Morning all.
Is Gabriel Martinelli interested in moving to Galatasaray? No, absolutely not he’s reported to tell Arsenal. Could Jarell Quansah be on his way to Arsenal Football Club? No say Bayer Leverkusen as he’s not for sale.
Will our Spanish and English players be left out of Sundays squad to face Man City? No said Mikel Arteta.
They will be available, they trained with us today, they will train tomorrow and if they are in the condition that we expect them to be, they will be involved.
As much as I’m looking forward to seeing all our players back in the team, I was kind of hoping that day wouldn’t be as soon as today but I suppose they need minutes, just not loads. Maybe like Martin Odegaard, they will get around 30 minutes although it’s a lot easier to do that when substitute numbers are unlimited but today, it’ll be back to five which means six players will have to play the full match. Thankfully, that’s Arteta’s problem and not mine.
So, we face a Man City team under new management. Actually, we’ll be facing a number of clubs this season which have changed managed. Liverpool, Totts, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle Utd. Even newly promoted Ipswich have a different manager to the one which secured Premier League football.
Like Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca worked alongside Pep Guardiola so his approach to the game might be a tad similar. However, he’s worked alongside other managers as well as managing his own teams at Parma, Leicester City and Chelsea. Whilst at his last club, Mikel Arteta said that the Italian had his players playing the best attacking football in the league by a country mile. Or something along those lines.
City have seen a few players already depart this season – John Stones, Bernardo Silva, James Trafford, Nathan Ake, Madeline Akanji and Tijjani Reijnders have gone and speculation is rife that Rodri will be at Barcelona by the time the transfer window closes. Elliot Anderson has joined them from Nottingham Forest along with younger players Jeremy Monga, Mathys Detourbet and Pierce Charles.
Arsenal haven’t been that busy this summer either with just Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes the only outfield players to arrive so far. In reality though, they are replacements for Leandro Trossard and Christian Norgaard, albeit much better in the case of Bruno.
Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke for the first time this season:
It will be fascinating to see what changes in Manchester City’s approach now Maresca is in charge. One of the Italian’s tactical priorities is to release his wingers for 1v1 opportunities, by morphing into a 3-2-2-3 shape in possession, playing through the middle before releasing the ball sharply to the flanks. It will help that Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo are two of the best dribblers in the business.
City will remain a possession-heavy team. Anderson made more successful passes than any other Premier League midfielder in 2025/26, just ahead of the departing Bernardo Silva, while it’ll also be interesting to see their inverted full-backs, and how they attempt to press high in a 4-2-4, tempting opponents to clip the ball over the first line into midfield.
Omar Marmoush has had a strong summer – along with Semenyo – while Rayan Cherki’s 12 assists last term almost mirrored Bruno Fernandes’ output (0.60 assists v 0.62 assists per 90 minutes) so he is somebody to keep close tabs on, every time the Frenchman gets onto the ball. Looking at them in friendly action, the area we might exploit best is playing through the thirds. City will commit players to their press but if they are not in sync, we can find holes that might pick them apart.
Maresca wants to win this because a trophy is on offer and I’d imagine Mikel Arteta feels the same. As will both sets of players I’m sure, fans too.
Any match against Man City is one to win.
Anyway, enjoy the game..
Morning all.
There’s a new post up, it’s very good today. 😂
I’m hearing that Bruno had an ice-pack on his thigh yesterday, hopefully just a precaution but I did detect him limping ever so slightly during the 1st half…
Kev, I would still begin with MLS and Bruno, giving Rice gradual stepping back in the team. Even with Saka.
The assist that MLS gave Calafiori was Bergampesque levels. Or Ozil levels when he could be bothered to put his brain and feet to work. He saw the run and picked the right pass. He did not pass into space….he created the space.
Yesterday we saw Rice and Bruno becoming friends. I know that Cicero told me not to read something which is not there (haha) but since I cant help it here goes…..maybe Gabriel Magalhaes and Haaland showing brotherly love in the red shirt of Arsenal??
Devil, Thanks for highlight,
Both Martin Odegaard and Ben White looked completely injury free for the first time in what, 2 years? Now it could be coincidence or it could be different treatments from our new medical staffers but I’m not complaining either way.
Here’s a thought, City looked tired and Arsenal looked as fresh as a daisy and which club went around the world to play preseason games and which club didn’t?
Arteta is going to have an extremely difficult decision regarding Myles because it would seem enormously harsh if Myles doesn’t start vs Coventry on Friday…
Yep, there is that too Cicero although I’m sure he’ll make a miraculous recovery in Spain..
…and of dubious fitness Rico.
Don’t try to read into what is not there, DG. 😉
Rodri heading to Barcelona after a fee agreed. Good..
£65m for a 30 year old
Well, I hope Martinelli staying unless a top top player is coming in to replace him.
He played against Betis and Dortmund. But not against Como and today. Curioser and curiouser
He got married 19 days ago and possibly has had a few extra days off . After Friday we will see where he stands for the next match
Martinelli was not even on the bench. I dont know if he is injured but not being in the squad says many things
Three observatios:
a) It loks like Tzolis has been playin for Arsenal for a year.
b) Even with the score at 3-0, Raya put in an excellent performance.
c) Martinelli e Tzolis complement each other and offer different options.
Come on Arsenal!
