Place: The Emirates Time: 2000 GMT / 1500 EST TV: NBCSN stateside This is the biggest test of the season so far: West Ham have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home this season, but haven't been nearly as good away from home. Arsenal have only beaten the truly bad teams, and not always convincingly at that. Win this and there's actual cause for optimism around Arsenal. Sadly, I'll miss this game as I'll be on a plane, but such is life.
I don't know what result to expect. We've played really well at home this season, but the Auba situation has me a little concerned. I also have no clue as to what Arteta does for a starting lineup. Does Tavares get the start, or does KT3 get more time?
Expected result? Could be anything really, but ask me ahead of the match I'll say a draw would be decent. (but I tend to upgrade my optimism mid-match as long as we're not already losing) Expected line-up? Given recent player performances and it being the thick-and-fast period, he should rotate significantly... he better! Players who I'd consider for a "sit down": KT/Tomi? Xhaka!!! Partey? Odegaard? (espec.if ESR can play 10 role). I might've added Laca to this list, but with Auba's latest dog-house status IDK. And the idea of Nketiah or Martinelli at CF doesn't inspire great hope. Here's my not so surprising advice to Arteta: Come out strong, fast, energetic, front-footed, and confident in our great home record this season. Get the crowd excited and making noise like they did a few days ago. And let our players feed off that 12th man. You never know what we might just acheive then!
No huge surprise. And it’s not 100% clear that this is a good or bad move. I’ve heard lots of arguments on both sides. Edit: I meant to add... time will tell.
A public statement that he's stripped of the captaincy and isn't going to play against West Ham is a bad move.
I agree that announcing that he isn’t going to play vs West Ham is a bad move. But, I have never understood the importance put on the captaincy in English Football. Other than exchanging banners at the start of the games and the fact that the Captain is supposed to be the only player that can protest to the referee, what leadership role does the captain fill that can’t be filled by other players on the pitch?
With all the Covid outbreaks (and match cancellations) flying around, it got me thinking about whether the EPL is poised to return to empty or lower capacity fixtures? I haven't heard anyone mention this yet, so perhaps take my speculation with a pinch of salt. But if they are somehow contemplating that restriction, the selfish fan in me hopes that at least we're able to get tomorrow's home match in and that the crowd is packed and rockin. While the community-minded, risk-mitigator in me would think it wise for the EPL to put a temporary end to these potential super-spreader events. As with so many things in life... we. shall. see.
Unfortunate that the Auba story is crowding everything else out. But so be it. My latest wondering is who exactly is left in our leadership group? Mikel highlighted Laca and Xhaka. But I think there were one or two others in that group, no? I’m hoping that Tierney and Gabriel were in there. Because they seem to have real captaincy potential AND for the medium/long term. While it’s not clear that you can say the same thing about Laca Xhaka.
Well, I woke up to watch the United and Everton matches, and we lost, missed the Soton match and we won. So I am sleeping through the alarm tomorrow. So with that said, 5-2 win incoming. GET THE WIN BOYS!
I had similar results last week watching/not watching the Everton and Southampton matches. I will likely record and watch the match after the final result, so if we add the good Karma from @And_ROOS and myself sitting this one out, we should win 8-1. Since I'm dreaming big Partey and Xhaka each with a Hat-trick... and Pepe with the other 2 goals.
OMG Zero rotation? During December fixture pile-up? Is he mad? Or desperate? Or maybe he senses a covid cancellation coming?
Good to see them honoring Ray Kennedy. When they kind of screwed up and didn’t do it last home game. Better late than never! RIP Ray
35’ Fornals with a scary close shot to far post. But they only have 2 touches in our box in 34 minutes. So we just need to capitalize with some clinical work down their end and we can take the lead. COME ON!
Feels like the kind of game where we aren't going to get any marginal calls in our favor. Same old, same old.
Yet we’re back to the old patient horseshoe passing again. Grrrrr! Edit: immediately after I wrote that we charged our way into the box and ended up with two shots that could’ve been goals. Better!!
44’ how the hell did we not put that in the net?! First a good save by fab and then a good defensive clearance on the rebound. So so close! But no cigar.