Champions League night against Shakhtar Donetsk

Champions League night against Shakhtar Donetsk

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

188 Comments

  1. 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

  2. Kroenkephobe

    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.

  3. Kroenkephobe

    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.😁

  4. Enjoy KP. Let us have a link for the game can catch it later. Hopefully country will do the business.

  5. The Real Vieira Lynn

    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

  6. 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.

  7. The Real Vieira Lynn

    “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

  8. The Real Vieira Lynn

    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

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. 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……….

  12. 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

  13. 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.

  14. Hoopah.

    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

  15. 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?

  16. 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.

  17. 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

  18. Marc

    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.

  19. Marc

    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.

  20. Marc

    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.

  21. Are you going to the game today, Marc? Looking forward to your live game views after.

  22. Marc

    Tony

    No not going today – I’ve got a busy week at work and to be honest I’m so fucked off with Arteta at the moment combined with being able to pick up £97 for selling my ticket on exchange I just couldn’t be arsed with it.

  23. Hoopah

    Marc
    Reg ESR earlier fitness, obviously ElB was lying. Remember , a few months ago after arteta and his poodle press spoke about ESR having niggling problems, finally ESR himself clarified that he was now fit…..and the usual spiel about trying his best to impress the Boss during training.

  24. Marc
    I understand how you feel. You won’t be able to unsee what occurs on the pitch as barring a miracle I don’t se us faring well tonight. The money will assuage your pissed off-ness a little, maybe lol.

  25. Marc

    Hoopah

    Its obvious Arteta was lying and did it to drive a home grown player out of the club – a player who would be a perfect replacement for Ode whilst he’s out.

  26. Marc

    I’ve no idea of who’s available for today but you have to wonder if Arteta will punish Trossard for his mistake last week.

  27. Live score has this line up.

    Raya
    Partey White Gabs Kiwior
    Rice Merino. Havertz
    Sterling Trossard Martinelli

    Doesn’t work for me if true?

  28. Partey isn’t a RB as we’ve seen before. Havertz isn’t an 8. Rice isn’t a creator and Marts will be putting in crosses to midgets vs giant CDs.

    Looks like a car crash waiting to happen.

    Do you know any different TRVL?

  29. FotMob is a VR little different.

    Raya.
    Partey white Gabs Kiwior
    Jesus Rice Merino Martinelli
    Havertz. Trossard

    Can Kiwior keep Salah quiet?

    Partey & Jesus will be weak links and targeted. In possession.

    Time will tell…..

  30. What a player Palmer is and will grow into the Chavs have.

  31. The Real Vieira Lynn

    Tony—I haven’t seen a confirmed lineup as of yet, but I’m on the lookout

    this match, now that the clock has gone back overseas, starts at a very problematic time due to all my gambling concerns regarding the NFL…as such, I’ve retired to the basement where I have a couple mounted tvs so I can watch the match plus Red Zone at the same time…the lineup you’ve suggested could happen, but I pray it doesn’t, as it’s fraught with concerns at both ends of the pitch

  32. The Real Vieira Lynn

    this a bit of chatter online, following Gallas’s recent interview, regarding a potential MA fallout should Slot find a way to win the title in his first season…of course, it’s way to early to predict any such notion, as surely Slot will face some blips along the way, but there’s no doubt it would be an indictment on MA’s almost half-decade reign if it were to happen

    Palmer potted another…he’s better than every City acquisition we’ve made combined, which includes our MIT

  33. The Real Vieira Lynn

    too early

  34. Marc

    Timber and Saka start as does Merino – all I have so far.

  35. The Real Vieira Lynn

    according to the Metro, it’s Raya, Partey, White, Gabs, Timber, Rice, Merino, Tross, Saka, Marts and Havertz…this is definitely better than the lineup you had posted earlier…still no one with any real creative nous in the midfield, but at least we have some threats out wide, which should affect the manner in which Pool will attack, at least from a numbers sense…hopefully Saka is fit enough and not being pushed too quickly back onto the pitch

  36. The Real Vieira Lynn

    Pool’s lineup: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Salah, Nunez, Diaz

  37. Enjoy your multi tasking TRVL I hate this time KO as I might feel it’s better to watch the 2nd half tomorrow morning as I wake up at 7am no matter what time I get to sleep.

    Agree too early to call yet for Pool, but hard to think that they will be there or thereabouts come May on their play thus far.

    I see them with a high probability from their results. Certainly playing better than us this season.

    Chelsea looking good for a young team and new manager.

    They will be a problem next season as will Villa.

  38. Marc

    Looks like Partey at RB, White in the middle and Timber at LB, CM of Tross, Rice and Merino with Martinelli, Saka and Havertz the front 3.

    The question is are Timber and Saka fit enough to start?

  39. Marc

    Tony

    If Chelsea continue their current trend they’ll be pushing top 5. We could find ourselves in a serious scrap with Liverpool, Villa, Chelsea for a top 4 place.

    I take it as a given City will be there.

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