We are hosting Liverpool at Emirates today in the 3rd round of FA Cup. Fulham, Tottenham, Newcastle, Brighton and Chelsea are the notable ones that has qualified to the next round, and one of Liverpool or Arsenal will add to the list. I was not a big fan of FA cup under Arsene because we would win one most often than not and we always wanted the big trophies. However, looking at the trophy draught recently, and the fact that last couple of losses in Premier League has dented our chance of a Premier League title, I will love to win today and the competition.
In our run, today is going to be the toughest game. Liverpool is undoubtedly the best of the lot, and I have confidence that we can win against any other teams. Against Klopp, not so much. It would be interesting to see how much Arteta can motivate the players to play and win against a side who has recently drawn games against us at Anfield.
Team news
Left back is a problem, Zinchenko had a calf injury due to which he missed the game against Fulham. It remains to be seen if he is available. Tomiyasu – his back has gone to Japan to play in Asian cup. Kiwior will most likely start and I am even more worried about a Kiwior v Salah than Zinchenko v Salah. There is no other option, Kiwior can step up and show why he is valuable to the team or end up being one of those failed transfers of Mikel’s era.
I would expect us to field the strongest playing XI, considering our next game is on 20th January, 13 days later. Ben White at RB, Ramsdale in the goal, Saliba + Gabriel partnership in CB and Kiwior at LB. In the midfield, I am guessing Mikel will stick to Ode, Rice and Havertz but I would have loved to see ESR back in place of Ode. We have been too dependent on Odegaard and we have seen his lack of form sometimes can affect our play severely. We need someone to compete with him and ESR can do that job. Plus, we can leverage the chemistry between Emile and Saka at the right side, since Ben White has been not-so-confident these days in making overlapping runs with Saka.
We are poor up top with any of the Jesus / Nketiah and there can be an argument made about playing Trossard in the false 9 role surrounded by Saka and Martinelli on the either side.
Klopp already had stated that he is planning to go with his strongest team. It would be an exciting encounter today.
Expectations?
I expect us a win. It will bring back some of the confidence we have dropped recently and can keep us in the fold in the title chase in Premier League. Mikel is in his 4th full season and a trophy, even if it’s a FA Cup, will most certainly help his case. PL, CL, FA Cup – three things to fight for, and the easiest one is today. Focus on what’s ahead and get a win, we can beat the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Spuds later on.
Right, short one today. I hope the year 2024 has treated you well till now and a win today will make it even better. What line-up would you prefer and what’s your expected scoreline? Let me know in the comments.
And, see you during the game.
is it really fair to call anything by Havertz a “real” chance…based on this performance Bendtner deserves a raise
If it weren’t for his bad back, MA would replace Havertz with Kallstrom
Missed the first half, where the highlights looked few and far between, but we’re at home, so we need to turn it on in the 2nd half.
TRVL
Not surprisingly I’m on board with what you said. If you’re ESR you have to be breaking up inside never gettin g a start.
Saliba is sublime
Brilliant free kick
Why didn’t Saka get his head on that one
For a side whose wheels have been coming off, we’re looking good for a win here
Tony
We could have scored 4 or 5 in the first half – the worry is that will come back to bite us in the arse.
That said its be more of the more positive performances I’ve seen this season.
Once again Arteta’s inability to make in match changes costs us.
Eddie should have been on at least 15 minutes ago.
Agree Marc, finally really enjoying a game from us. More of this and I’ll be far more positive.
We do this though against Pool and then they score and we fall apart.
Let’s see how much we want this?
Can’t fault our game either.
before we heap too much praise on this particular performance let’s keep in mind that Pool are missing their entire spine….they actually have MacAllister in the DM role, who generally plays an advanced role and who likewise is returning from a long absence so he’s well off the pace of the PL…MA was clearly aware of this situation, which is why he tried to sneak Havertz into what should have been a rather fortuitous opportunity…unfortunately, Havertz has played like a grown man with a 10 year old boy’s foot…Klopp was playing a very conservative brand of football, in the hopes of getting some luck on the counter, which just happened, as he knows we’re struggling for goals…the only saving grace is the fact that MA’s sneaky Havertz’s plan has backfired, as he’s looking like an unmitigated bust, so he can’t be the reason why we don’t spend in this window
Can see a draw coming
What the fuck is ESR supposed to do with less than 3 minutes of normal time left?
TRVL
We were better in the first half because we were more direct – second half we’ve reverted to same old.
Marc-I guarantee you that the modicum of directness we displayed was simply a reflection of that fact that both Endo and VVD weren’t on the pitch…trust me I want nothing more than to have us play in a more direct fashion, but why would anyone put Havertz, of all people, if that was your tactical intent…you would think that crosses from wider positions would make infintely more sense
6 on target and 7 off target but LPool are a level above and it shows in the key moments in a game.
LPool had 4 on target and 9 off target.
Game of 2 halves from what you said about the first half
*anyone play Havertz
Absolutely fucking demoralising. Arteta’s team, Arteta’s coaching, Arteta’s game management and tactics. Get rid.
Marc
You were right, it did bite us in the arse.
First half – the best performance of this season. Second half – the worst!