Who will fill the Arsenal Vacancy between Zubi-Rice and Gyokeres?

TotalArsenal

Arsenal’s defence is solid in general – best in the league.

Our midfield base of RiZu is also solid – soon to be best in Europe.

Our attack is more than decent with shared highest PL-goals scored with Citeh (who do have a game in hand, though), but I am sure that you will agree that it is not firing from all cylinders as yet. You just feel it could work much better, be much more lethal!

What is really exciting is that Arteta has a number of attacking options, and if he can get this part of our game right for the remainder of the season then there is nothing stopping us picking up silverware. Gyokeres is starting to find his feet in the team, and his fellow players are starting to feed him much better balls. Eze is a another player who needs to establish himself in the first-11, and he is slowly getting there. To get the best out of both players Arteta needs to allow them space. They both quite struggle with the claustrophobic nature of many of our games, largely due to opponents sitting deep and allowing little time and space for our attackers in the areas where Arsenal can hurt them most. Saka, Kai and Trossard on the other hand are much better suited in dealing with low-block teams.

As soon as we are ahead and teams have to come forward, Arsenal often play their best football. That’s when we see Gyokeres and Eze really shine. But we know that this is a rarity these days. So how can Arsenal maximise our attacking play against all those low-block opponents? Please share your views via a comment.

For me, it is a matter for Rice and Zubimendi to find the right balance between being the solid wall in front of our defence AND be the link with our attack. Both players are naturally drawn to the former, but they also have the quality to do the latter – and do it really well. I think these guys will get better and better, and will be the envy of Europe, let alone the PL, for years to come.

But key is that the attacking midfielder, the one in the hole, links up well both them.

I think Odegaard should be the best suited for this position, but he is a shadow of his former self and the chemistry with Rice and Zubimendi is missing. This is really sad and unfair on him, but it just is not clicking at the moment.

Eze is not doing it for me either in all those tight, low-block games, but this could still come. Eberechi, as already stated, needs space and movement but low-block teams are getting better and better in denying us these. I have seen Eze waiting around the ‘D-area’ for the ball to come to him and being isolated in far too many games. If and when he comes deep to get the ball, he does not do much with it from an attacking point of view (unless of course the opponent has pushed up and leaves space behind them; then Eze is at his most effective).

A solution to consider is for Arsenal to sit back more themselves and force the opponent to come and attack us. The turnovers and counterattacks that this would generate would suit Arsenal, and especially Eze but also Odegaard, very well (and we have seen this already in a few Champions League and other cup games).

But I think that the Havertz-Gyokeres combination is the best way forward for all those low-block games. They could play in 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Key is that both move a lot through the middle and link up well with each other and with Dec and Zubi (and the wing players of course). Every time the wingers and wing-backs can get the ball into the box, there will be two fine central attackers to put the ball in the net. Kai is stronger in the air than Victor and is ideal for long balls by the GK or defenders. Kai is also good in shielding the ball and passing accurately in tight spaces, and Victor loves to combine with him and benefit from the space the German will create for him.

So I am hoping that Kai will be fit soon and then stay fit for a long time. I am pretty sure that this is the missing link to fully maximise our attacking play. And judging from recent games when Havertz was fit, I think this is also Arteta’s preferred way to play against the Park-the-Bus teams.

But what do you think?

By TotalArsenal

61 thoughts on “Who will fill the Arsenal Vacancy between Zubi-Rice and Gyokeres?”

  • Thanks Total.
    I share your hopes for Kai’s fitness. If fit I’d regard him as our first choice striker. I’d play Eze behind him when we are playing away when teams typically have to come out, and Martin behind him when at the Emirates and facing the low block. Unless we are playing Spurs then I’d play Eze every time:) The boy has a thing for that fixture.
    Likewise using Leo on the left against the low block, and Gabby when the opponents come at us leaving space for counterattacks.
    If the galloping Cala plays left back then Eze could play on the left with the liberty to play a left sided 10.
    If we were playing in Budapest with everyone available, I’d pick
    Raya
    Timber Saliba Gabriel Calafiore
    Zubi Rice
    Saka Martin Eze
    Kai

    Atalanta 7th in Serie A or Leverkusen 6th in the Bundesliga. Who do you fancy?

