Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[tigs2010]

So do we believe we can finish 2nd this season ? Or still too early to say and our lack of depth will cause us grief over the duration of the campaign ?

Lets see how we go against Liverpool. A match in the past that we would get our pants pulled down. If we can win that we are well on our way, barring drastic injuries.

 

[glenferry23]

If our injury profile at the moment is the worst it gets this season, I reckon we're an absolute shot at 2nd. But that's a big if, unfortunately...

ESR, Elneney and Cedric our only injuries, which means our possible 2nd eleven for Europa this week could be:

Turner/Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney/Lokongo, Xhaka/Marquinhos, Viera, Nelson/Nketiah

If we can hold this amount of rotations, I think we'll be okay.

A big IF, as you said. So often injuries have come in bunches, and thankfully there haven't been needless red cards/suspensions on top of that (Jesus will miss however with his next yellow, am glad he didn't get booked on the weekend so he's available for Liverpool).

Can definetley understand the desire to start hypotheticals in where Arsenal could finish this season. And if we're still first or second by the time of the World Cup, there's going to be a lot of speculating in the media and fans etc over that 6 week period as to what could happen. ie, should Arsenal spend big in January to go for it etc. For now though, that's a long way away.

Liverpool is a huge test, they have dismissed Arsenal many times in recent years.

As for the mid week EL match, yes I think there's going to be 8-9 changes. Cedric would've been in at RB but is still injured, so I think its likely Gabriel next to Holding to keep that left footed balance Arteta likes. Maybe a debut for a yougster like Smith in midfield or even come off the bench depending how the game is faring.

 

[Gambit78]

A big IF, as you said. So often injuries have come in bunches, and thankfully there haven't been needless red cards/suspensions on top of that (Jesus will miss however with his next yellow, am glad he didn't get booked on the weekend so he's available for Liverpool).

Can definetley understand the desire to start hypotheticals in where Arsenal could finish this season. And if we're still first or second by the time of the World Cup, there's going to be a lot of speculating in the media and fans etc over that 6 week period as to what could happen. ie, should Arsenal spend big in January to go for it etc. For now though, that's a long way away.

Liverpool is a huge test, they have dismissed Arsenal many times in recent years.

As for the mid week EL match, yes I think there's going to be 8-9 changes. Cedric would've been in at RB but is still injured, so I think its likely Gabriel next to Holding to keep that left footed balance Arteta likes. Maybe a debut for a yougster like Smith in midfield or even come off the bench depending how the game is faring.

Cedric being out puts a bit of strain on Gabriel. I imagine that Cedric being available would've allowed Arteta to play Tomiyasu at LCB.

Bring Matt Smith into midfield, and play a back 3 of Tomi, Holding and Tierney maybe?

 

[glenferry23]

Cedric being out puts a bit of strain on Gabriel. I imagine that Cedric being available would've allowed Arteta to play Tomiyasu at LCB.

Bring Matt Smith into midfield, and play a back 3 of Tomi, Holding and Tierney maybe?

Perhaps the CB next to Holding will be shared, say 60 minutes for Gabriel and then perhaps White off the bench (depending on the state of the game).

Smith would seem the next most likely in terms of youth, there's also Nwaneri and others. I reckon though Xhaka features again in some capacity for continuity and his experience.

 

[Gambit78]

Perhaps the CB next to Holding will be shared, say 60 minutes for Gabriel and then perhaps White off the bench (depending on the state of the game).

Smith would seem the next most likely in terms of youth, there's also Nwaneri and others. I reckon though Xhaka features again in some capacity for continuity and his experience.

And the fact that Xhaka is the most durable footballer in our squad... when was he last out injured? Maybe all those red cards were strategic...

 

[glenferry23]

And the fact that Xhaka is the most durable footballer in our squad... when was he last out injured? Maybe all those red cards were strategic...

Yes he's pretty much always available (watch me jinx it now haha). Only notable absence I can recall was a brief knee injury last season and the Villerreal second leg prior to that.

 

[Cruyff14]

So do we believe we can finish 2nd this season ? Or still too early to say and our lack of depth will cause us grief over the duration of the campaign ?

If we lose Partey, Saka, Jesus, Saliba and/or especially Ramsdale to a long term injury we would struggle.

 

[Shoei]

I left the carnage and distress of the public health system here in South Australia and went off hiking in the Grampians for a good period of time - no telephone, no internet, no telli, no radio. Since I've got back, I have checked out what the Arsenal have been doing.

Did you do a tour then your own path?

I've looked at doing a getaway there before, looks amazing.

 

[Genesis67]

Morning all!

How good hey!!!

Because Martin Tyler sucks:

 

[HODGEYROAD]

And the fact that Xhaka is the most durable footballer in our squad... when was he last out injured? Maybe all those red cards were strategic...

Got hurt early last season and missed 6-8 weeks, but that aside the bloke barely gets injured.

