Morning all.
A second chance for Arsenal against Southampton and for our League campaign, we need a much improved performance to the one just a few days ago which saw us knocked out of the FA Cup. Back will come ESR and Tierney, and Lacazette, Saka and Partey will start I’m sure rather than coming on from the bench. Out should go Willian and probably Pepe and Cedric too. With Aubameyang expected to miss this one through personal reasons, Martinelli might get another start. Him and Tierney are a real threat down our left hand side. Bellerin and Saka on the right are dangerous too, with ESR pulling the strings of creativity.
Our central midfield is Partey and who? Xhaka, Ceballos or Elneny. The latter two both played in the FA Cup and neither had a particularly good game so if fit, my money is on Ceballos. Just as it’s on Lacazette leading our attack. At the back it seems to be Holding plus one of Mari, Luiz or Gabriel. Perhaps another 90 minutes might be too much too soon for Gabriel so with Mari injured, Luiz could very well start. I make that eleven including Leno. Or is it twelve. Lol
Southampton will be without defenders Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker-Peters due to suspension and injury respectively but Nathan Redmond is fit again.
We all know how Southampton play by now. A high pressing game, they have a captain who is good at set-pieces and they like the dark side of the game to. A foul here and there just to stop the opposition in their attacking tracks. Nine times out of ten they get away with it. VAR is back tonight so the hand-balling in the box will get reviewed unlike in the FA Cup when Arsenal really should have been awarded a penalty.
Honestly, I thought they were extremely lucky to beat us on Saturday and had we been more energetic and determined to not only win the ball and keep it, if we’d have had more about us in and around the box, we might have won. Our players simply didn’t put enough pressure on theirs, certainly not in their half. If we’re to win, that has to change tonight and I think it will.
In other news, Mustafi wants out, or Arsenal want him out. Whichever way around it is, there’s talk that his contract is to be terminated and he’ll move on. No big deal in my opinion other than it’s another play who the club spent big on yet we’re getting nothing from his departure. But, we can’t blame Edu or the board for this because he certainly wasn’t around when the players who are leaving now, were signed. What’s important I think is to recognise the clearing up which is going on. The clearing up which so many of us here on HH have been hoping to see for a while and I suspect it will continue through to the end of the summer transfer window too. Mikel Arteta has to have players of his choice of style if he’s to be fairly judged. Just no more ‘Willian’s!’
Hopefully we’ll hear that Martin Ødegaard has become an Arsenal player today. It’d be nice for him to make his debut against Man Utd on Saturday. Hopefully when we’re 3-0 up with ten minutes to go.
Right Arsenal, go and smash those Saints and move up the league a bit more.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning all.
3-1 to the good guys today!!!
Good morning Rico, good to see a new post up…at last. 😉
I read this morning that Odegaard has played only eight games this season so I don’t see how he can be match fit. A cameo appearance if anything, but at the rate of transfer paperwork completion I doubt even that.
Even e-mail link is slow today. I am now getting a little cross in a circle which I have to close before I post , not to mention agreeing to terms and conditions everytime I touch my mouse.
potter
potter on 26th January 2021 at 11:26 am
Got through eventually ,
From Ornstien , worrying . “I saw there was a lot of this going around yesterday and he was listed as injured on the Real Madrid website and training inside in recent days,” he said.
“But when I checked I was told that there was nothing significant to worry about and that Arsenal were very comfortable.
Have we done it again got a patched up player for 30 minutes and it re occurs.
×
Thanks for the post Rico, it’s looking likely that Tierney won’t be playing this evening so will we see Saka at left back and either Willian or Pepe on the right.
Other options are Pepe on the left and Willian on the right?
But more importantly Smith Rowe will start and maybe his involvement can extract a performance from the Willian/Pepe combo?
Hi Rico and all Hope fully we don’t give them too many corner kicks as they come close to scoring from a couple last time including one that come off the goal post.
if we have a quick running team I am going for a 2 to 1 win for us
I wonder if Balogun will get picked and get a run off the bench if Pepe plays and struggles
Nice one Rico and afternoon all,
A win tonight takes us up to 8th, albeit most teams will have games in hand, Aston Villa will have 3.Aubameyang is out so someone else will get a chance, just not Willian or Pepe please.
