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
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.
KP
Keep em coming; maybe it will drag our Almuniaisnomore from his early and far too premature retirement. I know we all mis our legendary satirist.
There was once a Gooner from the Irish shore
Whose satirical sketches could never bore
His comical ramblings made us laugh so much
That they became our anti Wenger crutch
Oh how we miss you Almuniaisnomore
Oh my because we next play the lossless Liverpool
where I think it’s really upsetting El B’s stool
On Sunday his arse cheeks will clench
Because he’s got fcuk all on his bench
where us losing will be because of the usual fool
Back over to you KP and others?
Can’t wait for Marc’s lol
Tony
I think you’ve pipped me to the post. Good to see some more exquisite poetry!
I suspect with all the injuries that Arteta will go negative on Sunday, sit in and look for fast breaks against Liverpool. It’ll be a challenge given the relative lack of pace. Marc – take a sleeping bag and flask of Horlicks.
It sounds as if Richard Cauliflower’s (fucking autocorrect!) injury may not be too bad.
County also at home to some troublesome northerners tomorrow in the shape of Caernarfon. Big game and yours truly is driving the bus again. 5.30 kick off. Might be live on YT if you fancy a break from the glamour of the PL.😁
Enjoy KP. Let us have a link for the game can catch it later. Hopefully country will do the business.
Tony—looks like we’ve found ourselves a new resident bard…is it possible that all along you were a poet and didn’t even know it…Cheers
as for the weekend I concur with KP regarding MA’s most likely tactical approach…that said, he probably would have chosen a similar gutless course even if we were fully fit…frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if our lineup consists of only those who’re known first and foremost for their defensive prowess, minus maybe a forward or two, simply for show of course…so don’t be shocked if we start two Keepers, 5 defenders, 2 deep-lying DMs and Havertz, who will be wearing a dog shock collar just in case he wanders too far up the pitch…this could be quite a painful watch, which is an all-too-familiar refrain this season
Brilliant TRVL my old mum used to say that to me. Shock collar got me laughing, as I knew a MC president ex judge no less who wanted the shock color for a naughty prospect.
As I said before it aint going to be pretty Sunday, but knowing El B he’ll pull some genie out of a bottle and grab a point. Whoever is back from injury won’t be match sharp.
“Arsenal lined up with Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino in midfield, but Watts admits he immediately felt that looked like a trio that would struggle to provide much in the way of an attacking threat, and that’s precisely how it played out. Even if it’s a big ask for a relatively unproven young player, Ethan Nwaneri might be a better pick in upcoming games as he’s more of a natural like-for-like replacement for Odegaard in terms of his qualities and playing style”
Tony—looks like Watts agreed with our sentiments regarding MA’s midfield options against Bournemouth…this was always my concern when Merino was brought in, as he and the other two mentioned offer very little from a creativity standpoint…in fact, we would be in better stead if we had Rice sitting deep and allowed Partey to be the more advanced player…hopefully a lesson was learned from this and Ethan will get a chance if this situation occurs again…that said, it likely won’t happen on Sunday, as it appears as if Ode could be back on the pitch and there’s no way MA’s going to have two forward-thinking midfielders deployed at the same time, unless we were down by a couple or three late on…have a good one
correction—I might have been a bit premature with my Ode return to the pitch prediction, so maybe Ethan will get a shot…doubt it though
TRVL
I concur with your thinking re Rice. If Ode was fit then he’ll never last the 100+ minutes at the pace Pool will want to play at. I feel Ode could only offer a 70% tired performance chasing shadows. Ode is our action man in the middle always moving and finding space, where that kind of fitness takes at least a couple of 100 minute games, as we’ve seen before with Ode returning from injury.
Sadly, this will dampen our creativity to the odd pass through at pace rather than when Ode is at his creative best creating space using quick triangles with White or better Timber.
I fear White will be targeted as a weak link now Calafiori is better at LB than Timber and others. Saka if playing won’t have the fitness to play RW & RB support with more chance of aggravating his injury.
Saka should be a different story up top, but without Ode’s service, Saka will be few and far between with his mesmerizing, twinkle-toed attacks from the right cutting in while being double and triple teamed defensively.
Kai needs service to score and more chances than a striker normally does. Ditto Jesus who needs even more chances to score in a game. However, Kai will be on defensive duties more than attacking.
Other than a set piece or corner I cannot see where the goals are going to come from in open play, and as Pool are top with a 12 goal difference to our 7, with Pool only conceding 3 goals this season where we have conceded 8, I see pool scoring freely late in the 2nd half when we are spent.
My gut says 1:4 to pool and junior has offered a better 2:3 to pool.
I doubt Pumpkin can help with this one, KP. Hope county get the result and the travelling is fun with the troops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB6OlJqV1rQ Don’t know if you can get YT in the bus, but that link should offer a cool mix going back 40 years…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWy_-afIpY&list=RDMM&start_radio=1&rv=O5-c79LQ3aM With The Weekend and past greats that might fit better with a young and mature bus full. Hope it works…..
I see City, Villa and the Chavs picking up 3 points today and Pool padding to their tally to be 7 points ahead with City winning being 6 points in late October.
