After 3 straight losses, back to back wins against Chelsea and United seemed impossible. And yet here we are. And on the back of a Spurs hiccup, we are the sole occupants of 4th place. The run home starts Sunday (Monday for me). Our last result against WHU was a 2-0 home win, but last time we played on their patch was a 3-3 draw. Drastically different teams since then, and WHU recent form isn't great (LWLDL). Their last two home games have been a win V Everton and a draw to Burnley. As is the case from now til the end of the season, must win game. As for injuries, waiting to hear more concrete news on Saka after he came off during the United match, and I would imagine we would give Cedric game time and bring Tomi on during the match to ease him back in. WHU will be missing their starting CBs to both injury and suspension, and might rest players as they have European commitments that take priority for them. Big game. Big week. Just. Win. Arsenal to get the 3 points with a 3-1 win. Goals to Nketiah, ESR and Gabriel.
This is a key fact. Maybe THE key fact? Other than gameday player decisions, the questions in my head right now are: Will we continue the “aggressive“ play that Adrian Clarke was talking about? Will we have the killer instinct to take advantage of their player absences?
WHU I think realise this is their best ever chance for a trophy over what, a good 20 years or so. They won the intertoto cup in 1999, runner up in the FA Cup in 06, and thats about it. I wouldn't be surprised if they sent out an under 23s + squad depth against us and saved their best 11 for Europe.
Didn't I read recently that Arsenal struggle with the later kickoffs? Regardless, I agree they're catching WHU at a good time, so hopefully the Gunners take advantage. I really, really, REALLY want this one! CYOG!
Lots of talk going on about Tomiyasu's return to our lineup, presumably for this game, and how important that's going to be for us in our last 5 games. Which makes me wonder if we're not just counting our chickens a bit... I know he's demonstrated before that he didn't need any/much bedding in time when coming into Arsenal's XI, but how certain can we be that this will be the case again now? He's been out for 4 months with recurring soft-tissue injuries. It wouldn't be inconceivable if he didn't come back at or near to the level he was playing at before his injuries. Based on minimal data, my gut says that there's a 60-80% chance of him coming instantly back to his prior form. Cautious optimism I guess.
I read that we'll be wearing our away all-yellow strip.....and so will I!!! I'm looking forward to not only tomorrow's match but also the NLD against Shit, I wonder when that happens, I've been out of the loop (on more than just The Gunners) on just about everything ever since the pandemic, I'm looking forward to returning to UCL action next season!!! COYF'n'G!!!
So if WHU win Europa, they go to UCL obviously. So if we're fourth it won't matter, we go to Europa not UCL or? Sorry if it's been discussed just realised they've done well in UCL and are realistic finalists.
Good to see you’re still kickin around. I had a hunch we might see you back on here, on or before the NLD. Which by the way is next Thursday, May 12th.
5 teams can go to the CL at most. In this seasons case, it will be 1st to 4th + WHU if they win the CL. The only way 4th misses the CL and drops into the EL is if the teams who win the CL and the EL finish outside the top 4. So this year, since Pool and City will finish top 2, if either of those teams win the CL, and WHU win the EL, whoever finishes 4th will still get a CL spot. 4th is still a Champions League spot this season no matter what happens.
Seeing as WHU lost at home in the first leg of their semi-final tie, they have a lot of work to do before thinking about winning the EL. Let's just have Arsenal win today and go from there.
Tomiyasu returns, but Benjamin White is not in the squad. Martinelli gets the call over ESR 📋 Today's lineup is in...🇯🇵 Tomiyasu starts!🇪🇬 Mo Elneny in midfield 🏴 Nketiah leads the line#️⃣ #WHUARS pic.twitter.com/KN8Vep8uYL— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 1, 2022 West Ham with 5 changes from mid-week, missing some big names (Dawson, Soucek, Antonio) but still a fairly strong squad. Five changes today.Here's how we're lining up...@betway | #WHUARS pic.twitter.com/h81Jp339wG— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 1, 2022
I suspect that Moyes is playing it halfway. If they can keep it close, he can throw on Antonio and Soucek and go for a win. But if they go down early, they can take off Rice and Bowen and focus on their trip to Frankfort.
Doubt it. They appear to be posting their lineups like we do, which reveal the formation. Looks like a 4-2-3-1... Bowen Fornal - Lanzini - Benrahma Rice - Noble Coufal - Zouma - Cresswell - Fredricks