Morning all.
The news of Diego Maradona passing away yesterday after suffering a heart attack didn’t really come as a surprise to me. His struggles with life had been made public over recent years but nevertheless, it’s still sad that one of footballs greatest players has shuffled off of this world. At least he’s at peace now.
Mikel Arteta has responded strongly to the suggestion that Pepe’s career at Arsenal is over after being sent off against Leeds. Although I quite like the thought of him being sold off in January, a single sending off is unlikely to be a reason for any player to be sold. Thank goodness eh because Arsenal and Vieira, or Bergkamp even wouldn’t have stayed together for as long as they did.
Arteta called Pepe’s behaviour “unacceptable” after the incident which is understandable but as for leaving? No chance.
To say it’s a threat for him to finish his [Arsenal] career, it is not at all like that.
I cannot fault his effort at all. You see the way he strives for the team, the way he’s working, it’s been the best since he’s been at the club. But there have been some aspects he can do better in because he has the ability. That’s where I’m going to put the pressure on him to deliver what he can do.
Pepe, Ozil too, have to be two of the most frustrating players Arsenal have signed in recent years. The quality is clear to see but neither have really excelled over long periods of time. We know Ozil will be gone soon but with Pepe, I just hope something clicks with him soon because Arsenal would be a much better team with him firing on all cylinders.
I don’t think we’ve seen the Pepe we signed from Lille. Yet.
The Aker Stadion and it’s artificial turf surface is what awaits the Arsenal players tonight. Molde certainly have an advantage as they’re used to it but at least our guys trained on it yesterday evening. In the pouring rain.
We know what Molde are made of because Arsenal have already played them once. A flattering 4-1 scoreline? Perhaps but football is played over ninety minutes and if take 60 of those minutes to wear a team down then so be it I think. The two own goals were forced by us and not just some random back pass which went wrong. Plus, Eddie Nketiah had a goal wrongly ruled offside long before their first own goal came.
Yes, Molde are a well organised team, they get stuck in and are full of confidence I’m sure as their domestic campaign is going well. Even so, Arsenal should be going out onto the pitch this evening being just as focused, organised and confident because in this competition we’re doing well. In this competition we’re scoring goals from open play.
At The Emirates, Bernd Leno was caught napping around the 20 minute mark when Martin Ellingsen’s shot from way outside the box went flying past him. I think Runarsson will start this one so he’ll need to have his wits about him. I think he will, especially if he really wants to nick the number one shirt off of Leno. I hope the Icelandic keeper is quicker with his distribution than Leno that’s for sure.
As far as injuries and other absences go, Partey, Saka, Elneny, Willian and Kolasinac have all stayed at home. Aubameyang too I think. Saka is definitely back for the weekends game though according to afc.com. Gabriel and Mari remain continue their recovery.
Arsenal need a win to qualify for the knockout stages. I think a win would pretty much secure top spot too as Molde would be six points adrift with just two games to go.
The maths is easy, getting the win will be more difficult.
See you in the comments guys.
3-1 win, Ramsey to score all 4 🙂
Oh it’s been a while hahaha
Morning all.
Cazorla to score, good post Rico
Morning All,
I’d like to see us make use of the younger players, hopefully when we’re 3 or 4 goals up.. 5 subs allowed.
Santi is injured Kev.
Keep up 🙂
Afternoon Rico and All
Pepsi Diet at the moment I think Rico
He looked deadly when ever I see him in France,
thought he would have been an asset by now,maybe after the Glasgow Handshake he will be given a wide berth by a few flakies
Looking forward to us playing on the AstroTurf The Arsenal’s pitches are second to none hopefully we will see the ball moving about quickie
Maradona fiawed genius whose legacy will always be tainted with allegations of cheating , mafia involvement and of course any cocktail of drugs that he might have been taking .Sad that he’s gone but strange that he went on the same date as George Best.
Molde tonight , I don’t suppose we will be able to predict much until we see the teams and the subs will be perm any five from the squad.
G’day Rico and all.
London will be in tier two so Arsenal can admit 4,000 spectators into our 60,000 capacity stadium for the next home game. Marvellous! That will solve the financial difficulties, wont it? Of course the costs of staging the game, policing, stewarding, cleaning, admin etc etc will soak up more than the gate receipts will bring in.
The latest Covid restrictions just don’t seem logical. Cinemas are to reopen so it’s okay for me to sit for a couple of hours with God knows how many total strangers to watch a film but I can’t share a socially distanced table and chat over a pint with my brother-in-law in a pub.
I’ll always remember Maradona for the infamous “hand of God” goal. Cheating b*****d.
