Morning all.
It’s been three months since Bukayo Saka suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace but now, after surgery and recovery, he’s back. He’s ready to start according to Mikel Arteta:
Bukayo is ready to go! All the careful things he’s already done, so now it’s about putting him on the grass in the right moments. He’s pushing because he really wants it. We have respected the timeframe, but we have done everything and we have had to hold him back even, so he’s ready to go.
I’d be surprised to see him start tonight’s match against Fulham, in fact I’d go as far as suggesting his return will be gentle, with the Real Madrid doubleheader in mind.
One person who won’t be involved at all tonight is Riccardo Calafiori as he’s out injured again but at least we have Jurrien Timber and of course, Myles Lewis-Skelly who is probably still in dreamland after playing and scoring for his country. Assuming Ben White will start at right-back of course.
Other than Calafiori, every other player returned from international duty unscathed thank goodness. Not only that, they’ve had a few days to recover, unlike Fulham who played on Saturday in the FA Cup.
At Craven Cottage back in December, Arsenal started well enough but couldn’t make the early pressure count and then in their first attack of the game around the ten-minute mark, they scored. A simple from back to front and Jimenez left Jakub Kiwior standing before beating David Raya. Once the home team had the lead, they seemed happy to surrender possession but as has been typical of Arsenal when playing against an organised defence, finding the back of the net didn’t come easy.
Eventually an equaliser came though. A corner from Declan Rice, William Saliba on hand to poke the ball past Leno. Bukayo Saka thought he’d scored the winner later in the half, but Gabriel Martinelli’s big toe was deemed offside in the buildup. Two big points dropped, the story of our season. Points dropped in fixtures we really should have won.
Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:
Silva’s success has been built around a 4-2-3-1 shape that sees Fulham play a brand of neat and tidy possession football. This is their domination formation, but recently he has flirted with a back three, especially in away matches, but in their last league game when they comfortably beat Spurs, Silva went back to his tried and trusted back four.
Most weeks the Cottagers play in an attacking manner, looking to build attacks by passing through the thirds. They are a side that love to funnel the ball wide, before whipping dangerous crosses into the box. Fulham’s overlapping full-backs are a key part of their armoury in this department. Tonight, we may see a more pragmatic approach as in our previous meeting in December, Silva set his side up to sit very deep and play on the counter. They troubled us with long balls from back to front and always posed a threat when they broke at speed.
Fulham are superb down the flanks, producing far more open-play crosses than any other top-flight team, mainly thanks to left-back Antonee Robinson, Adama Traore and former Gunner Alex Iwobi. As a by-product, Silva’s side are a threat in the air. Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz pose danger in that regard, and we must also look out for late runs from former Arsenal favourite Emile Smith Rowe, who has scored twice from headers.
Outside of that core strength, Fulham are strong in their duels, excellent at moving the ball around, and creative inside the final third. They also keep teams at arm’s length, very well indeed – with an expected goals against tally of just 33.43, they rank third, behind ourselves and Liverpool. However, Fulham have also let several promising leads slip away, winning just nine of the 18 matches where they scored the opening goal.
We currently sit 2nd, with just four points between ourselves and Nottingham Forest in 3rd place. Five points behind them, sit Chelsea.
Fulham have a chance to secure European football this football so despite being knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday, there is still much to play for for Silva’s players. A few who were once on the books of Arsenal. Smith-Rowe, Leno, Iwobi, Willian and Nelson.
With just 9 games left and 27 points up for grabs, it’s mathematically possible for West Ham to overtake us and they’re 16th in the table. Of course that’s not going to happen but it’s certainly possible for the likes of Man City, Newcastle and Brighton etc to push themselves into the top four and if they do, Mikel Arteta and his players have to make sure it’s not at Arsenal’s expense.
Tonights game will be tough I’m sure but I’d like to think we have enough in ourselves to beat Fulham in front of our own fans and with the players Mikel Arteta has at his disposal.
Catch up in the comments.
Was such great news hearing about Saka. Also, sounding good that Berta/Arsenal are very near to signing Zubimendi.
Had to cry with laughter when I read Man C are making a bid for Saliba! I don’t think so!
Had a good day and here’s to a win tonight.
I suspect the Saliba story was a 1st April headline..
Happy April Fools Day, the Internet is on wind-up amphetamines today, Arseblog was funny.
I quite enjoyed the international break this time as it gave me a rest from following the Arsenal this season.
Following Arsenal has been a series of disappointments interspersed with some impressive wins, the kind of performances that give you a glimpse of how good we could actually be if we have a couple or three attackers who could finish efficiently and another attacking midfielder who could break the low block?
We can but hope that this summer will see a lot of those issues finally solved…
Fulham are going to be suffering from losing at home to Palace in the FACup, so near yet still so far for them, it’s going to hurt. We’re going to be I’d imagine, fresh and eager to finish off a wounded opponent – well that’s what I’m hoping to see?
