hi Hoopah
Putting to one side my rock solid opinion that LG is infected by Pedro’s own alter egos (positive Pete, negative Nigel, Nigella Tuffnut England’sbest and Zacharse) some of the drivel spewed by others really makes me wonder if they are actually gooners. Unreadable cant.
Pedro has sold his soul to the club’s establishment in a faustian pact so can no longer be trusted to see straight. It’s all a bit sad. They seem to be gravitating towards that niche hitherto occupied by Attwood and the dreadful Unsold Anusol.
Kroenke
A few days ago a “new poster” appeared called Piotr who basically said Pedro you’re dead right about everything, Conte’s useless and Arteta’s the greatest manager ever.
Pedro’s not even being creative with his alter ego’s anymore!
Hi Marc
LG is a shadow of its former self. Its almost as if he’s ruining it and his image on purpose. He’s taking the piss out of the few poor idiots that still bother going there hoping to get some truth.
Just in case you have some spare time tonight, Patino is starting for Blackpool against QP hahaha on Sky.
Kroenke
It’s more a parody than anything else, in what has to be one of the biggest laps of self awareness since Xhaka pulled on the shirt Pedro’s complaining today about some journo blocking him because Pedro made his argument look daft. To make it even better he then goes on a rant about not blocking people who challenge who even including “because it makes it look like the sauce you are offering up is room temperature Tesco’s mayo. Don’t be that guy.”
I don’t think Pedro gets the irony, he’s had a full on mental breakdown.
Marc
It’s such a pile of bollocks, it’s no longer worth reading. I think it’s part of that Faustian pact I mentioned. He’ll pop up in some social media role for the club repackaging what the establishment says through the press and the official programme, making it more ‘relevant’ (but equally shit-stained) for kids in the brave new-ish world of IT. Oh, and they’ll have to pay for it handsomely. He’s a mediocre snake oil salesman trading his soul and any feelings he may have had of being a genuine supporter. A long ago poacher turned eager gamekeeper ready to sing the company song in order to stay on message.
Back in the real world, with real fans, the fully sold 3000 Cardiff end was rocking last night at the Hawthorns despite the game being goalless. Decent, honest, hardworking football with a will to win making up for the lack of JdP and focking handrubbing. I’m feeling a little hoarse this morning (which is rather nice!). A chasm in quality between the upper reaches of the PL and the Championship which is a dogfight among equals but it offers something really different.
Oh, and no polar neck wearing wankers banning people telling the truth and spouting bullshit into the bargain. In a word – refreshing. Now breathe…
After hubris comes nemesis according to that well known book of myths, ie the bible. But there is truth in it at least as far as big-headed bragging bastards are concerned.
Nevertheless, we must have too much quality for Bournemouth who are the best team in the mighty county of Dorset. It’d be nice to see a some early goals, a 2 goal lead by half time and some early focking sobstitutions giving ESR, Vieira, Eddie Unket, Pepe and Lokonga a run out. A calm, straightforward win with no injuries.
I’m opting for 3 nil as the cherries tire chasing the ball around in the segundo tiempo.
Kroenke
It should be as easy win as you can get in the PL do I think Arteta will make early subs to both protect players and give some others a run out – only if he’s forced to!