It’s Champions League night. A loss against Bournemouth was devastating and a win today will wash out a bit of that. We are playing Shakhtar Donetsk at home, and a win today will also bring us back in the top 8.
Playing XI is out. Mikel has fixed 2 of my complaints with whatever was available. Trossard makes into the midfield in place of Merino, so we are not going with three DMs today. Martinelli is back into the team with Havertz up top and Jesus in place of Saka. Sterling should be a ‘give him 15 min in a 2-0 game’ option, not a starter.
Line up looks okay to me.
European nights are always nervy. There are upsets but we should be winning against Shakhtar comfortably and I am hoping to see all 3 of our forwards scoring today. I hate to say it but a 1-0 win is not going to fix our confidence. We need the attacking football back today, we need to be in control for the whole 90 min, we need to show that we can win without making any errors.
And the seniors needs to take that responsibility. Trossard has played enough game, Jesus was brought for his huge experience and was believed to mentor the likes of Martinelli and Saka And Thomas Partey needs to keep control of that midfield. It’s Champions League night, couple years back – these same set of players were dreaming of these nights and when you got one, you need to show that with your actions.
Right, there is one more very important thing I have been talking about. We need to finish in top 8 of the group stage at any cost. I don’t want us to see playing 2 qualification games later in the stage.
It’s too early to say anything but there is some serious competition. And the fact that Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid are on the same points with us and are going to compete for the top is going to make our life difficult. What can we do? Win the easy ones and put fights against the best teams in Europe.
We have an easy one today. Lets go out in red and white and WIN this. Lets beat them 4-0 and get back our confidence.
See you during the match. #COYG
Trossard should have taken that shot himself.
Shakhtar are not all behind the ball, front 3 stays in their position, which is kind of good for us… We overload the opposition box and it’s going to give us a lot of chances. As I type this, Calafiori misses one too.
White made a poor pass, gave the ball away in the process and we were lucky SD didn’t make anything of it.
Goalie’s Arsenal 1 Shitktar Doner 0
Martinelli is like that fix that was meant to hunt but is being fed grass.. he should be let free..
Gabriel Jesus is having a good game so far on the wings.. almost an assist, almost a goal.. Pep wasn’t wrong.
*fox
Another good chance for Jesus, which he created for himself. He can’t finish as usual but if you play on wings and create chances, that’s counted enough.
PSG losing to PSV at home, Madrid losing 2-0 to Dortmund at theirs.. this new format is exciting and there will be many upsetting game.
sorry Ambarish, Jesus spent most of the half doing jackshit, except returning every pass from which it came, then when he finally got a chance or two to prove his worth he cocked it up, as per usual…he’s so dire it makes me miss Eddie(not really)…we’re a blunt instrument who can’t seem to get a handle on a glorified father/son affair…MA’s trying to show some tactical flexibility by allowing players to switch sides, which on certain occasions might make a little sense, but tonight it’s all about Marts and the left side of their defence, so why would you have him anywhere but wide left…pathetic, uninspiring half
MA’s got his clamps on so tight that no one even looks for players making direct runs and anyone who shoots from distance seemingly is required to apologize to everyone on the pitch
TRVL
He is playing well imo, except for his finishing which has always been a problem.
And agree to the MA’s tactics of freedom. Martinelli for once tried that run and it looked lethal. We can only guess what he can do if would be making 5/6/7 runs of such kind.
Ben White is being replaced by Mikel Merino.. he is on a yellow, Mikel read our last article guys.. 😅
it’s like we’re playing for a 1-0 own goal victory…Partey should never be deployed at RB
if Shahktar had even one player of quality up top we would be tied or a goal down
Ambarish—anyone could have provided what Jesus has brought to the equation…we should have Ethan on the pitch instead of him, as JG brings no width to the right side anyways…as for the 5, 6 or 7 runs theory, it’s a moot point because we’re trained not to look for them
we’ve given them confidence by our lack of attacking threat and our willingness to put 10 men behind the ball
with our bully-ball lineup on the pitch why aren’t we taking it to the wings then wiring in some crosses
now Calafiori’s hurt…we’re like paper mache this season
I meant GJ not JG, although Jesus de Gabriel would be a cool handle
embarassing call…this goes directly back to my last post, earlier today, on the last thread
even more embarassing penalty try
holy shit, a stretch pass…it’s like a UFO sighting
it’s 23 and sunny outside and I’m in here watching this paint dry…I feel like a twat for doing so
Raya might have saved our blushes there
thank God that guy takes headers like Havertz, shoulder first
reckless, but he never even touched Havertz…we’re an embarassing unit for a whole host of reasons tonight!!!!
WTF was that, especially after what transpired on the weekend
A Limerick is needed after that…
If not for a Ukrainian bum
Our CL campaign would be done
A cunt of a game
The manager’s insane
His tactics are dumber than dumb
it’s 23 and sunny outside and I’m in here watching this paint dry…
Hi Vieira
Sounds like you’re getting emulsional…I’ll get my (under) coat.
