Arsenal v Leeds – League Cup
Arsenal were lucky to have drawn Leeds at home for this round, and it will be the third home game in a row. We want to do well in all Cup competitions and Arteta has the sort of squad to mix it up and rest players for the big match in Leicester on Saturday. But had this been an away game, Mikel would probably be tempted to use more of his first team players.
I have a feeling there will be a lot of changes, maybe even 11/11?! I am going for 9/11 with only Tavares and Saka keeping their place. Leeds probably will make changes too, so many first team players are not needed.
This is my preferred lineup:
Al these players bar Saka need a start and they are all very good. If Kieran is fit he will play, but I don’t think he is. Key for me is that Sambi and Thomas get a rest and avoid getting injured tonight. However, one of them may be needed to get the balance right in midfield. Still, this should be a good game for Ainsley and Mo to show us all how good they are.
GK and defence should be straightforward and in attack Eddie and Martinelli should be itching for a start. Maybe Pepe starts instead of Saka but I feel we need the Englishman for better balance in attack.
Looking forward to this one.
By TotalArsenal
Bergkampesque 
I don’t think it will be so many changes. I reckon Arteta will want to sustain momentum and continue to develop partnerships on the pitch.
However, I do expect ESR and Saka to be rested given how tired Saka looks and how heavily ESR has been used. Martinelli and Pepe likely to come in.
After that, I don’t suspect many changes from Friday. KT is probably still injured so Nuno carries on. I think Arteta will likely want to continue developing partnerships… Gabi/White, White/Tomi, Sambi/Partey and Auba/Laca.
I also suspect Odegaard will come on for Auba or Laca after 60’.
Given he can make 5 subs, seeing AMN, Chambers/Soares, Eddie/Balogun after 70/80’ also seems likely if we’re winning.
You can’t beat some Amsterdam coffee Total, that’s why Dutch people are so chilled.
What do Leeds do? They’ve had a terrible start to the season and are hovering just above the bottom three so will their unorthodox manager go for rotation to rest his main players for the league games?
I think he may.
Leicester play tomorrow so we’ll have an extra 24 hours rest over them, but Rodgers with Europe in mind may also rest a few in preparation for the visit of the Gunners.
For me the League Cup is a big trophy, Guardiola always takes it seriously and I think Mikel will as well, so I expect a strong team with maybe 4 or 5 changes. Arteta can always sub a few off.
So unfortunately I can’t see Patino or Balogun or Hutchinson being involved.
I’d rest both Smith Rowe and Saka, they need protecting from themselves because they love playing so much. Odegaard gets a start for me, I’d even play Aubameyang, keep him going why he’s scoring but rest Lacazette as we’ll need him fizzing at the Crisp Bowl, or Chips Bowl if you’re in the Big Apple.
Friday to Tuesday and Tuesday to Saturday is a fair bit of recovery time so I’d be happy to see an unchanged back four, this is where having no long european trips is a big advantage.
The last time I saw Arsenal vs Leeds on a Tuesday night we put 7 goals past them, just saying. 😉
Great point Ben, I’d forgotten about the 5 subs, that’ll really help Arteta
Good call, Ben, and you may be right. Partnerships are indeed important but I reckon giving the nr2s a game is more important. I expect the subs to be used to give the team a boost in the second half.
Also good calls, Kev. The question is, is hte wider squad not good enough to give Leeds a game at home? And how is Arteta keeping everybody happy?
Haha Amsterdam coffee. You don’t sip it, you inhale it. 😊
Yeah man, just chill…. 😁
😅
Here are my choices for the coming weekend:-
Leicester City v Arsenal * A (1-2)
Watford v Southampton H
Tottenham v Manchester United * D (0-0)
Aston Villa v West Ham United * A (1-3)
Arsenal Ladies v Brighton Ladies H
Valencia v Villarreal A
So far nobody else has made any predictions.
Auba and Laca gave everything against Villa and were cream crackered when they came off. Saka also needs a rest. I agree with what Kev is saying about not changing the back four and wanting to win this trophy. Arteta’s dilemma though is that he won’t want a big queue of players wanting to leave in January because they’re not getting played. I’m not sure what I would do but I trust that whoever plays acquits themselves well. We need to see the same level of commitment as we saw against the Villans as that performance has set a benchmark for the whole squad. Unfortunately, I can’t watch it tonight as I’m rehearsing but I’m looking forward to watching us progress to the next round when I get back.
Come on you Gunners!