  • Thanks for response, Stu.

    Kai as CF is also ok, but I much prefer him behind the striker. He fits perfectly into Mikel’s ideas on midfielders. I like your thoughts re Calafiori and Eze on the left.

    My Buda-11

    Timb-SAL-BigG-Cala
    Zu-Ri
    Saka-Kai-Leo/Eze
    GYOAL

    Atalatanta were impressive v Dortmund, so probably Leverkusen.

  • Watched Atalanta yesterday, and they’re an excellent bunch indeed. They’re a genuine … team (!!), which in those days of permanent mercato, is quite an achievement. I love the player Kola has turned out to be in Lombardy, in particular, and I found the German-Serbian lad who scored the winner impressive in the extreme.
    So Bayer do look more easily tameable (haven’t watched that much of therm, though …).
    Don’t have the time to come up with a comment to your post right now, T.
    Will do, though, asap.

  • Thanks Total. Certainly those Bodo boys looked like they were having fun in Milan.
    It would be interesting to read a study on how the likes of Norwegian footballers like Haaland, MO8, Gyo and Isak made it to the top. I wonder if they weren’t recognised and plucked out early. There is no question from my observations that academies have huge benefits.
    Part of my theological studies looked at the question of the morality of competition. From my notes…
    In any team dynamic, there is a level of competition needed amongst teammates that is crucial to success. As players (or athletes in general) compete with each other for playing time and starting positions, it can cultivate camaraderie as teammates push one another toward growth and a common goal. This is displayed in the very word: competition. Based on its Latin roots, the word competition can be defined as “striving together, striving in common, or rising up together.”

    As a coach I run a fitness test called a Beep test during pre season training. Most people do not achieve their best scores on fitness tests when competing alone. There’s something about lining up next to your teammate and striving together towards improvement/excellence. Competition can bring out the best performance. It’s a necessary part of living that helps us pursue excellence.
    The Good Book supports this idea:
    “As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)
    It qualifies this with a further idea:
    “Out do one another in showing honour” (Romans 12:10)
    Honouring (lifting) others being the goal.
    You have likely heard the phrase “comparison is the thief of joy.” In her book The Examined Run, Sabrina Little, an ultra marathoner and philosopher, challenges this statement pointing to a deeper issue. She writes “Comparison is productive. Comparison is not the thief of joy. Envy is the thief of joy.”
    Finding the balance of the two motivations (to win and to help others to win) within us is one of life’s challenges. Both Kev and Duc have written insightfully on this blog about our clubs academy set ups, I have been thrilled with the successes of the likes of Bukuyu, MLS and others but also very moved by the accounts of how those who don’t progress to elite levels are treated with honour, helped into careers with other clubs. Per M seems to have played a large role in establishing this philosophy at Arsenal. One to be proud of.

  • Thanks, Stu. That’s a great comment. I think the Norwegian approach is the way forward, and i could tell from this Olympics that modern athletes across the board are indeed much less competitive and able to take joy in the success of others. This is a great development, very much in the all important Jesus’ goal fot life ‘to love your neighbour’, which as you know is both very important and so hard to achieve constantly in life.

    I think the sport participation rates are very impressive in Norway:

    “UK reports show fewer than half of all children get a basic amount of daily exercise with rapidly increasing drop-out rates before reaching adulthood. In Norway, 90% of young children are active, and though it decreases, it’s still more than 70% for teenagers. Tore Øvrebø, Norway’s much-interviewed director of elite sport, questions why other sporting systems focus more on getting rid of young people than developing them. “The biggest motivation for kids to do sports is that they do it with their friends and they have fun,” he says. Research in the UK shows that the biggest reason why kids drop out is it stops being fun. It’s really that simple.”

    I dont think there is no competition at all, but it will be more subtle.

  • Hmmm, I’m not sure if The Lord wants us to extend our love to that lot over on the Seven Sisters…
    Perhaps a modicum of sympathy and an appreciation for the six points they give us each season.

  • Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head, went downstairs and had a cup, looking up… I read the news today O boy, somebody spoke and I went into a dream…
    Is that not the best CL draw we could have hoped for? WOOOOHOOOO!!!

  • Meadow Pk night
    Young Guns U21 Ipswich U21
    Mooney
    HarrimanAnnous-Dowman-O’Neill
    Ibrahim-Julienne
    Washington-Clarke-Salmon-Dixon
    Setford
    Setford back, Max on board … to say this is a strong side would be an understatement. Ipswich are 3rd – or so I think – so this shouldn’t be a walk in the (meadow) park, though.
    COYYoungGuns

  • HT Young Guns 0 Ipswich 1
    Things are not exactly going smoothly.
    What an impressive bunch they are, these Tractor Boys. They scored an absolute screamer – not only the left-footed RW’s finishing, but the whole move, so controlled.
    What I like about them is all of them are such excellent footballers, as though there’d been a clear choice from the club to scout only skilful players – never mind their athleticism, and to set up a system in which they could make the most of their qualities. Hats off to the guys in charge of their academy, really.
    What about us, now … Max looked rusty – he went off at HT, might be because of the Chelsea game, but to me it looks like he didn’t have more in his tank at the moment. I’d like him to pass the ball more, not systematically go for his trademark darting runs, when he doesn’t have the legs for them …
    Andre should have done much more from an ideal 1v1 with their GK – he does need to become more ruthless under those circumstances, that boy
    I like our “Paddy” O’Neill a lot, he makes things happen all the time, whether it be as a CF, or on either side if the attack
    BaileyJoseph for Max … COYYG

  • FT 0-1
    Scrappy half – they kept us at arm’s length, the worrying bit being they did so without breaking a sweat … Our only clear opportunity came Andre’s way, but … see above. BaileyJoseph tried to shuffle things around a bit, but our other options from the bench were very limited, for whatever reason … Nichols has completely vanished from sight, for instance.
    Clarke played RCB, and Salmon left, it’d been the other way round so far. I suspect this was some kind of first-team’s powers-that-be’s requirement (because the usual setup had been doing just fine lately), but it didn’t amount to much, other than Marli being sent off, eventually. He has a tendency to pick bookings a lil’ too easily for my taste, our defense’s starboy … he sure has to learn how to put up with frustration, turn his feelings into positive anger, rebellion, not into making him do foolish things – which 16-y-o do, though, don’t they? I guess I just wish he were exceptional on that front, too …
    Well, why do we fall, kiddos?
    So we can learn to pick ourselves up; COYYG.

  • What a result at the Molineux. They know they are already relegated, yet Wolves fighting like they have European places to vie for. Wow!
    Wolves aren’t going down quietly. Villa are now genuinely under threat of losing their top 4place.

  • TA, insightful post you have up there; and I like the way you are thinking. Stuart has also put up brilliant comments, garnished with theological wisdom and laced with disruptive literary inputs.

    It must be said that every team will find it hard breaking down teams which play in a low block and it’s been the bane of our attacking play and creativity/chance creation, which are much criticized, albeit unfairly seeing as we are the top scoring side now (equal with City with a game in hand, I know). The thing to review is how the likes of Man City and Liverpool fare against such sides and what do they do different from our side. The answer, for me, is they have No.10s who maintain a good balance between the midfield pivot and attacking players; while their managers also give their flair players freedom to play first and worry about turnovers after. Arteta appears to have his forwards on a tight leash and regimented “Dos and Don’ts” just to avoid turnovers that can be costly. Not that there’s much wrong with that since it keeps us solid at the back and, as they say, Defences win you titles. Perhaps, that’s the theme of Arteta’s tactics this season and after three 2nd place finishes (playing flair soccer), who can blame him?

  • On another note, I do like the structure you described with Havertz behind the striker, but there will have to be games where it has to be Odegaard and others where Eze starts. I also feel there will be games where we could even have Rice as DM and Odegaard and Eze as No.10s in free roles.

