Daily Bits and Bobs

Pick and mix ends in defeat.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Well that didn’t quite go to plan did it? The last friendly before facing Man City and we got walloped. Just as beating Charlton meant very little, losing to Brentford means very little too. Another run out for our players, a first for Bukayo Saka since the break, the very first for Trae Coyle. Unless he played in one of the Cup fixtures and I missed which bearing in mind I didn’t spot that both Torreira and Saka were missing from our last friendly squad, is quite possible.

First half XI: Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Pablo Mari, Tierney; Willock, Ceballos, Saka; Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang.

Second half XI: Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, David Luiz, Tierney; Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Ozil; Aubameyang, Lacazette, Saka.

Subs:

60 – Martinez for Leno
60 – Sokratis for Bellerin
60 – Holding for Mustafi
60 – Kolasinac for Tierney
60 – Nelson for Aubameyang
60 – Martinelli for Saka
85 – Coyle for Nelson

The report on Arsenal.com suggests that we missed a number of opportunities to score. Saka, Willock, Aubameyang failed to find the back of the net before Willock broke the deadlock just before halftime, and just before Pepe hit the post with a chance to double the lead.

Orange segments scoffed and five changes later, out they came again. Bernd Leno was called into action soon after the restart and then another opportunity to increase our lead went begging. This time a Mustafi header from a corner. Work harder on those corners Mikel. Lacazette fired a chance over and then shiver me old timbers, we conceded. Martinez was in goal by this stage. We restored our lead within minutes thanks to Lacazette but talk about hero to villain. He lost possession, Brentford went on to level the score again. Right at the end, Brentford nicked a winner. Sloppy football again just outside our box. I doubt it will have gone unnoticed.

Never mind, we’ll make up for it next Wednesday eh.

 

 

Irony aside, it would have been better to restart this season with two victories despite both being friendly fixtures but it’s not like either match was won or lost playing with our ‘strongest’ team. Nor would any player, from either side be playing at 100%, not when they have League fixtures to complete. Brentford remain in with really good chance of promotion to the Premier League. Not that I’d like to see them succeed though. We have a Europa spot to fight for although the aim really should be top four. Which I’m sure it is.

There was no playing time for Granit Xhaka yesterday, Cedric and Lucas Torreira missed out too so I think we can assume that neither will be ready for our trip to Manchester. Hopefully, the rest will be. Physically and mentally.

Stay safe guys.

 

 

 

 

 

rico

33 thoughts on “Pick and mix ends in defeat.”

  1. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    Trials are just that.
    It’s what the lads do next week that counts.
    Bring it on 🙂

  2. frednerk says:

    Morning Rico and All

    Looking at the changes,maybe it was sharpness Micky was hoping for,for the match against the Mancs.
    Can’t remember seeing that many bods switching around before,during a warm up game.
    Hard to imagine what Micky thought of that,maybe ” Light bulb moment players switching on and off ”

    Hope the players ain’t beginning to read Micky’s mind already.

    I would hope the training sessions lets the players know who’s,who regarding first eleven~:

    Keeper Leno otherwise known as Oilcloth,
    The two Fullbacks Tiny teeny and Bellrina
    Centreback The Brazalian Nutcracker
    Upfront The P.E.A. also known as Captain Birds eye.
    The only other one I can see is that lunatic in midfield,trotting around the pitch still trying
    to fathom out how to tackle,bit like Norman Hunter(Respect) blind folded.

    For the life of me I’m having trouble picking an eleven from this lot.

    Musthaveacraper,The Bubble,Hackney Gazette,Terrier without a bite, could all be gone in 4 weeks time.
    Can’t see to much tackling from them four to be honest.

    We have a lot of young players,who Micky must be thinking of,for next season.

    So its fingers crossed again time guys.

    ,

  7. rico says:

    Morning Fred, I haven’t read much into either of the friendly matches. Other than a leg stretch for every player who is fully fit.

  9. Sue says:

    Rico.. it lashed here too! About time, hey?!

