We do it to ourselves, and that’s what truly hurts. The unexpected loss at Bournemouth last weekend is still hurting. I have written on BK many a time that having to play an away game after an interlull – the second time this season – conjures a real risk of losing points. The players come back at different times jetlagged and possibly with injuries from those international games, and Arteta has little time to get back into the groove with the players; if and when the team then also has to travel, it becomes even harder to prepare properly.
Saliba made the sort of mistake the three years older Big Gab made at the same age as the Frenchman is now. We forget how young Saliba still is (23), and I also wonder whether fatigue played a role in his costly decision to commit a foul that led to him receiving a red card. It is all behind us now, though, and the team have a great chance to put a marker down today. Beat Pool and all the critics will be silenced, the boys will be full of confidence and we will be ready for the difficult away games to come at Newcastle and Chelsea. On that note, is it not simply ridiculous that within the first third of the season, Arsenal have to play away Spuds, Blue Mancs, Villa, Magpies and Chavs?! If we get through this period without too much damage and close to Pool and Citeh, I think we are in a great position to fight for the title during the remaining two-thirds of the season.
This is for me the bigger picture of the season so far: we need a win today and some good results away before the next horrible interlull commences, and after that Arsenal will be able to fire from all cylinders and go on a run, especially if the Ode is back in contention then.
The lineup for today is hard to predict. I have a feeling that Bukayo will be back, and boy do we need him today. With Ben White probably partnering Big Gab in central defence, whoever plays right full back will need Bukayo’s support in defence. We also need Saka in attack of course.
The big battle will be in the middle. Gravenberch has been very effective in Pool’s midfield, and Partey and the until now underperforming Rice will have their work cut out today to stop him linking midfield with attack. We need you today, Declan! I expect Havertz and the Belgian insomniac to play through the middle in attack/midfield and Martinelli and hopefully Saka on the wings. Here is hoping that we can play at least one of Calafiori and Timber on the flanks. If Partey is chosen for the right full back position, I would imagine Merino will partner Declan in midfield, or maybe Jorginho gets the nod… Well let’s wait and see what it will look like. The boys know what is needed today: a big fight for three points whilst keeping all players on the pitch.
Come on You Fabulous Rip Roaring Gunners!
By TotalArsenal.
Bergkampesque 
Team list is out:
ARSENAL:
Starting 11:
Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz
Subs
Neto, Nichols, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus
LIVERPOOL
Starting 11
Kelleher, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Robertson, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold.
Subs:
Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton.
Wonderful, The Buk starts.
Total, it is,(was) for sure, a “fingers crossed” period. Pleasing to see Saka in that starting 11, I only worry about his match sharpness and level of fitness, after missing a couple of games. Same concern goes for Timber. Knowing our injury history, we must not be guilty of rushing players back. But, we shall find out more as the game time approaches.
Not sure how Partey handles Luis Diaz without support from the right sided winger and midfielder, but my guess is he will also cover as an inverted full back.
Tense!
I think Arteta plays these sort of player fit/unfit games constantly, Eris. But yes it could be a gamble.
CoyRRGs
I hear you, TA, but for all intents and purposes, those two were really injured; both missing no less than two games. That’s quite the gamble if it cost us games. Still, glad to have them back on.
This game, for me, is not so much a must-win as it is a must-not-lose. So, let’s go boys!
The Canon will roar and roar, Eris.
Moon is low on the horizon here in the Celtic fringe, Weetabix in the bowl, our last home game for five weeks, North London forever sounding out the dawn… COYG.
A beauty from big Ben, a Messi from Bukayo. 1-0 to the proverbial.
Good morning, Stu.
What a start!! Just what the doctor ordered to calm nerves. That’s why we love Bukayo Saka in that team.
Merino howler there not punished. Thank goodness. Hopefully, he gets on it now.
Disappointed by ou4 defending there. CoyrrGs
Tight, tight, but let it be 2-1 to the Arsenal
Bullet header by El Torro
Merino gets his first Arsenal goal. Partey has kept a good leash on Diaz, it must be said. Not seen much of Salah so far. That VAR check took a while, but it was easy to see, in the still, that Merino was onside.
2-1, at half time.
Am I missing something?
Van Dyke takes two big kicks at Havertz off of the ball and the referee does zilch…
#two-tier refereeing
Oh I forgot, Diaz knocks the ball away at least twice when we’re awarded a free kick and nothing from the referee.
#two-tier refereeing
Yeah Kev, we can only laugh at this
I wasn’t going to talk about referees today Total, but you just can’t ignore the double standards, when we are punished to the maximum and everybody else it seems it’s given a pass, it’s egregious.
Season defining 45 coming up 🤞
indeed, Kev. We love you Big Gab.
We need you now, Kai, Martinelli.