    That should give defensive opponents something to worry about.

  • Fine comment, Eris. Yes Artets has options, and Rice or Zubi as sole DM is certainly one of them. When we play low blocks our man in the hole needs to be a perfect hybrid between attacking midfielder and attacker. For me this is Kai by a mile.

  • The CL draw is very, very interesting. The PL teams, bar us and Pool, have all been matched with current European giants. This could mean that many PL teams will be illiminated or few big European big teams will be left after the coming round.

    Arsenal’s path is easier on paper, but i am always wary of us underestimating our opponents.

  • Tomorrow’s the night of the CL final.
    We’ve made it to Budapest, and so have Bayern.
    All players are available.
    This season’s NLDs are long forgotten.
    My pick (the one that’d make me supremely confident) would be:
    (A)
    Havertz
    Eze-Saka
    Rice-Zubimendi-Merino
    Calafiori-Gabriel-Saliba-Timber
    Raya
    On the other hand, my guess is MA’s would be:
    (B)
    Gyökeres
    Trossard-Havertz-Saka
    Rice-Zubimendi
    Hincapié-Gabriel-Saliba-Timber
    Raya
    … and I’d feel nowhere near as confident.
    Now, for obvious reasons, Ebz can’t be benched tomorrow, but my gut feeling is he will be, again, as soon as he puts a foot wrong and /or the team underperforms, so that we’ll be treated to (B), sooner or later.
    The run-in has started, there are what? … 23 games left max, with a unique chance, not only to make it to the CL final, but also to grab the big ears of that so far elusive piece of silverware.
    I really do hope this (B) XI will convince me, that Gyö (whom I love, make no mistake!), in particular, will make the second thoughts I have about him performing at the very highest level vanish into thin air …
    And if that means being kept from watching week in, week out, a lad (Ebz) – the more I watch him play, the more striking the similarities are to me – I regard as the eery reincarnation of Platini, well so be it!
    COYG

  • https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/mar/16/newsstory.sport4

    Like you, I imagine, LG, I wish he had listened to his wife. He would have been an ideal replacement for our Liam and I can just see him in front of Stu Robson, alongside Rixie, Paul Davis and behind Tony Woodcock. His reasoning for not choosing North London is understandable, ultimately ending up replacing Brady at Juve.

    Leeds had a real go at City this morning. Semenyo did the damage again.

    All eyes on the Middle East…

  • Such love for Eze, LeG. You even see Platini in him!

    Both lineups would work for me. Arsenal are strongest when both wings are working AND we pose a threat through the middle too. So i think your B lineup is the strongest.

    Hincapie as our LFB as Arteta’s preferred option is interesting. I think you are right, though. His passing of the ball is unbelievably good, and he links up better and better with midfield and attack with every game.

  • There are few teams that can be considered weak, at this stage of the CL. Admittedly, Leverkusen are an ideal draw but complacency is one thing we must avoid because they do have a good team play and some quality in offense.

    UEFA may be making up for the season they made us play the 2nd legs away, despite having finished high up the table to deserve that privilege of a 2nd leg at home. Well, we topped the table this time, winning every game. I feel that may have played a part in how the draws were done.
    Like TA stated, it is only easy on paper. We have to earn the right to get to the finals.

  • LG, those are interesting line ups you have there. A lot will depend on who is fit and who the opponent is, I guess. But, I feel our most effective line up will be your B picks. However, our strongest line up will be an in-form and fit Odegaard, instead of Havertz (who may get the top striker role but for the other strengths of Gyokeres).

    As for Hincapie, what a player he’s proven to be. To think he is only on loan. You bet Arteta will activate the Buy clause at the end of the season.

