Morning all.
No William Saliba for today’s game. Whether he’ll play again this season is even in doubt, as when asked yesterday in his press conference, Mikel Arteta could only say he was hopeful that he would.
I’m very hopeful and he is as well. Back injuries are a bit tricky with how they evolve and the load that you put in certain areas, but he’s very positive about it. The medical staff are positive about it. Let’s push it every day a little bit and see how he can cope with that, and how the pain develops as well. He’s obviously so willing to be back with the team.
Losing him at this stage of the season is a real blow, same with Thomas Partey who himself isn’t guaranteed to be fit enough for the game this afternoon. Everyone else bar Mo Elneny, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Eddie Nketiah are fit.
Mikel Arteta on Leeds:
They have a very clear DNA, how they behave, the character, the passion and energy that they play with. They’ve been doing it for a long, long time and now with a new manager as well with some new ideas, some players that have been injured that they have had some issues with they are back, so they are a very dangerous team. We have discussed openly and very clearly about what we are going to expect tomorrow (today) and we have to be really good to beat them.
Like Arsenal, Leeds Utd have a few missing through injury too. Wilfried Gnonto is out after injuring his ankle whilst on duty for Italy and Max Wober, Tyler Adams, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw are all missing.
I’ve not watched a Leeds game since Arsenal played them at Elland Road back in October last year. We came away with all three points thanks to a Bukayo Saka goal in the first half. There was a power cut, a red card for Gabriel which was then overturned and a goal from Bamford which was ruled out for offside and the same player missed a chance to level the score by missing a penalty. Bukayo Saka scored our goal but Aaron Ramsdale was the real hero making a number of top notch saves to preserve our lead. Leeds had 16 shots to our 9 that day and apparently they’ve improved under Javi Gracia.
This match is going to be tough I’m sure and Mikel Arteta’s players will have to be at their best if three points are to be won. Leeds are in a relegation battle. They’re are going to scrap for every point on offer between now and the end of the season. Pre international break, they went to Wolves, scored four goals and won – although that was only their second away victory of the season. According to a match report on the BBC, Leeds started on the front foot and didn’t let the home team settle. There’s a chance they’ll try and do the same today but I’m sure the Arsenal players will be ready.
Arsenal’s last game, which was at home, was a convincing 4-1 defeat of Crystal Palace. I thought we were really good in that game, especially as just a few nights previously the players had not only been knocked out of the Europa Cup but they’d had to play 120 minutes of football before the penalty shootout. I doubt Mikel Arteta could have expected a better response. Whatever he said or did, I hope it can last for the next ten games.
Man City and Liverpool kickoff their lunchtime fixture in less than an hour and there’s no Haaland. Fingers and toes crossed for an away win.
Catch up later.
Good day Rico, Iv’e spotted your April Fools joke, Aaron Ramsey playing in goal. 😉
Thanks for the post, let’s hope Saliba’s injury isn’t long term.
Time to take to the armchair for Man City/Liverpool, could be tasty with a flush of cards, maybe even a red.
Afternoon Cicero. 😆
Darn auto correct…
Can we expect an impartial referee this afternoon? Mr D England from South Yorkshire.
Errr, no then..
I’ve watched five mins of the City game, Grealish is getting every decision when he falls over his own feet so Liverpool have little chance of getting anything from this game imo.
Liverpool one up.j
Salah booked for dissent. First of many as the game hots up.
Best I put it back on then. 😆
Even the pundits are questioning, why is Rodgri still on the pitch? And this is at HT.
And now it’s 3-1
Rodri has had special licence from Webb to essentially do whatever he wants on the pitch.
This has been extended to International matches too.
4 – 1
Certainly seems that way Adam.
It’s down to us now as it always has been , we can’t expect anything from anyone else other teams and referees alike . As always the commentators make excuses , like the second time that Rodri should have been booked would have been a yellow had he not already had one.
That’s not what the laws say , they also said it was too close to the first booking to warrant a sending off.
Ask Martinelli about that then.
Afternoon Rico and all, Leeds could give us a run for our money today, but we have to win to keep our lead looking good.
Saka on the bench. Trossard and Jesus start.
afternoon al11
Come on Arsenal!!!!
That’s something I never understand Potter. It’s either a booking or it’s not, regardless of whether a player has already been booked.
Nice touch by both clubs to remember Rocastle
Jesus needed that goal, let’s hope he can now relax and score a few more
Great start to the second half, goal Ben White
Jesus with his second makes it 3 – 0 after Ben White had earlier made it two nil.
Great link up between Trossard and Jesus for Jesus 2nd goal
4-1 Xhaka nice header to score
Just another day at the office Cicero? Lol
Nice win, I was worried about Leeds trying to injure our players
As you say Rico 😉
We are steadily closing the goal difference, it’s down to two now.
Nice win after an indifferent start.
I see that the great sportsman Pep has been at his disrespectful best again😀
Ollie Watkins has put Villa one up again Chelsea, is he a striker Arteta should be looking at in the summer? English with good Premiership experience and may be open to a move up to a higher level.
Chelsea are so bang average
Ha ha ha what a shambles, Villa are a team of cheats and Chelsea are all big-time Charlie’s
It’s good watching this type of game because it reminds you how lucky you are to follow this Arsenal team.
Arsenal fan too I think Cicero.
3 points is all that matters , goals only come into effect if points are level . If we both win out but we lose to City things get tighter but we have to keep winning until then
If Saka was dropped due to illness, why put him on the bench and then bring him on late in the game and take the risk of other getting sick. I would tell him to stay at home and have a good rest and let him get ready for next week.
New post up