Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[Cruyff14]

Rice injury is a bit of a worry.

Arteta on Rice: “Declan had to come off. We don’t know, we have to see tomorrow what he has got. He could not carry on playing. He can walk but he could not play"

 

[tigs2010]

Whenever I read an Arteta injury quote, I know he means we dont know the severity but whenever he says "we dont know" I cant help but think of Dr Nick as the club medico

 

[andana]

Is there still a direct kick/not direct kick rule?

 

[glenferry23]

I read that’s 29 goal contributions for club and country in 2025 for Merino. Amazing stuff by him. To his credit, he probably heard the narrative after Gyokeres was signed that “thankfully that means the end of Merino as the striker”.

He’s upped his game since then and has learned the craft so much since, he’s a genuine Arsenal striking option now. Very interesting to see how Arteta deploys him now that Gyokeres is back, Jesus is hovering and Havertz on the horizon.

Hincapie I gotta say I didn’t know if he was a necessity to sign, however the exit of Kiwior and Tierney probably meant we need some defensive cover there. The bloke loves the physical stuff, he seems to relish it. And is quietly and surely filled that void in the absence of Gabriel.

Mosquera is a blow there’s no way to dress that up. Hopefully Saliba is okay to start at Villa. I’m not sure if White will be able to do two 90 minutes in the 3 days, however I’d have no hesitation if Timber and Hincapie start as CBs this weekend and White and RB.

Great to get 90 minutes under the belt of Odegaard. Last few starts he didn’t make it to half time unfortunately. He looked good. Nice to see that trio of White, Odegaard and Saka doing their thing on the right in that second half.

Madueke is a hell of a talent. Just that final ball is lacking for now, corners too. He didnt clear the first man. He’s a confidence player though and had a very good first half overall. If Trossard isn’t fit for the weekend perhaps he can switch to the left.

Raya’s reaction time was brilliant. Such a clutch save. Every now and then you need a big save from your GK and Raya is consistently doing that.

Rice and the severity of his injury is a worry. Hopefully it was precautionary. There’s so much football the players get very little time to rest, recover and then just a few days later it’s onto the next one. The volume of football across the board really needs to be questioned (but it won’t, because money).

 

[TY24]

How did Odegaard go? I feel he's really fallen away in the last 2 seasons. Obviously lack of consistent match time contributes to that but he is a shadow of his first few campaigns with us.

 

[Cruyff14]

How did Odegaard go? I feel he's really fallen away in the last 2 seasons. Obviously lack of consistent match time contributes to that but he is a shadow of his first few campaigns with us.

His workrate was great. Played a lot of forward balls, very tidy on the ball too.

 

[andana]

Apparently Rice is ok to play v villa. Maybe managed would be a good idea anyway.

Declan Rice has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for November after a month of impressive performances in the top flight.

 

[Gambit78]

Not sure about Rice's availability, but if he isn't able to get up for Villa, I would love to see Odegaard reprise his box to box role that was employed against Olympiakos, with Eze, Merino and Saka, possibly Trossard or Martinelli as well, ahead of him. Easily his most dominant game in the last 18 months. His ability to unlock high defensive lines from deep would be lethal.

 

[Shoei]

How did Odegaard go? I feel he's really fallen away in the last 2 seasons. Obviously lack of consistent match time contributes to that but he is a shadow of his first few campaigns with us.

Odegaard fails the eye test BUT there's more to it than that.

This article was written in May, pretty good read: Evaluating some common critiques of Martin Ødegaard

 

[Planet14]

If Rice doesn’t make Villa Merino will drop into midfield alongside Zubi.

 

[Crow-eater]

I think Rice plays against Villa, but rests against Brugge/Wolves, assuming the injury isn't actually an injury

 

[glenferry23]

Have a feeling Rice will be okay. Whether he should actually play or not tomorrow night is another matter. There were lots of warning signs about a year ago that Havertz was in the red zone right before he eventually broke down.

But then again with 5 days off until Brugge (surely Norgaard is in the frame for that one), maybe that’s the plan.

Mosquera is one that gives me the worries, with an awkward landing like that. How many times as an Arsenal fan does that it turns out to be ligament damage. Hopefully not this time.

Meanwhile, we’ve announced the pre signing of the Quintero twins from Ecuador. They’ll join the club in 2027. From one Ecuadorian in Hincapie (the first ever at Arsenal) to then 3.

Nice to see us invest in these kinds of young emerging talent with one eye on the future, Berta continues to get shit done behind the scenes.

Arsenal sign twins Edwin and Holger Quintero

Arsenal have announced the signing of Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero

www.arsenal.com

 

[andana]

If identical twins they could play a half each.

 

[glenferry23]

And there it is.

 

[andana]

January transfer market ? Could look for a backup for Rice as well as Mosquera.

 

[BomToydd]

Bring Tomiyasu back

 

[TY24]

Eze and Odegaard both start so presumably Eze is at LW.

Calafiori and White at full back with Hincapie and Timber as centre halves.

Still being able to name a back 4 of that quality with our injuries is a bit of a joke. Seriously good.

 

[andana]

Yea, Eze in for Martinelli.
Salmon on bench could be interesting. Next man up?

 

[Shoei]

Big game,

Villa despite their run up the league have still been shit statistically with a heavy reliance on long range goals.

Wouldn't surprise me if its a 2-1 win to either side.

 

[andana]

Not a fan of Raya being so adventurous

 

[Shoei]

Villa pitch looks to be faster than normal? Balls going quick.

 

[Shoei]

Damn should be 1-0 Villa.

Ollie choked.

 

[Shoei]

Good chances both ends.

Odegaard had a shot, Merino over-cooked a pass that should have seen Saka in.

Ollie should have scored for Villa.

Villa looking up for it, an open game is dangerous but also suits us with Eze/Saka/Timber/Cala getting forward.

 

[TY24]

Saka looks cooked early. Lacking that usual zip.

 

[TY24]

Great move, shame it was off.