 

[windyhill]

Confession time...
I was right with Xhaka, probably one of the few Gooners on the planet who stuck by him, welcome back on board everyone, it was very lonely !!
Martinelli, I Was Wrong !! He’s turned me around, he can only get better if he could find the net a bit more. But yes, I was wrong.

 

[AG]

First time in years we've been exciting. We've had a few good FA cup runs and near Europa League runs but the club is clearly buzzing St the moment. I'd expect top 3 at a minimum if we beat Liverpool but such a long way to go and we all know injuries will pop up.

 

[Northalives]

Did you do a tour then your own path?

I've looked at doing a getaway there before, looks amazing.

I went to the Grampians many years ago and the first time I went there, it was awe inspiring and it felt like I had come home. It's really hard to explain - I'm getting goose bumps just thinking and writing about them.

I approached them from the west driving from Adelaide and when I turned right at Horsham heading south, I saw them in the distance and a really weird sensation came over me. I had never felt anything like that and I get the same feeling everytime I go there.

If you are going to go, go in the spring. Now is a good time because the little shits are back at school. In the spring, the wild flowers are mind blowing! They are different to the spectacular wildflowers of the west where you are.

I park my car at an old timber milling area which is now a camp sight and from there, go hiking for days on end - this time it was 12 days.

There is a huge amount of info available about the Grampians and it has hundreds and hundreds of kilometres of designated walking trails. There are really short, easy ones to 14 day hard ones crossing the peaks. it's an amazing place and if you are going with someone who doesn't want to camp out, there is heaps and heaps of accommodation of all types available. Going over as part of a tour group is a brilliant way of getting an overview of the place.

It is unique and I recommend it most highly but as with all places in Australia, don't take it for granted and if you are going to go for an overnight hike and longer, let the rangers now.

 

[Northalives]

I never had a dig at arteta, one of the few people that was happy to back him in and understood it was going to take some time, appreciate the post though

I know that and I apologise for giving you the impression that I was having a go at you in particular. I may not agree with some of your opinions as you with mine but at the very least, you put forward a coherent, well thought out argument to back your opinions and that is all one can ask for.

 

[Northalives]

Confession time...
I was right with Xhaka, probably one of the few Gooners on the planet who stuck by him, welcome back on board everyone, it was very lonely !!
Martinelli, I Was Wrong !! He’s turned me around, he can only get better if he could find the net a bit more. But yes, I was wrong.

I had put a line through Xhaka quit a while ago but boy-o-boy, he is one of the very few who is the exception to the rule that a leopard doesn't change it's spots/you can't teach an old dog new tricks etc etc.

He has been simply superb this year and showed glimpses of it in the last third of last season but, "it's Xhaka" was my thinking.

His leadership qualities are immense. He is playing like he is watching the game from above and is in complete control and the players around him, especially the young ones, are loving the stability.

Full credit to him and his coach.

Arteta has got him to understand that he is who he is and not to try and play like an Odegaard or a Partey for example and just play to his strengths. Xhaka has limitations but now, he is playing within those limitations and he is playing superbly. He is being asked to run up and down in straight lines and being encouraged to arrive into the penalty area and not put the breaks on when he sees the 18 yard box. He has a wicked left foot and is a key member of the line up.

A coach can give a player/team the best of direction, the best training, the best of encouragement but ultimately, it's the player(s) that have to do it and Xhaka must be commended no end.

 

[Cruyff14]

Yes, Xhaka has definitely had an amazing redemption arc. A pivotal player now and dare I say it, he has become a fan favourite.

 

[andana]

Be a few changes for the Europa game. Keen to see Marquinhos and Vieira again

 

[dirty2]

Be a few changes for the Europa game. Keen to see Marquinhos and Vieira again

Big game Sunday night/Monday morning. Need the core first team to be fresh.

 

[Cruyff14]

2-0 up at HT.

Nketiah and Holding with the goals.

8 changes from the weekend.

 

[glenferry23]

Cedric on the bench, perhaps he comes on for Gabriel with Tomiyasu over to CB. Xhaka and Martinelli to come off for perhaps Nelson and smith.

 

[glenferry23]

Well I was way off with those subs

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Why bring on those players, it's such a risk

 

[Cruyff14]

What great feet by Jesus.

 

[Cruyff14]

All wrapped up at 3-0. Good to get a clean sheet and rotate and give fringe players a chance.

 

[glenferry23]

Why bring on those players, it's such a risk

Yep it made me a little nervous with Liverpool looming on the weekend. My theory is Arteta is continuing with what he experimented with in pre season, trying to rotate that front 3 and give them more minutes together, as at some point this season we're going to have to use different combinations when injuries etc come. Jesus wide and Nketiah central was a constant in pre season and they looked very good together (with all the standard disclaimers that its just pre season).

Also he's keeping them sharp and focussed, we should be gunning for this trophy (which I absolutely think he is) and top spot in the group is very important to seal.