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.
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
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