The best part of this new Champions League format is that, you get to play against 8 different teams in group stages and while some of these games might be boring, you will also play some of the best teams from other leagues. The earlier version where a group consisting of 4 teams, 2 out of those were minnows would always give us some taken-for-granted games. With the new format, we don’t need to wait till the knockout stages to see some exciting games.
We had a tight fixture list in Sep where we played Tottenham away, City away, Atlanta away, Bolton and Leciseter in last 15 days and we passed the test. We were without our Captain, there were some injury concerns – Ben White, Timber, Saka, Raya; some decisions didn’t go our way and we still managed to not lose any of those games. October is no less and needs the same level of commitment from us.
We are playing PSG in our next Champions League fixture. An exciting game ahead, Oct 2nd is an Indian Holiday and the game happens at midnight. Perfect set up for us Indian Gooners for a game at Emirates.
The injuries woes continues for us though. Odegaard and Merino will not be available for the PSG game while Calafiori is a doubt and will be assessed later in the day. A back 4 of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori looked brilliant in last few games and I was hoping we continue with that, at least in the big games. White has done a tremendous job but putting Timber at the RB allows Calafiori to play in LB position, which allows Martinelli to play freely. We have been heavily relying on attack from the left due to a non-competent LB and Cala fixes that. At any point in game, we can switch side and there would not be a drop in attacking quality. Plus, Martinelli gets some support and his games improves.
Midfield is a concern. We need Odegaard because a combination of Thomas Partey, Rice and Trossard is not doing justice. Odegaard’s presence makes Saka’s game lethal and his vision of passing open up game. Partey/Rice are doing exceptionally well but both of them shouldn’t be in the same midfield because of the nature of their game. Ode + Rice/Partey + Merino is what we need to get to full functioning of that midfield.
Top 3 has no concern except that goals are drying out. Yes, we scored 4 games Leicester and 2 against City but goals against City were scored by 2 defenders and Kai Havertz’s goal against Leicester was pure luck. We need more end results from both Martinelli and Kai if we want to win something this year. Trossard is a very handy rotation for Martinelli but CF position is a bit concerning. Either Kai picks up his goal scoring form or we need to do a make shift because Gabriel Jesus doesn’t have goals in him.
I’m expecting a win for us and if Calafiori makes it, a clean sheet as well. A 2-0 win at home would do for me.
What do you think? Do you expect a different line up and a different scoreline? Let me know in the comments.
Penguin
Welcome mate.
DK
I agree with Ambarish. Good to hear from you mate. I hope all is well.
MA needs to resist the temptation to button-up the hatches, as per usual…I get why he might pursue that course considering that PSG are much more dangerous on the counter, but we need to prove to ourselves that we can win these types of matches on the front foot…now if the score remains the same until the 75th minute, then all bets are off and we can reign things in a bit
Their keeper didn’t exactly cover himself in glory for either goal.
Oh, well I was in admiration of Donnarruma before the game.. now not so much..
The Gunners are looking to pick up their first win….
Penguin
Not sure if you’re a UK-based Gooner who also happens to like chocolate biscuits but it could be a case of hoping to p-p-p-pick up a first win even. Crap biscuit joke on an important night. Sorry all. Anyway, welcome to LiR Penguin 🐧🐧🐧.
Marc
You not there tonight?
Ambarish—don’t be a prisoner of the moment, Donnarumma is still a top-top Keeper…that sort of shit happens to everyone
KP
DK is an old mate of mine. We are only 5 miles away in my hometown.
TRVL
Yep, probably just a bad day for him.. that second goal was on him purely..
hopefully Timber’s not injured…why the fuck would we be making the first sub otherwise
I will hate it if we decide to sit back in second half and win the game 2-0. Go out, and keep the pressure. It’s either 4-0 aur 2-1.. no one likes to see the boring Pep’s football. .give us some attack and let Martinelli go free today.
Enrique not only didn’t make a switch, he likewise made his boys go out early and stand on the pitch with their dicks in their hands…there’s obviously some ongoing internal issues, which may or may not be connected to the whole Dembele gig
big save on a well-struck shot by Marts
Martinelli struck it well, just in the hands of GK.. he would have done better on a good day.
That was unexpected from Martinelli
he probably had the time to control the ball then shoot, but I like that he took the more difficult route, as it means he’s playing with some confidence
hard to believe that our first corner didn’t happen until the 56th minute
Saka needs to release Cala when he makes that run, as that will work in his favour moving forward
must admit I’m surprised to see Merino making his debut today…I worry that it might be a bit soon for someone who uses his physicality so much, but I’ll definitely defer to the experts…I’ll be interested to see if he plays in the advanced 8 position or simply replaces Partey in a deeper-lying position, which isn’t really his forte…it might be hard to tell since we’re in full turtle shell mode
we have to still keep them honest, by taking our chances on the counter, now that they have a true target man on the pitch in Muani
Gunners are playing defensive in the 2nd half allowing the PSG to think they still have a chance to win the game.
Attack would be best approach to gunn down PSG
Raya is always available when one of our defender is in trouble and wants to back pass… Appreciate his game skills.
Calafiori is going to eat Ruiz if he wants to have a fight.
now there’s some good officiating
That was a deflection that hit a hand. Can happen with anyone.. and shouldn’t be a handball.. good officiating, we need these in PL.
always great to see Mr. Pires, no matter the occasion
this is the first time MA has outmanaged a good CL opponent…hopefully not the last
Yep, a good managerial game from Mikel.. he even brought a 17 year old for past 4 minutes.. a good game indeed, 2-0 against PSG in Champions League after a disappointing tie with Atlanta.
