Morning all.
Still smiling after our defeat of Chelsea? Well, I’m still smiling from the first leg let alone the second. Meanwhile, Chelsea fans, a number of pundits too, must be gutted. I’m kind of in the Paul Merson camp re Tuesday’s game, if you’re going down, do so with a fight rather than a whimper. I honestly cannot recall seeing such a negative approach to a game as Rosenior’s, especially when they were a goal down in the tie. I expected them to come out all guns blazing. It’s funny really because Rosenior put more energy into his post match whining than his team put in on the pitch.
Man City knocked Newcastle Utd out of the competition last night so Mikel Arteta will go head to head with old mate Guardiola in a battle for the first pice of silverware on offer this season. This is a competition which Guardiola has taken seriously throughout his City career but, when the final comes around, who knows what factors will come into play. Injuries, fatigue, suspensions, even League/Champions League positions could make a difference to who Guardiola and Mikel Arteta selects on the day.
The weekend before the final, we play Everton at The Emirates, Man City travel to London to face West Ham. I think there will be a Champions League fixture on the Tuesday/Wednesday before the final too.
The final isn’t until next month so we can forget about it for now. Same with the Champions League as that doesn’t get going until the second week in March so for the next few weeks Mikel Arteta and his players can focus on the league and FA Cup fixtures.
There are five fixtures left for Arsenal this month.
- Sunderland H
- Brentford A
- Wigan H (FA Cup)
- Wolves A
- Totts A
The away fixture against Sunderland was disappointing. Surrendering a late so late in any game is frustrating but in the 3rd minute of added time is darned annoying. There’s nothing we can do about that or any other negative result but we can do something about what happens from here on in. Stating by beat Sunderland this afternoon.
Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:
Sunderland had been rotating between a 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1, but against Burnley they opted for a fluid, attack-minded 5-4-1. Le Bris is not wedded to one shape or system, however, the success of playing three centre-backs in that comprehensive 3-0 win may persuade him to keep that formation.
From a tactical perspective, the Black Cats are good enough to play through the lines but longer passes worked well against us at the Stadium of Light. In addition, long throw-ins, aggressive turnovers and fast breaks will all be methods that the visitors try to hurt us.
They don’t need a lot of possession, averaging just 44%, but we should not underestimate their technical ability, with high levels of creative input coming from the gifted Enzo Le Fee and Chemsidine Talbi, while Brian Brobbey’s physicality means he is a handful for defenders to contain. Only two top-flight outfits have won more aerial duels than Sunderland, who will back themselves to win headers inside both boxes.
Nordi Mukiele is the key man though. He can play as a central defender or as a right back, is a good crosser, and his long throws are also a tremendous weapon for the team.
Brobbey was the player who snatched a point at the Stadium of Light. He may not be tall but he’s strong.
At home, Sunderland remain unbeaten this season but away from home, winning hasn’t come easy. In fact they haven’t won any of their last seven. Make it eight today Arsenal!
Sunderland have had a pretty decent January as far as results go although they did get hammered by the Hammers a couple of weeks ago before thrashing Burnley at home 3-0. They have taken points off City, Totts, Palace and Everton but were well beaten at Brentford. Maybe they don’t like playing in London. Granit Xhaka is ruled out for tomorrow’s game which is a shame for him as I suspect he was looking forward to this fixture. Tough eh.. Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traore are ruled out too.
Sunderland added two players to their squad last month, winger Nilson Angulo and Jocelin Ta Bi but the latter is struggling to be fit in time for this one.
Mikel Arteta is probably without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard but definitely without Mikel Merino and Max Dowman.
With us kicking off at 3pm, it’s an opportunity to put a little pressure on Man City who play Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow afternoon. Villa kick off at the same time as us with a tricky fixture against Bournemouth on the south coast. Yes, I’ll be opening my back door and cheering on the Cherries loudly.
Anyway, let’s hope the players dish out a similar performance to the one we saw at Leeds. Convincing, clinical and three more points at the end of it.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
The sun is shining this morning, first we’ve seen of it for what feels like months.
First priority this afternoon is a clean sheet. I hope to see Havertz on from the start, in place of Odegaard.
As the game is not being shown live I won’t feel guilty about watching England vs Wales in the six nations, while keeping a check on our game on line.
Morning Cicero, still a bit grey here but certainly brighter.
