Morning all.
Man City dropped two points against Totts on Sunday, a result which was perfect for Arsenal. Liverpool scraped to victory very late in their game but as I’ve always said, it doesn’t matter what time a team scores when it wins. Villa dropped two points too so two out of three currently in top four dropping points ain’t bad.
The FA Cup draw saw us paired with Liverpool in what’s the biggest clash of the 3rd round. The fixture will take place over the weekend of 6/7th January, just a couple of weeks after we’d have played them in the league at Anfield. I’m not sure when players go off to the ACON but if it’s at the turn of the year, Liverpool will be without Mo Salah and Joel Matip. We’ll be without Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny. When aren’t we without Thomas Partey?
Arsenal face Luton tonight and then Aston Villa at the weekend. Both away from home. Tonight’s match is being covered by Amazon Prime, the Villa game is on Sky Sports.
In addition to the recent absentees, Mikel Arteta could be without Takehiro Tomiyasu who was substituted during the Wolves game. During his press conference yesterday, Arteta said:
We assessed him after the game, we took him off as a precaution so we’ll wait. Whether it’s useful to use him or not, we will decide tomorrow (today). He’s a strong boy and hopefully he’ll be fine.
Thankfully, Ben White back fit now so if Tomi needs a break, we’ll be fine. Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious for Tomi though because he’s been superb of late.
What to expect from Luton? I don’t know but in November, they held Liverpool to a draw, beat Crystal Palace and despite losing to Totts in October, they only conceded the one goal. The only other home game in the last couple of months ended in a narrow defeat against Burnley. I think they’ll be another tough opponent.
What the club has done since 2007 – 2009 when in total, they were deducted 30 points for getting into financial difficulties, is quite remarkable. Three consecutive relegations back then left Luton playing football in the fifth tier in English football. Now, they’re back in the Premier League. It was back in 2014 when they began their climb back up through the leagues and nine seasons later, well, here they are, back in the top division. We won’t talk about the 1988 League Cup Final.
Without a point from their first four fixtures, Luton were soon talked about being one of the clubs likely to be relegated which I think was stupid. A season is ten months long not four weeks and it wasn’t that long ago when Arsenal were sat in the relegation places early in the season but ended up fighting for a top four spot.
Anyway, here we are, playing Luton Town at Kenilworth Road for the first time in a long long time. I read it was their direct style of football which contributed to Luton gaining promotion which not being critical, is a style of football many clubs outside the Premier League play because often it works. A long ball over midfield to a pacey striker can work well. A plan b which in my opinion, shouldn’t be knocked. I’d love for Arsenal to have such an option when the going gets tough, heck, I’d just love Arsenal to have an out and out striker but that’s another story.
Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke on what we can expect from the home team:
“Rob Edwards is a terrific head coach who expertly organises the shape of his side. Proof of that is how robust Luton Town have been in the opening half-hour of matches at Kenilworth Road, where they are yet to concede inside the first 30 minutes, so patience may be required. The Hatters are likely to set up in a 3-4-2-1 that turns into a 5-4-1 out of possession. Carlton Morris will lead the line and use his physical presence to try and unsettle our defence, and the muscular striker will be the main focal point of Luton’s attacks. No top-flight team has delivered more crosses in open play, with Luton producing 37 headed efforts so far, the division’s third-highest tally.”
“The key to success will be matching Luton’s aggression and competing with them in the duels. Providing we can hold our own in that department, I would fully expect us to dominate the game and create a host of openings. Bottom-placed Sheffield United are the only side to have faced more shots. Surprisingly, the newly promoted side have a vulnerability defending set pieces, conceding more shots from corners and wide free kicks than anybody else. So, our set play routines could be crucial.”
Basically then, be switched on from the off, don’t concede in the first 30 minutes and take advantage of any set-pieces we might get as they’re vulnerable in that department. Be aware, or beware of Morris up front because he’s physically strong.
