Morning all.
Another day, another Champions League fixture is upon us as we take on Sevilla. Of course it’ll be a tough game but nevertheless, is it time for Emile Smith Rowe, the player who wears number 10 on his back, to be given a start in that very position? He oozes talent, we know that, but for some reason, he’s dropped down the Mikel Arteta pecking order. That was until Sunday when he replaced captain Odegaard. Smith Rowe is clearly fit, otherwise he wouldn’t be on the bench. Odegaard has already played many minutes this season and he looked knackered against Chelsea. I would portion blame on the international break but it didn’t seem to have had an impact on Declan Rice.
Then there’s the striker conundrum. I think the shot from Gabriel Jesus on Saturday which end up nearer to the corner flag than the goal, summed up our problems up front. Is Eddie Nketiah the answer? No, not in my opinion as they’re both as erratic as each other. Jesus has been away with Brazil, the conditions at Stamford Bridge were awful so does he start again tomorrow? I hope not. Honestly, I think one of the most clinical finishers in the squad is Trossard so perhaps we’ll see him in the false 9 position tomorrow. Or, do I dare suggest Havertz?
Gabriel is another player who has been on international duty with Brazil. Does he need a break? Jakub Kiwior is due some time on the pitch isn’t he? He’s a very good defender. At least I think he is. What about Reiss Nelson? Surely neither Saka or Martinelli will start another game having not long been injured?
How far should we expect Mikel Arteta to go when it comes to resting/rotating his players? Too many could unbalance the side is something often said and written but could we look more unbalanced than we did against Chelsea?
Sevilla will be a challenge for Arsenal but if we’re to top the group, it’s a game we really need to be winning. Or at least, not losing. Otherwise Lens, who are in all likelihood will beat PSV, will already got four points clear of us. Admittedly, we’ll still have Lens and Sevilla to play at home but there’s no guarantee we’ll win both if we really need to. The last thing we need is to be heading into the last round of fixtures sitting in 3rd place.
So, let’s just go out there tonight and get the job done.
Sevilla – the current Europa League Champions which is how they qualified for the Champions League. They have a squad consisting of a number of players who’ve experienced life in the Premier League, plus in the summer, they signed the ghastly 37 year old Sergio Ramos. Remember when he singled handedly ruined Salah’s Champions League Final? On Saturday, he elbowed Jude Bellingham in the face during their draw with Real Madrid and yes, it went unpunished. Expect more of the same from him tonight. I hate to be writing this but it’s highly likely that some of our players could be on the receiving end of racist abuse from the home fans. I truly hope I’m wrong but they’ve been in trouble for it before and were again at the weekend.
How do they play? I’ve no idea really but Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke does:
The ‘new manager bounce’ is likely to mean we face a highly motivated, and aggressive Sevilla side. Tactically we cannot be 100 per cent sure what to expect, but Alonso switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 against Real Madrid, and they looked stronger and more athletic in central midfield, using Boubakary Soumare and Djibril Sow alongside 35-year-old Ivan Rakitic. The previous manager had often used the Croatian next to another veteran, 36-year-old Fernando. In draws against Lens and PSV Eindhoven, the Spaniards were outshot in both games. In fact, PSV created 26 efforts against them last time out, so they will hope to be significantly more solid than that against us in front of their own supporters.
Going forward Sevilla will pose a threat from set pieces. No team in La Liga has carved out more opportunities from dead ball situations so far this term (49), scoring from six in all competitions, including two in Europe. Four-time Champions League winner Sergio Ramos is one of several dangermen who will attack corners and wide free kicks. Their main goal threat is Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri [above]. The 26-year-old frontman is known for the timing of his jumps, scoring a number of top-class headed goals down the years, while raids from attacking full-backs Jesus Navas and Marcos Acuna, plus winger Ocampos may pose us one or two problems.