Clean sheet, 3 points and a few goals would do nicely.
Romero out of the NLD, he’s just been show a straight red card.
Without a doubt, well shown.
Totts will change their manager before playing against Arsenal.
You reckon Jm? It would be just our luck.
Eboue signed for Chelsea.
It doesn’t seem to me…
Romero just wants out of Spud land.
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Havertz, Zubimendi, Madueke, Jesus, Trossard
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz, Trossard, Madueke, Jesus.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Eze, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly.
No Odegard, Saka (injured. How deep?)
Both are small niggles I read Jm.
Agree re Romero, his outburst last week suggested he’s had enough.
Good afternoon Rico and all
Lovely roundup for today’s game.
Still 0-0 with half an hour gone. The line up is good today, however I preferred VG14 instead of Jesus. But I feel that with tired legs VG14 will thrive better if he comes on with an hour left. I feel he will get more openings to score
Afternoon Devil.
Saliba treading a fine line having been booked.
a 2-0 scoreline with goals by Havertz and Gyokeres would be enough for me. It would make my day
Zubimendi 1-0
Zubimendi nets his fifth goal of the campaign to make it 1-0.
And Gyokeres nets from an assist by Havertz. 2-0
I hope he returns the favour to Havertz.
There goes my hope…..Eze replaces Haverts.
Hincapie replaces Calafiori
Sorry Devil but I don’t care 😂
Viktor gets a second..
Le Gyok makes it 3-0. That is 6 goals this calendar year.
we win. Gyok gets a double.
Over to you Cicero….for the end of match winning sentence
Looking forward to the highlights. Merse said Gyokeres’s first goal was very good.
https://dubz.co/c/760290
https://dubz.co/c/829e6e
https://dubz.co/c/daa07f
There you are Rico. all the goals.
watch them quickly before they get taken down.
Seems that both Martinelli and Havertz have got quite a good understanding together. Maybe it will not be Martinelli who makes way in summer. Fingers crossed he stays
Trossard likes Gyokeres as well.
I know only that we won with goals by Zubimendi and two from Viktor G. Of course, a clean sheet for Raya. 🔔🔔🔔
England 22 – 0 against Wales 28 mins.
The victory was harder-fought than the numbers suggest. We only felt secure with the second goal.
I thought the defense was a bit shaky and the midfield lacked physical freshness.
All games are important, but I think that the next three away games, if we are completely successful, will give us full confidence for the rest of the championship, “cool down” our opponents, and, being more spaced out, allow us to manage and look to the future with more certainty.
Thanks Devil. Merse was right, that finish wasn’t easy.
I’m watching too Cicero. Arundall is quick.
Afternoon Rico and all, just watched highlights and we looked so much better when we attack instead of this of this kick to kick that we have done in the past, so happy for Victor 2 nice goals, Raya had a couple of shaky moments with one that nearly cost us a goal,
That was one hell of a tough battle, I’m not sure how Sunderland have such a poor away record if they play like they did today? Delighted to see Viktor get another couple of goals and delighted to hear the other players talk so well of him. So ignore the haters!
Rico, I’ve just sent in my report, gotta say it was a lot more enjoyable to do than last Tuesdays.
I watched the Newcastle vs Brentford game and I’m telling ya, Brentford are a very dangerous team who’ll cause us a few problems especially in the G Tech Stadium – doesn’t have the same ring as Griffin Park does it?
The difference between the first and second half was manifold . Ballaard and Alderete had the brandy and cigars out when Jesus did his usual disappearance to the halfway line apart from managing to be offside on every changeover. When Vik and Martinelli came on things changed . Within seconds Ballard was bundled off the ball and battle commenced.
Three goals from open play, none from corners, none from set pieces and no own goals. That must be a first for the season. 😉
Very pleased for Viktor G. There is a growing chemistry between Havertz, Martinelli and Gyokeres, which can only be good for the team.
Agree Kev, ironic that Brentford are the club fighting for the fifth CL spot and Franks new club are fighting relegation 😂
Morning Cicero, all.
I read a lot of stuff online about how Gyokeres was a flop but I think most of us here believed he wasn’t clicking with every player. With Havertz, Martinelli too, he seems to be involved more. I always believed he, other new signings too should be given the first half of the season to adjust. Not all need it whilst others do.
New post up now.