Fucking dismal wasn’t it.
KP—fucking hilarious…thanks for bringing some much-needed levity to this offensively-stunted shit show
KP
The limerick was funny and much needed from reading the game commentary here. I spent about 20 minutes looking for a replay, but couldn’t find, but when I arrived here to read the disdain, I see the football gods were looking out for me and helping keep my BP normal at around 120/80 and not trying to unsee dire football from us, at El B’s tactical direction.
Looking at the starting 11, for me it’s all wrong. White is regressing as mentioned before; too many mistakes are creeping into his game, as he’s targeted more as a weak link by opposing managers.
So, 3 at the back with Skelly a MF could work at RWB. Not sure White is suited to RWB, but could try – he’s proving he’s not best suited to RB this season as well, which needs addressing, as it’s part of our inconsistent form during games no less. Hopefully, Timber can make the RB/RWB his own being his natural positions.
It’s why the media often refers to our games, as like swinging pendulums, which also describes our form where we have the added red card debacle to add to our woes.
As TRVL and I keep saying; keep Rice in his best 6 position, and relegate Partey to the bench to help close games out as games tire. His lack of pace won’t be such an issue at 75+ minutes. We’ve also wanted minutes since witnessing Nwaneri’s first game last season. He is Saka’s class or better, so how does El B miss that? Playing pets I guess is the answer.
So, Nwaneri instead of Partey I’m sure would be LIR’s call, too.
El B has been laying into Trossard if the media and bloggers are to be believed and Jesus was on the sale list or talk of it last summer’s TW. However, the player we needed last night is doing very well for Fulham, playing well enough to be starting most games and bagging goals and assists; who would have thought that of perma-crock ESR?
All of LIR I imagine is the answer, at the very least from Goonerdom.
We sold ESR and Reis with no real back up for RW or for Ode and our 8AM positions. To me Reis is better than Sterling – not much mind you, but enough to keep over buying Sterling for one more season.
We kept Jesus and bought Merino who seems to me to be a lesser ESR. Anyone else think that way? Maybe he will come good as his shoulder continues to heal? He’s very unconvincing at the moment.
Why wasn’t Sterling, who El B knew in seconds he should sign, deputizing for Saka last night? Then we would have had: Sterling, Ethan and Marts supporting Kai.
Looking at Kai watch; he managed 29 completed passes. Lost possession once and made one interception with no shots on or off goal, as our 9. Are these stats correct?
So, Kai has gone from scoring 5 in a row to not registering any shots against a poor Ukraine side.
Of course, my above assessment is from not having see one minute of play, and is from LIR comments and stats and previous knowledge we gain here. I’ll find a replay somewhere to flick through.
What were your thoughts, Marc, did you go to the game?
Liverpool next where we may have won last night, but I see it doing little to boosting our weak confidence to take points from Slot’s machine, at the Emirates.
TRVL
Calafiori does seem to get injured easily from knocks in games. Hope are doesn’t become our ‘sicknote’ player in he future.
Not made of Maldini granite then…..?
Hope he*
Sunday there will be more pain with the scousers coming to town. Wouldn’t be surprised if both Saka and Califiori would join Saliba as nor being available. Which means another massively boring game as we will tri for a 0:0 draw.
Kilroy
It’s where I expect Slot to make a statement of intent by reaming El B a new one. Remember the Highbury 3:0 by half time?
Could be far worse where Zinchenko or Timber wouldn’t be able to keep Salah quiet; they have so many inform players who can score?
We have? Kai the wonder 9 and Rice who thinks he’s a creative midfielder with Partey.
It aint going to be pretty, Kilroy, especially if we try to park the bus looking for Wolves defensive abilities but without Saliba the glue in our back 4. Nervous Big Gabs will have his moments, but not in Pool’s goal mouth.
Pool’s movement on and off the ball is probably the best in the PL today, now City are without KDB & Rodri.
KP
El B papering over the cracks. His problem is his finished article is ‘eggshell’.
Tony, El B will be 5 years in charge in Dec with fuck all to show for except spending £800mill. There are 3 first time managers in the EPL and all are doing better, Slot, Maresca dealing with the Chelsea shit show and Hürzeler with BHA without mentioning Emery being at the top of the CL table. Wer are stuck with the wanker that is Arteta. Real Arsenal supporters are too be pitied.
I hate to say it but Barcelona under Flick are playing good football today. There are direct, aiming to move forward with every pass.
That third goal from Raphina is what we should be expecting from Martinelli. And he can do that. If he is allowed to!
NORG
There can never be too many decorating puns.
Watch out everyone. I think I might continue with the lyrical limericks for a bit, especially while the football is so dire.