Tonight is simple, keep a clean sheet and we’re through. If the Greek side happen to score two, then we simply have to win. Our away goal means the pressure is on Olympiacos to score, to bring the tie level before hoping they can dish out a sucker punch late in the game. A bit like that Wayne Bridge goal all those years ago, a bit like Olympiacos did not so long ago. We were cruising 2-0, we lost 3-2 at The Emirates in the Champions League group fixture. If I remember rightly, the officials had forgotten to read up on the offside rule. Times have changed a lot since then though, as have both clubs coaches.
Whilst our away goal is a huge plus, it’s not a luxury. Our progress is not a formality that’s for sure. Olympiacos caused us one or two problems in Greece and I’m sure they will do again tonight. We have to be 100% focused from the off as the last thing we need is another opening minute or two like we had on Sunday. Arsenal need to remove the pressure, not bring it upon themselves by conceding early. Take control and put this game to bed early on.
Team selection. Isn’t it great to not have a clue? One can only assume Mikel Arteta will field his strongest side but what is his strongest? I’ve no idea. Just when I think a particular game is ideal for one player, ie Lacazette, Arteta rests him, plays Nketiah and the little fella scores. I expected Torreira to start against Everton, wrong again. AMN at right back, nope, Sokratis moves to the right.
The team selection is based on what I see in training, the load of the players and what we want to do against the opponent. We have three different routes to Europe. We have to try to maximise the three of them and we go game-by-game. That’s all we can do at the moment because the objectives are still so far behind.
Mikel Arteta keeps it simple and fair. Put the work in on the training pitch and a place in the squad is possible. Don’t and that player will stay at home. Just how it should be too. It seems to me that his strongest team/squad is whoever is right at the time. No player is above being left out, equally, no player is ruled out of being given his opportunity.
The Spaniard clearly wants European football next season. Rightly so of course. A return to the Champions League is aim but as far as league positions go, well need a fantastic last three months of results to make it. That is unless other clubs above us collapse. I reckon Toots will, Sheffield Utd too but that would still leave Wolves, Man Utd, Chelsea and ourselves battling for two places. Or three if Man City don’t successfully appeal their ban. The FA Cup hands out a Europa Cup place to the winners, which I think we’ll get that anyway by our League placing in May so that leaves our current Europa League campaign. The most realistic chance of a return to the big time. Or rather, the big money. Even so, looking at the clubs left in this competition, we’re going to face some really tough opponents as the weeks go by.
That’s if we can get the required result tonight of course….
Catch up in the comments guys.
New post up now
In my opinion, we need a midfielder in the mould of Fabregas, Hleb, Rosicky etc. Someone who can produce magical moments and defence splitting passes. If I was Arteta I’d be having a stern word or two to say to Pepe. Stop being so obsessed with trickery and shoot.
Kev, let’s hope Arteta was given some guarantees on spending when he was offered the job, because we need it.
Shaking performance, but we’ve put together some decent ones of late so all is heading the right way, imo:
My immediate feelings after 120 minutes of tedium, are that Arteta will desperately need a major injection of funds from the Kroenkes in the summer in order to turn this squad of perennial underachievers into consistent competitors – re: KSE, good luck with that Mikel…
Then I look at the performances of some of our big time Charlie’s this evening, the ones on massive wages and the ones who cost massive fees, and I think to myself that it’s mostly them that fail so often to deliver, as they failed tonight…
God only knows what the answer is, what will end this continuing spiral into a world of average?
I feel so sorry for Auba… he looked close to tears. He’s carried the team on so many occasions…
between the injuries and the amount of games in the last 10 days took it’s toll last night now we need to get behind the players and Arteta. Hopefully after seeing Aubameyang interview and how disappointed he was at missing a easy goal he comes out all fired up next match
I agree about Pepe, Potter. Seems to have 1 good performance followed by 3 awful – tonight being one of them! So frustrating!
Hi Adam the disease Arteta has is called sloppy players and passes disease
Now to concentrate on the rest of the home and away season.
Pepe reminds me of Kanu he hasn’t got a clue what he is doing . In a bar full of Mancs and Wolves the noise was deafening when they scored,it’s nice being so popular.
However we got what we deserved ,we should enter strictly :- slow ,slow,backwards,slow .
Now it’s about who goes in the build up for next season
All I’m going to hear tomorrow at work (from a spud), is how the spuds knocked Olympiacos out of the CL, just so they could knock us out of the EL 🙄 sigh……..
From what I saw, the entire game was a complete waste of time and whatever the Arsenal disease is, it seems that Arteta is its latest victim.
