Back to Anfield for the second time in a week, this time for a Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool. Liverpool dominated the Monday league encounter, with a 21-4 advantage in shots, and a 66-34 advantage in possession. Big task to turn that around if the teams look anything like they did in that match. But, then, it's the League Cup, which was founded as a money grab and remains as such today. Take that for what it's worth, and adjust your passion accordingly. Kickoff is at 2:45 PM Eastern on ESPN+.
Maybe Liverpool will have somewhat of a letdown but I'll save this $4.99/month on next month's subscription on Peacock Premium instead and wait on ESPN+ for the FA Cup in January/February Hate to say it but it's gonna be SOS at Anfield Thursday as it was today, but maybe even worse because you know we're gonna play our reserves in there as opposed to our big guns, plus, who in the hell can stop that dreaded 3-headed monster up front known better as Firmino/Salah/Mane??? Hate to say it fellow Gooners but 2-0 'Pool, save our efforts for the Europa League and the EPL until FA Cup time.
I think Liverpool will play a weakened team, I hope we do too. The fixtures this season are coming thick and fast, this is low down the list of priorities. I'll be watching Arsenal women v City in the FA cup semi-final on the BBC.
It almost feels like I'm approaching this game as a neutral. Really don't care who wins. My main hope is that we see a lot of the kids play. -Especially hopeful that Saliba gets a start, ideally with Gabriel to get a first glimpse of that pairing. -Hoping Reiss Nelson and Willock get starts. This will game will likely have a huge bearing on whether they stay or get loaned out this season. - Will Runarson start as GK, or Macey? Kinda wondering what our back-up GK situation looks like. At the other end of the age spectrum, definitely expecting Cedric to see playing time here. My expected line-up... Nelson - Nketiah - Pepe Saka - Elneny - Willock Kola - Gabriel - Saliba - Cedric Runarson
Yes, I think this game may be as interesting/important for the personnel decisions as it is for gauging our desire to win this minor trophy. Who Arteta picks to play or be in the squad, versus who he doesn't. Of course, regardless of the level of reserves/rotation on both sides, there's always the matter of pride in going to Anfield (second time in 3 days) and not being rolled over. I suspect that's a pretty big factor. Anyone else gonna try to watch this live?
I'll have it on in the background since it's on Plus. Starting XI: 📋 The team news is in...🇧🇷 @biel_m04 is handed a start🇵🇹 @OficialCedric comes into the side🇪🇸 @DaniCeballos46 also in starting XI🏆 #CarabaoCup— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 1, 2020 Leno (weird) Cedric Holding Gabriel Kolasinac (guess that Leverkusen move isn't imminent) Ceballos Willock Xhaka (who's the creator in that midfield 3?) Pepe Nketiah Saka (!) Bench: Runarsson, Luiz, Tierney, Elneny, AMN, Nelson, Lacazette
I'll have the game on in the background while working too. That line-up is stronger than I expected. I'm especially wondering why Leno seems to be getting so many Cup starts. Is Arteta trying to give him more reps, or improve his ball movement and distribution? Ceballos confuses me. Right now, he's our best central midfielder, so trotting him out in this match seems risky. I'm fully expecting Nelson to get at least 45minutes this match, so I'm guessing he will get subbed on at halftime.
I'd guess it's more a lack of faith in the alternatives, with maybe a dash of trying to work him back to full fitness. He only got 2 games in during the restart, so he has...what, 6 games in the last 6 months now?
Hmm... 4-3-3? Glad to see Auba not even in the squad. Hope Saka shines and maybe that puts pressure on him getting a place in our EPL XI. A tad surprised to see Leno rather than one of the backups. Perhaps it's just too early for Runarsson who just joined, and perhaps Macey is "unsettled" now that the Icelander's here? Interesting that Saliba didn't even make the squad... is he injured??
Liverpool with a much stronger lineup than I expected. Could be more interesting to watch than aticipated. NO. NAME 13Adrián 4Virgil van Dijk 46Rhys Williams 7James Milner 76Neco Williams 17Curtis Jones 59Harry Wilson 16Marko Grujic 18Takumi Minamino 11Mohamed Salah 20Diogo Jota
Pepe looks to be playing on the left, which is both odd and surprising. Saka is also on the left, playing as a left back in defense and moving into a midfield role in the attack.
I'd love to have an all-22 camera for this, just to follow Saka's positioning. He's popping up everywhere.
Should be 1-0. Great ball by Xhaka to Pepe streaking on the wing. He plays a ball across to Willock, who plays a first-time pass, but bounces it, to Nketiah, who has trouble controlling it at the edge of the 6. Then Cedric crashes the attack and hits a shot all the way to Goodison Park. Cedric follows up by killing another attack when he can't get the ball out of his feet.
Our attack is really strong at the beginning. Pepe breaks free into the box, crosses to Eddie, who can't get a shot off. Another opportunity in the box moments later also without success. All within the first 10 mins
I don't think I like Pepe on the left. He's so one-footed, which we all know, but when he cuts to his left on the left, it closes off his options. Even if everyone on the field knows he's cutting to his left when he's on the right, his options are way more open. I still don't see how Willock ever becomes a worthwhile player. He doesn't do anything well.