Slavia Prague vs Arsenal (UEL) - 15 April, 2021

Discussion in 'Arsenal' started by GunnerJacket, Apr 12, 2021.

  1. GunnerJacket

    GunnerJacket Moderator
    Staff Member

    Sep 18, 2003
    Gainesville, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    #1 GunnerJacket, Apr 12, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2021
    [​IMG]


    Europa League Quarterfinals - Leg 2
    Sinobo Stadium, Prague
    Thursday, April 15, 2021

    20:00 GMT / BT Sport (England)
    3:00 EST / Paramount+, TUDN (USA)

    Mitch: What are you doing?
    Chris: Self-realization. I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said "I drank what?"

    Well, campers, it's do or die time. Either Arsenal wins Thursday and advances to eventually claim this tournament, or we'll all ponder the fate of Arsenal's worst season since most of us have been alive. Hope for the breast, prepare for the wurst. (Or something like that.)

    The bright side is Arsenal have never lost to Czech opposition and are undefeated in away matches in Europe this season. Plus, each of Slavia's previous knock out ties featured an opening draw followed by a road team victory. Surely the football gods must honor those streaks, no?

    According to Arteta's latest presser Tierney and Luiz are done for the season, while Saka, ESR, and Odegaard remain to be determined. The same could be said for Auba, but given the stakes I'd like to think they're doing whatever transfusion is available to alleviate his "flu" symptoms. Most early previews are using terms like "biggest match of the season" for Arsenal, so let's hope the boss and Co. come out ready to play.

    Slavia don't need to change their philosophy and will likely play a midfield press knowing Arsenal's penchant for turning the ball over. If Arsenal scores just 1 then they can advance via the away goals rule, so expect the hosts to try to score first and try to stifle delivery to Arsenal's more experienced attackers.

    I think it's ugly but Arsenal does the Arsenal thing and prolongs our vain hope. 2-2
     
    Silva 5 repped this.
  2. NorthBank

    NorthBank Member+

    Arsenal; NYRB
    United States
    Mar 29, 2006
    Connecticut
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    One thing I'd like to see (but am not in any way expecting) is...

    We press high, at least for the first 15-30 mins, and put their shaky keeper under the gun. Last time he looked like he had more errors in him, but sadly we didn't really seriously exploit that.
     
  3. And_ROOS

    And_ROOS Member+

    Dec 30, 2006
    Melbourne, Aus
    I think we win this one 2-1. Going to be a nervy match.
     
  4. Rewinder

    Rewinder Member+

    Jun 24, 2004
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    This is do or die for Arteta. Can he get the tactics right from the start, and rally the players to put in a performance to save his job? We will have to see.

    Obviously he won't get fired immediately, or even this summer, but after the season we are having, its really win the Europa league or bust (with a delayed firing the next season) - a lot like it was for Emery.
     
  5. NorthBank

    NorthBank Member+

    Arsenal; NYRB
    United States
    Mar 29, 2006
    Connecticut
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #5 NorthBank, Apr 14, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2021
  6. CarlosKaiser

    CarlosKaiser Member+

    Arsenal
    United States
    Jul 30, 2018
    Kansas City
    Only change from the weekend is ESR for Martinelli. Assuming he plays centrally and Saka moves out wide.

    No Aubameyang or Odegaard on the bench.

     
  7. Deep Wilcox

    Deep Wilcox BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 5, 2007
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So, Auba still has the "flu"?
     
  8. mebeSajid

    mebeSajid Member+

    Feb 16, 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    That back four is terrifying.
     
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  9. leppercut

    leppercut Member+

    Oct 10, 2006
    SLC and Anchorage
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm scared
     
  10. gunner7

    gunner7 Member+

    Jul 27, 2008
    Sunshine California
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don’t care how we do it. Just get to the semi
     
  11. maskito

    maskito Member+

    Jan 14, 2006
    Minneapolis
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have anxiety about this fixture as well, but oddly I felt less confident we'd get a decent result on Sunday that I do about this one. So hopefully the team surprises and plays better than last Thursday and 'Pool before that.
     
  12. gunner7

    gunner7 Member+

    Jul 27, 2008
    Sunshine California
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Deep Wilcox repped this.
  13. chjoak

    chjoak Member+

    Jun 17, 2009
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm actually seeing claims that he got malaria while on international duty and has been in the hospital.
     
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  14. GunnerJacket

    GunnerJacket Moderator
    Staff Member

    Sep 18, 2003
    Gainesville, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Malaria? Well... that sucks. Heal quickly, Auba.

    Meanwhile, may the rest of the lads have their fightin' boots on.
     
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  15. CarlosKaiser

    CarlosKaiser Member+

    Arsenal
    United States
    Jul 30, 2018
    Kansas City
    So did Arteta have this tactical approach designed for Slavia Prague and he used the Sheff United match as a practice run?

    Or did the approach at Sheff United work and how he is afraid to change it?
     
  16. Deep Wilcox

    Deep Wilcox BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 5, 2007
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow, malaria.
     
  17. mebeSajid

    mebeSajid Member+

    Feb 16, 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    ESRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
     
  18. Deep Wilcox

    Deep Wilcox BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 5, 2007
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Saka to ESR.... 1-0

    Saka off the far post, and ESR puts away the rebound. Off?
     
  19. mebeSajid

    mebeSajid Member+

    Feb 16, 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    VAR is extra af
     
  20. Deep Wilcox

    Deep Wilcox BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 5, 2007
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No goal; VAR
     
  21. Deep Wilcox

    Deep Wilcox BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 5, 2007
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pepe... this one is going to stick. Beauty
     
  22. mebeSajid

    mebeSajid Member+

    Feb 16, 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    How's that VAR?

    [​IMG]
     
  23. glennaldo_sf

    glennaldo_sf Member+

    Houston Dynamo, Penang FC, Al Duhail
    United States
    Nov 25, 2004
    Doha, Qatar
    Club:
    FL Fart Vang Hedmark
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They are having a "goal czech"
     
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  24. mebeSajid

    mebeSajid Member+

    Feb 16, 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Referee blew for a penalty super fast there. If that gets overturned . . .
     
  25. Deep Wilcox

    Deep Wilcox BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 5, 2007
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Laca on the spot.... goal. 2-0 in the 21st minute.
     

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