I find it hard to believe we can’t get any sort of fee for Mustafi. It’s not just buying and selling that needs to improve, it’s contracts too.
COYG
With Tierney injured it looks like Cedric will have to fill in at left back again.
Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano reports Martin Odegaard has agreed to join Arsenal on loan with official confirmation set to come soon.
rico: don’t you feel sorry if Mustafi leaves?
“Arsenal and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Marseille full back Jordan Amavi with Serie A side Napoli also believed to be tracking the 26-year-old.
L’Equipe reports Palace are particularly keen on signing Amavi this month, but Arsenal have asked for more information on the player. They have not, however, made an offer yet.
The signing of Amavi would make some sense for Arsenal. While Kieran Tierney is Mikel Arteta’s forst choice at left back, the exit of Saed Kolasinac has left the Gunners slightly light for options in that position. Amavi would be a decent depth player.“
Hi Rico… That’s a bummer about Auba. I’ve just read that Mari and Ceballos are also unavailable.. omg it gets worse!! Let’s just hope Tesco comes through 🙏 Don’t want to face the Mancs on Saturday without him!
Our fixture list doesn’t get any easier, does it?!
Afternoon to you all.
Really disappointed Tierney is injured. AMN, Saka or Cedric then. Not ideal by any means. Might push the club into signing a left back a bit quicker..
Thanks Limey.
Jm, not really re Mustafi although football aside, he’s not done a lot wrong all the time he’s not played.
Agree Sue, we need our best players for the Mancs, every single one of them. Any idea what Tierney’s injury is?
Discomfort in his right calf
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Will be unavailable for Tuesday’s match due to personal family reasons.
Dani Ceballos
Left calf. Dani has resumed training and though not available for Tuesday, will continue to be assessed in the coming days.
Pablo Mari
Right calf. Pablo is progressing well from a mild calf strain. Aiming to be back in training this week.
Kieran Tierney
Right calf. Kieran is being assessed for discomfort in the right lower leg.
You beat me to it Sue.
According to Sky Sports, our away match against Benfica could be moved to a different stadium because of Coronavirus and travel restrictions.
😀 We have Kevin Friend tonight. Seems like ages since we last had roly-poly Moss or Mike Dean – not that I’m complaining!!
Me neither although Friend is bad enough..
Odegaard has probably signed but the Arsenal PR spin team want to rinse it for all it’s worth, trouble is by the time Odegaard is officially announced we will have probably lost interest.
That’s only the second time we’ve had Kevin Friend this season, we have a 100% win rate with him, Craig Pawson is the kiss of death, 2 games 2 defeats…
That’s interesting Rico, looks as if the Benfica games will go ahead whatever the strength of their squad, I just hope that the Lusitanians don’t pass it on to us…
I’ve lost interest already Kev, I’ve moved on to the left back 😆
I think Jm said 10 players had the virus yesterday so they’re going to struggle.
I’m surprised though as Villa etc had to postpone their fixture when the virus hit their squad. I don’t think it’s right for us to play them if the virus is still rife at Benfica in Feb.
Benfica as 10 players out with CV-19
Send Kolasinac on Twitter.
Abi, you deserved this!
Show them that you’re an outstanding playmaker and #GibGäs in Istanbul!
Always on your side! 👊
We’ll keep in touch off- and online 🤝
@MesutOzil1088
No wonder Kolasinac is a gonner…
Team
Leno
Bellerin
Luiz
Holding
Cedric
Xhaka
Partey
Saka
ESR
Pepe
Lacazette
Evening Rico
I give way to your youth
Well done
I suppose Pepe is marginally better than Willian. Lol
Seriously, let’s hope he has a cracking game.
Evening Rick, I binned mine. Lol
Subs
Ryan
Gabby
Chambers
Amn
Eleney
Willock
Willian
Martinelli
Eddy.