These are this week’s selection of games by GN5 ⚽ ⚽ ⚽
Leicester City v Arsenal *
Watford v Southampton
Tottenham v Manchester United *
Aston Villa v West Ham United *
Arsenal Ladies v Brighton Ladies
Valencia v Villarreal
Leicester City v Arsenal * 0-4
Watford v Southampton H
Tottenham v Manchester United * 1-3
Aston Villa v West Ham United * 1-1
Arsenal Ladies v Brighton Ladies 4-0
Valencia v Villarreal D
Good stuff OX10. I think Saka needs a goal and this is a good game for it, but yes he could need a rest.
What kind of rehearsal are you doing tonight, if I may ask?
Hi Total – the Ladies game is not a score game – but I marked it as a home win.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of our youth players strut their stuff.
Mikel needs to rest as many of the 1st team squad as he can, and still get the win.
Cheers GN5, any Arsenal game is always a win prediction. Just don’t want to jinx it! 😁
I’m rehearsing for an amateur production of Shrek the Musical tonight. It’s getting pretty difficult to watch matches live at the moment as I’m rehearsing for two shows at the moment which means rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all Sunday afternoon! The other show is a panto – Sleeping Beauty.
Leicester City v Arsenal * A 2-3
Watford v Southampton H
Tottenham v Manchester United * D 1-1
Aston Villa v West Ham United * A 1-2
Arsenal Ladies v Brighton Ladies H
Valencia v Villarreal H
1
Leno
17
Cedric
4
White
16
Holding
31
Kolasinac
25
Elneny
15
Maitland-Niles
19
Pepe
10
Smith Rowe
35
Martinelli
30
Nketiah
Substitutes
32
Ramsdale
20
Tavares
21
Chambers
23
Lokonga
5
Thomas
7
Saka
9
Lacazette
26
Balogun
65
Oulad-M’hand
No Øde? I hope he doesnt overwork ESR.
Great stuff, OX10!! Enjoy the rehearsal.
From the previous thread, sorry about the mix up, Madhu. That was meant to be directed at JK. I warned you I should be asleep at the time I was posting.
TA, was well and truly knackered.
The game is going on well, a bit too open I must say, but it is a cup game. With some composure, we can grab the game by the scruff and take our chances. So far, Leeds have tested our keeper more than we’ve tested the visitor’s.
We do have some ring rusty men who are more likely to start playing as the game wears on. Chief of them are Martinelli, Pepe, Elneny and Soares.
My predictions for the week’s picks:
Leicester City v Arsenal * A 1-3
Watford v Southampton H
Tottenham v Manchester United * D 2-2
Aston Villa v West Ham United * A 1-2
Arsenal Ladies v Brighton Ladies H
Valencia v Villarreal D
Yes Eris, there are some rusty players out there with poor first touches andcoverhit passes. Leno doing v well. Hopefully second half much better.
A head-tennis goal. Well done Calum.
More head tennis and now Eddie profits from poor Leeds defending. Some fine touches by Nketiah.
2-0. Into the Q/finals. Good runout for some. I imagine Arteta may have reminded them our continuing run in the Carabao cup may be the only chance some of them get for game time. Second half was better and controlled.
Nketiah must have enjoyed his goal having been on loan at the club. To think he almost fluufed his lines when he mis-cued the ball. What a story for Chambers, coming on and scoring with his first touch. Certainly helped to settle him.
We march on.
Arteta only used 4 subs, surprisingly. I thought he was going to bring on the Salah kid or Balogun towards the end.
Salah-Eddine
Born: August 20th 2003
Position: Midfielder/winger
International: Netherlands U17
An exciting prospect who was previously at Feyenoord’s academy, Salah-Eddine’s first season at Arsenal was wrecked by an injury that kept him out for most of the campaign.
Capable of playing as a winger or in midfield, he featured for the U23s and in the EFL Trophy at the beginning of the season but didn’t play again after September.
Now back fit, the youngster, who possesses excellent close control, will be hoping to establish himself as a key creative force for the U23s.
Born in Holland, he is a Dutch youth international but is also eligible to represent Morocco.
(Info from Jeorge Bird)
A bit of a surprise to see him on the bench, a very positive selection by Arteta.
I’ve read that there’s been a bug going around the Arsenal training ground and that White wasn’t injured but unwell.
Ismail Oulad M’Hand
Born: January 11th 2005
Position: Central-midfield
International: None (eligible to represent the Netherlands)
The younger brother of Arsenal’s Salah-Eddine, Ismail was also previously at Feyenoord.
A midfielder who was born in Holland, he joined Arsenal midway through last season, initially linking up with the club’s U16 squad.
Now part of the U18 setup, he will be seeking to gain plenty of experience during his first season at London Colney.
Kev thanks for the info.
I thought the players had good spirit and effort. Pretty good performance for an almost completely changed side.. most of them need to stay in this competition to get game time.
Good info, Kev.
New Post 🙂