2-0 to Arsenal.. #COYG
nice effort all around…makes me feel far more confident about our CL possibilities
Kroenke
No mate – was away on business for a chunk of last week and between catching up and the weather being fucking foul sold my ticket for a stupid amount.
Solid performance.
Calafiori is going to be a fan favourite providing Arteta doesn’t kill his adventurous style. Was surprised to see Merino come on I thought he was supposed to be a good month or more away from coming back.
Watched the game this morning as too late for me at 2am here.
Hard to know what to make of our performance in terms of greatness as PSG didn’t turn up for me or it’s the gulf of class between French and Pl football. Probably the latter.
Merino getting time suggest his injury was made much more of than it was, but happy to see him make an appearance when Ode’s back selections will get interesting.
Very happy for the win but as TRVL says we shut up shop mostly after our 2nd goal and PSG rarely troubled Raya where I don’t see PSG offering much this CL season.
Our 4 at the back that becomes 10 swiftly reminds me of the old GG days and his virtually waterproof defense with Adams and co – long may it continue injury free.
As much as we were always in control of the win, we really miss a striker. Kai’s header was far from text book but adds to his tally. Saka’s goal was an anomaly bypassing everyone to the back of the net from a set piece.
Goals are goals and win games, so I can’t complain too much.
My biggest complaint from last night’s game was why Nwaneri didn’t start? It was the perfect game for him with space all over the park for him to have exploited.
Southampton at home should be a no brainer for 3 points. A game Nwaneri should share with Merino.
God to see new posters here welcome guys look forward to reading more form you guys.
These four games bar PSG always were confident boosters and games to settle our season on. Find our rhythm and win games at a canter, as City does and Pool look like they will soon be doing with consistency.
To win the PL this season one word will win it for us: consistency!
We are a point off the top and doing ok in the CL although have only played weaker teams thus far.
Let’s hope the purple patch we have started now continues and we maintain our winning consistency to keep pace with Pool & City with the Chavs and Villa in close attendance.
Good to see
Tony—after watching that match I found myself somewhat conflicted…in one respect, I’m incredibly hopeful of our future prospects with Cala and Timber playing along side Saka and Marts, whereas, on the other hand, I’m still of the mind that MA’s recruitment misses in the final third might have kicked our championship can down the road a bit…now I could be wrong, as we could be ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging tactical trends, but I find it difficult to believe that this was his plan all along, especially knowing MA’s previous recruitment practices and his utter admiration of a more Wenger/Pep-like tiki-taka technical brand of football…maybe this “size matters” approach was simply our Plan B pivot, when our original plan failed to materialize, as MA clearly tried to secure a more traditional number 9 right off the hop…it should be said though, that both Sesko and Isak, who many experts believe were our 1A and 1B choices, are both rangy and pacey Strikers, who could fit wihtin our new super-sized bully ball script…I guess only time will tell if this new “winter is coming” tactical model can win the day, so I’ll be incredibly interested to see what our football actually looks like with Ode, Rice and Merino in the midfield and Havertz up top…there’s no doubt that this Stoke-ish strategem could be quite effective against the bus sitting sides, which was all the rage last season, but I’m just not convinced you can consistently beat top sides with size alone…regardless, I must admit I’m rather intrigued about what will be on offer in the coming weeks and months…Cheers
Hey KP,
How are you mate..?
Guys, match was so good in first half. We missed 2-3 chances for score a goal but end with 2-0 in first half is best for us. but in the second half, PSG got so many free kick, but they didn’t convert it in the score. Around 50 min of game, Havertz plays a flick to Martinelli in the middle of the box & He hits it on the volley but saved by Donnarumma and we missed again. I must say, we won by 2-0 but PSG defence is better than us. Our teammates like SAKA, HAVERTZ, MARTINELLI played well and we got the final result of 2-0 but like HIMANSHU said, score will be 4-0 was possible. But its okay, we will try next time. But like I always said, we have to do best in our defence.
Good to hear from you DK and get your thoughts on the game.
Living in the UK and following a big team these days is a strange thing. You’re allowed to feel a little close to the action but in reality you’re miles away. I’m glad I got to see the Bolton game in person but since then, I’ve found it impossible to stream neither the Leicester nor PSG games. It’s my fault to some extent because although I’ve got Sky which covers many league games, I baulk at paying another sizeable wedge every month to get TNT. My parsimony, my problem. I wish it was set up akin to the US method that allows you to buy a package for a specific team rather than everything.
I want to watch Arsenal games only, not have the chance to catch Soton v Bournemouth. Tant pis pour moi. I get the feeling that they’re having a real crackdown on unofficial streaming in the UK this year so I expect to see fewer games…oh woe is me!
But back to real football this Friday up north in Bala a very attractive town on the edge of a beautiful lake. Third (us) v fourth under the floodlights and a mere 110 miles away.
Marc
Shrewd move mate.
Has anyone got a sense of how Merino did for the final 25 minutes or so?
KP
Until very recently a Russian channel was still showing live Premiership football. A friend passed on the link but I didn’t bother. Big brother may be watching.
Off to Italy tomorrow – Friday night on TV – Como vs Napoli. Cesc currently has newly promoted Como in 10th place.
KP—Merino looked to be playing without any limitations, in fact on one occasion he slid 5 or so yards to make a decisive tackle, which seemed to suggest that he was fully fit…of course, it was difficult to really evaluate things, considering when he came on and our more defensive posture at that time…should be interesting to see MA’s starting 11 once Ode is cleared and White returns from his mystery injury(maybe he and Zinchenko ran into each other on the training ground)