Are we gonna start the season with a deficit at LB? No Timber?? No Tomi?? Cali not quite bedded in?? Hopefully between now and opening day things will get better in that regard. Don't think I feel very comfy with Zinny or Kiwior.
Maybe the number change has been good for Zinchenko, he opened the scoring in the 7th minute today, followed by Trossard with a second in the eighth minute, both assisted by Havertz.
Nothing official from the club, but rumor is a foot injury. He was left out vs Liverpool, too. Andrew and James talked about that, unclear if it is out of necessity until Saka is fully back or if he's done as an 8. Don't think he has the physicality Arteta wants at left 8, as @yossarian was mentioning yesterday. If Odegaard was out, I'm curious who Arteta's first choice would be to replace him.
And then Jesus makes it 3-0 at 37' Great! But kinda strange. I for one wasn't quite expecting wonderboy Xabi Alonso's mighty invincibles to roll over.
I tend to agree that he is too slight for 8/10 in the EPL. Think he is a bit slow for W but this preseason he has had some good performances over there so there is a chance he could develop into a solid playmaking W. Havertz (assuming Jesus takes 9 and Merino makes it in)? Trial by fire for Nwaneri? Merino for a bit more defensive setup?
I like the idea of Vieira on the wing. Player movement around him is key to be successful in that position and we have plenty of that.
Arteta on Timber and Calafiori Arteta on Timber: “He had a little discomfort in his foot the last few days. After the time he has been out, we did not want to take any risks.” #AFC— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) August 7, 2024 Arteta on Calafiori (not in the #AFC squad today): "So much has happened to him in one week. He has come in to a new environment, a completely different methodology, different training and we are managing him. We want to do it slowly, to get him in the best possible way."— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) August 7, 2024
Arteta's comments are usually fairly ambiguous, but his Calafiori comments make it seem like this kid is a bit overwhelmed with the transition from Bologna. Hopefully the support they are giving him will prove to be effective. I have confidence in Arteta's ability to manage elite athletes. Hopefully there will be 1 or 2 more elite athletes added to the squad before the window closes. Manchester City is still Manchester City.
With Calafiori being eased in, Tomi injured, Zinchenko's history and Timber treated with kid gloves, does it make sense to keep Kiwior around, at least thru January? Especially if the best offer from Italy is a loan? Or does Arteta take the leap with MLS and Heaven?
Zinny today showed why he is an international level midfielder moreso than a defender. Started the move then a clean finish for the goal.
For your viewing pleasure, here are the highlights from yesterday: https://www.arsenal.com/video?entryid=0_sxdzob8v Some scintillating goals. The first by Zinny was sweet... perhaps the longest range, longest delay, one-two you'll ever see. The second by Leo was my favorite... I'm a sucker for quick-passing team goals that bamboozle the defense. But all 4 goals were very nice. And good to see a full house at the Grove with a lot of kids getting to witness what seems to have been a joyful example of the beautiful game
And for anyone who's desperate to watch our final preseason match vs Lyon apparently for 5 quid you can do so on Arsenal.com (presumably from the USA?): https://www.arsenal.com/news/how-watch-arsenal-v-lyon-live And then it's back to the real thing. OMG where did that summer go! And after Lyon, for our opener vs Wolves, if I'm not mistaken it's @Bluto11 who has the honors
Havertz at 9. Calafiori on the bench. No Vieira or Timber 🚨 Arsenal XI vs. Lyon: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.Arsenal subs: Ramsdale, Setford, Kiwior, Calafiori, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Jorginho, Nelson, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesus, Nketiah. #afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 11, 2024
Partey started?? Say it isn’t so!! FT AFC 2-0 Lyon. We’re cup winners! Seems we know our back 4 for Wolves?
Only caught extended highlights. Zinny looked really good in attack - had several crosses and passes that should have been converted. My guess is Zinny starts against Wolves while Calafiori adapts and Timber nurses his foot. good to see we can still score from set pieces. I was getting worried we’d become too reliant on only scoring from open play.
Finally, preseason is over. Thank you to the Euros and the Olympics for filling the void in my life. LFG, ******** Wolves
Clipped from the Gals thread, I just wrote: The 2 preseason games in DC are upon us (man oh man are they a glutton for punishment... August in DC in early/mid afternoon?!!). And they'll be streamable either on Arsenal.com or DAZN (Youtube) they say: 8/18 2pm vs Spirit, 8/25 4pm vs Chelsea.