Bad news first, City has been catching up lately and are only 3 points behind us in the table. Though they have played a game more, you don’t want them breathing on your neck.
With years of experience of winning ‘titles’, Pep and his team knows how to handle themselves under pressure. We, on the other hand, have folded 3 seasons in a row and are trying not to repeat it one more time.
Now, the good news – it’s in OUR hand. We win against Brentford today and we will go back to a 6 points lead with only 12 games to play.
We have few injuries but we have enough bench strength to not to worry about it. Both Saka and Odegaard will be assessed before the game. Mikel Merino will be out for some time after his foot injury. Kai Havertz has picked up another injury I’ve heard and is a doubt for next 2 weeks (rumoured).
Back 4 is sorted, but the midfield is going to be a mess for Mikel. Rice and Zubimendi are starters, and he is left with only Eze to fill the spot. His favorites, Merino and Havertz are not available for selection while Odegaard is both out of form and half-fit for the games. Eze – it’s your time to shine man.
If you ask me, I would stick with the usual back 4 with a midfield of Rice + Zubimendi and Eze in an advance role. Madueke and Martinelli on either side with Gyokeres in the middle would be the front 3. You can pick Trossard over Madueke, I wouldn’t complain.
Every game from now onwards is a final. Carabao Cup is a literal one, but with City closing the gap, we have to make sure we don’t drop points in Premier League. We have a game in April against them at their home ground, and we surely won’t want to leave it to beating them at their home to win.
We are in the knockout stage of Champions League after winning all our group stage games. Every game would be a one to win to move forward.
But hey, if you can’t keep your head down for 2 months and beat the likes of City and PSG, you don’t expect to win a trophy.
Right, that’s me done. See you during the game.
Also, it’s sad to see Thomas Frank getting sacked. His Tottenham Legacy lives with us in the form of the cup.
“the gods of football are looking favourably on us this season.”
Unless of course they’re just fucking with us!
The FA Cup Qtr Finals are scheduled for the weekend 4th & 5th April which if we’re not in Arteta should be hung.
We play City in the League Cup Final on the 22nd March and in the PL away on the 18th April – odds we get City in the Qtrs?
Marc
Unless Nigel can produce an upset (again).
Saka starting in midfield with Madueke on the left and Eze on the bench.
Arteta really is a shambles when it comes to squad building – why buy Eze for £70 million if he’s going to be 3rd choice after 6 months? You can’t even use the excuse that he’s struggled to adapt to a new league.
Actually I might be wrong on the 3rd choice – I’d forgotten about Havertz!
Eze could be 4th choice – I can’t think of the word to use where’s Art when you need him?
New contract, new position…the new captain delivers.
Marc—clearly you know why Eze isn’t starting…Rice simply reminded MA of the assurances he had been given about playing in more advanced positions, as he’s been playing much deeper lately…that said, Rice did deliver a nice assist for Saka’s header
This game is giving me worrying reminders of the time we played them at home earlier in the season. Wolves are poor – we really should be out of sight against teams like this.
KP—agreed…we’re fortunate that the officials have been rather lax when it comes to simulation yellows or we would be leading the league in that category…Hip did a Nestle plunge near the corner flag a few games back, while staring at the ref the whole time, and today he did the old screaming flop in the box…it’s rather embarassing
Two basic observations of the first half.
1) we really need to get the second goal and not leave ourselves open to the “and Wolves equalised in the 94th minute with their first attempt on target” headline.
2) The ref’s letting a lot go – I’m not suggesting he should be waving cards at everyone but in pretty piss poor conditions I don’t want to see a Wolves players frustrations end up with a poor tackle hurting one of our players.
we need to bring Eze on to add some more directness before fucktard replaces VG with another back to goal sideways playing Striker option
Yet another of those games where we fall to the standard of (poor) opposition. What the fuck is Arteta playing at?
he’s being played on…should be 2-0
it’s about time we showed some directness…hard to believe that Hip’s the one to do it…just shows how much MA wants non-scorers to shine in the final third…regardless, nice take by Hip in the end
Is it me or did Rice look frustrated and / or embarrassed by Trossard’s antics there?
Fucking wankers. Blame the players sure, but Arteta has to accept he’s fucking useless. Terrible preparation tonight.
Its happened again
Its happened again
Wicksy you dopey fucker its happened again.
The title race is now in City’s hands.
Abominable cunt of a manager. We should be riding high against teams like this and all Arteta does is reduce our team to their level. Fucking Wolves!
get on the cock-up ship…the fun is optional
10 of on available 21 in our last 7