Morning all.
When Mikel Arteta was asked if he is now armed with the most complete squad of his near seven-year tenure, he replied:
In terms of numbers and quality, yes for sure. When you shake the tree and bring in more players, there are always things that can happen. The spirit of that is to be more competitive, to be better and learn from the past, and with the squad we had last year we made life very, very difficult for ourselves if you look at the size and depth of other squads and the resources they had. So, we all have big smiles on our faces with the understanding that we have done really well, but the market is not closed and we have to stay very alert because there are a lot of things that can happen still. But so far, so good.
I’m assuming Eberechi Eze was in his thoughts when he answered that question because I’d sure be surprised if there is an eighth signing planned.
Leeds Utd pipped Burnley to the Championship title just over three months ago, the deciding factor being goals. Leeds scored a whopping 95 goals, Burnley just 69. Leeds conceded more but it didn’t matter.
I read about tonight’s opponents and their style of football, wondering what to expect and it appears that under Daniel Farke, they play high pressing and possession based football. The best in the Championship say the stats.
They are good at breaking opponents down and counterattacking with speed. Defensively, they are excellent at defending set-pieces, again, boasting the best figures last season. A Declan Rice corner or free kick might cause them a few problems though…
I found this little nugget on LeedsAllOver website:
Daniel Farke’s system has transformed Leeds into a possession powerhouse while maintaining defensive solidity:
- Goals Scored: 66 (2.06 per game)
- Goals Conceded: 19 (0.59 per game)
- Key Strength: Balance between attacking fluidity (via overlapping full-backs and creative midfielders) and defensive discipline.
Leeds marked their return to Premier League football with a 1-0 home defeat of Everton thanks to a very late penalty awarded against James Tarkowski who was adjudged to have used his left arm to block an Anton Stach shot in the box. Controversial? Probably.
Mikel Arteta is without Kai Havertz for today’s fixture and quite possibly for a few more too. The extent of his injury is yet to be confirmed by Arsenal but I’m not sure no news is going to be good news in this case. Christian Norgaard misses out too with a knee injury and Ben White is a doubt having missed training this week. Gabriel Jesus is still recovering after undergoing surgery last season.
Leeds are without captain Ethan Ampadu who suffered knee ligament damage on the opening day of the season. Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could make their debuts in this game, while Jaka Bijol is back from a suspension which he apparently picked up whilst playing for Udinese. I never knew…
Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:
Leeds played in a 4-2-3-1 with a roving No. 10 in the Championship but switched to 4-3-3 on Monday, with a trio of strong, all-action midfielders who can cover lots of ground in a key part of the pitch. They are an attack-minded side who want to have plenty of possession, averaging 54% against Everton. With a back four which is not especially quick, we could see Leeds holding a lowish block at times in this contest. Pressing with intensity is part of their armoury, and Farke will want to upset our rhythm and flow by showing hostility and abrasiveness out of possession.
The Yorkshire side also loves to build down the flanks, with sharp one and two-touch football. Wingers Willy Gnonto and Dan James are always willing to run at opposition defenders. They both enjoyed wonderful campaigns in 2024/25 and are also supported well by two excellent full-backs. However six of Everton’s seven chances against them came from dead-ball situations. As this is a core strength of ours, Leeds will be nervous whenever we stand over a corner or wide free-kick.
I’m still of the opinion that the opening game or two of the season is perhaps the toughest for players and fans. Emotions are high, excitement and expectation levels are high, especially for the fans of the club playing at home.
This fixture today is Arsenal’s first at The Emirates, 50,000 fans will be right behind their team. North London Forever will kick the early evening game off and then it’s over to the players to do their thing and Mikel Arteta to help them in every which way he can.
Last weekend’s performance against Utd was far from Arsenal’s best. The midfield wasn’t quite right and our attacking unit looked all at sea. Gyokeres was feeding off scraps. But that was a week ago, today is a different day, a different opposition and definitely a different environment.
Catch up in the comments.
All gone quiet on the Western Front ,
Today we entertain dirty Leeds and the most interesting point of discussion is who plays and where.
As usual as we go into our second match our injury list is growing , Havertz ,White , Norgaard, Jesus, and Timber is listed as doubtful add to that the players that we are trying to shed from the squad Vieira , Lokonga , Zinchenko , Nelson and Kiwior , Hein has gone and Eze is not available which is quite a sizable chunk of the listed squad.
