Bukayo, Martin, Martinelli, Ethan, and Super CF Mikel Merino: Let’s Go Wild?!

TotalArsenal

Bukayo is back and ready to rock & roll. Ethan and Martinelli are chomping at the bit after a long interlull, Merino just keeps scoring for club and country, and Miles creates smiles everywhere. OOh to Be.

Martin bagged four assists in two games and Declan got two. OOh to Be a Gooner.

Form is everything at the business end of the season, and it looks like our boys are just peaking at the right time. We will still be missing our established CFs, Kai and Jesus, but the return of Super-Saka after a long period of absence is the tonic the boys needed.

We got used to playing with a double DM pivot of whom one can roam forward, but what if Arteta went wild and played Declan or Partey in front of the back four and allowed Miles or Jurrien to support them when appropriate? This would allow us to play Martin AND Ethan in front of an all moving and penetrating attacking trio:

——–Raya———–

Timb-Tequila-Gab-Miles

(Timb)-Declan-(Miles)

—Ethan—Martin—

Saka-Merino-Martinelli

Now, I would not start like this v Real Madrid, even though it would be something to behold, but, at some point in the game, it may be just what we need to surprise and overcome the Spanish giants. We certainly need to up the creative drive from the middle as Odegaard cannot do it on his own. Saka will help with this of course, and having back the triangle of Timb/White-Ode-Saka on our right will give Arsenal a huge uplift. Almost the same goes for playing Miles-Declan-Marti on the left. But that extra bit of creativity and push from attacking midfield may well be needed to really end the season on a high. Martin seems to need it, and I think Ethan Nwaneri is just too good to leave out. Together they will add a lot of thrust, unpredictability and chance-creation/goals to the team.

What do you think? Too attacking/ leaving us vulnerable through the middle/at the back? Or just what Arsenal need to add some drive and deadliness to our attack?

By TotalArsenal (inspired by PB’s comments)

49 thoughts on “Bukayo, Martin, Martinelli, Ethan, and Super CF Mikel Merino: Let’s Go Wild?!”

  • (Bergkampesque – Exclusive):
    December 21st, 2024 – Bukayo Sakalf:
    “Look to my coming, at last light on the fourth month.
    At sunset, look to the North”
    April 1st, 2025 – Martin Ødeoden:
    “Now for wrath, and the red sunset!”
    I pity the poor Cottagers …

  • Le Gall variation(s) (3-4-1-2):
    Raya
    Timber-Saliba-Gabriel
    White-Rice-Merino-LewisSkelly
    Ødegaard
    Saka-Nwaneri
    And … I’d pick the very same XI against Real, btw ! …
    I think Ben is “too good to leave out”, too; I can’t wait to see him boss our right flank again. … Jurrien’s been great, I’m a huge fan, but I’d really want to see such a back-3 operate before the Real tie, so they may be ready on D-Day. That’s Valverde-Bellingham-Rodrygo-Vini Jr.-Mbappé (not to mention Modric) we’ll have to deal with; such a Wall in our middle is just what we need to make ’em doubt ’til they end up blaming one another for just about everything.
    As for MM, he’s done a great job upfront – and credit to the club for buying such a smart player, btw – but with Bukayo back on track, he’s definitely earned the right to play for us in his preferred position. Moreover, before spending big on yet another DM, it wouldn’t hurt to see exactly what this Declan-Mikel pair can bring us.
    Anyway, glad this March barren spell has finally come to an end
    “Drip, drip, drop
    Little April shower
    What can compare to your beautiful sound”
    COYG

  • Here is my proposed line-up for tonight.
    I like (and share) TA’s approach of a single defensive midfielder against Fulham, but I would not risk it against Real Madrid.

