Weird start time for this one. TV: NBCSN Time: 3:15 PM ET/2:15 PM CT/7:15 AM for that one dude in Australia Hide your belongings for this one: we're playing a team managed by Frank Lampard. Open question as to how the refs will screw us over for this one.
Here's hoping we fare better against Chelski than our ladies did the other day. I heard a brief clip of Arteta saying this match is "must win" if we want to try to qualify for CL. Did he really say that??? The odds makers have us a distinct underdog, even with Lampard's poor form of late. Still, I share the sentiment that if we lose this one it just feels like a continued slide down the table. Also, Arteta really needs some sort of convincing result: draw at least, win ideally.
Working from home this afternoon, so should be able to catch good chunks of today's match. Currently feels like another draw, unfortunately. 2-2
I always love the London Derby vs Chelski but not having high hopes for this one. They are the better team in nearly all positions a draw would be a big relief.
Classic enigma match - Tough to call because both teams rarely display consistent form and you could easily see either side laying an egg. Would obviously feel better if PEA was even an option. Confident Arteta will respond better in seeing Chelski a 2nd time, but not sure the lads can execute. Especially if they're depending on Mustafi. Would happily accept a draw.
I don't like the 4-2-3-1. Not really modern. The only position straight up where we are better is Martinelli over CHO and Leno over Kepa. Rather go 4-3-3 but we don't have the players to play like that yet. Why Bellerin over AMN? Why not Holding over Mustafi assume he is still recovering..COYG!
I like Hector as captain, pretty cool. Without EL we lose like 40m that would be going directly to transfers so idk
Great work by the team to push Chelski all the way back to Kepa from a Corner, then Martinelli closes down Kepa and gets a deflection to Pepe on the wing. Pepe plays a through ball that is deflected for a Corner. Great energy to start.
Mustafi takes one from close range straight to the Jewels. Stoppage in play. Makes me even more nervous about him.
My stream on Hulu LiveTV went down for ~5 mins. Sounds like that was an unexpected blessing. Let's step up lads...