The starting eleven pretty much picks itself the only real question is over the left wing and whether Martinelli or Madueke are up front and whether Lewis Skelly or Calafiori are at the back and whether we have a fit right back , still the bench will be interesting.
Your post suggests that Leeds are aggressive in defence and use their wingers to break out at speed . That alone for me suggests that Martinelli starts as he will cover the left but the right , who knows?
Very quiet..
I wonder if they are as dirty as they used to be. Unlikely I guess but I can’t imagine they will stick to all the rules.
G’day Rico, no match against Leeds is ever going to be a walk in the park. Historically they’ve always been a tough nut to crack. The likes of Bobby Collins, Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton and Norman( bites your leg) Hunter were ever ready to put the boot in.
That’s a legacy hard to shake off, I expect a high paced physical game, one in which it is unlikely to see a full compliment of players on the pitch after ninety minutes.
How did Harvaetz get injured?
Yeah, how did Havertz get injured?
Middlesex winning 2-0 at the Ali Baba
Mind you they were 2-0 up against PSG, so…..
Afternoon Cicero, guys.
I too think it’ll be a tough old game with Leeds packed in their own box.
Hi All. “Are you ready for some football.” Lol.
Weekend has started well. Man City has gone down already. They looked as poor as Chelsea last night, although they won 5-1.
The good thing about this Arsenal team is that they can’t be bully like previous years, and I love that. Leeds can bring on anything they want. We have big physical players now.
I never really rated Kudas at West Ham but I gotta say that he looked very good this afternoon…
Always nice to see City lose, shame it was to that lot. New manager syndrome will soon wear off. Lol
Eze has completed his medical.
Did he pass it? 😂
Yes, but that doesn’t mean he won’t breakdown in his first training session knowing our luck. 😕
Raya Timber Saliba Gabriel Calafiori Rice Zubimndi Odegaard Saka Viktor Madueke
We certainly get more than our fair share of rotten luck with injuries.
Viktor G, that should read.
Does that mean I can brag about my Madueke hunch coming true 😜
Rico, it’s the owner’s privilege to brag about absolutely anything. 😉
Eze signing completed and officially
announced.
😂 Cicero
Great way to announce Eze. Cool dude..
Madueke starts , so what do I know ?
Straight up the tunnel like a fan. Brilliant.
Couldn’t look cooler that that😀
Saka, great strike with his right foot!
# with right foot!
So frustrating not being able to correct😀
What a ball from Timber for Saka to smash into the net. 2 – 0.
The first was a glancing header by Timber from a Declan Rice corner.
Luvvly Jubbly.
Why did we sign a striker? 😜
Would someone check to see if they can edit their own comment please?
That’s why. 😂
Let’s see how Ethan plays now through the middle with Zubimendi and Rice behind him.
Viktor G makes it three. I’m a poet and didn’t know it. 😁
And now Saka is injured…
Gyokeres on the board…. first of many to come.
Odegaard injured in the first half, now Saka needs treatment. Saka off for Trossard.
Looks a serious one for Saka.
Another corner, another Timber goal…
Timber with another score makes it four, poetical or what?
Timber!!
Hamstring for Saka.
Ah, just seen a countdown from 60 seconds to edit, is that new?
Here comes Max…
Just added it Andrew, just for you… 😜
Dowman on for his debut Mosquera debut too.
Not my man Arteta using the entire squad…. huh. He might be changing before our eyes…lol.
😂😂rico
Takes pressure of Gyokeres with two fine strikes, just a shame the day partially negative with the two injuries.
What a difference it makes when Arteta trusts all his players.
If I had my way, as if ever, Gyokeres would take every penalty and Rice every attacking set piece other than Saka on our right.
Clean sheet, five goals three points, top of the league. 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔Just another day at the office.
Agree rico, Gyoks record of 27 out of 28 is amazing, 96%. No aborted run ups, and usually with good power
Nice to see a goal made by a flick forward and then one player doing all the rest. No pussyfooting passing, haha
Good Evening Rico and all
Great win today. 5-0 and a clean sheet. 5 shots on goal = 5 goals. 100% rate.
Some points…..VG14 is the designated penalty taker before Odegaard and Saka. They take them only if he is not there. Rice is also the prime set piece taker as well so the chances are he will be the one taking corners.
