Morning all.
David Raya misses out on this game as Arsenal take on Brentford so it’s a chance for Aaron Ramsdale to show why signing the Spaniard on a permanent deal is, or would be a waste of money. £27-30 million would be far better put towards signing a top quality striker. Saying that, Mikel Arteta needs two goalkeepers so unless Karl Hein, who’ll be on the bench tonight, is considered a good enough deputy, the club will need to sign a keeper should Raya return to Brentford or Ramsdale seeks pastures new. On his day, Ramsdale can be a match winner but I’m far from convinced the same can be said about Raya. That sounds harsh I know but it’s just my opinion. Anyway, Mikel Arteta’s opinion matters far more than mine.
Moving on to outfield players, both Martin Odegaard and Ben White are likely to be available for selection for tonight’s match which is great news. Gabriel Jesus should be fit for selection too.
On Jesus, Mikel Arteta said:
He’s available. He played 96, 97 minutes in a very competitive match, so we have another session and they had a long flight so I have to see the condition of every single player to make the call on the line-up.
Injuries:
Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey will again miss out, as does Jurrien Timber following his ACL injury in our opening league game.
Brentford are without Nathan Collins, Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade, Rico Henry, Mikkel Damsgaard and Josh Dasilva. Ivan Toney too of course.
Talking Tactics with Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke:
Central defenders William Saliba and Gabriel don’t have to face strike partnerships too often in Premier League matches, but a front two is likely to be what they encounter against Brentford on Saturday evening. In the Bees’ toughest tests head coach Thomas Frank usually reverts to a 3-5-2, using Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa up top. They have struck up a strong rapport in the absence of Ivan Toney, with six-goal Mbeumo impressing greatly with his industry, movement, and finishing. Our defenders must try to show the Cameroonian onto his weaker right foot where possible. Only two players have scored more left-footed goals than Mbeumo (6), and they are Erling Haaland (9) and Mohamed Salah (8). Stylistically, we know Brentford will be physical and strong in the air. No team has attempted more headed shots so far, and they boast the highest Expected Goals tally from set pieces too. Preventing quality service being sent into the box will be of paramount importance.
Mikel Arteta’s game plan may revolve around testing the Bees for pace at the back, focussing on interchangeable movement and clever combination play. This would test a tall, five-man rearguard. We must avoid sending a stream of hopeful crosses into the danger zone as that will play to the hosts’ strengths. Defender Ethan Pinnock has won more aerial duels than any other Premier League player this season, and for headed clearances, fellow centre back Nathan Collins ranks first with Pinnock just behind in third. Brentford are well organised and industrious without the ball so an element of patience may be required to break them down. We must also handle their longer passes and crosses extremely well in order to maintain our outstanding defensive record away from home.
We’re not a team which pumps hit and hope crosses into the box, in fact we’re usually totally the opposite but we are well versed at being patient. Mostly because opposing teams do tend to set up defensively against us. Our passing game in and around the box, if at its best can, and does cause the best of defences problems. He might not be the most prolific of strikers but Jesus can cause defences problems when he’s at his best. Same with Odegaard but I don’t think we’ve seen him at his best for a while. Hopefully, the break has done him the world of good.
Brentford are having a mixed season so far. Beaten by Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle, drawn against Totts, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but they’ve also beaten Chelsea and West Ham. Arsenal on the other hand, have lost just the one game and that was shrouded with controversy.
This is the first of 10 games within a 36 day period as we go through to the winter break at the end of December. Then of course the transfer window will open, we’ll be linked to many strikers and some of our own players will be linked with moves away from the club. Takehiro Tomiyasu is already being linked with a move to Bayern Munich but I think there’s more chance of him signing a new Arsenal contract than moving away.
Catch up in the comments.
Good day Rico, It looks like patience is indeed the key word. I can for see a lot of possession, a lot of passing and a growing sense of frustration in the fans. This one in particular. 😕
I read earlier in the week that the number of goals scored from outside the box, in the Premiership, has dropped dramatically over the past few seasons. As Arteta likes to do the unexpected, please may we see a few screamers from the likes of Rice and Jorginho.
Arteta has, unwisely in my opinion, doubled down on his views of referring and Vars. “I will not be silenced” he has said. Whilst awaiting the outcome of the last furore he caused it probably won’t endear him to the disciplinary panel who are considering his response to the charges laid at his door.
Afternoon Cicero. I’m with Arteta, referees need to be accountable so why shouldn’t their errors be highlighted. As for the media and all their respect headlines, they should start taking a look at what they write about people which more often than not, darn right cruel.
Best possible result for us at the Etihad, City 1 – 1Liverpool. 😉
Perfect result at The Etihad.
Oops. 😆
Did they want the match to finish even , City get a goal disallowed for a nudge which paled into insignificance if compared to that on Gabriel.
So far on Talk Sport Ray Parlour and Perry Groves have not mentioned the comparison . Perhaps the rumours that commentators and pundits have been gagged are true.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/24853998/fans-furious-var-dias-disallowed-goal-man-city-liverpool/
Perhaps it’s Liverpool’s season to win the title again. “They’d” hate a north London club to win it.
With the press and referees helping, I recognize that the path is easier
I reckon it was a correct decision to not allow city’s goal, there player just jumped into to the keeper and never really looked at the ball.
going by reports Ramsdale back in the starting line up.
We signed Raya on loan from Brentford so he cannot play for us against them Geoff.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Hein, White, Nketiah, Kiwior, Soares, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Havertz.
Impressive starting lineup and a good bench. At least 3 goals.
Nice to see Ramsdale back and in his rightful position. Ino
5-3-2, only in EPL that a mid table team, not threatened by relegation and most likely not making Europe comes out like that…
The BBC used to have a program called Auntie’s Bloomers, Ramsdale could fill a whole series all on his own. Three shocking errors, we are are extremely lucky not to be three goals down at half time. That said a very close Var offside call prevented us going in at half-time one nil up.
I remember when Pep didn’t want to play Stones because of concentration issues. Starting with some of Ramsdale’s laps last year and today, I see why Ateta dropped him. Sport psychology and therapy is huge now days in big time sports, they probably noticed some concentration issues.
Would you believe it, sub Havertz with a far post header. 88 minutes.
Clean sheet, one goal, three points, top of the table. J.A.D.A.T.O. 🔔
Always said there was a player in Havertz… 😂
Cicero, I reckon Raya could star in it too.
Isn’t this what we’ve been saying though, there’s little between the two of them but by the way the players went up to Ramsdale’s at the end, they clearly love him.. As do I. When you think of the scrutiny and pressure he was was up against today, no wonder he had nerves.
I blame Arteta for Ramsdale’s lack of confidence
I can only think that Arteta is giving Raya every chance to prove himself worthy of the £27/30 million transfer fee before committing the club to actually buying him. There is so little to choose between the two that it seems wrong to buy a player no better than what we already have. Stick with Ramsdale and either bring on Hein or look elsewhere.
Cicero, I forgot his from brentford it feels like his be at the club for ages.
Now the big question, Which keeper will Arteta pick next week, I am guessing he will pick Ramsdale to keep both keepers hungry and switched on when needed.
some good results in other games and a clean sheet not a bad weekend.
Morning all, new post up now.