A late kick off today against Bournemouth where we try to win and keep our unbeaten run going. I’m optimistic yet again, we have played some good football, Zinchenko and Jesus has upped the morale of the team and Saliba is defending for fun. In fact, Saliba has those attributes which we desired from White – he is calm, is better in a 1-to-1 defending and can move the ball forward. Apart from the own goal against Leicester, I don’t remember him making any mistakes in his first two games.
Bournemouth is a tough team to beat at their home, we must not take them lightly. They have not lost their last 11 home games and haven’t conceded a single goal in last 3 of them. For us, if we managed to win this game, it would be the first time since 2004-05 since we have won first three games of a season.
Team News
We have our whole squad available to play except Reiss Nelson. Cedric, Vieira and ESR played for U23 and trained with the team which guarantees their availability. However, I doubt we are going to change our winning XI. We should, most likely, go with the same team with a back 4 of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko. Partey and Xhaka will cover the midfield with Saka on LW, Ode in the middle and Martinelli on the right. Gabriel Jesus will lead the line.
Eddie, ESR and Tomi might get some game time coming from the bench in later stage of the match. We might even see some of Vieira, though a conundrum for Mikel to fit him in this team with a regular starter in each position.
Game Plan
It would be interesting to see if Mikel sticks to his 83rd minute substitutes. Premier League teams are allowed 5 subs this season and could be a good way to give game times to Vieira and ESR. Unlike many of you, I am more inclined to a fixed playing XI, however I don’t mind to see more of Eddie specially when we are winning by half time. ESR is perfectly capable to play Odegaard’s role and this is one place where I wanted to see a change but I don’t think we will drop our captain any time soon. I’m not complaining though, as long as we are making progress and earning those 3 points, I am fine.
Another interesting part of our game is the improvement at left side of the pitch. Zinchenko is total baller, his attacking game is in line with Martinelli and they are creating problems for oppositions. For sure, Zin is making it difficult for Arteta since Tierney is back to full fitness. We all love to see such problems though. Martinelli has scored 2 in 2 and I won’t be surprised if he does his 3rd today. He is our next Alexis Sanchez!
On the right, Saka hasn’t looked to be his best but he is still way better than Sancho (lol). Teams have been doubling down on him, which is why our game at the left side has improved. We have more space there, and teams does less to cover. At some point, things will change and we will see more of the end product from him.
Only complaint I have, is with Odegaard. He needs to be more brave, trust himself and shoooot. He tried passing it to others when he could have taken his shot on the goal and no one has any doubt about his shooting skills. Learn from Partey, bruh!
Wrapping Up
I’m expecting a 2-0 win today, with Jesus scoring one of those. We need to maintain our winning streak, and continue our title challenge. Too optimistic from me, eh?
Right, let me know your predictions and expectations of the game. Hope you have a nice evening and we go on top of the table – a place where we belong!
Nice write up with a hint if humour
For last 3 days been getting a message saying impermissible and your spam filter name.
Maybe the 69 in the email was found obscene?
Will send you copy of message blocking me next time by e-mail. In fact it had happened a n hour back too
With regards. Don’t think it is your doing, maybe a glitch
Remains an unchanged playing XI, Tomi, Tierney, ESR, Fabio and Nketiah making up the bench among others
Will be watching the match on screen.
Guys get your beers and line up alongside
Like you had predicted. Maybe now Arteta is finally stopped feeling insecure so not tinkering with something that works.
Hoopah
Oh, could be the email ID then. It don’t even show up in my spam folder but something is odd. I’m anyways doing a makeover and hopefully that should fix it. Sorry about that, I will try to find why it’s happening meanwhile.
It’s about time….. #COYG 🔴⚪
All right lads? I said 3-nil yesterday. You got any score predictions? Good preview again Ambarish I’m watching at home with the kids. We’re getting tense.
Scott Parker is an annoying little herbert isn’t he? His only claim to fame is being in a McDonald’s ad playing keepy uppy.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C3g3ludAnbM
A Spud player in the past.
