Morning all.
There’s a full Premier League fixture list this week with last night kicking things off with Bournemouth losing at home to Everton, Newcastle Utd and Totts playing out a 2-2 and Fulham losing 4-5 against Manchester City.
Tonight, Arsenal take on Brentford. Five other fixtures are taking place but the one which is most interesting in my opinion is at Elland Road where Leeds United take on Chelsea. Liverpool play Sunderland which could be interesting though.
Anyway, more important than what goes on elsewhere is what happens at The Emirates where hopefully, Arsenal will get back to winning ways.
Mikel Arteta on facing Brentford:
I think every game that we play, when you look at the intensity in the Premier League against any opponent, what is needed is incredible. Brentford bring different threats, different challenges, as we all know, and you need to dominate that if you want to win the game. Our motivation comes from preparation and how we prepare for every game to try to be better than the opposition. Where we are in the league and what we are doing, I don’t think we need any more motivation than that.
That’s an opportunity tomorrow at 7.30pm, everybody, 7.30pm kick-off to be at the Emirates, bouncing and putting energy to win the game. That’s the opportunity that we have tomorrow, 7.30pm. Like animals, everybody at the Emirates to go again and beat Brentford; [it’s] vital, massive.
Taking only one point off of Chelsea on Sunday was a bit of a disappointment but only because we were up against ten men for a lot of the game.
Riccardo Calafiori needs to be careful tonight if he plays because he’s one booking away from suspension. We need him fit and available for the Villa game.
Many of our players could do with a rest surely? Timber, Rice and Saka to name a few. Merino and Zubimendi have clocked up a lot of minutes too but of course, they cannot all have a night off at the same time. At least Arteta has options available to him, all of whom are excellent players in their own right. Norgaard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Dowman are all waiting in the wings and are in need of minutes as this stage of the season is even more bonkers than usual. We have eight fixtures to play between now and the end of the month. The end of the year.
Brentford are doing pretty well so far this season, beating both Liverpool and Utd along the way. Like Arsenal, Brentford opted for a managerial novice when Frank switched to another London club whose name escapes me, by appointing Keith Edwards. In addition to losing Frank, captain Christian Norgaard joined us and both Mbeumo and Wissa departed in the summer. At home, Brentford have been good but so far, they’ve only registered one win away from home which came at the London Stadium.
Speaking in the matchday programme, Adrian Clarke said:
At the outset of this campaign Brentford’s new head coach Keith Andrews set out to mix up his formations, following Thomas Frank’s lead of switching from a back four to 5-3-2 against the tougher opponents. Achieving mixed results, the Irishman has now changed to what appears to be a fixed 4-2-3-1 shape, and that bolder approach paid off in excellent victories at home to Liverpool and Newcastle United. As this is the Bees’ first away game against ‘Big Six’ opposition, we can’t be sure which tactic they will adopt, but a back four is perhaps the most likely.
Tonight’s opponents are extremely dangerous on the counterattack, scoring four Premier League goals from fast breaks already in 2025/26. As a low possession side that averages around 42%, Brentford sit back and absorb pressure before striking hard and fast from turnovers.
Many of their best moves have come from regains deep inside their own half, with midfielders Jordan Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard firing accurate long passes for their pacy forwards to chase. We must be ready to deal with those direct pieces of play from Andrews’ men. At the heart of Brentford’s style is great heart and industry. The players work hard out of possession to disrupt their opponents’ flow and are tenacious in the way they apply that pressure. This is a side built to win the ball back, before attacking with speed and directness.
Right back Michael Kayode possesses arguably the best long throw in the division. Capable of hurtling the ball across the face of goal with pace and a low trajectory, the Bees have scored multiple goals this season from his deliveries. Defending these well at the near post will be essential this evening. It is extra important we do so because no top-flight outfit has had more headed shots. They focus on attacking balls that are sent into the box and have plenty of aerial power. This strength helps them at the back, where they deal with corners and wide free kicks very well.
Conceding just two set-play goals, they have the lowest expected goals against tally from set pieces of all 20 teams. Individually, Jordan Henderson has been excellent for them inside the heart of the engine room too, setting the tone with his work rate and distribution. Out on the wings, Kevin Schade is officially one of the fastest Premier League players. He can explosively sprint away from defenders with or without the ball. Searching long passes aimed in his direction are not unusual to see.
