Don't hold your breath. Martinelli hasn't even made the bench yet or played with the U23's. Balogun might be another story... he should see some time Thurs, maybe even a start. But even though our qualification doesn't depend on Thursday, watch Arteta put out many of his regulars rather than the kids. He hasn't seemed to be too comfortable going with too big a youth component in his XI's. Also he may be feeling a little more pressure to win at Dundalk than he otherwise would. Because our league form is so abysmal, the relatively easy EL wins are about the only thing he's got to keep various constituencies on board with him I suspect.
Dundalk have been playing their Europe League home matches at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. I say play embryos Thursday then play the normal Europe League squad against Burnley.
The kids will play, look good, win by 4 or 5, ESR and Nelson will do creative things, Nketiah will score a goal, Balogun will dominate, and we will wonder why they are in the EL while trash like Xhaka and Willian start.
Looks like Martinelli is playing tonight with U21s instead of Thursday Good luck back out there tonight, Gabi! 😄 pic.twitter.com/tDYOQtrIBY— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 8, 2020
Just watched USMNT beat up El Salvador 6-0 with a bunch of kids and 2nd stringers. Maybe Arsenal could do likewise in Ireland. Tonight we had 9 shots on, and 6 goals. Take that efficiency Son Heung Min!
🚨 TIME FOR TEAM NEWS 🚨👋 @CalumChambers95 returns 🔥 @EmileSmithRowe starts 📞 @EddieNketiah9 in attack#UEL— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 10, 2020
The order they listed the players really makes me think they are gonna play a 3-4-1-2 -------- Eddie ---- Pepe -------------- ---------------- ESR -------------------- AMN - Willock - ElNeny - Cedric --- Mari -- Mustafi -- Chambers --- Possible alternative 3-4-2-1 --------------- Eddie ------------------- ----- Pepe ---------------- ESR ------ AMN - Willock - ElNeny - Cedric --- Mari -- Mustafi -- Chambers ---
About to go speak to a local Rotary club, the average age for which I would currently peg at 75. This ought to be interesting. Meanwhile, C'mon you Gunners! Hurt, maim, pillage, whatever. Just win and avoid injuries.
Yes probably a back 3. Unless a back 4 w/ Chambers at RB & Cedric at LB? I think I recall he goes both ways? In any case... COYG!!!!!
Possible. Chambers has just never been the best RB due to lack of speed. Would think it could be worse coming back from injury.
2-0 El Neny! Golazoooooooo!! just quoting the PBP guy But a beauty of a pile-driver from 25 yards or so. LIke a bullet with virtually no spin. My memory ain't perfect but I can't recall seeing him do that before. Xhaka yes, but El Neny no.
21' Beuatiful build-up on the left by our 2 young TLA's with a gift of a cross on the floor to Pepe who skies it! Probably our best chance of the match. 22' Dundalk pull one back with their own version of a long range blast from nearly 20 yards out. By Flores. Runarsson had no chance. This is a good quality game so far, even if they're playing on a beat up rugby pitch that looks more from the 90's.
Aha, I looked that up. 2016. But it was a bit more of a curling, finesse shot with the inside of his foot. Compared to tonight's which was more of a plain laser-beam belter from even further out. Tonight's was more impressive, notwithstanding the opponent involved.