    ——————————Raya——————————
    Timber——Saliba—Gabriel—LewisSkelly
    ———————————Rice——————————
    —Saka—Odegaard—Merino—Martinelli—
    —————————Nwaneri—————————

    Around the 60th minute Arteta could/should substitute
    – Timber to White (not to overwork the Dutchman after his illness)
    – Saka to Sterling (not to overwork Bukayo after his injury)
    – Rice to Partey (to rest Declan before the RM quarter-final)

    if we have the lead against Fulham:
    – Nwaneri to Trossard (to experiment with a different stlye of forward up front)
    if we trail against Fulham at 60′:
    – Merino to Trossard (to maximize the attacking potential of the 4-1-4-1)

    Plus we have Jorginho and Zinchenko to provide tactical flexibility as well as Kiwior and Tierney in case of an injury.

    (With Calafiori and Havertz fit, but Jesus out of the picture I would still use this blueprint against many teams with Riccardo as LB and Havertz playing at Merino’s place as left-sided attacking midfielder / Bergkampesque secondary striker. And he can switch positions with Ethan at half time to make the defenders uncomfortable: marking a quick dribbling machine for 45 minutes and then defending against a tower for the second half. And also to see who is more efficient as Dennis’ successor.)

  • Saw a really interesting interview between David Seaman and David Raya that is well worth seeing/hearing on YouTube a few days ago. Raya has an intriguing story to tell.

  • Tyler Dibling, is an interesting prospect, whilst not a £100m footballer – if that rumour is even true?

    He has a Jack Grealish level of unpredictability about him, the kind of unpredictability this Arsenal team could do with. Southampton will be looking to sell this summer so he’s going to be available it’s just a case of how unrealistic or not the Saints actually are?

  • Good morning, gentlemen. Thanks for the post, Total. I’ll add some thoughts later. Busy period, but will be in front of the tele this morning to see us dismantle the Cottagers.

  • F…k
    And Ben not even on the teamsheet – anyone got some intel anout that?
    Definitely one of those seasons …

  • Lethalino!!
    And great move, too …
    I hadn’t seen Marti this sharp in a long, long time, either; so “every cloud has etc.”, I guess
    COYG

  • And it seems it’s been a long, long time
    Since Bukuyu donned the red and got us high
    He’s still the man we all love to see
    Oh, yeh, yeh, yeh
    He’s our rocket man
    Rocket man
    Burning up the wing, he’s the best in town.

  • Ben White had an issue with his knee, let’s hope it’s not the knee he injured before? 🤞

    Jurrien Timber also has a knee problem, hopefully he’s ok for the weekend? 🤞

    Gabriel doesn’t look good…

    Best game I’ve seen from Martinelli in awhile, such a shame he was offside for his goal as he deserved it and he took it so well.

    Our defence wasn’t up to its usual level, hopefully it’s just a blip?

    Saka, what can you say?

  • Saka = Efficiency and Effectiveness. I think you either have this or not. Martin and Martinelli don’t have it enough. They work as hard but just don’t maximise their opportunities. Early signs are that Ethan has it too.

  • Agree Total, both Martinelli, Odegaard have been so wasteful this season, you expect Saka to score when the opportunity arises, conversely you expect the other two to miss…

    And Sterling.

  • Tarkowski not sent off, so he can play saturday.
    Diaz miles offside at the start of the move; his presence forces Tarkowsli to tackle, the ball bounces off his shin to Jota who scores, but of course the goal stands – not for Arsenal, the slightest glimmer of hope
    Paul Tierney and the PGMOL Choir:

  • Gabriel out for the rest of the season, I feel really gutted for him (and me) because if anybody in our team deserves to measure himself against Madrid it’s Big Gabby…

  • Jakub Kiwior, come on down, your time has arrived for you to play like Paulo Maldini over the two legs of the Madrid tie and earn yourself a nice move back to Serie A…