  • You’re right about Martin Ø, Eris, but I admit I’ve kind of given up about him being “in-form and fit” again – and I have a feeling MA has started to as well, which I didn’t think imagineable.
    Actually, Mick giving him the cold shoulder is the reason why I suspect something’s wrong with him, which prevents him from recovering fully from his series of injuries …
    His assist for Gyö last sunday was the first time he did anything effective in the last 30 yards in a long time.
    This habit he’s had lately, of popping up between BigBill and BigGab, touch the ball as though he was dribbling himself, like he was in practice warm-up, and end up with a ten-yard-lateral pass to Zubi or Declan, had become really hard to put up with, and was a clear sign he was trying hard to get his sensations, his self-assurance back, but just couldn’t.
    Funny thing is I thought he’d left his physical problems behind once and for good when I saw him play for Norway against Italy in Oslo last summer; they destroyed the azzuri and Martin was the Philharmonic director we were used to watching, not that long ago … so the player he can be is still there somewhere …
    If, and only if, this player turns up again:
    Of course there’s no way Ebz will get out of (A), the crown jewel of which he is – Merino would have to give way.
    As for (B), I think you’re right again, Eris – Gyö would have to give precedence to our returned skipper.
    Weird feeling about today’s game – everything’s been so quiet this week it’s unsettling. Might be because their defense being deprived of both Fofana and Cruella makes everybody supremely confident … Don’t think we’ll trample them under foot, though; 1-0 to The Arsenal will be just fine for me.
    COYG

  • That’s a lot you’ve unpacked there about our skipper and those observations about Martin’s recently acquired habits are spot on. hence my reference to an in-form and fit Odegaard. For me, if Eze can find his place in the team and handle the No.10 role with distinction in every game (he appears to choose the games in which he does well), I would have no problem with him starting over Odegaard in that B team. All round, Odegaard brings more while Eze shows strength in directness in offense.

    On the game today, not sure it has been so quiet since I see a lot of apprehension in preview programmes and fan interaction. Chelsea fans are apprehensive because of the number of players they can’t field, while Arsenal fans feel tension as City cut the gap to 2 points. Ultimately, it is not going to be an easy game for us and I am certain the players know that. Our lads usually do better when they appear “quiet”so I fully expect them to ensure the win is achieved. They will do their talking on the pitch.

    1-0 is fine by me, but I feel we will score more than just one goal.

    COYG!!!

  • Team is just as we expected.

    Referee: Darren England
    Assistants: Scott Ledger, Akil Howson
    Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
    VAR: John Brooks
    Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan

  • Looks like Odegaard is not fit for this one, again…

    Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres

    Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly

    Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Sarr, Chalobah, Hato, Caicedo, Santos, Palmer, Fernandez, Neto, Pedro

    Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Gusto, Lavia, Garnacho, Delap, Guiu

  • Happy St Tott’s day, boys…

    Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Jesus, Martinelli, Madueke, Norgaard, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly

  • 1-1 at half time with Chelsea giving it back from a corner kick, albeit a Hincapie own goal.

    I thought Gyokeres was stepped upon and should have won a penalty off Chaloba. But because he’s gone down theatrically, Ref ruled nothing and VAR agreed.

    My concern is with the fact they have more possession than we have. It portends something to fear going into a nerve wracking second half. We also got lucky with Declan’s getting penalty shout.

    Both Trossard and Eze need to step it up and seek to keep it simple. We will be in for a tough second half where we need to take our chances to get the 3 points.

  • Well, well … Ole Ole, only for both sides.
    Happy for Bill, it was high time he scored. What a thing of beauty Bukayo’s delivery was, there was something mesmerizing in the trajectory of the ball.
    We were very, very good … for 30 minutes – again. Stop doing this to this old heart of mine, lads, will you? Please.
    They’re no sacrificial victims, those Chavs; Rosenior has turned his tactics around completely, our annihilation is still on the menu, but through sustained possession, not though bus-parking, and truth is James, Fernandez, Pedro … Palmer, of course, are terrific football players who can turn any defenders into whirling dervishes.
    What frustrates me again is our technical imperfection when it matters most … Ebz had two poor touches on the edge of their box, Declan kicked a ball into row Z which should’ve been on target at least, Gyö flicked the ball into the zag while Bukayo was asking for it into the zig, Leo’s terrible pass to a blue shirt cut short a very promising counterattack, etc. etc.
    On top of that, am I the only one to find that Zubi looks under the weather? Tbh, I wouldn’t mind Nørgaard coming on for him. One we’re gonna see soon is Kai – and if he’s 100% fit, this boy can sure tip the balance in our favor.
    COYG

  • Rice is limping badly. Why not bring on Norgaard? Surely, he can’t do much worse than say Zubimendi?