He reminds me of Arteta in some ways : wooden, pseudo-intellectual, full of himself and full of shit at the same time(!) We have a much better, more dynamic team on paper than Bournemouth. COYG
The gang is trickling in. The fun will be in the convo.
Keep it lively.
Team on the ground
Kieffer Moore is ex Cardiff – good in the air but a little uncoordinated. I think Saliba will keep him in check. Bournemouth have their very own GX in the shape of Lerma. One or both will get cards.
I’m also optimistic.
Unchanged team is sensible and even the bench looks tidy.
Talk of a title challenge might be premature but we might as well enjoy being the early pacesetters. It’s been a while.
Hi Hoopah
What time is it there? Nearly 11pm? Perfect time for beer based refreshments and football
Think 3 nil wouldn’t be a surprise.
Arteta isn’t actually a tinkerer – he plays what works and when it goes pear shaped he then spend 8 matches trying to find a new formula, when he hits one that works (usually more by luck than judgement) he’ll stick with that till it goes wrong and then rinse and repeat.
What he’s got to do this season is to start using his squad top stop the injuries building up.
We’re still being linked to wingers but the CM thing is very quiet I’ve got a horrible feeling he doesn’t want to upgrade Xhaka.
Aitcho
Agreed. Let’s hope he uses it (the bench that is). The Vitality is a banter stadium isn’t it? 10K capacity is laughable.
Well done to Vieira while we’re at it – we might have been lucky and played Palace at precisely the right time.
Saliba has very quick feet, impressive for his size.
Specially when one can imagine someone equally tall like Maguire hurtling like a moving cupboard
And
Yeah Aitcho
Nice enjoying the Club position on the Table after 10 years?
Kroenke
10k capacity but with PL TV money straight into the top 25 or so richest clubs in the world!
Other results interesting. That Palace win suggests our opening day win was even better than it seemed at the time. Could Rodgers be on the chopping block I wonder?
Kroenkephobe
It is 10pm over here in Goa
Kroenke
Between Roger’s and Fat Frank for first manager to get the bullet.
Hoopah
It’s beer o’clock in Hertfordshire!
It’s beer o’clock
😂😂
You conspired to align the game and your crate
Fucking beautiful, Jesus.
Jesus looking to nail the Brazilian teams CF position and he’s doing it.
Is it me or does Ben White look more than uncomfortable at RB?
Hoopah
Strangely it’s beer o’clock here an awful lot of the time.
Hoopah
You are in Goa? I was there 2 weeks back man on a vacation. I will make sure to see you next time I’m around
Jaysus…. Hallelujah
Vow
Ball in the net.
Cummon the Arsenal
G. Jesus realy drove forward. Energy Plus
We turn the screw and this could be an embarrassing score line for Bournemouth.
I tell you all, Odegaard reads LiR and took my suggestion of ‘shooot’ seriously 😅
I had a feeling Ode would get one today. Its important they font give the cherries a sniff from now on.
Good 1-1 won by Saliba. That could have been a goal.
Can’t stop feeling it was criminal not to have used Saliba last year. At his level, he was even good for the squad the year before
Substitution coming early from Bournemouth.
We really outclassing those guys
White crosses becoming somewhat pointless like Tierney. But don’t blame White. Nobody seems to have an inkling to be there, unless Xhaka is designated. Wrong choice, has to be someone faster and a poacher by instinct
Half time.
What is your forecast for next 45 minutes Ambarish?
You seem to be getting things right today
Looks like we are calming down now, but Jesus is hungry for one for himself. Would love one from him and Martinelli.
White will be replaced eventually by Tomi. He doesn’t look comfortable at RB and Saliba is not letting go of his CB partnership with Gabriel.
There is a gulf in quality between the two sides but if they score a freak goal… I’d like a third early strike in the second and see some changes.
I’m hoping Ode has gained some shooting confidence from that first half. He clearly has the technique to take those quickfire chances.
Yeah
With that much difference in squad quality we should get 2 more, or at least 1