  • I thought Kiwior did very well last Tuesday when he was called upon. He was bullied once – he’s not such a big unit as Gab, and will never be, we should cut him some slack about it – but otherwise his positioning was faultless, he doesn’t shy away from duels, there’s real smoothness in his left-foot, and I find his understanding with Bill very encouraging …
    He’ll start tomorrow, that’s for sure, and I can’t say that worries me much. Now, Madrid … best-case scenario Timber and White will be available, so Mick could be tempted to pick something like:
    Raya
    Timber-White-Saliba-LewisSkelly
    Partey-Rice
    Saka-Ødegaard-Martinelli
    Merino
    … which’d be alright by me! (William has played LCB for France for quite some time, and he’s getting the knack of it – was much, much better in the 2nd leg of the Croatia tie than in the first, for instance)
    Who knows? This Rof8 tie will be a clash between the 2 most injury-plagued teams still qualified in European cups, I think. Given our own predicament, Real was probably the best draw we could expect …

  • Raya
    White-Saliba-Kiwior-LewisSkelly
    Jorginho-Rice
    Sterling-Nwaneri-Trossard
    Merino
    (Neto-Timber-Tierney-Zinchenko-Saka-Partey-Ødeggard-Martinelli)
    I like:
    – the rotation
    – The Return of Benjamin Le Blanc
    – Timber rested
    – Ethan playmaker for the first time
    – the 30+ minutes Bukayo will get
    COYG

  • Nice finish by Trossard, we probably left a couple more goals un-scored out on the pitch. Considering the team changes the boys are well in control and will hopefully close out the game without the need for too many substitutions.

  • Ethan is having a tough time against Patterson and is being doubled up on, all part of his education, likewise Myles who has the overly aggressive O’Brien getting in his face, Myles has done well all things considered

  • I saw a bit of Marciniak on YouTube (highlights) and thought he definitely has something about him.

    I couldn’t get angry over the penalty, how can you? Not when poor decision making by the officials and incompetence by VAR are what you expect and it’s what we’ve seen all season. Tbh I would have been shocked if the referee had booked Patterson for his assault on Nwaneri early in the 1st half or the equally dangerous lunge and kick on Saka in thd 2nd half. We’ve seen Saka kicked so often with no recourse that it’s just par for the course from the shower of shit we have weekly from the PGMOL.

  • Howard Webb is a charlatan, under him the standard of officiating has fallen even further. How on earth the standard could have done that when it was already in the gutter is just astonishing. We really have some of the worst referees in world football.

  • Untold have run a series of articles comparing penalties, fouls, cards – for and against Arsenal – with those of the other four “big ones”. As non-professional statisticians, the job they’ve done is truly impressive, but also terribly depressing
    It was impossible not to think of what they’ve come up with when the penalty was given. It was both unsurprising and weird, as though we could read England’s thoughts in slow motion: “it … is … a … dive … but … it … is … Arsenal … and … Lewis-Skelly … is … involved … plus … there … is … no … way … Attwell … will … overturn … this … :spot-kick!”.
    Now – at least – we’ve learned a few things:
    – The real Ben has not returned – I hope he soon will, but truth is he looks like he still has a long, long way to go.
    – Bukayo is far from firing on all cylinders, either… I don’t think he’s ready to start a game as intense as tueday’s will be, which is true of Myles and Ethan as well – this season has taken a toll on their young bodies and minds; how could it have been otherwise?
    – I wish Martin got his scoring boots back on; the opportunities he’s missed this season have cost us.
    – Kiwior and Kieran were the silver linings; Maldinesque I don’t know but Jakub’s passing is a thing of beauty; as for Kieran the variety and accuracy of his crosses were wonderful surprises – shame he didn’t get the assist he deserved
    So … Tuesday;
    Raya
    Timber-Saliba- Kiwior-Tierney
    Partey-Rice
    Martinelli-Ødegaard-Trossard
    Merino
    to start with???

