Morning all.
Not the best draw for us in the Carabao Cup. Another home fixture would have been kinder but it is what it is and that’s a trip to Anfield. I’ve looked at the fixtures either side of this match.
Liverpool.
Sunday 27th October 4-30pm – Liverpool v Toots Tuesday 29th October 7-45pm – Liverpool v Arsenal. Saturday 2nd November 3pm – Aston Villa v Liverpool
Arsenal.
Sunday 27th October 4-30pm – Arsenal v Crystal Palace Tuesday 29th October 7-45pm – Liverpool v Arsenal Saturday 2nd November 3pm – Arsenal v Wolves.
Either side of the fixtures, both clubs have a European fixture. Genk for Liverpool, Vitoria for Arsenal. So it’s a busy time for both clubs but then it always is between now and the New Year. Keeping players fit and healthy is key and as we’ve already seen, Unai Emery isn’t afraid to call upon his younger players for the cup matches. Just because we’re going up against the current league leaders in the Carabao Cup, I hope he doesn’t change his stance. This competition, as much as I hope we can go all the way in it, isn’t a priority in my opinion, in fact I’d have thought it sits bottom on the ‘things to do’ list. It certainly will be for Jurgen Klopp, of that I’m convinced.
The priority for Arsenal surely has to be securing a top four spot and then as the knockout stages of the Europa League begin in 2020, our position should be reassessed. Assuming we’ll still be involved in the Europa League Cup, only if a top four spot is looking out of reach, should Unai Emery turn his focus on to Europe. Or at least that’s how I see it.
I think last season we were neither Arthur or Martha and in the end, we lost out on both. Or rather threw away both. We can’t afford to repeat that scenario. Unai Emery certainly can’t, that’s if he’s still at the club by then which I’d imagine he will be unless the next few weeks/months play out in the same vein as the end of last season did and the beginning of this one has.
Our comeback against Aston Villa has to be applauded regardless of what our individual opinion is of Unai Emery but the issue I have is 1) it was Aston Villa, not Liverpool or Man City and 2) we were at home for goodness sake and our home should be our castle. It’s the place our strengths should be on show, not our weaknesses but time after time, that’s what we get to see most of and it’s hurting us. Aubameyang isn’t always going to be able to bail us out.
Which is why watching the young team defeat Notts Forest in the way they did was so refreshing. No comeback required, no goals conceded, no guns ho football leaving us vulnerable to a counterattack and no stupid or unnecessary mistakes or fouls. The game wasn’t perfect, which game ever is but the majority of it was about good passing, movement, speed and discipline. And goals from four different players, unlike with the first team who are over reliant on Aubameyang and Lacazette.
Ozil, Ceballos and Pepe need to add goals to their game, as do our two centre backs from set pieces. Xhaka too. The days of needing to walk the ball into the net should be long gone. Get crosses into the box and take a shot. Try more from outside the penalty area too because every now and again they’ll go in. Martinelli proved that on Tuesday.
I’ve no idea if Tierney, Holding or Bellerin will start at Old Trafford or not but out of the three, my guess is Bellerin might be on the bench with the other two starting as long as they’ve had no reaction after playing against Forest. We’ll know more about that once Unai Emery has held his press conference but if my hunch is right, what a huge lift their return should give the team.
Lacazette is a big miss for the Utd game, he is for any game but apart from him, this is it now. This is Unai Emery’s strongest squad he’s had since the day he arrived and in my opinion, it has strength in depth too with players like Saka, Willock, Chambers, Nelson, Martinelli, Martinez and even Mustafi, all proving they have a lot to give to the team. Torreira, well we know what he’ll give to the team.
If Unai Emery can’t improve our team performances from now on, then he never will.
See you in the comments guys…..
What a great Post I agree with everything you said . So looking forward to seeing how we go now we have our full strength team back COYG
‘ morning all, can’t disagree with you there Rico.
