Morning all.
Thomas Tuchel, speaking after the World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich yesterday that all England players will begin his tenure with a clean slate. As far Ben White goes, the German reportedly said:
Yes I will reach out to him. It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. It starts from January.
Whether or not Ben White says yes to England remains to be seen but I imagine he will.
It’s been a good week for Arsenal FC in the Champions League. First, the men beat Monaco 3-0 before the women defeated Valerenga 3-1 in Oslo. The women are already through to the next round but if they can beat Bayern Munich in their final fixture, they’ll finish top of their group. The men however, have two more fixtures to play with automatic qualification for the knockout stages still not 100% secured. In late January, Arsenal take on Dinamo Zagreb at The Emirates and Girona in Catalonia.
Domestic football is the focus now for Mikel Arteta and his players with Everton at The Emirates their next challenge. Sean Dyche’s players have enjoyed a bit of a break after their match last weekend against Liverpool was postponed due to bad weather. Mind you, sometimes a break isn’t a good thing.
We’ve had a number of cracking results against Everton over the years but the two which stick in my mind are the 1997/98 and 2004/05. The 4-0 victory in May of 1998 saw us crowned Premier League winners for the first time under Arsene Wenger and of course, the Tony Adams moment made it extra special. Not quite an “it’s up for grabs now moment” but even Sky Sports Martin Tyler couldn’t hide his excitement with his “would you believe it’ commentary.
May 2005 I remember for very different reasons. I might have mentioned this before but I was holidaying in St Lucia and couldn’t watch the match. It was getting late when I called my family back home to find out the result and my mother said Arsenal had won 7-0. I asked her who scored, her reply was simple, “everyone”. A happy memory which will stay with me for the rest of my days.
Anyway, much has changed since those days, in fact much changed at Arsenal following that season too as the invincible squad began to breakup.
Last season, we battered Sean Dyche’s side 4-0 in March. Gabriel Martinelli scored twice with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard making it four. We went five points clear at the top after the game but it all went wrong after that. Just as it could this season for Liverpool and Chelsea and already has for Man City. Nothing in football, or sport in general, is ever guaranteed until a game/season is over.
Forget what’s around the corner, just focus on the present. That’s all Arsenal can do, oh, and hope the above mentioned clubs go through a really bad run of results.
During his pre match press conference yesterday, Mikel Arteta was asked whether Gabriel or Riccardo Calafiori could be fit to face Everton.
There is a possibility one of them to be available. He trained today and we will see tomorrow.
Well, if he was trying to keep us guessing, he blew it the very next minute when he was asked about having to be cautious with Calafiori as he hasn’t had a run of games:
We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set and then we’ll just monitor his evolution every single day. We understand that he’s not fully ready yet but he’s getting very close now.
Mikel Arteta waffled on about other stuff but in all honesty, I’ve heard it all before. He likes to give nothing away which I totally understand pre match.
Everton have had a strange December as far as their two results go. A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester Utd before they did the same to Wolves at Goodison Park nine days ago. Two own goals plus a goal apiece for Young and Mangala did the damage to the club sitting second from the bottom of the league table.
We’re on a decent run having not lost a game since 2nd November. A draw at Chelsea and Fulham and three wins. Mikel Arteta’s players need to extend that good run this afternoon with a victory. A draw at home against Wolves would not be a good result, a loss would be disastrous if we’re to have any hope of catching Liverpool.
Adrian Clarke writing in the official matchday programme:
Everton line up in a 4-2-3-1 for every match, but without the ball they morph into a compact 5-4-1. This will be frequent as they only average 40% of possession, the second-lowest total in the division, so breaking down their stubborn resistance by finding space in crowded areas will be key.
The Toffees, and Jordan Pickford in particular, hit the ball long towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin who is a terrific outlet, winning more aerial duels than any other top-flight striker. He has helped Everton complete 26.8 long balls each game – the highest number of successful long passes, while no Premier League side is more accurate with their crosses in open play (27%).