Seriously though, this is a game we should be winning if we’re serious about challenging for the title. I’m not for one minute suggesting Luton will be easy to beat but I expect us to take control of the game as far as possession goes and be clinical with our passing game in and around their box. I hope Luton’s aggression is purely in the way they play rather than flying in with dangerous challenges on our players because we don’t need any more injuries. What we need is three points, a clean sheet and move on to the next challenge.
Referee: Sam Barrott
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Darren Bond
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Assistant VAR: Lee Betts
We don’t want to be talking about any of the above after the game either. Fairness and consistency is all that’s required. For both sides.
Enjoy the game guys.
Morning Rico and all,
I am a little bit weary of tonight’s match, as we have a tendacy to mess up against the lower teams, hopefully Arteta can keep them focus and not think this is going to a easy win. Luton have nothing to lose and every think to gain and could go in with a few stray boots as they may feel we are going to be easier to beat than their next opponent Man C
Unless I am mistaken the ACON starts January 13th and finishes on febuary 11th
Morning Geoff, not this season though other than against Fulham. I’m quietly confident we’ll have too much for Luton o cope with.
Players will need to be with their respective countries before the ACON start though.
G’day Rico, I don’t think Arteta will let anyone take tonight’s game lightly as there are three vital points on offer.
In the paper this morning Arteta was full of praise for Zinchenko and is forgiving as far as his bloopers leading to opposition goals are concerned, in Arteta’s opinion they are more than made up for by his contributions higher up the pitch. I wouldn’t expect him to say anything other than that….at least until Timber is fit again and ready to compete for the left back starting position.
Hi Cicero, I gave up and went out. Lol
Agree re Zinchenko, Arteta doesn’t publicly throw his players under the bus. He just waits and then drops them.. from a height too..
Arsenal team news
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Ramsdale, Nketiah, Soares, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Zinchenko, Walters.
Excellent..Smart play from Arsenal.
Testing testing
Ah, back in contact! I’ve been unable to post a comment all evening due to an invalid something or other.
A team that never gives up! To get the winner in the sixth and final minute of added time is a tribute the the whole teams will to win. Fantastic!
🔔🔔🔔🔔
Been trying a lot as well, let rico know by email.
What an ending. Luton fouled us so much early on, until finally a booking then another. So unlike some, I have no sympathy for Luton. So good for us to finally get a free kick near half way line and pump forward.
What a spinning hooked cross and header!
7th minute Cicero 😀
Shearer was upset about it😀
Sorry guys, I didn’t know until Andrew mailed. I could get on here ok.
Fantastic game of football, well, fantastic result. Raya – please Arsenal, let him go back to Brentford!
Well that’s reopened the goalkeeper debate. . If Arteta has any respect for his word then Ramsdale starts against Villa but I will bet he doesn’t.
As a few have have said there were difficulties earlier but they were not only here they were on the pitch at Luton .
My post that never made it was all about warning of the dangers of the match and the comments that I made have been born out. Small pitch , raucous crowd , inexperienced ref ,and loads of pressure on both Saka and Martinelli .
Luckily our new signings stepped up and we came away with the points much to Henry’s pleasure and Shearer’s dismay.
I said I was a bit weary about today’s match as it was against a lower team and at there ground, was not happy when they went ahead but in the end we thought out a hard win to keep the pressure on the other teams.
In my comment that is somewhere in the clouds, Raya’s mistake led to one of there goals. I agree it is time to give Ramsdale another chance
Me too. But at least Raya is consistent, he can be relied on to make at least one costly error every game, however tonight he managed two! How many chances is he to be given? I think it’s time the Arsenal fans started to give him some stick! For sure he’s earned it.
Enough Mikel, enough.
Good morning all you happy Gooners. An old football adage is particularly relevant to Arsenal after last night’s match, “Great teams find a way to win”. £105 million looks like money well spent.
A bargain Cicero…
New post up.
After watching the Luton goals again, there is only one thing to say “Taxi for senor Raya por favor”