Morning all.
If the way the Arsenal Women’s team were knocked out of the Champions League doesn’t pull on your heart strings, you must be made of stone. To even reach the semi-final was a miracle really as it seemed that as each week of this campaign passed, another player suffered a serious injury. Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema have missed a large chunk of the season and more recently, both Kim Little and Leah Williamson suffered serious injuries too.
Wolfsburg are one of the best Women’s teams in Europe and Arsenal pushed them all the way.
So it looks like the men and women are ending the season in disappointment as both seem likely to miss put on a League title too. Tonight Mikel Arteta’s side take on Chelsea at The Emirates and need a win just to stay in with a chance of winning the League, albeit that chance is slim. Very slim but we would return to the top of the table should we win.
Frank Lampard, the latest Chelsea manager, has faired no better than those before him this season. They’re about to appoint Pochettino if stories in the press are to be believed, hopefully just before they play Man City. Mind you, the Premier League title could be decided by then.
Arteta on Chelsea:
I don’t know what their approach will be. They are really dangerous because when you look at the individuals that they can put on that field, for sure they have huge threats so we need to be aware of that. They are going to try to come to the Emirates to beat us. They have a great manager and exceptional players, so it is very difficult to predict what they will do because they can play in various ways with different players and different qualities as well. We are going to prepare for the game to win it, that’s it. It is a London derby and they have something to prove, and we have something to prove. The atmosphere is going to be incredible to play in that stadium and we are going to have to be at our best again.
Other than having a great manager, I think Arteta is right. Lampard does have a squad full of talent and if they click, they could be dangerous but it’s up to Arteta and his players to make sure they don’t get the chance. Chelsea are down, wounded and in a negative place and Arsenal have to take advantage of that.
As far as injuries go, Saliba hasn’t improved at all so I think we can assume his season is over along with Tomiyasu and Elneny.
Havertz could return for Chelsea but James, Mount, Cucurella, Koulibaly and Broja are all injured.
April was pretty grim for Arteta and his players and the month ended with a battering from Man City. No shame in losing to them but the performance was awful. April on the whole has seen errors in our play, lethargy and a lack of concentration. Errors being the most costly in my opinion, certainly against West Ham and Southampton.
I’ve no idea what to expect this evening because the seed of doubt has been sewn. In my head anyway. One month, five fixtures and fifteen points is the challenge.
Today though, it’s about beating Chelsea and securing three points.
Catch up in the comments.
losing a semi is gut wrenching at the best of times losing it like that though is worse . Having lost a couple I do feel for them .
For tonight we need to restore the spirit in the team but Chelsea wont make it easy , despite their form they wont roll over for us and we need the crowd up for it to pile on as much pressure as posible.
Team selection is critical and if someone is having a mare , get him off as soon as possible and make use of the bench early .
No doubt therr will be room for a chat later , until then !
Morning Rico and all.
Considering everything second place is still a good result there for if Saliba is not 100% fit, then it may be best for all to leave him out for the rest of the season. And get him ready for next season.
I would start giving some of the players Arteta wants to sell more game time to try and raise their profile.
Mari was bought by Monza.
Not sure what would have happened if Saliba has kept playing.
In my opinion, Holding is either beaten by the forwards or arrives late.
Without knowing the women’s team, the wave of injuries prevented them from reaching the final.
Hi Geoff.
I’ve a horrid feeling Chelsea will have so little to lose, they will spring a surprise later.
Arsenal Team to play Chelsea:
Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Partey, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah, Holding, Vieira, Nelson.
Chelsea team to play Arsenal:
Kepa; Azpilicueta, Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Fernandez, Kovacic, Madueke, Aubameyang, Sterling.
Subs: Mendy, Badiashile, Felix, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Mudryk, Ziyech, Gallagher, Havertz.
So it looks like Holding, Partey and Martinelli have been dropped as a result of the poor performance against City. Jesus had better be on top form tonight or his Arsenal career could be over at the end of the season.
A couple of changes but it seems that Xhaka is undroppable . I suppose Arteta worked out that Lampard would play Aubameyang and Kiwior is quick. Personally I would have preferred to see Tierney instead of Zinchenko especially against Sterling but I’m not the manager.
Trossard for an hour and then Martinelli can come in for whoever is not doing it. Saka and Jesus should be just as likely to go off as anyone else.
Jakub looks good
Evening all. Odegaard not a bad finisher is he?
And important goal for Jesus!
needed Jesus’ goal if only to get off 2 nil .
Nice assists from Xhaka too..
Nice win, should have battered them. 😂
Hope they catch the twat with the laser pen . Probably a kid that thinks he is being clever and will cause the club to pay a hefty fine for his stupidity .
As for the match we suffered again from losing the intensity of the first excellent hour and not being able to control the match to the end .
Until we learn to play a different way when the legs start going we will always have nervous match closures.
nice win should help to build the confidents and belief a little
Good morning Rico and fellow HHers. Kiwifruit looked good, afew games in and he will get better. Saka is tired and needs to be managed carefully. Then Trossard dropped deep a bit giving Xhaka freedom to play ahead which surprised Chelsea for the first two goals. Then I love Auba, he is back, he is blue and ready to play like the next Lord Bendtner or Jeffers (remember him?)
Good morning all, three goals, three points back on top of the table!
We should all wish fat Sam Allardyce the best of luck as he takes over as manager at relegation threatened Leeds United, just in time to get his players hyped up to take on City on Saturday. Whether or not he can get a win, he will certainly ensure Pep,s boys have a few bruises to take away after the game. 😉
Potter, I agree about the idiot with the laser pen, let’s hope they find them and then band them for life and a heavy fine to follow.
21 year old arrested apparently