Arsenal pre match chat

[Cjay]

After 3 weeks of mind numbingly dull (generally) international football the time has come.

Real football returns on Saturday lunchtime.

Things aren't going too badly.

We are currently unbeaten (in the league) with 2 wins and 3 draws.

We have some players in great form, Tarik, Trafford and Ampadu to name a few.

And it's all very lovely.

The omens for Saturday not the best maybe?

We lost by a combined 9-0 to the Champions last season and for reasons of God knows we are generally pretty crap pre 8pm (have the worst record in the league for Premier League kickoff pre 8pm over the last season and this).

So why not be hopeful!!!!

In terms of ourselves we've had some spirited performances, dominating Newcastle comes to mind.

And some battling ones, opening day vs Forest.

We seem generally pretty had to beat, although if we are being honest Tarik and Trafford have saved us quite a bit.

But we are yet to be truly battered this season and have some resilience.

All be it is some good fortune in that.

Carrying on from last season the more direct approach has been our friend with our back 5/3.

Calvert Lewin has started in battling fashion (and he will need to be vs Arsenal).

If is one criticism really it's that generally we seem to range in performance levels from the very very good to the very very bad sometimes multiple times a game.

Consistency is something we need to find I think

So as for the Champions it was business as usual for them

Hard to beat, physical, organised, dangerous in attack, 4 wins from 4 . . . . And then Brighton happened before the international break.

Got absolutely battered, was 3-0, could have been 5.

And Brighton simply played them off the pitch, very aggressive and very direct, bypass that press and get at Arsenal.

Is that the approach we need? You don't want to go for it too much but last season we barely got past half way, a better balance needed?

Or is that too risky with how easy we've been to get at at times? Do we need to soak it up for a while first?

In terms of selection then.

Do we stick with Stach, Tanaka, Ampadu? Will Farke be tempted to bring Aaronson in for his running power?

Will Okafor keep his place? Been slightly underwhelming but the option for replacement are James or Aaronson?

Jean-Mattéo Bahoya picked up an injury in Internationals so seems likely he will miss the game.

Jaka Bijol seems to have fallen out of favour in recent weeks but do we need his physical side more vs Arsenal?

Or do you keep a settled team?

In terms of Arsenal themselves they have been typically functional (bar Brighton).

Don't score too much but don't concede too much and capable of nicking a goal.

They also are very good at pushing teams back and press really well and defensively really really good.

In terms of key players both Bukayo Saka and Captain Martin Odegaard seem to have found their form again.

3 goals and 2 goals for them and looking much more like their old selves.

And their entire defence has been it's usual solid selves (bar Brighton).

But as Brighton showed they can be got at if you have the right approach.

And we are unbeaten (something Arsenal aren't) and we didn't get battered by Brighton either!!!!

So what do we think?

[The Subhuman]

My Lineup

by The Subhuman · 3-5-2

1

GK

Trafford

24

DEF

Justin

15

DEF

Bijol

5

DEF

Muharemović

2

MID

Bogle

22

MID

Tanaka

4

MID

Ampadu

18

MID

Stach

3

MID

Gudmundsson

9

FWD

Calvert-Lewin

19

FWD

Okafor

Substitutes

7

SUB

James

8

SUB

Longstaff

10

SUB

Wilson

11

SUB

Aaronson

14

SUB

Nmecha

16

SUB

Zetterer

26

SUB

Bard

44

SUB

Gruev

30

SUB

Elvedi

Built with motforum.com lineup builder

[Muppet the Cat]

Thought best start it

May fill it in later

You, or your Co-Pilot??

[Chilli D]

It will be a strange weekend this weekend. Some players will have played four games in three weeks and others will have played none.
The Norway coach has already spoken about how jaded Erling Haaland is looking.

[1964white]

This is not the game we wanted after being starved of domestic football for three weeks.

Let's get it out of the way!

[The Subhuman]

It will be a strange weekend this weekend. Some players will have played four games in three weeks and others will have played none.
The Norway coach has already spoken about how jaded Erling Haaland is looking.

Apart from three of our centre backs ours have barely played.

[Chilli D]

Apart from three of our centre backs ours have barely played.

Ampadu?

[Cjay]

You, or your Co-Pilot??

Did it myself actually

Bit rusty though not as good as they used to be

[1964white]

Apart from three of our centre backs ours have barely played.

Ampadu has played in all the Welsh games.

[Musicman1965]

When we play Arsenal it has been a terrible experience, we all go into it with a feeling that things are going to change and the team actually show up for the game. It doesn't happen and we get slaughtered. Here I go again with the usual pre Arsenal game optimism. I don't think Arsenal are the same side as last year and Brighton gave then a lesson a few weeks ago. I reckon we are going to turn them over 1-0. Famous last words again For feck sake Leeds show up for this one.

[Jammy 07]

Did it myself actually

Bit rusty though not as good as they used to be

Bugger.

Now I'm going to have to go back and read it

[Barlow Boy]

I’m over in Australia, any advice from our Australian members on how I may be able to watch the game please?

[The Subhuman]

I’m over in Australia, any advice from our Australian members on how I may be able to watch the game please?

Think you're going to have to narrow it down a bit if you're looking for a pub or bar....

There is something called Stan Sport in Australia that carries all Arsenal games

Fawanews?

https://www.fanzo.com/en-au/bars-pubs/s ... senal/7895 -

[GreennWhite]

I’m over in Australia, any advice from our Australian members on how I may be able to watch the game please?

Enjoy your time there BB .
Its a really great part of the world, so many great places to see and visit. Its just soooooooo, bloody far away

[GreennWhite]

This is not the game we wanted after being starved of domestic football for three weeks.

Let's get it out of the way!

Dont want to be counting our chickens just yet 64, but maybe, just maybe they will be a little bit rusty after this break and it might be the right time to play them. Or maybe it wont

[Chilli D]

I hoping Saka was going to play a full 90 minutes last night but bloody Tuchel rested him. Bugger.

[Metro1962]

The write up does not mention that when Leeds play in London we hardly win (when was the last time we did?) so I am going for a win in London yay!!

[The Subhuman]

The write up does not mention that when Leeds play in London we hardly win (when was the last time we did?) so I am going for a win in London yay!!

Millwall was it?

[Cjay]

The write up does not mention that when Leeds play in London we hardly win (when was the last time we did?) so I am going for a win in London yay!!

I figured the worst Premier League record pre 8pm since promotion was enough gloom for one post. . . . . . .no wins in 12 in London since you asked

[BlackHillsPaul]

It will be a strange weekend this weekend. Some players will have played four games in three weeks and others will have played none.
The Norway coach has already spoken about how jaded Erling Haaland is looking.

I know a club where he could regain his pride and joy for the game. A club that operates within the rules. And a club he loved in his youth....