Ashburton Grove plays host to a 2:00pm GMT/10:00am EDT/4:00am HST kickoff. USA has the live pictures in the States. Well…that sucked. Nothing for it now. There is perfect clarity for the next 11 games. Win this one any which way, and the international break gives Ben White a chance to rest and Saliba a chance to recover. Palace are a mess. Let’s do these punks for Paddy. Up the Arsenal.
As poorly as they've been doing, I'm fairly certain we woulda benefited more from Paddy still being there. Apparently Parish/Bright felt similarly. Now we have to hope they don't have the dreaded spring in their step, now that his shackles have been removed. Or OTOH maybe they'll feel so unencumbered that they abandon the defensive clogger tactics, allowing space in the pitch for us to exploit. p.s. Thanks for stepping up @Tonerl. BTW, over all these years, I've never understood your username... care to explain? Some variation of your real name or something more cryptic?
Anyone know if Lokonga is allowed to play in this one? I know usual rule is that loaned players don't/can't play against their primary team. He hasn't looked amazing from what I've seen since he moved, but he hasn't looked horrible either. I guess it's good that he's getting regular first-team Prem reps, but if he's not making an impact at CP before the end of the season, odds are nearly certain he won't make it here either unless Arteta rates him more than we think.
I assume no, Cedric was ineligible last week for Fulham. I guess UEFA is different, Coutinho played for Bayern against Barca in the Champions League when he was on loan, and Cancelo can play for Bayern in their upcoming tie with City.
Had to look him up. Let's just see if I can remember that. Not so likely. I'm sure there's a story for you but I won't ask.
Yup! And Pool, and West Ham, and Soton, and Citeh, and Chelsea, and Newcastle, and Brighton, and Forest, and Wolves. JK?
I think not, and Adrian Clarke agrees. Adrian also said that he's been one of their better midfielders since he arrived, so it's a small plus that he's out. He also said MF is an area of distinct weakness we can exploit. Coupled with their inability to score goals, even though they have some quality up front. And also their 19YO #3 keeper is likely to play again. Their only successful characteristic this season seems to be their stinginess at giving up goals. Somehow we will have to overcome that.
City don't play this weekend, and they play Liverpool the day of the Leeds game. And our schedule gets a lot harder after these two games.
I like yours, but then I'm partial to those 2 teams. I just think you might have an avatar which somehow melds the two graphically. I suppose you started your BS career as more Metro than Arse?
Yeah, I did understand that. And it's valid. OTOH, the whole "11 remaining cup finals" isn't really overly hyperbolic. Unless of course we get some serious help in the run in, e.g. Citeh slipping up in the league while they're going for UCL glory.
🚨 William Saliba is expected to withdraw from the France national team squad in the coming hours due to a back injury. [@FabriceHawkins, @RMCsport] #afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 18, 2023 🚨William Saliba will be ‘out for several weeks’ with a back issue. [L’Equipe via @GFFN] #afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 18, 2023
I know Holding is shaky and risky but I think I'm OK with him against Palace. I have more confidence in him than Kiwior. And if we don't use one of those 2 then it's White in there and one of Tierney/ZInchenko moved to RB?? Have either of them every played (well) over there? Back injuries often take time to heal so we're lucky that Saliba can get a solid 2+ weeks without having to play. I just hope he doesn't lose his form & sharpness during that time.
Supposedly bringing Walters to the 1st team to take Saliba's roster spot while he is out. Could slide White inside and play Walters at RB. He has been playing RB pretty regularly for the u21s.
I’m pretty sure that’s the emergency option. Arteta isn’t going to start Walters, he only play if their is an injury to White or Holding.
I love the picture Arsenal picked to accompany their match official write up. Sunday’s referee is Stuart Attwell, from Warwickshire. Attwell has officiated one of our matches this season - the 2-0 win at Wolves in November. He also took charge of two of our games in 2021/22 - a 2-0 win over Newcastle and 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, both at the Emirates. This is Attwell’s first Palace fixture since last season’s FA Cup quarter-final against Everton. The Eagles won that match 4-0. Referee: Stuart Attwell Assistants: Lee Betts, James Mainwaring Fourth official: Andy Madley VAR: Darren England Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Holdinho starts, Walters on the bench 🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️💪 Holding at the back🧱 Xhaka in midfield🪄 Trossard up top Let’s finish strongly before the international break! pic.twitter.com/JiqPbwkkN1— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 19, 2023