Nothing like team spirit to cheer you up. The boys’ togetherness was a joy to watch, and our two goals were things of beauty. Now there’s only so much you can do under such adverse circumstances (I include what I can no longer call “refereeing” here) … When everyone’s available again, PGMO or not, we’ll be unplayable anyway.
I might be absent a while, guys. My post-op days are not going well at all, and it weighs heavy on my mind. I’ll be back when I feel “free as a bird” again; in the meantime keep up with the good job (I know you will)
COYG
Referee was poor today. So many fouls were not given, and then he gives a soft one to Pool at the crucial moment before we score. At the end we were denied a clear corner…
2-2 not bad given the gaps in defence, but we could have won this.
Ah, we will miss you, LeGall. Hope you feel better and calm soon. 🤲
Was that a foul Total?
Our bloke jumps, the Liverpool player just stands there and buys a cheap free kick. Cost us the 3-2.
At best 50 50, Kev. We were robbed.
Fingers crossed, LG. Be back soon.
Regarding tonight I don’t know if it was 2 points lost or one reserved.
Nevertheless I was surprised by Partey’s RB role. Apparently the difference between Partey and White at RB is smaller than Kiwior and White at CB.
Without Tierney, Tomi, Calafiori and Saliba I expected either a
White-Kiwior-Gabriel-Timber or a
Timber-White-Gabriel-Zinchenko back-4
Partey wasn’t too bad at RB, but I missed him from central/defensive midfield where he could have a more profound impact.
Anyway, let’s focus on the next game, and hope that the Saliba-Gabriel partnership will return. But to be frank/Frank, the 1.09 xG along with the 1 goal from the pervious 2 matches is a bit alarming.
Take it easy, LeGall and get well quick. We will miss your inputs but understand. Cheers mate.
The standard of the refereeing and poor use of VAR is appalling and a disgrace in the English game. We all watched the El Clasico and could see the speed of VAR decisions for offside, for instance, owing to the use of available technology. So, why did the EPL/FA/PGMOL fail to procure and adopt same for the games to help the Refs? Is there a pre-meditated intent to affect the results and where the title goes? The inconsistency is another matter…..
Back to the game vs Liverpool. We did, in fact, win that game because we scored a perfectly good goal in added time only for Anthony Taylor to blow the whistle for a phantom foul, right before we put the ball in the net. Surely, he saw the potential for the goal and chose to keep VAR out of it by blowing before the ball hit the back of the net. The PGMOL has had to explain a few decisions, largely involving Arsenal. They must explain that one to the world too. Why did the ref take VAR out of the equation when we were in on goal and that’s the purpose of required delayed decisions in the case of offsides?
Furthermore, for offences we get yellow (and second yellow) cards for, players of other clubs get away with. Suddenly, delaying a restart no longer attracts a yellow (see Luis Diaz, twice). Last man stopping a goal bound move is no longer a red card (see Spurs on Palace player). In fact, I just saw the non existent foul by De Ligt for the West ham penalty. If that can be given as a penalty, why was Martinelli being scythed by Konate not given?
The one which still hurts is the decision to award Newcastle that lone goal last season, where the Ref/VAR had a pick of three reasons to disallow the goal – ball over the line before the cross; player affects play in offside position; Gabriel gets heavy push in back for the header – but only looked to give the goal. A similar goal line event occurred last Saturday, where Olly Watkins retrieves the ball outside the goal line turns gives a pass for Mcginn’s goal, but this was disallowed for “ball over the line”, after VAR scrutiny. For my money, this was even closer to the line than the Newcastle case, which was given as a goal. I don’t like doing conspiracy theories but the frequency of poor decisions against us is starting to look deliberate and should upset fans.
Great comments, Eris. All agreed, too. So annoyed about the refereeing. Makes you go off the game.
PB, Partey was outstanding yesterday and Mikel made the right choice playing him there.
My disappointment is with Kai and Martinelli. They worked hard but lacked composure when it mattered. I also blame Martinelli for the second equaliser.
You’re spot on. Second equaliser was down to Martinelli being careless on the ball and on the break. He loses the ball with the defence moving up to support the potential offensive and it left us open for that through-pass. Man frustrates like hell at times. But for his useful defensive actions, I would be slating him.
Arteta needs to and probably will pick a fairly strong team for Preston this Wednesday, North End are quite a big, physical team, strong at corners and free kicks.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Saliba start alongside Kiwior, with Jorginho, Rice and Merino in midfield.
Tommy Setford in goal along with 3 or 4 other youngsters in the starting XI with more on the bench.
All agreed, Kev. It should be a mixture of experienced and young players. Unfortunately, it’s not on TV, so it’ll be a radio job for me.
I can do you a report again if you like Total, it’ll be unashamedly positive and pro-Arteta.
Thanks Kevinski, sweeter than honey is how we like them at BK😃
You going to the match, Kev? Enjoy it, mate.