  • Ref should have let us go on even if a second yellow gives us an advantage.

  • I’ll take those 3 points, thank you very much.
    A few fans don’t understand how nervy these situations can be. Chelsea are a good side and we will find out when they beat City next game week. Yes, I said it.

  • By the skin of our teeth.

    Team still looks tired to me. Too many players under par, and i agree with le Duc that we were poor technically today. But the boys have spirit and fought for thosw points. They will have to do so again v Brighton.

    Proud of the boys.

  • Sorry, Chelsea face Villa next, not City. Even better as some of their players would have returned for when they beat City in April. 😁

  • That’s the thing. At this stage, it is about getting the wins till the end of the season. We do lack a bit of composure and quality when it matters, though but nothing we can do about that now.

  • Set piece Kings of London.
    Yeh, LG, we lacked some technical finesse which would have eased the blood pressure.

  • What a massive win …
    I feel for the lads, though. The pressure of the quest for their PL Grail has turned into powerful kryptonite; they can’t even do the simplest things right. Raya MotM says a lot, doesn’t it? The fans in the stands will have a crucial part to play from now on, the boys won’t make it without their vociferous support, through thick and thin.
    The very best of the team we’ll see in the CL, starting in Leverkusen – mark my words!
    COYG

  • Wolves results against Villa and now Liverpool puts our draw against them in some, albeit frustrated perspective. Like Kev, it has taken me some time to get over letting slip a two goal lead to the bottom club. Beating Spurs and Chelsea has got us back on track but not in a bullet train sense. We are certainly missing Mikel Merino, who has been the best cover for our central midfield. Zubi and Declan were not at their imperious best against the chavs and are in need of a rest.
    Brighton away are a tricky proposition even if we had a head of steam up, so maybe experimentation is not the answer for this match but how would you feel about this line up for the Mansfield game?
    Raya
    White Mosquera Gabriel Calafiore
    Norgaard Odegaard
    Noni Eze Trossard
    Kai
    With Dowman back in contention, he would have a role off the bench along with, hopefully MLS.

    Trying MO8 in the deeper role, much like Santi had for us in the latter stages of his time at Arsenal. Martin can dictate play from deep, is two footed and has a point to prove. A well earned rest for Zubi, Declan, Saliba and our two full backs.

  • What a great preview, mate …
    Wolves’ rebound reminds me of my dear ol’ FC Rouen, who were at the very bottom of the “Première Division” by the end of 1967, but beat leaders Saint-Étienne in the early weeks of ’68. The win brought their confidence back and allowed them to pile up a series of wins, and … stay up, eventually. The following season (1968-69), they played the best football “Robert-Diochon” has ever seen, and finished high enough to qualify for the … 1969-70 Fairs Cup!! (ring a bell?). There’s still 24 points to be won for these ravenous Canis Lupus, so who knows? There’s at least one club higher up the table I wouldn’t mind watching go down instead of them …
    I like your XI a lot – and the rationale for it – but I think Ben’s unavailable, and both Kai and Martin on, when there’s such uncertainty about their fitness/form looks risky to me. I agree 100% about Martin being given time in a “Santi” role, though. I definitely think that’s where his future lies; now will he accept giving up the prestigious N°10 berth, is the question, isn’t it? I also miss Merigol big time, his cold-blooded, technically faultless efficiency in the final third in particular – but his controlled strength, both physical and mental too, as well as his reading of the game, the way he turns up in the exact pocket of space where the team needs him, all the time … that’s a huge hole we have in the squad, in his absence.
    Declan-Zubi do look knackered, don’t they? … and they have for quite some time. Zubi is an extraordinary midfielder, he’s supposed to be a DM, but I’ve said many times how reminiscent of the more attack-minded Giresse’s his game can be. He’s such a complete player; I still can’t believe the guys in charge of these things at Real didn’t realize he was Kroos’s one and only heir-apparent, and let us bring him over to London …
    But right now, he does need a rest, he’s simply not himself at the moment. I find it truly mind-boggling that we should have the perfect player – Nørgaard – on the bench who could give Martin the time to get his full fitness back, without weakening the team much, while we keep running Martin into the ground. As for Declan … the problem with him is how important his set-pieces have become for us, so that taking him off if out of the question for Mikel, or that’d be my guess anyway. As for his work rate, his runs right through defenses, the only midfielder who could match him on these fronts, would be Myles, but well … he’s not been given one single minute in midfield so far, so that there’s no way he’ll be now.
    Lastly, it says a lot about Bukayo’s season that we can consider bringing Noni on, at the very start of a 9-game run-in … He’s still an extraordinary player of course, but his output hasn’t been what he should’ve been – I think next summer is the time when he and Mikel need to have a no holds barred conversation about his place in the team, from August ‘26 onwards.
    Anyway, just a slight variation on your XI would be fine by me …
    COYG