If we lose and villa wins, then Emery will be 3 points ahead of El B with a better GD.
The gap will be beginning to widen this weekend where we could be 4th or 5th by Monday morning.
So, only a win will do as junior said emphatically this morning.
Looks like Ethan and Skelly could feature tomorrow. I would feel a bit more positive if they started with Rice at DM and Ethan pulling the strings in the final third. Could be a break out moment/game for the kid, as Saka and ESR had before him.
If Rice gives Nwaneri & Saka space, and is disciplined to support White & Gabs, the game could or might see us hold our own better to make a difference, and give Slot more to think about than EL B just playing too defensively a home. We have the faithful in the Emirates advantage here.
I see it as this; basically, 3 at the back with Rice as a disciplined DM marshaling his wing backs to not give Pool space in midfield.
Creativity and pace in midfield with a solid 6-player defense behind giving them time and space to feed Kai. Just have to keep our line a bit deeper to contain Jota, Salah and Nunuz et al.
Effectively, this line up gives us a very pacy and direct 4 man attack who are all interchangeable, so long as Kia isn’t earmarked as the 4th central defender each time Pool attacks. If we counter with accurate one touch football as Wolves did against City then we will have goals in us, too.
This is assuming Saka and Calafiori are fit.
If Ode can play a winning cameo then so be it; as long as he’s not rushed back to do so. Hopefully, Merino has a better match fitness now, and can help more with defensive midfield minutes when required later in the game.
Raya
White – Gabs – Kiwior
Skelly – Rice – Calafiori
Saka – – Nwaneri – Marts
Havertz
I would not play: Jesus, Zinchenko, Sterling and only Jorginho to make up numbers not expect him to make a difference when coming on.
That’s my amateur, armchair supporter view from afar gents…. at least mustering some positivity, ok very little….. lol
As good as Partey can be with the ball, I fear this game will be too quick for him to be effective in either defense or attack. Therefore, I’d only add Partey from 70 minutes to add to the DM shape with Rice in front of our what would be our back 5.
If we get a goal in front in the 2nd half from a counter or set piece, then Partey & Rice with Jorginho and Kai makes a solid 5/4 defensive shield for Raya to work his acrobatics.
It’s a very big “IF” to begin with……….
S’hampton look scared of City already a goal down. Easy 3 points for City looks like.
B’mouth are a tougher test for Villa where Villa look good for the points.
4 Arsenal keepers starting in PL games now Ramsdale is at Southampton
Iraola has Bournemouth playing well again. They could grab a point from Villa after taking 3 from us and good value for their win.
Refs are obviously following the new rules with 7 cards in this game already where it’s far from a dirty game.
Fulham vs Everton
First goal the familiar driving run by ESR who flicks the ball to Iobi to score.
Now Reis Nelson is in .So 4/11 all Arsenal boys making a difference.
Otherwise , play of ESR is quite timid , nowadays. Boy has to get out of the trauma caused by ElB
Hoopah
Didn’t see the game but watching Fulham recently I felt ESR needs an edge to his languid style of play. He does a lot right but lacks more punch with his play that shall we say could be a bit darker?
What are your thoughts on tonight’s game?
0:0 for Haverfordwest, KP, was it a draw bore or lots of moments?
Not surprised Villa drew with B’mouth playing with even more confidence after beating us. Last ditched goal in the dying seconds secured the points in a real end to end match. With Tyrone Mings about to be back from his ACL Villa will be tighter at the back where TM bags our Gabs type goals from se pieces the other end.
Both teams played well and Villa are top of the CL table I believe. Have to admire what emery has done in such a short time frame.
City scrapped another 3 points against a resilient S’hampton. City controlled the game but not good enough to add the much needed 2nd goal.
A scrappy Haaland goal who is already making RM overtures that I imagine Ode will want to be part of if Saliba goes as well.
Will Saka be tempted?
I see Chavs beating The Bar codes today & Brighton not disappointing as my fav young manager and owner club who play good football.
Interesting season this is shaping up to be where we seem to be losing traction when we should be popping wheelies with tires on fire playing pacy intelligent football.
If Timber is fit to start then I’d have Skelly on the bench for around 60 minutes when Timber will fade not being fully match fit.
Raya
White – Gabs – Kiwior
Timber – Rice – Calafiori
Saka – – Nwaneri – Marts
Havertz
With the number of players we have potentially missing chances are Arteta will go ultra defensive, at some point the fans have got to see how self defeating this is. It’s one thing putting 10 men behind the ball when you’ve had someone sent off away at City something else entirely to do it at home to Brighton or away at Bournemouth.
Thinking we can see out 90 plus minutes against one of the top teams in the league and nick something from a set piece is not the mindset of teams who win the PL.
Oh yeah and ESR managed another appearance and assist yesterday – strange how he wasn’t ever fit enough for us.
Either Arteta was lying (highly likely) or Arteta’s training was the problem.
Just as a reference if you compare like for like results for this season against last) swapping Luton for Leicester and Burnley for Southampton (we won all 4 fixtures so doesn’t make much difference) we’re 2 points worse off, have scored less and conceded more.
Add to that we beat Liverpool 3 – 1 last season and despite the money spent during the summer we have not improved.