A lot of experience within the Sevilla, a lot of ageing legs lining up against Mikel Arteta’s young side, a lot of free kicks to be won if our players are smart. Oh, and if the officials are on the ball.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico,
I see you neatly avoided the goalkeeper issue, very wise. 😉
Surely Ramsdale will be on paternity leave for the next month or two. Problem solved…….for now!
Morning all
Morning Cicero, I’m bored with it.
Ramsdale is back in the squad apparently Wavy.
Anyone thinking that this is a push over is wrong . They have had a bad start to the season but a draw against Real Madrid in the new mangers first game sets them up nicely for us in his second .
Thinking any game is a pushover is foolhardy imo. They did well v Real but I read that Ramos should have been sent off and Real couldn’t finish.. The latter sounds familiar
0-0 then😊
Perhaps if Raya has another stinker perhaps Arteta will sub him as suggested he wanted to do to Ramsdale at the beginning of the season. Live by the sword or by your word and die by it!
My money says no, he wouldn’t.
Ramsdale will consider his future by January .
He might be back in the team by then though..
Look around the top echelon clubs, how many are in need of a new ‘ keeper? Would Ramsdale give up on his Arsenal career in favour of joining a second tier team? Raya is only a loaner, if he plays too many games his transfer price will go up as will his wage demands.
Haven’t we got an agreed fee of £27 million for Raya?
That was rumoured Rico, but will it hold good?
I guess so Cicero, if it’s included in the loan deal.
RIP Bill Kenwright…
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Ødegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Ramsdale, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Trossard, Vieira, Nelson, Elneny, Havertz, Hein, Zinchenko.
No Partey then…
Pretty much our strongest side, the weak point is Jesus as a central striker. Trossard would be a much better option. 50/50 as far as Jorginho and Partey are concerned. Raya now appears to be our number one, we’ll need to wait and see how that pans out.
Good to see Tomi in for Zinchenko for this one.
Seems Raya is struggling again..
Ok, I got it wrong about Jesus…. this time, a great pass to put Martinelli in the clear for a run from the halfway line, a dummy on the ‘ keeper and a very composed finish. 0 – 1
Then he scored a beaut with a clever shot across the ‘keeper. 0 – 2.
It all got a bit tense after that, but we hung and defended well after conceding from a corner, poor marking! 1 – 2. 3 points, top of the group. 🔔🔔🔔
Raya had a “moment” or two but overall he didn’t do too bad.
Early dog walk in the morning, then swimming.
Good night one and all. 😴
1-2 ufff !!!….
Afternoon Rico and all, just watched 5 minute highlight of last night’s game, we looked like we were switched on with some nice long passes hitting there attended targets, I don’t think Raya could have done anything about their goal
Your not wrong about Jesus though Cicero , Last night his contribution was effective but the turn for Martinelli was that of a number 10 and his goal was a cut in from what was once called the inside forwards position. He is not a centre forward /striker . This is our plan B problem , taking him off and putting either Nketiah or Havertz up front is a step backward as neither has his ability on the ball and neither is a persistent goal threat .
We need a forward to lead the line and hold the ball when we are clinging on as we were last night . A McDonald , A Smith , A Giroud . Instead of taking off our “out ball” players and inviting the other team to attack and keep possession and drop back and hold the line at the wrong end we should be holding the ball upfield and passing between ourselves.
The tactic won out last night but Seville are not having the best time in front of goal they score between 1 and 1 1/4 goals a game in La Liga . We will meet better teams as this competition goes on and it will not work when we meet them.
Good morning all.
If Jesus has got a hamstring injury Arteta has a decision to make, who is going to play upfront? Neither Havertz or Trossard are central striker material which leaves only Nketiah and that looks an iffy option.
Bloody cold out this morning, autumnal mist in the forest, even the dog was happy to get back home and into the warmth.
Hope the pool heating is working well, I don’t fancy a cold swim after a cold dog walk.
Morning Geoff, all.
The Jesus debate takes me back. Was Walcott a winger or striker? Lol
New post up..