Everton are abrasive and aggressive in their duels. Wide forwards Dwight McNeil and Iliman N’Diaye set the tone, working hard to press opponents, while at the back James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite are dominant figures who love to repel crosses. They are a superb set-piece outfit, and all four of their goals against Wolves came from dead-ball situations.
In open play though, Everton are not as creative as they would like, scoring just six times. Their defending has also been fragile and they can crumble, shipping four goals against Tottenham and Manchester United, and three apiece in matches against Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
I didn’t expect to read anything different about a Sean Dyche team. Hard working, quite defensive and not overly creative. Whilst they have two strong central defenders, they concede goals aplenty. I hope Mikel Arteta’s players start the game fast. Get at the fragile defence, force them to crumble and then be ruthless in front of goal. I’m not overly keen on Everton, never have been regardless of who in Arsenal’s history has played for them. So yes, even though I won’t have to phone home to get the result, I hope the answer would be something very similar to 2005 if I had to.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico, or perhaps I should call you Mystic Meg after you predicted the result of next year’s fixture. May 2025? 😉
It seems that the long, long, long, Everton take over is finally about to take place. The new owner’s first action is very likely to be the sacking of manager Sean Dyche according to one insider.
Hopefully Gabriel will play some part today with Saliba, Timber and young Skelly as his defensive partners. That will allow Partey to join Rice and Odegaard in midfield with Saka, Havertz and Martinelli up front. Not forgetting Raya in goal of course.
Good morning Cicero, all.
Oops, typing error lol
Swiftly rectified 😂
Dyche is a bit of a managerial dinosaur these days so yep, if Everton want to become a top half of the table club again, it’s likely he’ll be out the door.
I’d love to see Lewis-Skelly start this one but having played in the week, I doubt he will. Tierney might though..
Have this feeling that Arteta might rest Saka today with Sterling playing instead.
I think Arteta will start his best players, with the hoope the he can rest them around the 60 minute mark as we can’t afford to lose or draw this game.
Sean Dyche’s fault is he always blames the ref’s and the other team for cheating when he gets beat but when he side win’s it’s all about him and not his players or injuries to the other side
You’re probably right Geoff. I guess the time to rest a few would be Wednesday for the League Cup.
If Tierney starts Rico, Lewis-Skelly will be on before half-time and our Scots left back will be out until the new year with a “knock” or a minor hamstring injury.
Surprising selection by Arteta, I thought he might go with Kiwior at left-back but kudos to Mikel for trusting Myles in the free-role.
Thought that Trossard would start vs Everton’s low block but he’s gone with Little Gabby. Interesting to hear the Sterling comments from Arteta, maybe we’ll see him today in advance of the Palace cup tie?
COYG
line-up
22 David Raya
12 Timber
49 M. Lewis-Skelly
2 Saliba
6 Gabriel
41 Rice
8 Odegaard (c)
23 Mikel Merino
7 Saka
11 Martinelli
29 Havertz
subs:
20 Jorginho
30 R. Sterling
53
E. Nwaneri
32 Neto
3 Tierney
5 Thomas
9 Jesus
15 Kiwior
19 Trossard
That looks like a very strong starting eleven JM. He best for a while, with a strong bench too.
I wonder how Nwaneri feels seeing Lewis-skelly getting picked to start,
Sometimes the best solution doesn’t turn out to be the best…
Good afternoon Rico and everyone
I really like the look of that line up. Very strong, youth flavour, no round pegs in square holes, plus a good bench. Seeing Lewis Skelly keep his place is a bonus. a very big one imo. a testament to his progressive curve. Will he cement his place at LB??? or will he go to midfield??? Time will tell but wherever that will be I hope it will be with us till he retires at the age of 45 (lol)
How does Nwaneri feel?? In midweek he will surely begin the league cup. Fingers crossed he scores as well as assisting. Saka, Nwaneri and Lewis Skelly. Hale end is looking up to the stars.
Next weekend will probably see the return of Calafiori or Zinchenko. Tierney not chosen?? maybe not even for midweek League Cup. He will be gone by 31st January, hopefully for a good fee. We need him to pass the medical at his new club. Maybe the players are under strict orders not even to say Hello to him otherwise he will be injured till May. I like Tierney and his spirit. but the club has to move on.