Could there be a better time to take on Man. U?
A club in disarray, a manager under pressure, injuries and out of form players as well as a want-away midfielder who United broke the bank to sign. One hack this morning stated that last nights penalty shoot-out savaged Solksjaer’s job.
Bring it on I say.
Thanks Sohara, morning to you, Cicero and all.
I reckon it’s a very good time to play Utd, but then I’m sure we’ve said that before…
Arsene Wenger is linked to Utd again.
Can’t see Arsene going to United & I can’t see United fans wanting Arsene
Re Monday I am REALLY excited to see this game . Hopefully we are REALLY up for it, & really go at them all guns firing. It will be interesting to see who he picks for this game. I hope Holding & Chambers get on, Also would like Tierney & Bellerin ( if he is fit enough) plus Torreira & Guendozi w have so many good forward players now I’ll be happy with anyone he chooses to play with Auba
Thanks for a great post Rico, I think you`ve said it all ! Totally agree.
Just waiting to see the team Unai picks now we have players back,
I know people have a moan sometimes about putting a weaker team out or playing the youngsters, me included. BUT it`s great for us to see what we`ve got. And Wow , just look what it means to them.
Now is the time! The squad is there, fitness level are nearly sorted. We should be at the peak of our powers.
However I can’t help but worry about Emery persisting with a failing system or missing the obvious solution.
I’m not so sure re Wenger, just imagine if he did well there…
Don`t want to imagine that Rico……….We could get Mourinho to spite him lol.
Sorry Mike, I had to dash out. Thanks re the post.
Yes, we all have our own views on the players, team and manager etc but at the end of the day, it’s only because we want the best.
A good result for Arsenal Women tonight beating Fiorentina 2 – 0, 6 – 0 on aggregate. 🔔🔔
Xhaka new permanent Arsenal captain! Unai Emery has just announced.
I’m speechless😩
A captain is usually one of the first names on the team sheet.
A curious decision I reckon and vaguely depressing.
What is it that we are all missing in our judgement of Xhaka? Is it the twinkle in his eye or is it his generosity when handing out the boiled sweets after training .o is it the sheer quality of his footballing skills and reading of the game? I’m sure it’s neither of the last two options.
How on earth can he be made captain? If in doubt it’s become usual to choose the best player, eg Kane at spuds, he’s hardly a leader of men imo but he is their most consistent and least error ridden performer.
Xhaka ain’t and I bet he doesn’t dish out the sheets either!
I’m back to judging little Dicks decision making again. This is so not good!!
Sweets
Who do we blame for Capitano Granit ?……………………..Dick for giving the players the choice of choosing the captain or the players for choosing Xhaka ?……………………………and is it club captain or captain on the pitch as Dick has also named 4 other captains…………..Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin……………………..Ozil doesn`t always play, so hopefully Xhaka may not not play !…………………………………I`m clutching at straws aren`t I ………. hahaha
Question at news conference………………………Is Xhaka more likely to play because he is wearing the armband?
Dicks answer…………… “The performance is giving me the next first XI, the next players to play, not the captains.”
So there we have it, he`s not guarenteed to play as captain if Dick can stop knocking one out to a topless photo of Granit and watch his performance on the pitch instead !
Morning Gooners…
Pogba, Martial and Rashford injured and ‘could’ miss Monday. Could, being the operative word!
I don’t buy all that bullshit, because as soon as a club in crisis starts whinging about ‘injuries’ and possible changes in personnel and systems, you just know it’s a load of old BS and those crocks are going to play and play brilliantly.
Old Trafford in recent years has to be our unluckiest venue, whatever the state of Man U, we go there and play like dorks and usually hand them a major morale boost.
So I don’t buy none of this injury crisis rubbish coming our of the Toilet, we’ll do well to get a draw up there as Riley is bound to stitch us up into the bargain.
Morning Kev, all.
Utd are experts at dishing out injury bs.
New post up now