Morning all.
It doesn’t seem long ago that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was firing his free kick into the back of the net to secure our 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, probably because it isn’t. Whoever decided giving us a late Sunday afternoon fixture followed by a Tuesday match is clearly bonkers. Why aren’t we playing tomorrow instead as the other teams who played on Sunday are. Idiots.
The only saving grace is that many of those who started on Sunday, won’t do tonight as Unai Emery is sure to ring the changes. AMN certainly won’t feature as he’s now banned following his sending off at the weekend.
Many of the younger players/second string were in training yesterday, all no doubt hoping to get a start tonight. Bukayo Saka, Robbie Burton, Tyreece John-Jules, Folarin Balogun and Tolaji Bola were all involved, as were Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Konstantinos Mavropanos although it’s unlikely any of the latter three will be included in the squad. Rob Holding though is ready for selection, so the official website says. Lastly, Emiliano Martinez, Mesut Ozil, Reiss Nelson Calum Chambers, Joe Willock, Shkodran Mustafi, Emile Smith Rowe, Matt Macey Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Martinelli were also put through their paces.
Notts Forest are in good form. They’ve lost just won fixture so far this season and that was back at the beginning of August and as much as earning promotion will no doubt be their main target this season, they’ll want a victory tonight. They’ve beaten us before too. Comprehensively too. Just last year they knocked us out of the FA Cup, admittedly it was at their ground but I don’t think it makes much difference these days. Certainly not in a Cup where surprise results pop up often.
I hope the expected young Arsenal team play without fear tonight and enjoy themselves. These guys, or at least some of them are our future. It’s their time now too, certainly in the domestic cups and Europa so I hope they go on a great run in this competition.
See you in the comments guys.
Currently in Spain.Didnt see much of Villa match so can’t comment. Will rely on FlashScores for tonight so any incisive reaction would be good
Barcelona Potter? Enjoy…
In the club’s current state of flux any opponents will be a challenge, Forest will arrive with the knowledge that they will be playing against a mix-and-match team. Not just the defence, but the midfield and the attack too.
The one Arsenal player certain to start is our excellent second string ‘keeper Martinez. In the Eintracht match he looked confident and took control of his area and was not afraid to hit a long ball upfield, contrary to Emery’s oft stated preference of playing out from the back.
I would really like to see Chambers and Holding in the centre back positions with Luiz pushed forward into midfield along side Torreira and Martinelli. In this scenario, it would be a toss up between Bellerin and Mustafi at right back, I’d prefer the former. I don’t feel that Tierney is ready to start yet and Kolascinac seems to have regained his enthusiasm, perhaps Tierney could get the last half hour.
Ozil to provide the ammo for Aubameyang and Pepe to overcome the Forest defence with their pace and fire power.
NearbyRico with friends getting a bit of late sun . 28 degrees outside at 1.30 Spanish time
Very nice Potter, one of my favourite places in the world…
Hi everyone.
Cicero, I certainly don’t hope you’re serious about Auba? He’s our best player, and after having played 90 minutes against both Frankfurt and Aston Villa, Emery will give him a rest surely? Pepe could feature I suspect, although I don’t think it will be more than an hour. How will Özil feel if he gets game time in the Mickey Mouse cup but not in the league? Looking forward to watching the young guns none the less..
Hi Adk.
I hope we don’t see Aubameyang, Pepe or any other of our key players tonight. I’d rather Chambers and Holding didn’t play either but realise both have to. Or rather need to for their own game.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Very wet down here certainly not the weather for cricket
Good summary Rico and as you say tonight’s game will not be easy.
Now N/F have a big game on friday and we agreed to bring it forward to help them
I just hope it do’s not back fire on us.
Kev
I would like to see S/R Nelson Willock John Jules and Burton start.
If Kolsinac is not risked give Bola a run no way should Tierny play
he needs more time at u23 level to get match fitness
Watched the U23 game on friday and there was something that went on that
every body missed Dino Mavropanis played the full 90 mins and I cannot remember
him doing that for a long time ( 2years maybe).
Imust say he looked very good and fit and just hope he stays fit from now on.
Afternoon Rick. I didn’t know that about Notts Forest so good on Arsenal for being generous. Perhaps Forest have agreed to be kind on us in return. 😉
Cheers Rick, yeah I did hear that Arsenal agreed to the Forest request to play tonight, I guess as Emery was going to play a shadow team it doesn’t matter that much and if Forest beat Stoke it might help get the Orchs relegated and every Gooner would vote for that…
Rico, thanks for the post, yeah I agree, AMN has been hung out to dry when Chambers or Mustafi could have filled in at right back…
For somebody who came to the club with these much vaunted dossiers about our players, Emery doesn’t seem to understand what he has as well as we might imagine…
Pleasure Kev. 😆
If Emery did his homework on our players as has been suggested, certainly during his first interview at the club, he’s certainly failed his exam.
