Sun 12 July 2020 Shiny New Toilet Bowl USA TV: NBCSN 11:30am ET After a really good first half against Leicester, our slacking off in the second half, giving up 3pts, and then finding out after the match that Vardy (who scored the equalizer) shoulda been red-carded for intentionally kicking out at Mustafi’s face... made it increasingly frustrating. BUT we can get right back on track by going to Spurs and flushing them down their fancy new toilet. Which would have collateral benefits of inching Mourinho closer to his next exit door, and inching us closer to St. Tott’s Day, not to mention possible UEL qualification. It won’t be a true derby without fans, but there should still be plenty of motivation. Even if it’s 8th vs 10th. If we win, we increase the gap to 5pts. If we lose they leapfrog us by 1pt. That’s all the players should need to know! Edit: Obviously I was unaware of Spurs playing today, and getting 1pt at Bournemouth, so that changes the dynamic just a smidge, but the basic motivation still stands. Have at it...
With Eddie suspended, does Arteta play Laca or does he let Aubameyang play centrally? A front 3 of Saka, Auba, and Pepe would be fun.
Agree. Saka / PEA / Pepe would give you an interesting look, puts the most positional speed up front on the field and would give you the most flexibility for change later in the game if needed. If I had to guess, it will likely be PEA / Laca / Saka. For whatever reason Arteta doesn't seem to want to play PEA at ST.
I think the reason is due to our midfield problems. If we had a strong functioning midfield that can support Auba in the middle we would be playing it. We just don't create much from the middle to.
Tottenham looks like shit against Bournemouth right now. Also funny that we get two extra days of rest for this one compared to them. Thanks, Premier League!
Whether Lacazette starts or not, when was the last time he played a full 90? Either way, someone else will probably be playing up top. I would rather start Auba there and have Laca to throw on if a goal is needed.
A big section of today's Arsecast podcast (maybe ArsenalVision too but I wasn't paying close attention) was about the likelihood of seeing Pepe-Auba-Saka (hey that has a pretty good ring to it). They were both kind of expecting it, assuming Eddie's suspension stands. Pierre's shifts have been pretty amazing since restart, but I wonder about his legs. He looked completely spent before he was subbed out a few days ago. I also pray he doesn't go down to an excessive-use injury.
Yes but clearly we aren't fit enough to do that for 2 halves. So we really need to put them to the sword early, which I think has clearly been the typical game plan since restart... the players just haven't been able to deliver.
based on this: to me, it sounds like he is not comfortable with just 1 striker attacking the goal and wants the extra firepower coming in from one wing - almost a faux-2-strikers lineup with the left-back making up the extra attacking width. i don't blame him, that was always my issue with some of wenger's later lineup where a cross would just roll harmlessly across goal with nobody attacking the back post if the first man attacking cannot connect. and if that (2-striker on the attack) is the plan then our lord and savior agrees.
On current form of both teams, we should run through Spuds on Sunday. Regardless, I still have low expectations for us to get more than a point from this. With all the VAR issues the last few days, I have a sick feeling the game will be turned on some poor/critical referee decisions against us. Do we know who will be the Center ref for this tie yet? More significant - who will be in the VAR booth????
I get that Spuds are upset about Oliver too in light of yesterday's VAR review by Oliver and not awarding a PK for Kane. (FWIW - the NBCSN group said it was the right call by Oliver since they had a view that showed that Kane was also pushed/ & tripped by Vertonghen, so I don't think it was an obvious call) So in light of Mourinho calling out Oliver specifically (though not mentioning him by name), I'm more worried about Oliver giving make-up call(s) against us to balance out the unfavorable VAR call yesterday and from their recent match against Sheffield.
On one podcast I listened to they said: "We go to the toilet bowl, also known as New White Hart Lane" And I heard: "We go to the toilet bowl, also known as Loo White Hart Lane" Hmm, potential moniker??
To be fair, always going to be hard to replace once in a generation players. Even worse when you have 10 of them in the same team The best post I saw is the likely result will be 5 red cards each and the match called off. But then, we are the club that gets the reds, not our opposition. Either way, I am going for a 4-1 win. I know its a NLD but Spurs are dire at the moment.