USA/Canada on at 9am on USA/Telemunda/DAZN AUS on at 10:30pm on Optus. And with 3 points in hand from a London derby, we move on to a home match against a Leeds team only 2 points above the relegation zone. Their last 3 matches have been an away win against Watford (0-3), an away draw with Palace (0-0) and then copped a home spanking from Man Citeh (0-4). They are desperate for points, but so are we. Top 4 destiny is in our hands, if we just keep winning it doesn't matter what anyone else does. Massive game and they will be up for it, and their supporters will be noisy and feral. I predict a 3-1 win to the Arsenal with goals from ESR, Nketiah and Holdingho. COYG!
Yeah. The support that Elland Road gave their team at the conclusion of a 4-0 trouncing was almost unprecedented. So "feral" is a good word for what we should expect to be up against. p.s. Thanks for the early MD thread mate. With every other match that Leeds has in their run-in I'll be rootin for them... just not this one. Not least because Marsch used to be "my coach" in NJ. Plus it would really be nice to see an American manager come to the EPL and actually complete their mission. But I'm more than a little worried he might not. However my empathy has limits when it's up against my #1 loyalty... so Sunday I'm lookin for him to lose. Maybe we can throw him a bone and not run up the score too much.
I was just wondering about injuries and specifically Tomiyasu who went down & out in his return last weekend. I guess it wasn't so much a dreaded calf re-injury but maybe more cramp. I base this on the following quote from Mikel today, which is about as rosy as we could hope for: Arteta said: "Ben White is still in contention so he needs to train tomorrow to make sure that he's available to play and for the rest, there's no news, everybody should be okay." p.s. I also note that he called him "Ben" and not "Benjamin". That relieves me hugely because that's what I call him, regardless of whatever preference the man himself has stated or implied.
For anyone who's interested (and got a few minutes)... Here's Mikel's presser: And here's Jesse's presser. I wouldn't normally link the opposing manager but in this case (for me anyway) Marsch is in a slightly different category so here he is, with all his enthusiasm, and uber-confidence: Including their team news: Dallas did his knee and is out 6+ mos. Bamford back in training but won't be ready for Sunday. Cooper and a few others are back in the squad (maybe in contention for Sunday), which he said is pretty close to full strength.
Part of me thinks (hopes?) Leeds will be more cautious in this match and not risk injury so they can focus on the remaining matches, but they may be in a position that they need every point possible. The more interesting tell will be seeing how the lads react after knowing the result from the Pool-S***s match. Really hoping they come out flying knowing they have a chance to extend the gap!
One last bit of pre-match research from me today... Our game will be on Peacock streaming, and NOT on USA TV. (Sorry @GunnerJacket) p.s. At least we can be certain the NLD will be on USA channel.
Just as well. Probably won't be home from the Atlanta match until midnight, anyway, so I won't rush the next morning to reach the TV.
So you won't be watching our gals' final game of the WSL season at 7am ET on NBCSports.com/app? We can still win the league if Chelsea drop points. It's a tallish order. We have to go to WHU and get 1 or 3 pts. And then MU have to go to Stamford Bridge and take 3 or 1 pts. But as we know, it ain't over til it's over, or til the fat lady sings...
I'm groggy as hell and only know the time because of my alarm I forgot to turn off, but still... CYOG!
In the last 11 fixtures between Arsenal and Leeds in all competitions, Thierry Henry (8) has scored more goals than Leeds (7), despite only playing four of those games.— Orbinho (@Orbinho) May 8, 2022
Cedric at LB 🚨 TEAM NEWS!🏴 Holding at the back🇪🇬 Elneny in midfield🇧🇷 Gabi in attack#ARSLEE pic.twitter.com/VFRqBOWP8r— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 8, 2022
Yeah notable that Arsenal.com don't highlight the Cedric inclusion. Maybe trying to protect Nuno's psyche? I wonder if it was purely tactical (given the handful that Leeds can be sometimes) or Nuno's fitness or ??
Shoutout to the Arsenal Women who just finished 1 point away from the title, after leading for much of the season. Will be interesting to see if they can build off of this season. Now on to the Men. Where the door has been clearly opened by Chelsea, Yanited & Spuds dropping points. So we just need to shed any timidity and step right through that open door! COYG!!!!!