Morning all.
Match day again today with Arsenal travelling to the Czech Republic for a Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague. So far this campaign, Slavia have been beaten 3-0 by Inter Milan, drawn 2-2 against Bodo/Glimt in Prague and drawn their last match 0-0 in Italy against Atalanta.
I read this about Slavia, it was written prior to their last match against Atalanta:
- Defensive Solidity: Slavia will almost certainly set up in a compact and organized 4-2-3-1 formation. The key is the proximity between the lines. The defensive line and the midfield line will stay incredibly close together, forming a tight block that is difficult to penetrate. The two defensive midfielders in front of the back four act as a shield, screening passes and breaking up play. Their primary objective will be to deny the Atalanta creative players the space they need to operate between the lines.
- The Art of the Counter-Attack: This is where Slavia comes alive. They are masters of absorbing pressure. You’ll see them patiently holding their shape, inviting Atalanta to commit players forward. But the moment they intercept a pass or win a tackle, they explode. The transition is ruthlessly efficient. The ball is moved quickly to their pacey wingers, who will look to run at the exposed Atalanta defence. Their striker is adept at holding up the ball and bringing others into play, creating a multi-pronged threat on the break. This ability to strike with precision is a huge part of their game.
- Set-Piece Prowess: Don’t overlook this aspect of their game. Slavia are exceptionally well-drilled on set-pieces, both defensively and offensively. They have tall, physical players who are a major threat from corners and free-kicks. Given that this is expected to be a tight game, a single goal from a dead-ball situation could easily be the difference-maker.
As it turned out, Atalanta had 22 shots, 5 on target, during the game and really should have won but as we know only too well, if a team can’t finish their chances, they don’t win matches. Slavia had 16 shots, 4 on target, of their own.
In their last home game which as said, was against Bodo/Glimt, not only did they surrender a two goal lead but at 1-0, Bodo/Glimt missed a penalty. Honestly, having watched highlights of the game yesterday, I thought the Slavia defence looked shaky.
I’m not trying to suggest Slavia are a poor team or that we should win easily but just because they are the current champions of the Czech league, it doesn’t mean they are to be feared. Honestly, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Mikel Arteta ring a few changes for this game. Not to the extent we saw in the League Cup but 2, maybe 3.
Martin Zubimendi misses out tonight in any case as he’s suspended, a booking for Declan Rice would rule him out of our next fixture which is against Bayern so I certainly wouldn’t bet against him being rested tonight. There will be no Viktor Gyokeres so I wonder if Andre Harriman-Annous will make his first appearance in the Champions League. No Kepa either according to reports so Alexei Rojas has travelled to Prague along with Tommy Setford as backup to David Raya.
Anyway, enjoy the game guys, don’t forget it’s a 5-45pm kickoff for UK viewers..
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico and all.
Going through the various pages on the internet one can see a lot of posts and articles lately talking about how ugly Arsenal play.
It seems that suddenly everyone has become a football philosopher overnight, explaining tactics and beauty like one describes the quality of Italian wine and cuisine.
It’s funny how the same people who never cared about structure or systems now drop long essays after every Arsenal game, sounding like analysts on a mission to save football from boredom.
It seems that Arsenal have managed to improve not just the team but also everyone’s grammar and game analytical skills. its incredibly amazing no?
That’s why I stick to HH mainly and read only here especially on days like today with a good post written by Rico and match day reports by Kev.
Morning Devil, I don’t think it matters how Arsenal play because there will always be someone somewhere who is unhappy.
Dev, I think the term is ‘damned by faint praise’ which pretty much sums up the media’s hysterical response to Arsenal’s inexorable march to glory, as for Christmas decorations, I will be putting up some fairy lights very soon – I mean, can you even say fairy lights anymore in these enlightened days, maybe the term used by Guardian readers is Happy Holiday lights?
Good post Rico, respect your opponent but make no mistake they will fear us…
G’day Rico and all.
6.45 kick off here and it’s being shown live in the Princess Diana pub just down the road from our hotel. Just might go and watch it and then go somewhere for a meal.
It’s ridiculous Kev. Fairy lights and merry Christmas in my life. If people don’t like it, tough.