Holding onto leads has been problematic for the west Londoners in this campaign. They led in eight of their first 12 games, but converted only four of them into victories, losing three times. They also have only six different goalscorers in their ranks, with more output from midfield needed.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been in excellent form of late. Admittedly, at Chelsea the players looked a bit out of sorts but even the best of teams can struggle when players are being bundled off the ball every five minutes or fouled. Or unjustifiably booked. Anyway, that game has gone and at least we came away with a point.
Tonight, in front of our own fans and with a set of officials who might just be more consistent in their decision making, I fully expect to see a very different performance from Mikel Arteta’s players. Whoever plays.
Catch up in the comments.
I posted this on the last post this morning but considering your points above it seems pertinent.
And we go again tonight , there seems no time to digest the last game before the next one comes along.
In the 108 days since the season started we will have played 21 club games and if you add in the 6 internationals , it equates to one game every 4 days.
This shows the obvious need for a squad but we have to accept that when you build a league winning squad you cherry pick players from abroad and they also play internationals at all four corners of the world.
During 29 days of October we played 6 games with a 2 match international break thrown in It’s little wonder that the players are dropping and showing signs of fatigue and are falling to muscle injuries .
And on another subject during that month 5 of those games were at home and with the recent trips from Norfolk for Bayern and Spurs the credit card is maxed out and I reckon that my season ticket will be appearing on exchange until at least after Christmas
The schedule is crazy and we got lucky last time as far as international fixtures go because only Hincapie from our South American players didn’t travel. Only because they were injured. Must admit, I didn’t give too much thought to these young brothers were about to sign, or have signed, they are already playing for their country and one can only assume they will continue to do so as they age.
There has to be a reason players are getting injured so much, other than the obvious of course.
Good afternoon Rico.
An excellent pre-match, thank you.
The Calafiori conundrum is a head-scratcher, obviously we don’t want him booked but he will be sooner or later so he won’t be able to play in whatever fixture happens to follow his fifth caution. Personally, I’d play him tonight regardless.
Confident of a three points? No, but hopeful. 😉
Good pre match post Rico.
I am never confident in any game. Seen do many misfortunes, so many cock-ups or bad officials
I have every faith in whoever plays. Like Cicero I would still play Calafiori tonight regardless of a yellow card. MLS can deputize for him during ban….he is not a novice anymore.
Afternoon Cicero, thank you.
Sadly I can’t see him going until the end of the year without that 5th booking and subsequent ban so I guess Arteta needs to weigh up which match we can’t afford to be without him. Not that I’m suggesting he gets himself booked on purpose of course… lol
Thanks Devil.
I’d use MLS tonight, or Timber even with White at RB if fit. Mind you, if Saliba return, other options become available.
I have no problems with White at RB and feel that Timber needs a rest. But at LB I would go with Calafiori even though he is walking a tightrope. MLS needs playing time. If Arteta puts Hincapie instead of MLS, the latter would be on the end of a wrong message.
The ultimate end is the result and that means a win…..but the means to an end are important as well…..so MLS should play. Hincapie and Mosquera are not RB and LB….they are CBs in their own right.
Thing is, we have no idea who is fully fit, who is in the red, how Arteta will approach the opposition. Good to guess though. Lol
Raya, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madurke, Martinelli, Merino
Merino again… 1-0
What a save from Raya..
Bloomin heck, another defensive injury…
Can our lot quit the flicks and tricks and concentrate on passing accuracy!
Not done and dusted yet .Madueke looking dangerous but needs to stick to the basics beat his man look up and pass to someone else.
He is holding on too long and giving defenders a chance. Martinelli coming inside a lot.
And Odegaard passes backwards too often…
As Smudger said, they have some big players on the bench.
We need a 2nd goal to ease the pressure a bit. a 2-0 win will be enough.
SAka , Eze and big Vik to liven things up Madueke Odegaard and Merino poff.
Shouldn’t be sitting here watching the clock
I just realized that against us Fulham did not give a single shot on target. However against City they scored 4. Incredible. And so unlike City. It shows that they have a soft underbelly as well
I am still finding difficulty in working out how we managed to lose against the dippers and drawing against the Chavs. The result against City I accept, same with the Sunderland one although to a lesser degree. However the other 2 I find it unacceptable.
Chavs losing 2-1.
Saka has made it 2-0
A big phew when the ball crossed the line..
