Before I begin, I want to thank you all for sticking to the blog. This is the 300th article on LONDON IS RED. I started this in March 2021 out of frustration; fans saw Arteta as the next Arsenal God without anything to back up those claims and I wanted a place where people can be critical of the team they support without being told off. We have celebrated the wins, we have criticized the losses and we will keep doing it. There’s no agenda here and we don’t worship any manager or player but the club.
The beauty of Champions League is that there’s a better wanker out there than you. Arteta loves to control the game and sometimes, it comes at the cost of boring, uninspiring football where you see your striker defending in your own box. Well, he gets to play someone who does it better and been doing it for much longer. If the rules permit, Simeone will jump on the pitch himself to add an extra defender. We are going to see two of the most defensively drilled teams play together in the Champions League today and you shouldn’t expect an exciting, goal laden match.
However, it’s a home game and with 2 wins in first 2 games, you have the advantage of going for a win. Atletico are one of the worst teams to play against. They crushed Frankfurt earlier with 5 different goal scorers and almost made a comeback against Liverpool at Anfield after going down 2-0 in first 10 minutes which they lost ultimately, thanks to an extra time goal from Van Dijk.
Team News
Both our midfielders in Zubimendi and Rice has earned 2 yellow cards in first two matches, and if they happen to receive another one, they will get a one match suspension. Playing them together will have the risk of missing out on both in the next game, and hopefully Mikel is not that foolish.
Without Odegaard, we would have to rely on a midfield of Eze, Rice/Zubimendi and Merino. Yes, Nwaneri is not going to get his starts anytime sooner and both Rice and Zubimendi shouldn’t be on the pitch, which leaves us with Merino. Against Atletico, I would be tempted to start Martinelli, he is in goal scoring form and can run through their defence.
Saka-Gyokeres-Martinelli up top does the job for me. Defence will pick itself, with Timber and Calafiori on either side and the best CB partnership will start.
Wrapping Up
You can’t relax against them. You can’t think 2-0 is enough. You can’t try to dictate the game because they will be tough to break and you simply can’t park the bus hoping for a set piece goal because that’s what they have been doing since 2011. What’s the way then? Attack.
We should go into the game with a positive, fearless mindset. We have a solid defence and with an attacking midfield, we could create them some problems. The game will not be played in the middle, so the onus lies on Saka, Gyokeres and Martinelli/Trossard to convert whatever they get in the opposition penalty box.
Also, we will get to know who the master of dark arts is. See you during the game.
Arsenal Goal scorers list is out for this season and I am updating it regularly. We don’t have the desired results from the front 3 so far, with Timber an Zubimendi in top 3 in Premier League; Champions League stats looks okay though. Take a look –
even Palace players being subbed off take their time even though they’re chasing the scoreline…it’s the MA Malaise strategy
TRVL
There’s a very reasonable argument that getting a win without playing well after having played CL midweek is a good thing.
Out problem is that is how we perform / get results 90% of the time.
The ref’s been very lenient today.
We need to up our effort for fucks sake. They’re coming at us regularly now.
it’s so quiet in there I swear I just heard someone in the upper deck fart
Kroenke
Especially with City losing at the moment.
Marc—our numbers regarding set piece tallies versus open play are unprecedented, according to today’s commentators…difficult to hang one’s hat on that
TRVL
I’d like to see how many times we’ve scored our first from open play this season – I doubt its more than once or twice.
Christ that was hard work.
We made very hard work of that second half.
we had better fucking win the title this year or I’m going to be pissed again for investing so much into this oft-times boring as fuck side…if not, next year I’m just going to watch the fake fireplace channel for free
Vera,
You should watch the fireplace from here on in, in my view.
Less opportunity for you to say silly shit that way.
Next fantasy of yours is that Tets had some obligation or even a promise to play Rice at left 8.
You made that up to.make yourself angry.
Every post you’ll make up one daft scenario without a shred of evidence to back it. And then get wound up about it. Don’t do it to yourself thicko, watch the fireplace.
how about this Achoo, you keep my name out of your Kool-Aid loving mouth and I promise not to show up at your workplace and knock the dick out of your mouth…does that sound fair little guy?
I hope you enjoyed the game Vera. Palace never really posed a credible threat, Mateta doing doggies then throwing his hands in the air was entertaining, when we start doing ‘we’re the North Bank’, put your feet up and let the points roll in.
Another clean sheet, gained points on our purported rivals, chill.
Cheers
How about this Vera?
Shut up you div.
Watch out TRVL he called you a div – you dealing with someone who’s at least 6 years old.
Far from hard work Marc. Presumably you were at the game too.
We might have been a bit short on thrills but we didn’t need to get out of third gear. Except Gyokeres, he’s fun to watch but our suspicions about his limitations are proving correct.
TRVL
Think about the fans who went to the game. My ticket sold on exchange for £58 which is the face value less fees.
The cost of going today with not a huge amount of travel costs and a couple of beers is easily 80 odd quid. Start having a beer or something to eat in the stadium and you’ll add £10 – £20 to that no problem.
Asking for a little entertainment for the outlay is not unreasonable!
At least 6 Marc. Perhaps more. Hopefully the Div appreciated your support you plonker.
Achoo
When Martinelli made a break late in the game the fans near him were shouting to take it into the corner flag – the commentators on Sky picked it up.
Hardly the actions of fans who think everything’s under control and Palace aren’t a threat.