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.
this looks like a father/son match, considering the size difference…no wonder Havertz was Vegas’s choice to score first
TRVL
Yep, that was really a good one. We need to score couple more to seal it. Saka captain, and he is putting his 200% today..
I have a feeling Martinelli is going to score a worldie.
big play by Timber there…without Dembele, Barcola will be the danger man
We are poor defensively today.. that was almost a goal from PSG
the commentators are fluffing up Havertz and Arteta again…of course he works hard, as that has never been in question, but his finishing has been bang average for a few years now…as for his supposed versatility, he’s been very poor when called into action within the midfield…so I understand why you might not waste a lot of money on a number 9 you’re not convinced about, but to really change our organizational trajectory we need a clinical finisher up top…it’s kind of like with Rice playing further up the pitch, in that I would much rather have him on the squad than not, but surely there’s way better options out there in those advanced positions
Arsenal is going to win 4-0 today
2-0 Arsenal.. #COYG
Donnarumma should be embarassed by that one…Enrique’s going to have an absolute shit-fit at halftime
I figured set pieces were going to be key today, due to the size differential, but surely not like that
we need to pile on while the getting’s good, before any halftime adjustments can be made
Defence is a regular basis problem of arsenal…. sometimes, opponent score very easily…but today, we are playing in there half almost… attacking mode on !
Well that was funcking amazing from Bukayo Saka
TRVL
That goes as a Saka goal, so basically no one touched it. Not even the GK. Lol
PSG does have a history of poor performances/results on the heels of disciplinary decisions by numerous previous managers, like Poch, Unai, Tuchel. etc…
Ambarish—no one touched it, thank God, because if Marts knicked it Partey would have been offside
I would suspect PSG will make a change in the midfield and in the false 9 position, where Kang has been useless and overmatched at every turn
Enrique must be furious with his defence..
TRVL
Yep, thank God.. and it’s good to see Saka on the scoresheet.
The Gunners are looking to pick up their first win….
Nuno Mendes seems to get the better of a duel with Saka