  • Evening all.

    Yes strong, usual team tonight, and alternative one this weekend. This is such a big game for us. That creepy Hurzeler fella always wants to get one over Arteta, so this will be hard.

    My prefeŕred tesm

    El Gato
    Timb, SaGa, Cala
    Zub-Rice
    Buk-Kai-Eze
    VIC

  • Morning fella’s. Yes, it does, “ring a bell”, LG. Beating the Belgians at Highbury even made the news in my West Auckland backwater.

  • Kev, did you see our boy, Allen’s century off 33 balls to get us into the T20 final? Ten fours, eight sixes!!

  • TEAM SHEETS:
    Arsenal:
    Raya Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

    Brighton:
    Verbruggen, van Hecke, Georginio, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Boscagli, Mitoma, Kadioglu, Gomez, Wieffer, Gross.

    Subs: Steele, Minteh, Welbeck, Milner, Ayari, De Cuyper, O’Riley, Veltman, Howell

  • What a team defensive performance. So proud of the boys. Rice, Gabriel, Hincapie, etc etc top top defending. And Citeh drop 2 points. Wonderful Wednesday.

  • TA, Odegaard wasn’t fit for this one. That’s a huuuuuge 3 points right there and it was won by every means possible. Even made better that Man City drew to Forest at home. Who would have thunk it?

  • Not sure how much more of these kind of games the old ticker can take. Phew!!

  • So poor for 60 minutes – unless anyone thinks hoofing the ball up and far away is great football – it was embarrassing but, thanks to Forest a giant step on our way to the title.
    Mikel appears to have been thinking he was better off with a bystander who, in this parody of football we played for three quarters of the game, never gave the ball away once, and whose flick to Bukayo was the only genuine key pass of the whole game, rather than with a CF with the touch of an elephant and the vision of a mole.
    But since you’ve become the great Eberechi expert, lately, this might also mean Mikel is wrong, and turns out not to be the great manager you thought he was, after all.

  • Anyone could see that he was a bystander waiting for the ball to come to him, which of course sometimes happens. I want Eze to do well. I think he is a great human being, But i dont rate him in the 10 position, and i feel, my opinion LeGall, that we are playing with 10 men.

  • It was a lovely pass.
    And, I too am losing what dwindling faith I had in Gyo. Didn’t win a single one on one or physical battle. We need to see Kai get fit for the rest of the season with Jesus as a stand by.
    Mikel has led us to the cusp of greatness. Hopefully a restful game v Mansfield before three enormous matches.

  • At least Gyo fights, makes himself available, is part of the action, despite getting nothing from his nr10 who was constantly miles away from him. He also has to improve, though.

  • Delighted to see Rambo in superb action for Newcastle this morning. I hope he retains his place and goes to the World Cup.
    Sleep well, gentlemen. War and suffering abounds but God is on His throne and Arsenal are seven clear. (And the All Blacks have a new coach and New Zealand are in the T20 final). What would we be like but for these healthful distractions?

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