He just played 75 minutes at the weekend, how much does playing 60 minutes against a League 1 side build match fitness versus normal training? If he doesn't get hurt, fine, but it's a dumb risk. I find the wording of "Partey asked to play" to be wrong. Maybe it is more nuanced that that. Bottom line, he needs to start playing 90 minutes every league match.
Sure, but you can't build up that match fitness without actually playing matches. Saw on Twitter that he'd asked to play specifically to build up match fitness.
HT ARS 1-0 WIM We have 6 shots (1 on target) Sounds like we underperformed, but... The commentators on Arsenal.com just said we were playing OK, maybe 6-7 out of 10. p.s. Martinelli might've picked up an ankle (or shin?) injury, from a rough tackle, but he stuck with it.
Tracking the game on ESPN.com, and seeing ESR just got subbed on for Partey right after Partey had a decent SOG. So sounds like it's not an injury. Interested to see if it changes our shape and how we play, though.
67' and still 1-0. Just had very close chances for each team. If I were watching video I'd be pretty nervous. Actually, even with just listening it's a little nerve-wracking. We need to put these minnows to the sword! COME ON!!!
And Tavarez just hit the post, apparently. Watching the stats, it's looks like we are looking to extend the lead, not sitting back.
Dan Roebuck said that ESR would play more advanced from the other 2 MF-ers at the base. And yes it seems to have been a purely rotational substitution... no injury/aggrevation. They also said Saka was warming up as if he might see game soon. Arteta's not fooling around. And yet it's only 1-0. Not great news IMHO
fwiw - shot stats through 67 min 11 (2) ARS - WIM 2 (0) Nice to see our defense seems to be limiting chances - especially since it's our full 2nd string in there.
Don't disagree but we're not getting many serious chances. 2 shots on goal after 70' is pretty awful.
LOL AFC Wimbledon fans singing 'you're just a s**t Aaron Ramsdale' to Bernd Lenohttps://t.co/Oo19aUTTc9— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) September 22, 2021
Several times they've called out AMN for choking up the ball. Just happened again, but he won it back thankfully. 76' Saka on for Martinelli.
So is Wimbledon mounting any sort of attack, or are they mostly putting numbers behind the ball and playing for a quick counter?
2-0 to the Arsenal.. ESR. Phew! I "missed" it because my phone rang at the time, which of course interrupted my audio stream. Never have understood why iPhones can't manage that situation better.
...don't get me started on iPhones and iOS. I regret that I still don't have an Android phone, especially for phone calls. We can save that discussion for another thread.
83' Balogun on for Eddie. Wimbledon just had a good chance, but in general I'm guessing we finally tired them out with our superior fitness? And skill??