I’d love to have seen Tom Finney in his prime. Bill Shankly described him as “the best player I’ve ever seen, bar none”. The grainy black and white footage available shows a pacy, strong and brave player who was probably the best centre forward in the world at his peak. He played for his home town club for his entire career.
LG, find some “still waters” and “green meadows”, mate. May your soul and body be restored.
Hi Stu, nah mate, a midweek trip to Preston for the League Cup would have been a definite in my younger, more excitable days but now I’m far more of an armchair fan and far more analytical and calmer about football, there’s plenty of others around who can lose their minds in my place, I just enjoy it now, it’s better for the soul…
Arteta would want to win this and not tinker too much, or gamble with too many youngsters, in my view. I expect a starting 11 of Neto in goal, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko/Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Merino, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus, Trossard. The bench may have a couple more youngsters alongside Jorginho, Havertz, Timber, Martinelli and Setford as substitute keeper.
Just recalled that Neto is cup-tied. So, Setford should get the nod in goal, if fit.
I think you are close with your lineup, Eris.
It will be a passionate affair, possibly Stoke-esque, as in they have nothing to lose and will fight for every ball. Years ago I watched such an away league cup game with 17Highburyterrace (Steve) in Sheffield. We lost and never got into the game, so for me it is less about the starting eleven and much more about the right attitude and energy for tonight’s encounter.
CoyrrGs
Arsenal: Setford, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli, Jesus. Subs: Raya, Nichols, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Havertz.
I guess Martinelli needs the game, same as Jesus and Zinchenko. Would have liked to have Rice in there to help the transition from defence to attack and to guide Merino.
Anyway, he can be called up from the bench later, if needed.
TA, Eris, I respectfully disagree with regards to the Martinelli blame.
The Liverpool equalizer indeed followed Gabbi losing the ball, but
– Myles Lewis-Skelly’s ball (despite praised) was a couple of meters short or slow, Martnitelli had to decelerate his run, he had no chance to keep the ball (see the extended video on the club’s site at 7:24)
– He didn’t lose the ball due to a careless unsuccessful dribble attempt, he was caught by the 2 defenders as the ball wasn’t ‘through’ or sharp enough
– It took almost 10 seconds until Liverpool launched the counter-attack, leaving (some) time for the supporting defenders to get back
– While MLS was already losing the sprint battle against Salah, Kiwior and White were around to pose some obstacles, but they weren’t decisive enough, and they were closer to jogging than sprinting to be honest
I don’t blame them either too much. By that time none of the defenders who started against Manchester City were on the pitch any more, and defending against the charging duo of Salah and Nunez is a next to impossible task; but the makeshift defense of Partey (who was not involved in this incident), White, Kiwior and Lewis-Skelly are not at the level to deal with such threat, but they could have make the Liverpool boys’ task a bit harder.
Anyway, let’s enjoy the game tonight. Jesus is getting close to his best (let’s not forget the opposition, though), and Nwaneri’s goal was a sight for sore eyes. The line-up is decent, finally Rice, Havertz and Trossard could rest a bit. Saliba might be an overkill for the occasion, but overall I’m satisfied with the first half. Our passing is crisp, and young Ethan has picked up the thread from where he left it against Bolton.
COYG
Good observations, PB. Liverpool’s transitional powers are very impressive. If Big Gab had been on the pitch, I think his positional sense and pace would have prevented that goal.
Ethan’s goal, movement and incisive passing is lovely to watch.
2-0, a score line by which we lost to P.N.E in our first game against them back in 1902 when we were Woolwich Arsenal.
Good points, PB. Martinelli lost the ball unnecessarily, and he did that on a number of occasions v Pool. In my opinion that cost us more than the subsequent defending.
Nwaneri is a joy to watch. I was also really impressed by Raheem and Martinelli tonight.
Fine outing and a good run out for those who needed it. 3-0 has a nice ring to it with Gabby Jesus getting his first goal in eons.
Liked the fact Arteta brought on some of the big guns to get a feel of things, as we go into a run of crucial away games.
PB, good observations and a fine argument. I guess it is a matter of perspectives. Like Stuart asserted, Liverpool’s powers in transition can be a thing of beauty and hard to defend against.
I saw it as Martinelli needing to have taken better care of that ball, even as it may have been a bit short. I feel that’s the reason he was picked to start today’s game (of our main forwards), to help match fitness.
Yes Total, Ethan Nwaneri had another very impressive outing, in fact he plays more like a 27 year old rather than a 17 year old teenager and he looks a very serious fellow, very self aware and knows his own mind, he won’t pay any deference to senior players and he does what he thinks is best, he has a very strong confidence in his decision making.
Did you get my email Total?
Hi Kev, yes I did and will post imminently.
New Post 🙂