Morning all.
Arsenal face Liverpool tomorrow and it’s fair to say that in the past, regardless of whether the matches were played at Anfield or in north London, they’ve produced some classics. We’ve seen some of the worst defending too as well as some cracking goals.
Here’s a few of the goals courtesy of Sky Sports. I particularly like the Bobby Pires and Thierry Henry strikes.
Watching Mustafi and Sokratis’ defensive skills, or rather lack of them, was scary. Fitting really I suppose with Halloween just a few days away. Seriously though, we’ve had some awful defenders looking back but I don’t think Mustafi or Sokratis were the worst.
Igors Stepanovs, Sebastien Squillaci, Andre Santos, Pascal Cygan, Stephan Lichtsteiner, David Luiz and Mikael Silvestre can challenge them for that award. I’m sure there’s been others too but off the top of my head, it’s the above who sprung to mind although I was tempted to include Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos….
Thank goodness the days of signing dodgy defenders are a thing of the past.
During his pre match press conference yesterday, full details of which are on Arsenal.com, Mikel Arteta talked about our walking wounded. Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber – all three could be fit enough to feature but all three could miss out too.
Has Saka has done any training?
Yes, he has done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him to Sunday, that’s a different question. We have another day, which is a good thing, but we’ll see.
Has Timber?
Timber, again, it’s the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out for a while, we expected him to be further back than where he is at the moment but, again, we have to wait and see.
Calafiori however, needs more tests before a decision can be made on his availability which in itself suggests he’s not going to be fit. Neither Timber or Saka can be seen in the training photographs but that’s not to say they weren’t training.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri were definitely training and Arteta was asked if either or both could start tomorrow:
They are there, you know, they are in contention. They’re always giving us the option and the possibility to start the game. Myles came on the other night and he did really well, Ethan the same. So they’re first-team players, they’re with us and we treat them and we value in the same way as any other player.
I’ve read differing opinions about our two younger players. One theory is that Mikel Arteta is scared to play them which he categorically denied yesterday, another is that he doesn’t trust them and lastly, he simply doesn’t give youth a chance. Personally, I think it’s purely down to them being just 17 years old so their time on the pitch is restricted. They might be considered fully grown at 16/17 years old but their muscle growth takes a while longer. In cricket, teenage fast bowlers have a restriction on how many overs they can bowl in any one spell as well as the number they can bowl in a day so it’s understandable that in a contact sport, a good manager would not give too many minutes to a player not long turned 17. I’d certainly prefer both players to still be at the top over their game in their late 20’s early 30’s than already be in a coaching role having had to retire early because of a broken body.
17 year olds shouldn’t be considered our saviour, no, it’s our senior squad players who need to step up and be that. That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be good to see a bit more of our youngsters than we are though and I suspect we will as the season goes by and when the timing is right.
Lastly, Cicero, we are all thinking of you. Losing someone close is darned hard so take care.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico thank you, and all the others, for the kind words and condolences. I can assure you that they do bring comfort at a horrible time. Thank you all.
Morning Cicero. 💔
Deepest sympathy Cicero; stay strong – (all the way from South Africa).
Morning Rico and all,
Well written Rico,
The younger players may look good on 1 or 2 straight games but 3 or more for the whole match is a big ask, I still feel that Arteta is worried that giving the younger players too much time could damage them in the long term, Saka is a prime example, he looks tired and just about every match, is targeted with cheap shots,
Condolences Cicero. Thinking of you during such a horrible time. a big manly (((HUG))) to you my friend.
Good morning everyone.
I am with Geoff on this with regards the youngsters. However I would love it if they play today. I think that is why Arteta did not go with them for both the Bournemouth and Shaktar clashes so they will be in the right frame of mind for tomorrow. I would not be surprised to see Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri play from the beginning. Fingers crossed that Timber would be available to play. I can see him filling Saliba’s position
Afternoon Geoff. Exactly plus Saka is targeted for rough treatment too. Opponents will soon do the same to Nwaneri imo.
Hi Devil, I certainly believe that’s the reason Nwaneri didn’t face Shakhtar.
Afternoon Rico.
Some interesting views on our exciting young guns which I share in terms of wanting to see them in action.
I’m as impatient as the next fan but as Guardiola showed with Phil Foden and Arteta with Martinelli, they both expressed a reluctance to over expose young talent before they felt they were ready despite accusations, mainly from media who we all know know best, that they didn’t like young players.
It was lazy ill-informed comment driven in order to generate on-line traffic rather that thoughtful observation but oh so predictable from those idiots in msm.
I can’t see either of our brightest stars staring tomorrow but hopefully the game goes well enough for us to see one or two of them will get on?
Afternoon Kev, I’d imagine that had we been in very different situations during the opening games of the season, we’d have seen more of both but throwing them in when we’re either playing with ten men or hanging on to a lead etc, I’m not sure it would be the right environment.
Just catching up, thoughts with you Cicero, tough time.
Exactly Rico, how many times have we not killed a game when we’ve been dominating and then been pegged back to maybe a one goal lead or so on, meaning that the youngsters miss out due to the game state. I actually think that in the case of Lewis Skelly that he’s come on more than I expected.
Ethan and Myles are going to be enormous players for us, just as Bakayo currently is, but Arteta will not kill them before they are ready just to satisfy some media agenda.
None Kev but our opening fixtures have been pretty tough imo. Obviously not helped by the sendings off and injuries but after the next international break, I believe our run is not quite so tough. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination but at least we won’t be going to Villa, City or Totts.
Hopefully it’s then that Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri will get more minutes.
My deepest condolences Cicero to you and your family .
Liverpool are one to two on to win today so let’s hope the bookies are wrong .
Impossible to guess the team but I hear Timber is the nearest to making the squad .
I hope Arteta doesn’t pack the defence and then hope on a quick getaway to score .
I have a feeling if Havertz stays forward and Martinelli is back to his best we have a good chance .A draw isn’t any good looking at the ever changing top 4 after last night .
Hard decision for Arteta today
I don’t think a draw would be a disaster but of course, a win would be so much better. A fully fit squad and I’d be super confident going into this match but I think much depends on how those stepping in, can step up..
Big game needed from Jesus, Sterling and Kiwior if they play. I’ve a feeling Trossard will be back to his best today..
Morning all.
New post up.