  • Apparently Darren England was on VAR when that Geordie cretin dismissed MLS for a trip, the red card that got overturned, so we’ve got previous with him…

  • Our internet has been out. Something to do with living in the land Kipling described as “Last, loneliest, loveliest”. Just finished watching the match now. VAR let the ref down. His view point didn’t allow him to see the Everton lads grip on MLS. It was six of one, half a dozen of the other, never a penalty.
    It was lovely to see Ben White on the overlap, getting forward he looked great, but, as LG has pointed out somewhat rusty in defence. It’s got to be Timber, Saliba, Kiwior and, yeh, I’d start Tierney. He may well be our best crosser of the ball, and Merino is good in the air.
    MLS provided the best moment of the match with his thrilling run before being fouled. The boy is fearless. But the young fella has played a lot of football recently. Kieran is well rested and quick enough to handle the threat of those Madrid forwards.
    Such a shame we are robbed of the spectacle of seeing our best X1 go up against Real, but it is what it is. The refs won’t be English and, remember, we beat Parma without Wrighty.

  • The referee on Tuesday is from that hotbed of European football Bosnia.
    His name escapes me!

    According to a Real Madrid blog I read yesterday he’s quite inexperienced but he’s done one of Madrid’s games already this season, a 0-1 away win for them and they said he was very good (good for Madrid no doubt) so they are quite comfortable with him having the ‘middle’…

    How it affects Arsenal, who can say, but does anybody who supports Arsenal have much confidence in any referee these days? No, me neither…

    Real Madrid are the poster boys of UEFA’s flagship club event. UEFA need the glamour that Real bring to the competition, it’s probably why they win it all the time, it’s what UEFA want and they pick favourable referees accordingly.

    UEFA don’t really want Arsenal going through do they? What pedigree do we bring to the competition, what players do we have that capture the imagination of youngsters and more importantly advertisers and tv companies by comparison to Real?

    So the fix is on isn’t it, even if by some miracle Arsenal win the 1st leg we’re going to get stitched up in the Bernebeau. It’s as clear as the enormous nose on the end of Phil Thompsons face.

    UEFA want a Bayern Munchen vs Real Madrid final in Munich in May and there’s nothing Mikel Arteta or his players can do about it.

    I’ll still enjoy both games though, I’ll just go into the two legs realistically.

  • Yes, Duke, I read the Puskas/Banks story yesterday. I wasn’t aware of it until then. Those workers up on the old North Bank must have thought all their Christmas’s had come at once. Neither had I remembered that Peter Story made the ’71 team of the year. I read his biography recently, some shady moments in that fella’s story, both on and off the pitch.
    An Eastern European match official has, on occasion favoured English teams… 😉at least once in our lifetime, Kevski. Tho’ on the flip side, Spain did ally with Bosnia during the ’92-’95 conflict and have an embassy in Sarajevo. Bosnia has an embassy in Madrid, all opening us up to le Carre levels of murky carrying ons.

  • Positive vibes from head to toe already.
    We’re gonna rock ’em.
    Hard.

    (great podcast, Kev.
    Wrighty IS a Treasure)

  • The salvation of our season is at hand Stu.

    I wasn’t too convinced by Gyokeres initially, I mean why had nobody picked him up when he was at Coventry and €100m plus seemed an extortionate amount on the back of one and a half good seasons. Then I saw him play against us and although we gave Sporting a thrashing I was impressed by his power, physicality and shoot on sight mentality, allied to the power of his shooting, it was at odds with Arsenal’s generally genteel style and I thought he would actually be just what we maybe need?

    Anyway my mind was set on Sesko as everything seemed to point towards him, height, powerful shooting, good in the air, technically at our level, good age, price and it was strongly rumoured that we’d tried to get him last January so a no brainer it has to be Benjamin…

    But maybe not, as all the chat recently is of Viktor and unless it’s all a carefully constructed ruse to put off the gazumpers for Sesko like Chelsea then it looks like Izak’s International team mate is heading to Holloway Road?

    Maybe we’ll get both of them?

  • I am Total I cannot deny it…

    But imagine if we get an enticing offer for Trossard?
    Then.
    Stirling will go back to Chelsea and Jesus won’t be available until close to the end of the year so we’ll still be light in attack even if we just sign one new striker.
    It’s a nice thought if unlikely, I know…

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