I am not too fussed about Saka injury for now because we have depth. Madueke, Eze, Martinelli, Nwaneri, Trossard can all play. at least it would stop the team playing mainly down the right because whatever happens its always passing to the right. fingers crossed that now they attempt to mix it on both flanks. if Eze plays in Ode’s place and Nwaneri/Madueke plays on the right then we may see a mixture of right/left attacks not majority right side attacks. Unless its a tactic by Arteta himself.
I was pleased with VK14 scoring two goals even if one was a penalty. His first goal was well taken cutting in from the left and turning before pushing it over the line. He lasted whole game without being subbed.
Arteta was adventerous today….all subs being done before the 64th minute I think. Unheard of as usually he begins subbing players at around the 60/65 minute mark
Two games against very different sides, two wins and no goals conceded, I think we are ready to face Liverpool.
Max Dowman was a revelation. So cool, calm and collected. I particularly liked the way he drew the penalty.
Rico I look forward to reading your post match post.
Good night happy Gooners, everywhere. 😴
After all the flack that Madueke received from some fans after his transfer, I am glad that he had a decent starting debut.
The point of building the squad was to make replacements without dropping the standards , however I didn’t think we would be tested quite so soon.
Madueke looked better on the right I thought and if Eze can play the Odegaard role then things appear to be acceptable . However if we don’t play Madueke there then it could be Nwaneri or as a surprise Martinelli who is right footed and would possibly be more orthodox out there.
Which ever way it goes we have to keep Slot guessing because this is a defining game for the season.
Hi Rico and all Thanks for the kind words everyone, dad’s funeral is this Monday, my mind still not on football yet, but it great to see a 10 minute highlight very happy with the performance today.
keep smilling Geoff
Sorry to hear your news Geoff, it’s horrible, been there twice, chin up although not easy, only time heals.
Andrew is right Geoff , there’s nothing anyone can say to make you feel better. Just be aware that you have our sympathy.
As the dust settles on yesterday there is plenty to reflect on and we have to wait on the injury news to see where we stand for next weekends trip to Liverpool.
The predictions going the rounds are Saka 6 to 8 weeks and Odegaard 3 to 4 .
Not good news but at least there is the saving grace of an international break before we play Forest on the 13th September so we might see the skipper back for that. although in the main we have to cross our fingers that no-one else gets stuck down.
I really was impressed by Gyokeres his movement was good he was a focal point for the ball and both of his goals were well taken .
The penalty especially , that’s the way to take them , the keeper went the wrong way but even if he hadn’t it was so powerful and accurate that he would not have got down in time . None of this stroke it into the corners stuff .
Zubimendi is proving to be a bit of a steal and everyone is on about Eze getting Odegaard’s role but I would not be surprised to see Merino rekindle his Spanish partnership if only for a small period whilst the new man settles in.
With the full back combinations and Mosquera backing up the centre backs there is little reason for Arteta not to rotate .which hopefully should reduce the number in the treatment room and if he plays his cards right Madueke can dovetail with Martinelli and keep them both on their toes .
So far , so good .
Hi Geoff, I walked a similar path just a few weeks ago, so empathise with you. Losing a parent is hard regardless of at what stage of life it occurs. Whilst you try and look after those around you, don’t forget to look after yourself too…
I’m not a fan of all this stuttering in a run up for a penalty, or trying to be cute. I loved Gyokeres spot kick because he just blasted it. That’s the way to do it imo.
New post up by the way.
Totally agree re Zubimendi, what a great signing.
cross over from previous post,
As the dust settles on yesterday there is plenty to reflect on and we have to wait on the injury news to see where we stand for next weekends trip to Liverpool.
The predictions going the rounds are Saka 6 to 8 weeks and Odegaard 3 to 4 .
Not good news but at least there is the saving grace of an international break before we play Forest on the 13th September so we might see the skipper back for that. although in the main we have to cross our fingers that no-one else gets stuck down.
I really was impressed by Gyokeres his movement was good he was a focal point for the ball and both of his goals were well taken .
The penalty especially , that’s the way to take them , the keeper went the wrong way but even if he hadn’t it was so powerful and accurate that he would not have got down in time . None of this stroke it into the corners stuff .
Zubimendi is proving to be a bit of a steal and everyone is on about Eze getting Odegaard’s role but I would not be surprised to see Merino rekindle his Spanish partnership if only for a small period whilst the new man settles in.
With the full back combinations and Mosquera backing up the centre backs there is little reason for Arteta not to rotate .which hopefully should reduce the number in the treatment room and if he plays his cards right Madueke can dovetail with Martinelli and keep them both on their toes .
So far , so good .