Super ball from Merino..
Hope Rice is fine…
2-0 win. 5 points clear. A clean sheet.
Good win
Made hard work of that
The players are fatigued and have muscle exhaustion. Against Villa, it’s going to be a very difficult game. It’s time to start managing the team better and give (more) minutes to those who are called up but never play.
Can’t argue with JM. Once again Declan Rice ran himself, literally, on to the treatment table. If Arteta had brought Gyokeres on earlier Merino could have dropped back and replaced Rice.
Hopefully Saliba will be back against Villa, if not Timber can again fill in and tonight’s man of the match, Ben White can start at right back.
On that note, good night Gooners, everywhere.
That was a lot more difficult than it needed to be, our finishing made it more of chore, Madueke needs to not dwell on the ball but just take the bloody shot and take it early. Eze made a difference when he came on, Odegaard makes everything more frenetic, Eze is just so calm.
Rice and Mosquera look doubts for Villa Park so a start in midfield for Merino and Gyokeres up front perhaps, with Saliba back? 🙏🏻
Merino is turning out to be an enigma , very quiet , nothing spectacular but then turns up with a goal and an assist.
Good morning
Turns out that Mosquera and Rice might not play against Villa. Saturday Morning its too early for them. With the exception of MLS every defender we have can play at RB or LB and CB. So we still have options at the back. However, they dont bring the same sort of stability that Willy and Gabi bring. Hincapie, Timber, Mosquera, White and Calafiori can all play at CB, so ample cover there.
The next game is always the most important one. Whoever it is against.
Potter, Mikel Merino has just gone through an intense run of four matches, playing almost every minute. Spurs, Bayern, Chelsea and another full ninety last night. He keeps going without dropping his level. He drives the press, pushes high up the pitch and keeps the team moving. You have to respect that consistency.
He is not always the flashiest player but his work rate, positioning and ability to deliver important goals have been a major reason we are five points clear at the top. He gives everything every time he steps on the pitch. He is the kind of player every squad needs, someone who understands his role and performs it with total commitment.
Last night summed him up. He led the line, scored, then moved back into midfield and got an assist. He reads the game well and adapts quickly. He is not a complete striker but he keeps improving and showing how valuable he is in different roles.
If Rice needs a breather, then we are going to see Zubimendi, Merino Odegaard together in midfield. They used to play together for Real Sociedad. So they know each other well.
I would play Zubimendi at DM while Odegaard takes on Rice’s game. Merino would play as 2nd striker.
Even if not injured, Rice does need a breather.
It seems to me that Odegaard is playing far too deep and is reluctant to take a pot shot from the edge of the area. Maybe it’s a confidence thing which he can overcome with more game time.
Why aren’t we seeing anything of Norgaard?
Cicero, with regards shooting Eze is more suited to that than Odegaard. Especially when he plays central. His performance against the spuds was a testament to that.
Odegaard, while he is very good in the number 10 role he is even better orchestrating from the deep. So expect him to fall deeper to dictate the game. Cazorla did the same. It depends who is the number 9, if it is Merino Odegaard will drop deeper but if its VG14 he stays further upfield. Even Saka changes his game depending on who is striker.
Yesterday, when he scored he could have easily passed to VG who was in a better position but instead opting to bury it himself. his movement changes according to the striker.
Arsenal Injury Update
Declan Rice Return date, unknown
Cristhian Mosquera Return date, unknown
William Saliba Expected return, December 6 vs Aston Villa (A)
Leandro Trossard Expected return, December 6 vs Aston Villa (A)
Gabriel Magalhães Expected return, December 2025
Kai Havertz Expected return, December 2025
when he was interviewed Rice said that he is not injured but that he is ‘fine’
Another nice win, and a good save by Raya, sounds like we are getting a few players back intime for the second half of the season.
The Emirates is a fortress.
Arsenal’s home record across all competitions this season:
WWDWWWWWWWW
◉ 11 games played
◉ Goals scored: 29
◉ Goals Conceded: 3
◉ Clean Sheets: 8 out of 11
Eight consecutive home wins. I always hate losing whether home or away, even conceding a goal feels like an insult. But losing at home feels actually worse.
I was asking myself the same question re Norgaard Cicero. I suspect he’ll start in the League Cup match but it seems odd he’s not getting minutes.
New post up by the way.