Well, I don’t know why only Arsenal games are on weird timings. I prefer weekend because you don’t have to think of tomorrow. It’s a midnight one here in India, finishes by 3am and on a Monday.
But, it’s not going to stop us from watching and supporting the team. City has made our lives difficult, from now on till the end of this season, every game is going to be a must-win because Pep is brutal.
Palace won their first game against Sheffield and shouldn’t be taken lightly. The one good thing is their is no Zaha, he loved to make our life difficult and usually ended up on scoresheet. Under Roy Hodgson Crystal Palace has a brilliant track record. They warded off the relegation towards the end of last season, and during his tenure, they have managed to keep an average of 15 shots per game. They surely are going to test of defence and I hope Arteta don’t do a Arteta again by playing Thomas at RB.
Team News
Timber is out for long. Jesus is still unavailable. Zinchenko might make it today and I would personally like to see a back line of White, Gabriel, Saliba and Zinchenko / Tomiyasu depending on Zinny’s availability. Rice + Partey in the midfield with Odegaard in advance role. Saka and Martinelli on either wings with Nketiah up top. There is no need to be fancy, I understand the need to be un-guessable (if that’s a word) but putting Partey at RB hurts more than it benefits. Taking out Gabriel from starting XI means Saliba is playing on his non-favorite CB side, Partey is unsettled at RB, Midfield is devoid of Partey’s brilliance and it’s all a mess. Movement of Partey to the midfield when we have the possession is the only thing you can take it up as a positive in this case, but it makes us week in defence.
Stick to basics.
We have enough bench support, Kai, ESR, Trossard can play in any advance position, Kiwior can have some game time, Raya will most likely make the bench today. Tomiyasu and Tierney are back to fitness.
Talking of our RW, Saka scored one in the first game against Forest and it was a marvellous goal. He is best in his position in the world at the moment and has started or played as a sub in our last 81 PL games! Now that’s an unbelievable thing, maintaining that fitness and form for more than 2 seasons in a row. He plays PL, cup games, closed door friendlies and if I organize a 5-a-side in my neighbourhood, I’m sure he won’t deny playing in that too. Brilliant kid, best in the world currently, I wish him well and hope we provide a platform where he can win big things.
Mikel was particularly happy with Saka and has things to say about him.
on Bukayo Saka’s development:
source : Arsenal.com
I think it keeps growing year by year, and you set him new targets and he sets himself new targets and new demands and he seems to complete those. He’s extremely hungry and willing to learn and improve and become the player that decides the game every three days, and that’s what he has between his two eyes. He’s a very focused boy and he does everything to do that – the way he trains, the way he prepares himself, the way he lives his life. I’m very happy so he needs to keep doing what he’s doing.
Wrapping Up
Mondays are hell, but hopefully it will end well for us Gooners. Don’t forget to share your thoughts about potential starting XI and predict the score against Palace. I would love some clean sheet and 3-0 for Arsenal would make me happy.
as if we’ve reverted
all I know is that with Eddie leading he line and all the potential shoehorning positional shit, this doesn’t feel like a team ready to compete for things on two fronts…I sure hope that I’m wrong though
leading the line…GD afternoon drinking is really messing with my fucking grammar
so far our tactics rely far too heavily on our back “5” for distribution and not enough on Ode…plus both Marts and Saka have to come too deep for service, likely because we still have no directness in our attack…not to mention, Eddie’s first touch is still shit
20% of the possession yet the better chances…way too much nonsensical movement off the ball
embarassing maneuver in the box by Eddie
Eddie’s one would have been a brilliant goal, if it managed to get in.
if….that’s his GD middle name
like I said, IF only IF
not a shot on target as of yet…of course our resident poacher did hit the woodwork
We have lost control in the midfield. Both side of the defence is poor. I say bring in Gabriel for Odegaard, move White to RB and shift Kai in Ode’s position.
Our finishing has been poor. Eddie, Martinelli, Saka.. all of them.
There’s a plan there but it’s uninspiring at the moment. Speed of padding too slow. Not enough movement off the ball. And I worry that Saka is giving their LB too much respect. I think Alpha-tross will make a difference if he gets on early enough.
I would suggest we take Partey off, bring in Tross and have Havertz combine with Eddie as a front 2, maybe that will force us to be more directness while likewise give Marts and Saka some more space…this is starting to remind me of the Chelsa game against the Hammers yesterday, except that Chelsea looked far more threatening
be more direct
Trossard for Odegaard then. Our captain is missing today.
finally a set piece that made some fucking sense…even still the Keeper must be livid at himself considering Eddie’s first touch
Ambarish-Ode only appears to be missing because with Partey in an inverted role on the right it forces Ode into more advanced positions, which means less time on the ball…certainly not his fault…good penalty by him too
I would target whomever Ayew is man-marking in his own end as he’s one shirt pull away from a red
thank goodness Eze airmailed the shit out of that free kick
if Havertz isn’t the first one subbed we’ve got another Willian on our hands…btw does anyone want to guess what time our first sub(s) will arrive lol