Morning all.
Well that’s a mixed bag selected for duty in the Ukraine. Both teams have arrived in Kiev after a few days of ‘will we, won’t we’ get the game played. It’s a great shame when politics etc gets in the way of sport but everyone’s safety was paramount when Uefa made the decision for the game to be played, albeit moved to a different location.
Back to the squad, one which contains ten players from the under 23’s which is remarkable really. If they all go on to push their way into the first team then what a great future both they and the club has. We’ve others out on loan too so the future is looking really positive. Neither Martínez or Maitland-Niles can really be considered as first team players, not entirely. Maitland-Niles has played a few times as we know but his senior career at Arsenal is just beginning.
I’ve not a scooby doo how Unai Emery will approach this match as far as team selection goes but we need a win so I doubt he’ll take too many risks. Saying that, only Lichtsteiner and Holding are our experienced defenders and I was surprised not to see Julio Pleguezuelo included in the squad. Still, Zech Medley is tall at 6’ 5” strong and mobile and I for one am looking forward to seeing him play if he does.
In fact not just Medley, all of them who play from the under 23s. It’ll be a great night for them and a big experience. Its not be the Champions League and nor are we playing Barcelona or Bayern Munich but for some of these young players it might be their first step into European football and it’ll be exciting for them. Daunting too perhaps but they’ve got to take this step at some stage.
We’ve already played Vorskla of course and won rather comfortably but our defensive frailties reared their head during the final twenty minutes of the game. 4-0 and cruising to 4-2 at the end. We missed a number of opportunities in front of goal too on a night when Bernd Leno made his debut and Lucas Torrieira made his first start. How things have changed for them both now eh. Aubameyang (2) Welbeck and Ozil scored our goals as we kicked off our first Europa fixture under our new manager Unai Emery.
Bearing in mind what’s going on out in the Ukraine and the squad which has travelled, any kind of victory will be a really good result.
Have a good day guys and don’t forget it’s an early kickoff.
Good morning Rico, UEFA really deserve a kick up the arse. Ukraine announced it was declaring martial law over a week ago and it seemingly took the governing body of European football almost a week to realise the implications. Luckily most Arsenal fans, as well as the squad, were flying into Kiev anyway so the travel plans were not drastically altered.
At least Mkhitaryan should feel at home, he played in Ukraine from 2009 to 2013.
Morning Cicero, it’s all been a bit confusing really, even last night mixed messages were coming out about the game..
Hi Rico, good post.
I think Unai has got this squad just right with the league games against S*@#s and Utd coming up. We want to finish top of the group but we still have the home match with Darabag to come. We can play a stronger team for that one as the next games are Southampton away in the league then at home in the Micky Mouse cup.
Im really looking forward to tonight, I couldn’t say that about away games in Europe last year.
Brian
Hi Brian, thanks.
Agree, and no way with an NLD coming up was he going to send the first team out there.
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico, it sure is windy out there, I just chased my neighbours wheelie bin down the road and rescued it from disaster, but that’s just me, a local hero 😁, apparently it’s worse the further west you go. ☹️
If Vorskla had refused to play then their results would have been expunged and Arsenal would have won the group, so I wasn’t too bothered when they had a hissy fit. All the same I’m pleased that our youngsters, or some of them, will get some exposure this evening, and they’ll certainly get some exposure in that climate…. 😬
Eddie should have the entire 90 minutes to show his potential, I hope he doesn’t get a kicking as it didn’t do Brian McDermott much good back in the day…
Who partners Holding is an issue, maybe Emery was hoping that Koscielny would have been fit enough to travel especially after losing Pleguezuelo to injury. What a bloody shame we sold Paulista, he would have been perfect under the tutelage of Unai Emery.
Zach Medley is a possible partner to Holding, assuming he’s clear to play? Both Medley and Nketiah are ex-Chelsea apprentices, or is it Trainees or Scholars or juniors, I’ve lost track?
Anyway, they’re ex Chelsea…
Jenkinson and Lichtsteiner will probably be the full backs, although Osei-Tutu can play both positions, so if Lichtsteiner moves inside to partner Rob, hey presto!