Always the way Limey..
Why didn’t I watch the darts??!! It wouldn’t have been half as painful!
Congrats Price 👌
Can’t say we deserved to win really, the game was screaming out for Martinelli much much earlier.
Pepe 70 million, well I think we paid too much.
Another Portuguese coach putting us out of Europe!
There will be a lot of Traffic on here now… Arsenal fans break internet.
I never undestand why the away goals double in extra time.
Just not meant to win anything in Europe… so disappointed…..
No words.
Stupid rule!!
What a miss, couldn’t ask for better late chance.
We can concentrate on the PL now.
Aubameyang misses a sitter…..and that’s that.
Well that’s a sucker punch.
Wow, one against us that was dangerous, now a brilliant one!
I love you, Auba…. you beauty!! 😁
Beauty!
Just why I prefer us to play at home first.
Seems 2nd leg away teams get two bites of the cherry for away goals.
Do away goals count in Europa League?
Yes. In both the Champions League and Europa League, away goals still count in periods of extra time. If the visiting team takes the lead in extra time under the away goals rule, the hosts must then score twice in order to progress.
Olympiacos break better and faster than us.
Holy Mary that was close!
Ah, what fools they are Andrew.
Omg the thought of a penalty shoot out 😩
That’s only if no more goals though rico. Which they are assuming!
BT keep saying a penalty shootout looms so it looks like your 90 mins understanding of the rule is right Andrew.
Defending has gone out the window Mike. Lol
Away goals are after 120 BT just said?! Surely that gives 2nd leg away team an extra 30 minutes over the tie to score away goals? Can’t be right? Always thought away goals was after 90, same chance for both teams.
Mustafi is going to be a big miss if he’s done his hamstring. Never thought I’d be saying that.
A bit worried about now Bellerin has gone off, Pepe is no help in defence.
He was blocked Cicero. Not a dive imo.
Pepe lucky not to get booked for a dive.
I didn’t know away goals don’t count after 90 mins Andrew. Good.
Glad to get to extra time and no away goals involved anymore. If we lose in 90 and then again in extra, well, we get what we deserve.
Wish I’d just watched Flesh and Blood.
Wish I’d just watch Flesh and Blood.
Another thirty minutes of torture.
Bloody hell I’m on tenterhooks!!
Now we should see Martinelli.
Completely agree Cicero, and yes where is Martinelli??
What’s the point of bringing a midfielder on when we need a striker. Arteta could take off any of Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette or Ozil and bring on Martinelli.
Mike we have nobody who knows how to tackle.
Bloody shoot Pepe!
Shocker.
Pepe is so frustrating!! Will he ever tackle anyone, or just keep pretending.
I could be watching Emery’s Arsenal. Sloppy, poor passing.
So might we if we don’t wake up.
Both Ajax and Porto going out as things stand.
Great save Leno.
Shocking defending….. wakey wakey….
Oh dear….
Horrible first half.
Very disjointed.
Half time hopefully sorts this out.
Just missed a 9 darter in the PL…. 😩
Agree with all, too sloppy from too many. But, should have been red, VAR has not improved our lot at all has it.
Saka needs to teach Pepe and Ozil how to cross a ball… lol
Another first half shocker.
Was hoping for better than that, rather poor. 2nd half all guns blazing please!!
Time for a few choice words from Arteta.
Does Ozil think we are wearing blue shirts? All his passes are going to the wrong side.
No VAR for that one, Saka just off.
Plenty of possession but not much penetration and too much sloppy passing.
No VAR?
Should have been a red surely…
And no Torreira.
Both Ozil and Ceballos start.
Ho ho LC,
I actually knew a couple of younger people who played bowls(ex in-laws, would have been early 30s at the time)
All this talk of Coronavirus makes me glad I’m holidaying in Britain – a Houseboat on the Norfolk Broads.
Impossible to predict tonight’s team, maybe Mari will play,at least off the bench.I hear Tierney might play on Monday.Tonight might not be straightforward,the Greeks will make a good atmosphere, Arsenal have lots of Greek fans too.
COYG
Nice line up! 👌
Trust you Lc.. 🙄
Nice one Rico.
Hahaha…….like the Eastbourne newy weds or nearly deads !……………….Reminds me of the summer when I was having a break from driving and eating my lunch outside a Bowls club, there was a team from Norfolk playing Launceston, I`m sure Potter and Cicero may have been there!………………I always thought Bowls was like a “starter course” before the “main course” of death !. Is it a coincidence that next to all Bowls Clubs are mortuaries or funeral parlours and that ghosts like Casper wear white like the bowls players ?.