Absolutely, respect, no fear. Get the job done and get home.
Afternoon Cicero, sounds perfect.
Totally agree Rico as we get close to the 25th December I always enjoy saying Merry Christmas to my passengers as they depart, the different reactions are enormously funny but also sad in some regards, some people struggle to respond, which in itself is quite troublesome, but you’ve gotta push back against the insanity as best you can 🎅
Yes Rico, get the job done in Prague and get home with the 3points and a fit squad.
I always say Have a blessed Christmas. If they don’t like it shit happens.i just don’t care
Absolutely Kev, we do as we’ve always done, others have to accept it’s our country imo.
Fingers crossed Kev…
Arsenal Confirmed Lineup
Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Saka, Trossard, Merino.
Subs: Setford, Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Mosquera, White, Eze, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Sagoe Jr, Harriman-Annous.
Risking Rice
Big risk with Rice but understandable I guess.
Didn’t see Hincapie at left back coming.
TNT and Amazon showing this match.
I like the line up. But not Rice. He shouldnt have been risked. not even as a sub imo
I think Arteta is concentrating on tonight because if we win, I think we’re virtually through according to the commentators. I guess it’s one game at a time and focus on this one.
What a ghastly team Slavia are.
Great goal, super finish
Well, that was pretty good. 😊
3-0. clean sheet 3 points. more minutes for everyone old and new. Merino shows that he can still be 3rd striker for Gyokeres and Havertz. Then he dropped to midfield when AHA came on.
A good day at the office while others like Zubi, Gyokeres and Martinelli had a rest. fingers crossed they will be back quickly
Some bits from here and there……….
According to Squawka, Piero Hincapié is the only Arsenal player in the last ten seasons to contest eight or more duels in a European game and win all of them, finishing with a perfect 8 out of 8.
He started a little nervously, rushing a few moments early on which was understandable given the occasion, but he settled quickly and grew into the game with confidence. His pace stood out and his tenacity in one-on-one situations was impressive.
Playing at left back, he offered something slightly different from Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly, showing a more overlapping and aggressive style while still keeping things secure defensively. He prioritised his duels and shut down opponents effectively. A very good performance from him overall.
Arsenal have kept eight clean sheets in a row in all competitions.
The Gunners match their record from 1903 of no goals conceded in eight consecutive matches.
A 122 year record has been broken tonight!
Since the game against Leicester City last season, when he made his first appearance as the makeshift striker, Mikel Merino has 14 goals and assists for Arsenal
Max Dowman is officially the youngest ever player to feature in the UEFA Champions League. 15 years and 308 days old, the youngest player in Champions League history
8 – Arsenal have won their last eight games in all competitions without conceding, a joint-record for an English top-flight club along with Preston in 1889 and Liverpool in 1920. Consistent.
Best we don’t concede against Sunderland then…
I went to the Diana pub for the game,when I got there seven people were in the pub including the landlord and you have never heard such a row. All locals all shouting at each other, no one interested in the football being shown on three screens. I watched the game with my hearing aids switched off. At 80 minutes my wife came in and we left to have dinner.
An excellent result, three valuable points and a clean sheet. Qualification all but assured. Rounded off the evening with some pasta and a half bottle of Valpochello.
We’re an hour ahead or you so I’ll wish you all a very good night and look forward to Kev’s match report in the morning.
Valpolchello, that’s a lovely wine Cicero, the report is in the can and now I’m going to watch some YouTube nonsense, night all…
Morning Rico and all,
Been in bed all week with a bad migraine, sound like we controlled the match last night with a comfortable win
Viktor Gyokeres is unlikely to feature for Arsenal again until after the international break, with the club hoping he can return for the North London derby alongside Gabriel Martinelli.
Both players missed Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Slavia Prague and are expected to sit out Saturday’s game away at Sunderland, live on Sky Sports.
Gyokeres has a minor muscle issue sustained in the weekend win over Burnley, while Martinelli has been out since pulling up with a muscular issue in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke could also return by then, but Mikel Arteta said last week that it is difficult to judge the timeframe with two weeks of an international break still to come.
Morning Geoff, all, migraines are a horrid thing. Glad you’re feeling better.
New post up.