    Next week is what matters… and I agree with that. However, the last thing I wanted to see, 6 days before we visit the champions, was more howlers!! I’m having cold sweats at the thought of Aguero, Sane & Sterling running at Luiz, Mustafi or Sokratis 🙈 I’m not looking forward to it quite as much as before yesterday now!!
    I guess one good thing though, at least Willock and Laca are back amongst the goals. They both scored beauties!

    Rico, this isn’t football related, but how cute is this?!! 😍
    https://www.thelocal.es/20200611/in-pics-rare-white-lion-cub-born-in-spanish-zoo

  10. rico says:

    Yes Sue, garden was getting rather crispy…

    Wasn’t it attacking players who lost the ball for their goals? Lacazette definitely did. 😂

  13. allezkev says:

    I wonder how Arteta will go with his defence, at Eastlands in particular, because he knows that’s the area where Arsenal are at their weakest and he also knows what Man City can do and who they’ll target and how they’ll do it.

    Knowing what they’ll do is one thing, stopping them is another…

    Leno in goal is a no brainer, Bellerin at right back is also a no brainer – ignore the rubbish linking him to a transfer to Inter Milan, it’s not happening, Tierney at left back will be a new problem for Guardiola to solve and let’s hope he has no answer to our flying Scotsman, then we move onto that department that often leave us suicidal, the centre backs.

    Man City don’t have any speed merchants up front, nobody like Zaha, but they have great technicians so I’m thinking Pablo Mari starts with either Mustafi or Luiz partnering the big Spaniard.

    And I’m thinking that Arsenal will get a hard fought score draw.

  15. RA says:

    Morning Guys and Gals,

    I am with your view (@ 1:15 am) Kev — umm, hold on — 1:15 am ??? – well anyway, I’m still with you – until your last line conclusion that “Arsenal will get a hard fought score draw” — instead, your analysis leads me to an alternative conclusion “we will get larruped”. 🤪

  16. RA says:

    Hi Rico,

    Next week when the games get underway you will have loads of views – and some of us will have a different batch of opinions ready. I hope!! 😁

  20. Sue says:

    3-1??? What I’d give for that scoreline!! Nah, can’t see it if I’m honest…. I’d be happy with a draw (+ no howlers!!)

  25. allezkev says:

    Hmm Red, o yea of little faith, as Rico says, pack the midfield, whatever you do don’t start Ozil and a draw is within our grasp…

  27. Sue says:

    Scott.. 🤪😂

    Rico.. Cedric was clobbered by a ball during training… black eye and swelling! So that
    explains why he hasn’t featured… 11 days to sort out a temporary contract extension, or come the end of the month it’s sayonara!

  30. allezkev says:

    Has Pablo Mari signed a contract yet, I’ve not heard anything to that effect, so is the Soares story another example of some wanky scribbler causing waves where there aren’t any?

    Those tossers tried to stir it up by saying that Tierney was off to Leicester, it was all rubbish and now Leicester are apparently after someone else, usual press shitstirring, the same applies to Bellerin, it’s all bollocks.

    But, and I saw this written by Charles Watt of Goal, Tyreece John Jules apparently signed a 5 year contract last summer (2019) so he’s ours until 2024, I’d not seen that written anywhere else, probably as it’s good news and we can’t be having any of that – mish….

  31. allezkev says:

    I keep on reading that Mino Raiola is trying to arrange a swap deal involving Kluivert from Roma and Mkhitaryan to Roma plus €30m…

    I wonder how much Raiola thinks he’s getting out of it the slime ball?

    Why would Arsenal want to spend/waste €30m on Kluivert?
    If he was any good Roma wouldn’t want rid of him…
    We need to focus on our own players and not to parachute some Dutch wannabe into our squad and then blocking off our own talented young players.

  32. Cicero says:

    I see that Juventus are looking to cut £400,000 per week from their wage bill by selling Ramsey after just one, less than stellar, season at the club.

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