It`s the only sport where the last player to die is the winner and instead of raising a flag at the end to honour the winners county or country they have it at half mast instead !.
It`s also the only sport which actively encourages drugs to be used for players and fans alike, for the players so they can get out of their death bed and the fans to stop them killing theirselves from boredom.
It`s also quite often you see relatives go and watch these players and they are usually watching from the aptly named ” inheritance stand ” whilst rubbing their hands in anticipation instead of clapping !.
As for tonight I again expect a tight hard game where no quarter is given and from being 2-1 down in the 89th minute we edge it 9-2 in injury time!
Lack of match fitness I think Mike because his last game was back in December. I’m sure that’s what I read. The game they lost 1-0 to Liverpool.
Sue, much of the Jurassic coastline locations are considered to be the same. 😆
Has anyone been watch ‘Arry and his Sandbanks programme?l
Rico.. “newly weds and nearly deads” 😆 that tickled me!
If it is true Rico , Mikel must really rate him. That’s why I’m surprised we haven’t seen him play yet.
I hope Rob Holding makes it though, it’s always nice to see young British players in the team.
Long overdue Mike and I read earlier that we pre to make the Mari move permanent. No idea if true though.
Yeah Rico and Sue, I hope we see more of Holding soon. Would be good to see him and Mari get a run out soon. Rico , we’ve gone from having no options at center back to a few now….. At last!
Sue, yep you just know Mikel is going to surprise us with someone.
Eastbourne Kev? Home for the newly weds and nearly dead’s 😂😂
I love it there…
I meant our football campaign Cicero, I know the virus has had an impact on other sports and Italian football..
Thanks Mike. Holding is an odd one but as you say, maybe he’s had little niggles since returning. We’re quite fortunate to have options other than him. Next season perhaps we’ll see more of him.
Eastbourne can be quite interesting during April and May…
Hi Mike.. maybe we’ll go with a back 3? Holding, Sokratis and Luiz/Mustafi? I’m expecting to see Rob on Monday if not tonight. Saka looked tired on Sunday, and with Kola out… will it be too soon for Tierney?? Hence the back 3…. Although whatever line up we think it’ll be, MA always seems to spring a surprise!
Fine post again Rico, Hi all !
Yeah Rico, a good solid start is what we need………Wow , didn’t even give the Coronavirus a thought affecting the football, but yes it could really mess things up.
Tierney training well yesterday in a T-shirt was nice to see. I didn’t see Mari though which is a bit odd, but everyone in good spirits.
I’m still wondering about Rob Holding. I wonder if he still has a niggle or Arteta doesn’t rate him ?
Hmm that Sri Lanka trip looks a bit long, it is actually late April and May and I’m now reading that insurance companies may not pay out on cancellation. 😕
Rico, corona,virus is all ready taking it’s toll in sport. Rounds two and three, China and Vietnam, Grand Prix cancelled and Bahrain likely to follow suit. Ireland v Italy in Six Nations cancelled and England’s final match against Italy in danger too.
Some football matches in Italy to be played behind closed doors.
On a personal note my booked holidays to Sri Lanka in February/May, Hungary, Austria and Germany in August and Italy in Saptember are all at risk.
I’m thinking of stocking up on gin and beer then self quarantining until the worst is over. Can anyone offer bed and board over an indefinite period for my wife? 😉
‘morning all.
Snow? What snow, light rain here, very little wind but cold.
Yep, a clean sheet would do fine Rico, but they’re as rare as rocking horse s**t despite our new defensive resilience so I want to see a quick start and an early Arsenal goal.
Team selection? In the words of the radio panel game, I’m sorry I haven’t a clue.
Morning Sue, Geoff and all.
Yep, it’s a bitterly cold day and tonight it’ll be worse.
I’m wondering what’s going to happen with European football over the next weeks/months. Coronavirus could be a major issue.
Hi Rico we need 2 thing to happen (1) our fans are herd loud and proud (2) we get of to a quick start and a early goal then I don’t like there chances if they score early first then we could be in trouble
Good morning, Rico! Nice one, btw 👍
Well the snow has stopped here, but it’s still bitterly cold… will be at the Emirates later.. so for that reason I’m glad I’ll be watching from my living room!!
It’s been a great week of European football so far.. let’s hope we finish it off. The draw is tomorrow 🙏
Haven’t got a scooby who’ll play.. but I quite like it that way. I’m excited…..COYG