Would be nice to see us finish off the season with a flourish.
G’day all. No April first wind-us here.
There’s a lot more than a few new players to sign on the to do list for our new director of football. By the start of the new season a number of our most important players will be entering the final two years of their contracts. These players are the backbone of our first team squad.
Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are all players that will be transfer targets for the top European and Saudi sides. Real Madrid are already spreading the word that they want Saliba. More than one Saudi club have expressed interest in Gabriel. New contracts for the trio must be top of the priorities for Berta. While improved long-term contracts are urgently needed for Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
We must not allow our best young talent to be tempted way from The Emirates by the vultures circulating around them.
Good afternoon Rico and everyone here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2byZj3oz3U
This is simply too beautiful not to share. Ir’s about David Rocastle.
Will read post later on as at work. however I felt I had to post the Rocky video. its quite nostalgic.
We need to finish with a flourish Kev…
I’m actually looking forward to seeing what happens in the summer..
Absolutely agree Cicero. Those at the club are just as important as whoever we sign, if not more important.
I was disappointed with myself yesterday for not mentioning Rocky. I read a lovely tribute to him on Arsenal.com.
That’s a great documentary about Rocky, I’ve seen it a couple of times before but if you’ve not seen it you definitely should…
Nice one Coach.
Team to face Fulham:
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Giower, Sterling, Saka, Trossard
Giower ? Who he?
Jimi Gower, attacking midfielder.
Gabriel out of both Madrid ties?
Midfielder, 19 years old.
Looks like Gabriel is finished for the season… 🥲
Timber now down too..
This game is so so boring.
The season is ending with a whimper.
And the longer it’s boring, the more tempted Arteta will be to bring Saka on.
Jimi Gower on would make it interesting?
Saka is back a goal within minutes of coming on as a sub. 2 – 0.
Is that Saint Tott coming down the road
Didn’t take Saka long. 😜
That should be game over 🤞
This isn’t looking good Gabriel and Timber off due to injury.
Rico, the fat lady is still back stage it isn’t over yet.
I’m feeling confident Cicero. 😜
That’s twit Sessegnon has fouled M L S. Time the ref got his card out.
Twice not twit, or maybe not. 😉
Are you watching?
6 minutes added time game management now! No stupid gung ho tactics please.
Good job we had that second goal in the bank.
3 more points..
8 matches to go..
2 – 1! Phew that was too close for comfort. Two goals scored one conceded two players injured three points. 🔔🔔
We could have done with the fat lady singing a few minute earlier.
Beating Fulham isn’t a given for us, so I’ll take that, better 2nd half, nothing to frighten Real Madrid I’m afraid – but maybe it could be a cunning plan?
Martinelli really good tonight, beat their full back numerous times, lovely flick for Saka’s goal, and goal disallowed for offside.
What timing to lose Gabriel though, can’t take watching Kivior against Real, first thing he did tonight was to be outmuscled and gave Fulham a good chance.
(Tried posting earlier but boxes for email and name disappeared!)
Instead of just seeing the game out we go all attack a give a stupid goal away Luckily it was too late for them to really get up a head of steam . Martinelli was more than good reckon Castagne will be having nightmares tonight .
Good morning everyone
a good win yesterday. 3 points all that matters. Worrying regarding Gabi and Timber.
Rico….try to include player’s names in the post’s title for the rest of the season. You wrote, BUKAYO SAKA AND FULHAM. Saka scored. So next game write the title as Saka, Nwaneri Merino and Everton. Then the next one write the title Saka, Merino, Martinelli, Nwaneri, Trossard, Odegaard and Real Madrid. Fingers crossed all those players score.
Morning Rico and all.
nice win but better still it was good to hear Saka back on the scoring list
With Juren Timber, Ben White, Calafiori and Tomiyasu all injured we are in serious need of either Tierney or Zinchenko to step up and in at right back with the likes of Mbappe and Vinicus looming on the horizon.
Cicero, personally I would put MLS at RB against Real while Tierney goes on the left. MLS would do well on that side against Mbagge and Vinicius.
I simply hope that its not and never will be Partey again. We need him in midfield.
The moment that Partey went in at RB against Fulham our midfield was weakened and they went right through us.
Yeah Dev, I noticed that as well regarding us losing control of the midfield, I did wonder if it was Fulham throwing the kitchen sink at us or as you say Partey dropping out of midfield? Tbh I was surprised that Jorginho didn’t come on but I guess Merino dropped into midfield and Trossard went up front?
Arteta is going to have a lot to think about before next Tuesday, also does he rest the likes of Timber on Saturday?
Madrid are not going to be a low block outfit they’ll take us on so maybe Arsenal are going to play more defensively and look for the turnovers where Martinelli will be a key weapon. Kiwior will be targeted by Mbappe and Co. He’s a weak link a Polish Rob Holding no less so maybe we need to defend deeper so he doesn’t have to chase back and defend the acres of space we leave behind our back four?