I thought Arsene Wenger was bad for making players fit in and persisting with them even though they’re struggling but my goodness, Emery is just as bad. No, he worse…
ADK, Aubameyang is our best chance for getting a goal or two, if we can be two up by half-time then he can be subbed, I don’t think I would be a problem for him to play, it’s still early in the season and he should be at peak fitness.
Tough on Ozil having to play in the Mickey Mouse cup? He needs the game time and, more importantly, needs to make a case for playing in the Premiership. We need some return on his £350k a week wages.
If we can’t win without Aubameyang then we really do have problems. I’d like to see Martinelli play up top, or Balogun, or both.
After all, if they were to go out on loan it would be in the Championship I’d have thought, so why not take this chance?
No disrespect to this Cup, but it’s not a competition for blokes like Aubameyang imo, we need him fit for OT. Especially as Lacazette is injured.
Afternoon Rico and everyone. Not sure what to think about tonight really. Forest are no mugs and I hope that we play a couple of experienced players just to keep things steady. I`m impressed the way you guys follow the under 23s and know how they perform.
Kev I`ve been quite critical of AMN but you are right, he`s out of position and gets no help to be fair .
I worry a little that if the senior players don`t know what Emery wants (or can`t understand him) What chance have the lads got, I switch off myself now when he talks. I do hope his English gets better soon.
If we are to give the youngsters a chance to shine in the minor tournaments, then we have to be in those tournaments, so we need to play some of our senior players tonight to give us the best chance to progress.
Agree Cicero, but we’ve enough senior players to play without calling on the likes of Auba imo.
Cicero ……Absolutely Right ! If we get knocked out first round they may not get a chance for another year. At least put some senior guys on the bench.
With Lacazette injured and Nketiah on loan at Leeds the only “senior” striker left is Pepe and he’s still an unknown quantity.
Holding and Tierney start. Martinelli too. Bellerin on the bench…
Aubameyang at home having a beer… 😆
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1176554777301397506
Team !
who is Bola and Balogun?
Pepa at home. Good
Starting XI: Martinez, Chambers, Holding, Mustafi, Tierney, Torreira, Willock, Nelson, Ozil, Smith Rowe, Martinelli
Subs: Macey, Bellerin, Bola, Burton, Ceballos, Saka, Balogun
Some experience mixed with youth, like it !
Good to rest Auba and Pepe le Pew.
Lets give the Sherwood Forest outlaws a hiding……………..Fryer Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlett, Robin of Loxley, Maid Marion, Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flyn, Kevin Costner………………….. your boys are in for a beating !
In a close tough tight game I predict we will edge it 10-0
Ko delayed until 8pm.
That`s so they can all get in their green tights and sharpen their arrows, we are bending over backwards for them !
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 N FOREST (Martinelli, 35)
Terrific opening goal from Arsenal. Really high quality, and it is Gabriel Martinelli on his starting debut who has it.
Nelson looks up and pings a lovely ball out to Chambers on the right, he then drives it back into the middle on the volley, where the 18-year-old striker connects firmly with a header to turn the ball into the top corner.
The Gunners lead!
Smith Rowe stretchered off after head injury. Looks in considerable pain
Holding makes it 2-0. Good header
Bellerin on for Tierney
3-0 Willock. Bellerin with the assist
You watching rico? Where was it on?
Excellent result. Enjoyed watching it too.
Tierney looks good, Martinelli too and seeing our three defenders return is great.
5-0…
I certainly enjoyed it. No way should Torreira be left out at OT, however….
Night Andrew, all.
Andrew, I watched on an Apple App…
Toots knocked out by Colchester on pens.. 😂😂
Sounds more fun than recent Sky games. How nice Torreira finally got a start. Probably dropped for weekend to bring back Xhaka!
Nearly an upset then with Spuds taking Colchester to penalties !
Well there’s a turn up for the book! An Arsenal defence that keeps a clean sheet, and a team that scores goals. 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔 five of them.
Have we found a gem in Martinelli?
Got a stream on my phone for second half However Cazorla scores against Barcelona. Had to hold myself back
Ha ha Potter, wise move.
Kev, he has the tools, he just needs to us them instead of sticking with players who are struggling. The break seems to have rejuvenated Mustafi.
Maybe a glance at the team we could have if Emery gets his head out of his Iberian peninsula, Torrieira in front of a back four with Tierney and Holding and Bellerin and maybe even Chambers in it? They certainly can’t do any worse than the current defence…
Pleased for Nelson, finally getting a goal and Martinelli of course.
We need goals from other players other than Aubameyang, for me Willock has to start.
Another home draw in the next round vs another Championship club would do very nicely!
I hope we don’t get Colchester. 😉
New post up now