Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[Gambit78]

I wonder if Arteta is contemplating a change of system for this one. Back 5 perhaps. Tierney as the left sided CB. Or a double pivot with Jorginho in. If Xhaka is well enough he’d be straight back in however if not, surely it’s Trossard.

As much as I’m nervous about the match itself, am also a bit cautious about the emotions of the occasion. Zinchenko in particular. He seemed very wound up the last time and understandably he and Jesus have a point to prove. However, composure wins you league titles.

Don't know about a wholesale system change - it was interesting that Pep noted after our FA Cup game that Arsenal were man marking, and that wasn't typical of our style. It may be that we change the way we play without changing our structure/formation. I would love Trossard or Emile Smith Rowe to play Xhaka's role. A little more lethal forward.

 

[glenferry23]

Don't know about a wholesale system change - it was interesting that Pep noted after our FA Cup game that Arsenal were man marking, and that wasn't typical of our style. It may be that we change the way we play without changing our structure/formation. I would love Trossard or Emile Smith Rowe to play Xhaka's role. A little more lethal forward.

Yes it doesn’t require wholesale changes. We do need to tweak things however. I recall Pep’s masterclass in the reverse fixture in February. There were all kinds of stats in the aftermath about how it set a record for their least amount of possession etc. They largely allowed Arsenal to have the ball and caused a lot of problems on the counter with their width.

Speaking of which, I remember something similar Wenger did back in 2015ish. Probably the last time we won at City. The Coquelin game where he came out of nowhere after being recalled from loan. Very little possession that day and Cazorla bossed that midfield when we did have the ball. A goal and assist for him. Around 35% possession from memory.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Please, another twist in the title race tomorrow.

 

[dirty2]

Massive game!!! Just know the result in the morning will effect my hole day

 

[Gambit78]

Yes it doesn’t require wholesale changes. We do need to tweak things however. I recall Pep’s masterclass in the reverse fixture in February. There were all kinds of stats in the aftermath about how it set a record for their least amount of possession etc. They largely allowed Arsenal to have the ball and caused a lot of problems on the counter with their width.

Speaking of which, I remember something similar Wenger did back in 2015ish. Probably the last time we won at City. The Coquelin game where he came out of nowhere after being recalled from loan. Very little possession that day and Cazorla bossed that midfield when we did have the ball. A goal and assist for him. Around 35% possession from memory.

I recall that game. It was one that Wenger received some praise for because he stepped away from his usual attacking approach and applied a pragmatic game plan. I wouldn't be surprised if we go a similar way tomorrow morning.

 

[glenferry23]

I recall that game. It was one that Wenger received some praise for because he stepped away from his usual attacking approach and applied a pragmatic game plan. I wouldn't be surprised if we go a similar way tomorrow morning.

Yes I remember that very fondly, vintage Cazorla. His quick feet, majestic. I liken Trossard to him in terms of the way he plays. Speaking of which, would love to see Trossard start. Not sure exactly where though as it’s likely Xhaka is fit to play.

The match away to Spurs last season also called for a more pragmatic approach and am sure that’s in Arteta’s thinking for tomorrow morning.

That match I referenced is Arsenal’s last win over City in the league. And it’s the only away victory since 2010. If there was ever a time to correct that stat, holy shit the opportunity is now.

 

[bok_party]

Wasn’t Xhaka still sick? I swear in Arteta’s presser he said he hadn’t trained yet (that was two days ago though).

Would like Trossard to start too but where does he fit? Will Jesus and Zinny play better against their old side or will it hinder?

 

[andana]

Speaking of which, I remember something similar Wenger did back in 2015ish. Probably the last time we won at City. The Coquelin game where he came out of nowhere after being recalled from loan. Very little possession that day and Cazorla bossed that midfield when we did have the ball. A goal and assist for him. Around 35% possession from memory.

 

[andana]

Robert Pires: "Arsenal are becoming a great English club again, they’re fighting for the title and they’re rediscovering their DNA. That of playing beautiful football, one which also allows us to see young talents to emerge, like Ødegaard and Saka." [Le Parisien via GFFN]

 

[andana]

Wasn’t Xhaka still sick?

Still in doubt it seems but hasn't stopped gooner chris

 

[Gambit78]

Here's to a good morning... COYG!!

 

[glenferry23]

Xhaka back into the XI.

Here we go.

 

[Cruyff14]

I am nervous and not confident. Don't usually feel nervous during a game.

 

[glenferry23]

Yeah I’m quite jittery already. Was awake every hour or so looking at the clock.

What occasion to be a part of really. Just the fact that we’re in this position at all, outstanding.

 

[glenferry23]

**** they made that look so easy.

 

[Cruyff14]

Yeah, they're a great team, as we know.

KDB is absurdly good.

 

[dirty2]

Need half time to regroup

 

[dirty2]

****

 

[glenferry23]

Going to get ugly. It already is.

Without Ramsdale it would be 3-4.

 

[onthehill24]

Another flog having a go at us. Must have missed the Saka goal and assist.































At the end of every round of fixtures, BBC football pundit Garth Crooks is on hand to give you his Team of the Week.































Martin Odegaard (Arsenal): I said it only a few weeks ago that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale's entire season will depend on the next seven games. He will either pick up a Premier League title medal or have to console himself with a Champions League spot. If he continues to make the sort of error that cost Arsenal so dearly in the opening minutes against a battling Southampton, then it's the latter for him. The Arsenal keeper had a good think before making a poor pass between two opposing players and paid the price for allowing his pride to get the better of him. It's just as well Arsenal have Martin Odegaard in their ranks. The Norway international possesses great leadership skills and a cool head to match. His calm and calculated one-two on the edge of the box with Ben White prior to his superb finish said loud and clear that Odegaard is one man Arsenal can certainly s talentect about







Going to get ugly. It already is.

Over and out





Without Ramsdale it would be 3-4.

 

[cogs2hawks]

Bring on Trossard and ****ing go for it

 

[glenferry23]

At 1 down at the break it kept us alive I felt. The second goal though likely the killer.

No shots on target yet either. Their press is almost too easy the way they suffocate the ball. A big 45 minutes here. If they pile in and it ends up 4 or 5 nil, that’s a massive psychological blow on top of them being in the drivers seat for the title.

 

[glenferry23]

More positive at least so far. Xhaka registers the first shot on target.

At least have a go here. Don’t want to leave without a whimper like Newcastle away last season. At least go for it and play.

 

[undefined]

Would love a mulligan. Surely Arteta realises Holding doesn't fit his system. He has been slaughtered here.

Have to remove the emotion here and just act - the Premier League table doesn't care about us.

 

[glenferry23]

Utter domination. Getting flicked aside here.

Still no changes made by Arteta.