Thurs 29 October 2020 Ashburton Grove USA TV: TUDN (en espanol) & CBS All Access 4:00pm ET Well, as perhaps the best medicine for our recent results which have been far far from impressive... We pivot to the mighty Europa League, and host the mighty Dundalk “lillywhites” (had to look that up of course) who sit 3rd in the mighty Irish Prem. Is there anything else that needs be said really?? p.s. some of us who get the Univision channels can watch/record this without pay-to-play
There's no excuse for not winning this by at least 6. So I expect a 2-0 slog with us failing to score the clinching goal until late on from a shitty set piece.
Maybe getting a few goals would give us confidence to score goals in the PL, we need it. That said, we will probably play a very weakened team. Not a very inspiring fixture.
To be clear - a former St Étienne playing colleague of the teenage defender has told Get French Football News that William Saliba feels very ready to play whenever called upon.— Get French Football News (@GFFN) October 25, 2020
Saliba isn't in the Europa League squad, so he can't play. Pablo Mari is in it for some reason though.
Team News: Luiz still out. Willian back available. Holding is close (he was in today's training pics). Also, Martinelli must be getting close too b/c I believe I saw him in one of today's pics as well. I am REALLY looking forward to his return, based on how he was progressing right before he went down. Anyway, for tomorrow, one would think we could rotate quite heavily and use a lot of youngsters, but Arteta hasn't quite fully embraced that approach yet, so tomorrow's selection will be interesting.
Yeah. I have absolutely no clue as to what the hell is going on with Saliba. And I don't think the club has done much if anything to clarify things, right? So I'm left to assume his mom's death was a major psychological blow, but that's just a complete guess. But no even registering him for Europa is such a complete head-scratcher! That seems largely unexplained.
I'm annoyed about this still, so here's a game, Player A v. Player B. Player A (obviously Mari): - debuts in the Spanish third division at 17, makes 2 appearances in La Liga at 18 - remains in the third division for 4 seasons - plays one season in the second division - signed by Manchester City at 23 - spends two seasons on loan in the Spanish second division, one on loan at NAC Breda - sold by Manchester City at 26 Player B: - makes first-team debut at 17, is a fringe player for two seasons - spends a season on loan in a top 6 Euro league's second division - returns, bounces between domestic first and second division - signed by Manchester City at 21 - loaned to the Low Countries for two seasons, including one at NAC Breda. - loaned to a top 10 Euro league for two seasons Up until the Flamengo stint, Pablo Mari is a probably worse version of... Player B (Move your mouse to reveal the content) Player B (open) Player B (close) Erik Palmer-Brown What a useless signing this guy is.
I get that Arteta wanted a left-footed CB in January and I get that the club saw a need at RB with uncertainty around AMN and Bellerin. But now Cedric is on a 4-year deal and can barely make the squad. And Gabriel was signed to immediately replace Mari. I do find it reassuring that we haven't heard much about Kia Joorabchian since Raul was sacked.
Runarsson Cedric Mustafi Kolasinac Naitland Miles Willock Elneny Xhaka (c) Pepe Nketiah Nelson Subs: Leno, Hein, Bellerin, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos, Partey, Willian, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Balogun.
📋 Tonight's team news...🇮🇸 @RunarAlex set for debut appearance🏴 @EddieNketiah9 leads the attack🏴 @ReissNelson9 also handed a start🏆 #UEL— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 29, 2020
Willock gets to start against a team at his level for once. That midfield is still stupidly uncreative. Hope to see Balogun make his debut.
...and that backline is completely frightening. I'd be worried with just one of those in the starting lineup, but having Cedric, Mustafi, and Kola on the field at once is beyond words.
This is, on paper, probably the easiest game we'll play this season, so I don't mind. Against opposition that was like, Championship quality though, I'd be freaking out.
Almost as bad as his shot/cross attempt that may have reached the upper deck a couple minutes prior. Once again, we're not even pretending to play through the middle. This setup is ********ing stupid.