When: Thursday, October 4 12:55 EST Where: Bumfuk Stadium, Baku Azerbaijan TV: B/R Live, check local Spanish language as well. We roll on. I know a lot will be made about the travel time and it is significant (5.5 hr flight), but it’s not the end of the world. It’s just 1.5 hr more than if we had to go to turkey. Looks like emery is taking a strong squad on the trip as well. I’m okay with that despite the quick turn around on Sunday because if we win this one then probably all we need is another home win to secure 2nd in the group. Plus, we have momentum and a loss to douchebag fk would zap that. No idea at the starting 11, but hopeful we get to see nketieh start. Would like to see Ramsey play against some lesser competition to get his confidence up as well. I suspect kolasinac will return to the lineup for this one and Elneny/guen midfield again.
It would be nice to get Monreal a rest, even if it's only 30mins. I doubt I find time to watch this one.
I am not sold on Mhki at all. He seems very much the mold of many Wenger era players who tend to fizzle out production-wise after half a season. I hope that I am wrong. I don't understand why anyone would want to drop Auba. I would move him to the right side, which is where I think he would excel. But either way, he has 4 goals in 8 games and allows for Laca to pklay and get his goals. Why would you wnat to drop your best stirker?? None of this matters until we get rid of the wing backs. We always will leak goals like a sieve because they leave too much space in transition. I'd also rather have our forwrads on the ball than to have more crosses from the LB du jour or Bellerin. Better odds os success. Anyway, he have too much firepower to lose this game. We should keep the good streak alive. Also, guys, resist the urge to draw too many conclusions just yet. We haven't even played ten games yet.
Iwobi or Miki have to play. In my opinion we need the ball movers to give Ozil with room to excel, Auba to run. Otherwise we may as well have kept Ollie.
The fact that a player can’t play in a country due to political issues is ridiculous. All Azerbaijani teams (and any other country’s teams) should be booted from their respective competitions.
Give him a proper rest! Don't make him travel. But apparently they have. Mhki has stayed behind, apparently because Azeris hate Armenians, and ban them from entry. Seriously?? I agree, that's ridiculous! Then perhaps they shouldn't be allowed to be in this Europa tournament at all. p.s. Auba & Ramsey are also left behind because of illness & pregnancy respectively. p.p.s. I will also be missing this game live, but it's for a good reason... a last round of golf for the year, with my brother. @Jamooky might approve.
Nice! Got one in today. First non-scramble in two years (I have a two year old!). And it happened to be 80 degrees. Very windy though, which kinda made it fun.
He could have gotten an exception, and FIFA and UEFA typically lead the application process on behalf of the clubs and players in these situations. He could also be kidnapped or killed by crazies. In the end, it's just a game. Easy choice for me.
I was trying to piece that formation together for like 5 minutes. Forgot that Nacho can play as a CB.
Best guess... ------------- Welbeck -------------- -- ESR -------------------- Iwobi -- Kola ----- Duzy --- EN ----- Licht -- Nacho -- Sokaratis -- Rob -- ----------------- Leno ---------------
I’m sure many arsenal fans will hope to see this trialed in hopes that we play it with auba and laca in the future: --------iwobi----- Welbeck--------- ————-- ESR --------------- Kola ----- Duzy --- EN ----- Licht -- Nacho -- Sokaratis -- Rob -- ----------------- Leno ---------------
Does Galavision have an HD option anywhere? I have it twice on my channel guide and neither is HD, which feels insane in 2018. The broadcast looks like it's from the 90s, which sort of adds to the aesthetic of us playing in Azerbaijan.
Goals from Sokratis, Smith-Rowe, and Guendouzi. Wonder what kind of odds you could've gotten on those 3 scoring today.
Interesting game. We looked pretty leggy, so the trip definitely seems to have sapped the players a bit. Probably shouldn’t draw too many conclusions except: 1) kolasinac is a defensive liability—he misjudged 3-4 diagonals completely giving them chances from nothing. 2) leichsteiner is okay as backup but we will struggle if bellarin misses prem matches 3) 3 at the back just ain’t for us, we absorbed way too much pressure and the missing midfielder meant they had space to move the ball. 4) Danny is back to being Danny—holy crap that was a terrible finish after laca teed him up. Pretty anonymous and his runs were poor I thought. I thought guen had a rough first half, but as usual he had his moments. Ozil coming on was his typical self—low energy but then had a few great bursts to get us chances. Leno was very good I though. A couple of saves. Sokratis was motm for me. Deserved and tough win on the road.
Only saw the highlights. The opposition had a lot of chances. The final scoreline flattered us. There is still a lot of work do. Our recent run of victories over semi substandard teams doesn't convince me that we have progressed substantially.I like the keeper change. That's overdue (sorry, obvious truth). I think we are a work in progress. Some positives/some not so positives. Liverpool will be a litmus test.
Can we please move on from Danny Welbeck. Total mediocrity. Sell him please. Total symbol of the old club. Not good/ not bad. Total vanilla ice cream. Not a hater but Jesus if we really have aspirations.....he ain't taking us there.
Just watched the whole match on DVR, at least the parts I could keep my eyes open for. Didn't mind the Spanish too much, although I don't speak a lick. Random thoughts... 1. Red Shorts... WTF? Whose bright idea was that? White shorts not only would make us look something like Arsenal, but also contrast with our opponents solid shorts. 2. Ad hoardings... from the old days... no flashing, moving light-shows... a retro breath of fresh air! 3. Kola at wing back... at first I was psyched, especially after that early foray when he owned the defender. Made me think this is his best position... but as match progressed I thought he just fizzled. 4. Back 3... first time this season? Ironically we scored in 4 minutes with that formation, but one of those 2 factors seemed to curse us. Not only could we not capitalize, they were ascendant after that and it really should've been at least 3-1 to them at HT, if only they knew how to put the ball on frame. 5. Smith-Rowe... very good match for a youngster. And a really seasoned take for his goal. Made up for his not being able to get on the end of a sitter in 1T. He's looks quite promising. Just needs to stop fiddling with his bangs. 6. Iwobi... 2nd excellent match in a row. And an absolutely perfect lay-on for Emile's goal. 7. Guendouzi... great offensively but defensively ugh... way way too many sloppy give-aways in our own half. 8. Leno... excellent reflex saves in both halves. One poor parry, dead ahead and into traffic.. But in general a very solid second go around. But I get this sense that a major gaffe is just around the corner, even with his supposedly good foot-skills. 9. Welbeck... totally missing in 1T. Better when moved out wide late in game, but overall a match he's gonna want to forget. 10. Ozil... mixed feelings. Nice to see him get a huge cheer from the (largely muslim?) Azeri crowd upon his entry. Then he had 2 quick give-aways, before redeeming himself by totally manufacturing our 3rd goal with his fast break. 11 Torreira... solid, after his HT entrance... replacing Nacho (phew!) and putting us back to a 4... which seemed much better for us... we looked the better team in 2T whereas they did in 1T. We took back the possession. Overall 3-0 is maybe a slightly flattering scoreline, but our quality and finishing shown through. Onward to winning the group!