Well what a bad start…
Brilliant ball from Xhaka, excellent finish from Pepe. Er, on the left…
Evening rico, House, looks like a few goals! My heart sinks when I see team sheet without Tierney. Never felt that way about a left back in 55 years supporting Arsenal. Two good chances, one taken, thank you AT LAST Pepe. Oh Cedric, thought it was going in.
Evening Andrew, so close from Cedric. Pepe looks up for this one. I much prefer him on the left.
Wonderful from Laca and Saka.
Agree, such a great finish too.
Superb football!
We look dangerous every time we go forward!!
Hope we can sustain this in the second half.
How come Bellerin got booked but these Southampton players get away with attack stopping fouls…terrible officiating.
I prefer Pepe on the left as well Rico. Much better there without Auba.
The team is more balanced imo. And we do not have Tierney in the LB position. Pepe and Soares are combining well.
Laca makes it 3-1
Cedric’s cross field passes have been good. Excellent third.
Lacazette is a different player these days. Good to see him fight so hard.
3 good goals. Cedric good tonight, I’d place him RB above Bellerin these days.
We had Pepe and Bellerin booked. And the Southampton players did not even get a talking to.
And finally they get a yellow card as well.
Excellent result with a strong performance too.
Pepe booked for walking off slow and then not subbed😃😃
Yes a great result and performance Rico. And if Pepe serves more of what he did today then I will take back everything I said against him. He was pretty good today. Fingers crossed that Arteta keeps the same team for next Saturday. Maybe Tierney in as LB and Soares at RB will be the changes I would like to see. Otherwise I hope it will not be changed.
Fantastic stuff, and justification for selections on the weekend, and though the players didn’t get the job done, that’s on them, imo.
So much enthusiasm today.
Brilliant.
Not often we can say that rico!
Ha ha Andrew.
Liked Saka’s interview. Nice level-headed lad. Great future.
Excellent result. Something smells different about this team now.
Yes Devil, some crazy decisions by Friend. Like the free kick against Xhaka towards the end. Never in a million years was that a foul.
Revenge is sweet!! That was an excellent performance… love Saka more and more each week!!
we looked good today, Laca looks much better with the kids around him.
a bit confused about Pepe yellow card considering he did not get benched and at the same time we had a player down injured so why the rush from the ref to have him leave the field quick.
Arteta is the man.
Clearly, we must appreciate the fact that we have a board and yes, an owner, who are backing him.
Credit where it’s due, and they do deserve credit.
Adam, It Smells Like Teen Spirit…
Morning Devil, Scott, all.
New post up now
Good Morning Rico and everyone.
Jack scored a good goal yesterday……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h3MK4Gjyz8
Cracking goal, and I’m happy for him.
Morning Devil, morning all!!
I’m still on a high after that performance.
We were brilliant imo!!
What do you think about Auba’s absence Scott?? Do you think we should keep him or it should be Saka, Martinelli, Pepe and we sell Auba and get another winger?? I hope that Pepe’s performance yesterday was no flash in the pan and that he produces it consistently. He seemed to thrive on the left.
I hope we keep Lacazette as he seems to thrive with this group of youngsters behind him.
I liked the Soares – Pepe combo. Another combo is that of Tierney – Martinelli. That is the left flank settled for now as I still think that Soares on the left is a square peg in a round hole. He is much better on the right, though yesterday he was good. I would love Arsenal to get Tyrick Mitchell from CP. If we do that none of the LBs will be overused as they can rotate and rest.
I feel that Arteta, seeing how other teams are dropping points at will, has targeted a top four spot and not the cups this season. Maybe that and the Europa league because they guarantee CL participation. We are only 8 points off third place Leicester at only the halfway stage. Yes they have a game in hand but its not won yet. If they lose that we will still be 8 points off. We are also 10 points behind United and if we win against them next Saturday we will be just 7 points behind them. So its all there to play for. still 18 more games left.
no new post yet Rico. Not even on Newsnow
New post, nah, Rico’s turned over.