Arsenal’s pre-match display, honoured Kevin Campbell, Jose Antonio Reyes & David Rocastle. Pity I cant put up the photo of it.
Fulham lead at 10 men Liverpool. 0-1. Time up ref. blow the treble whistle ffs
We are a slow throwing the ball in
Ha ha Cicero, but probably not far from reality.
Afternoon Devil, guys.
Sounds like Pickford is having a great game…
Not convinced by that half, we were too easy to read, with Odegaard down the right and pass to Saka who run then stop turn back to try and get on his left foot.
he is having a good game Rico. We should be 2-0 up by half time
I wonder if it’s deliberate, you know don’t go 100% in the 1st half, let the low-block opponents use up more energy and then go full-tilt 2nd 45?
Playing 100% for 90 minutes is exhausting and we have two games a week until the end of the season, Everton alternatively are nice and fresh and rested…
Seems like we’re often saying that Devil…
Liverpool have equalised…
It looks like Everton are doing what Thames Water find impossible, stopping the leaks!
🤣
Utd beat this lot 4-0. #justsayin!
Ten massive minutes left…
Liverpool 2-1 down now, looks like we’re going to miss out closing down three points. Again…
I’m watching Sky Saturday and their consensus is Everton have from minute one been determined to get a point by defending like mad and wasting time at every opportunity. That said Pickford has been outstanding in goal.
Everton were always going to defend for their lives but it’s poor that we can’t find a way to score..
2-2 at Anfield.
Arsenal claim for penalty turned down by VAR.
Well that this season over, and some say we don’t need a striker, shit performance
It’s certainly the end of our title challenge barring a Liverpool and Chelsea disastrous run.
76% possession, thirteen shots, five on target (all five saved by Pickford) clean sheet, no goals, one point.
Despite the despondency, we are no worse off than last week. For those of you in need of help, The Samaritan’s phone number is widely advertised.
What a let down 👎👎
Lack of ideas.
Arsenal are very tied to the Odegard-Saka duo to create scoring opportunities and goals. Then I think there is something wrong with the substitutions. For example, replacing Martinelli with Tossard to make Tossard play close to the line is a mistake. Tossard is not Martinelli in terms of speed or 1:1; He has to play more inside, as a left interior and never along the line.
We continue with players who add nothing (Ex: Gabriel Jesus) and who only get in the way.
But Liverpool let us in and we bodged it up Cicero..
It’s so frustrating..
Just seen the briefest of highlights and to me, it looks like Partey was fouled in the box. The ball didn’t change direction so the defender couldn’t have got a touch on it.
As we have said before we have these games within us . Once again we played exactly the way Dyche wanted us to and we foundered on the wall that he set up for us . All the possession innumeral corners and little or no penetration .
I have concluded that we are not good enough to win the league at present , after the January window maybe but at the moment something is missing .So I am not going to slash my wrists just yet .
Pretty much how I feel too. An acceptance that this won’t be our PL title winning season, not if we don’t add something different to the squad at the beginning of January. We need someone who’ll come in and score goals and that’s just for starters.
Arsenal needed a player like I was 40 years ago.
Now, it’s too late.
There’s an old English saying JM
” the older I get the better I was “
Were you a midfielder Jm?
ye, 8, 6 or 10 and 4 when I had to start playing differently.
TV skirted over it as is their habit when it’s beneficial to us but I thought that Partey was fouled in the box, yes the defender got a touch on the ball but that was after catching Partey’s leg.
Now transfer that situation to Anfield with Salah going down in the box what do you think would have happened?
We thought that too , At the time we thought the thigh got him before they touched the ball but a lot of marginal stuff was going their way . Watching the players coming out for the second half the Everton players were laughing and chatting to the ref. It looked dodgy at the time.
Potter, even eye I thought the Everton players looked a bit too friendly with the ref.
I thought Partey was a penalty, as both players took him out, but saying that I wasn’t impressed with his performance especially when he just stood there with the ball wasting time when other players were screaming for the ball
New post up…