13Rúnarsson
17Cédric Soares
20Mustafi
23David Luiz
15Maitland-Niles
19Pépé
28Willock
34Xhaka
24Nelson
9Lacazette
30Nketiah
Subs
2Bellerín
3Tierney
8Ceballos
16Holding
32Smith Rowe
33Macey
38Balogun
41Cottrell
44Hein
66Azeez
Good afternoon all. Thanks Kev.
Arsenal Xl: Runarsson, Cedric, Luiz, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Willock, Nelson, Pepe, Nketiah, Lacazette (C).
Subs: Macey, Bellerin, Tierney, Holding, Ceballos, Smith Rowe, Cottrell, Azeez, Balogun, Hein.
Think it’s 2000 only for Vienna and there is no ballot tickets on first come first served basis. But you must have paid for the ballot scheme to be eligable.
Looks a bit unbalanced with Maitland Niles at left back or in midfield if we go with back 3 .
That looks like a 4 3 3 to me. Another new formation.
Snap! Rico. 😉
Snap indeed Cicero. Lol
What a potentially calamitous central defence we have. Poor Runarsson. Lol
Evening Rico anb the House
I have waited a long time for tonight
AMN Joe, Reiss and Eddy playing for the first team together.
Come on boys dont let me down show the doubters what you can do.
Evening Rick. They should know each other’s game by now. I hope they all have a cracker.
Did you see the story about Joe Willock nearly smashing his car up?
I kinda see a 4 4 2 that can switch to 4 2 4 or 4 3 3, very versatile.
Enjoyed that. Especially the second half. Excellent night for young Balogun, chuffed to bits for him.
Right there we have seen Lacazette’s replacement. Balogun! See ball, kick ball, score goal. No messing about.
Really enjoyed tonight, especially second half. I’m pleased for Balogun, Nelson too, Smith-Rowe,Willock as well.Fair play,Pepe was outstanding, highly motivated.Lacazette was the opposite, it’s like he couldn’t care less.
I too enjoyed the game, it made a refreshing change from the Premiership, no, diving, no rotational fouling (only 14 fouls, 9 by Arsenal), and no whinging at the ref.
Molde played some good football they had fractionally more possession 51% to 49% but couldn’t make the most of the chances they created. Nelson, Willock AMN and, surprisingly, Pepe did very well, the latter must have been relieved that the Molde defenders didn’t try to kick him off the pitch.
Did we miss Aubameyang tonight? I don’t think so.
Runnarson had a good game too, a clean sheet and only one blooper.
Playing Molde isn’t the same as playing Wolves, or perish the thought Tottenham, but it was a hell of a lot of fun.
It was great seeing our young players giving it everything, the energy, the enthusiasm, the tempo and always going forward – and at times we had 6 or 7 players bombing forward, Pepe was caught up in it and gave one of his best performances, Ceballos, Soares, Niles, they all looked energised, it was great and maybe gave us a glimpse of where Arteta wants to take us?He just has to move on a few and bring on the youngsters whilst integrating some smart signings like Gabriel and Partey and not waste anymore dough on played-out ex Chelsea veterans.
I don’t think that Nketiah was offside for his goal, if the linesman flagged against his arm for being off then what about the arm of the Molde defender right next to him? Rubbish decision.
Delighted for Nelson, he’s really looking sharp, dangerous and inventive, all the many things that Grandad Willian is not!
Balogun scored a well crafted goal because it’s all about the accuracy and weight of pass and Tierney gave a perfect pass to Smith Rowe who in turn gave a perfect pass to Balogun who kept it simple , one touch, turn and shot. It looked simple but only because the three guys involved all did their job properly.
Glad that Pepe scored and I don’t go along with those criticising Arteta for calling him out after getting sent off, he’s a big boy and unlike certain individuals he didn’t sulk he just got on with it and did his job, no running to the press or getting his agent to complain in the media or getting his PR team to put out some mindless tweets, that will all be behind us by the end of June and good riddance.
Morning guys.
A few have mentioned this game might be a preview of what’s to come and I say SENSATIONAL!!
Let’s build a squad filled with Arsenal kids and top it up with some quality.
It’s a proven method.
You end up with a group who, first and foremost, want to play for the Arsenal and that can not be a bad thing.
A glimpse at what might be on the horizon , ESR 20, Balogun 19 , Nketiah 21 , Maitland Niles 23 Holding 25, Chambers 25 , Tierney 23 , Nelson 20 , Pepe 25 , Martinelli 19 , Saka 19 , Willock 21 , Tierney 23 , Partey 27 , Gabriel 22, Saliba 21, If they remain hungry then there a lot of old heads thet may well decide to play elsewhere .
Keep them together and the future is bright.
Morning all.
New post up now.