Elneny is another option as a partner to Rob – and what if we go 3 at the back, the options are endless, it’s so exciting? 😉
Ramsey, Willock, Maitland Niles and Guendouzi in midfield, that looks quite strong, Smith Rowe as well, Emery has actually got quite a flexible squad, he can change tack to his hearts delight, bless him…. 😄
Anyway, I won’t be seeing the game as I have to work, damn it, so I hope that those wankers on TalkBollocks have the commentary as BBC5Live will probably be moaning about Brexit again, and again and again….
allezkev…..sorry to hear you will miss the match tonight, but work always comes first, have to put a bowl of fruit on the table. I will give them a shout for you.
I seriously hope Unai will give lots of our youngsters plenty of run out tonight. like you, I’m excited to see what his line up will be.
COYG
Got to keep the doom scenario going Kev.
I am helping a friend today in his shop. Since 8.30 this morning we have had 7 customers and the phone has only rung about 3 times and one of them was to ask if we wanted till rolls.
We are blaming Carney ,people are scared to spend money.If it stays like this retail will have a bleak Christmas and the doommongers will blame Brexit.
Thanks for sympathy vote VCC, I always like to bench press some fruit, it makes you fruity.
Yes, needs must, I can always join the demo on London Bridge again. Don’t ask. 🙄
Ah yes, Mr Carney, the expert – and there’s loads of them – who predicted that the financial sky was going to fall in on us.
How could someone who was so wrong have kept his job?
Potter, the High Street is dying and nobody gives a fcuk.
The High Street pays business rates, VAT, wages to employees who in turn pay tax and national insurance and that funds our services, somehow I can’t see Google, Starbucks, Amazon, Uber, Apple etc, picking up the tab.
But nobody cares and frankly neither do I anymore.
You have uber /minicabs we have the internet. Cheap car parts from China that don’t always fit.Difficult to return and the money goes out of the country.
Any team news guys?
Afternoon Kev, all.
Been awful weather here today, thought our power was going off. What a hero you are, I bet the neighbours love having their own super hero living close by… lol
Evening Rico and the House.
Tonights team
Cech, Lichistein, Holding, Jenkinson, Niles, Elneny Guedouze Willock
Ramsey Smith Rowe and finaaly EDIE EDIE EDIE.
SUBS Martinez, Mkhi, Gilmour, Tutu, Medly, Jonhn Jules Saka.
Rico I don’t care what the result is tonight I just want to see the youngsters who Kev and I
have followed for a few years have a good game.
Just one downside there is no Reiss.
Cech,
Lichtsteiner
Jenkinson
Holding
Maitland-Niles
Guendouzi
Elneny
Willock
Ramsey
Smith Rowe
Nketiah
Substitutes
Martinez
Osei-Tutu
Medley
Gilmour
Saka
Mkhitaryan
John-Jules
Evening Rick, you beat me to it.
I’m disappointed Medley hasn’t started but he might get on I guess. Really pleased to see Eddie get a start, others too.
I care about the result though, think how much confidence it will give the youngsters if they win..
My neighbours love me Rico, especially as I refuse to wear my underpants on top of my trousers.
It’s far too itchy… 😄
A lot of responsibility resting on Nketiah’s shoulders tonight.
🤣 Kev
-12 brrrrrrr
Nice start….
A faster start than usual. Holding and Jenkinson doing a good job in central defence. Amazing what a little coaching can do. 😉
Jerks looks more comfortable playing in the middle than right back.
Three nil, Willock with the calmist of finishes.
Should that be calmest? I think so.
Thought his finish was superb Cicero, such a cool dude.. lol
0-3 at the moment but i think it will be the final score or maybe 1-3
Should have been 0-4
Three nil means we have won the group with a game to spare. The final group game should present no problems for our super youngsters who can also play in the Carabao cup. Having such a talented, and committed, back up force eases the problem of fixture congestion.
Eases the money situation too Cicero, have we ever had such a talent group of players coming through?
New post up now.