I really hope he cements his place. I loathe seeing an academy player being sold or going elsewhere. If it were for me the first 11 would all be homegrown. Its been a long time since we produced a keeper who cemented his place and kept it. Or a CF who lived for scoring goals.
So when an academy player plays and stays its something I really enjoy.
And going nowhere I hope Devil.
Yes Rico. MLS had a very good game. And am really enjoying seeing him play every time. And he is still 19.
Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-FL36Kuj9U
Glad Odegaard had recovered from his 2 seasons of injuries and showed why Arteta rated him so highly.
Ahhh what a beautiful sight.
Lewis-Skelly was good, he certainly moves the ball quickly.
Good evening winners
We continue smiling.
I smiled throughout the match and even more when I read Cicero’s post match comment for the first time this season. Fingers crossed and praying that Cicero writes that comment for at least 38 more times in the EPL alone. (Dream on Dev)
Line up was strong. Arteta wanted to win.
MLS and Bruno. Superb. So MLS begins and plays in CL final. He begins and plays in the CS. And news were circulating that Arsenal made him available. Nonsense. If anyone needs to be worried its Zubimendi. Because at the base of midfield its going to be Rice, Bruno, MLS in that order. Zubi comes behind in the pecking order. Fingers crossed that MLS manages to gel properly with Zubi. This will give Arteta options in defensive midfield……he could rotate twice at a time. On Saturday (EPL) it will be Bruno/Rice combo. On weekday (CL) it could well be MLS/Zubi depending on the opposition. The latter combo could also begin matches in the Carabeo cup, FA Cup.
Tzolis . Its like a dream seeing him play. His footballing brain is in the right place. I liked Trossard and didnt want to see him gone. But Tzolis has driven down any fears (for now). We wait and see.
Agreed, plenty of positives, especially the form of Odegaard.
Beauty with a swagger, and our resurgent captain at the centre of it all. Raya induces so much confidence in the team. Woohoo!! Bring on the Sky blues.
Let’s not fiddle with that old 8-2 scab.
I thought Mosquera was very good along side Gabriel, he handled Haarland with confidence and was responsible for the Norwegian being subbed off quite early.
I’m beginning to worry less about the the injury to William Saliba.
Comprehensive performance , lots of positives.
Three goals, clean sheet, another trophy, just another day at the office. 👌
3 – 0. Odegaard!
Declan on for Bruno G
Quicker in midfield thats Lewis Skelly for you.
Impressed with Tzolis…
Donnerrumma with the worst comb over since Bobby Charlton.
28 mins 2 – 0, Calafiori and Havertz
Our football is definitely quicker, I like it..
What a ball from Myles…
Here we go Gunners, another 10 months of optimism, enjoyment, angst and losing it, literally….
I love it
I read Nwaneri might go out on loan. Kabia has gone to St Mirren for the season.
Martinelli is a mystery, why we’d sell him I’m not sure but definitely not without a replacement.
Actually Martinell, Jesus, Nwaneri, Nelson and Vieria are not on the bench. Departure lounge?
I don’t see where the goals will come from either..
That 8-2 result and performance was awful, just awful..
Everybody else on the bench less the long term injured.
Good defence, decent midfield but don’t see many goals
from front three.
Raya, White, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori, Bruno G, M L S, Odegaard, Madueke, Havertz, Tzolis.
Scarred for life ?
Didn’t do me any favours , I was in a bar in Greece surrounded by Northerners with my son .
Not the most pleasant was to spend a couple of hours.
I liked him too Stuart and his story. Wasn’t he part of the 8-2 side, few of which were scarred for life 😜
Ha ha Cicero..
Yeh, Rico. Thanks for posting that link to Carl J. A truly lovely fellow. I loved his family connection to the club and that look on his face after scoring his first goal for the club. He went off my radar after leaving the Arsenal, so it’s a joy to see how he had some great moments beyond the Emirates.
No Rico, I’m sure you are heading for the sunny uplands of what in days of yore was known as pencraft. 😉
I guess it’s all downhill from here on then Cicero/Kev… 😜
Good morning all.
I agree kev, Rico has definitely cracked it. 😉
Just back from a family do in High Wycombe, a celebration of my sister-in-law’s 90th birthday, three hour drive home this morning but my son at the wheel.
I’m completely in the dark ‘re team selection so I’ll just leave it to Senor Arteta.
Looking for we to the kick off!
https://x.com/carljenkinson/status/2088923193805361504?s=20
I love things like this…
Morning Kev. Cheeky bugger. 😂
No Spanish or English internationals for me either. Meslier in goal perhaps although Raya should be fine having had no football in the summer.
Tell a lie….. I would definitely start Raya…
Morning chaps and Rico, nice post, you know what Rico, you’ve really got the hang of this blogging malarkey, great work… 🙂
Not sure that any of the Spain/England combo will start, although with Mikel who knows?
For me I’d start with the seniors who have done the most minutes in preseason before bringing on the Anglo-Spanish shock troops…
Maresca could be a dead man walking if City have a slow start so let’s start him off with a defeat.
Morning Stuart, same team for me but Hincapie instead of Calafiori and MLS for Rice.
Good morning Rico and all. I’ll be at the Taunton Sports bar for this one.
I’m picking: Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Bruno, MO8, Dowman, Gyo and Christos to start. Zubi, Bukuyu, Piero, Eze, Kepa and Marli or Noni on the bench.