Sunday 4 September 2022 Old Tramshed USA TV: USA 11:30am ET Yup, still pinching ourselves, I guess... from our absolutely outstanding start to the season. But at the same time the sudden and harsh reality of injuries has descended on us. So this trip to a storied fortress is without a doubt our sternest test of the young season. Team News: Partey & Elneny are out for some time. Zinchenko is also still out and not yet training. Ramsdale & Odegaard will “be assessed” but haven’t really been in training. So, as I said in another thread, this is the first match that both the coaching and playing staffs are going to really have to earn their salaries. And Lokongo, oh boy is this likely to be a big day for him one way or the other. As we’re nursing our “spinal injury”, Yanited have seemingly turned around their poor start and are on a 3-match win streak. Not to mention their impressive recent player acquisitions. And our failure to make an emergency last-minute buy at CDM. But we still have largely intact back line and forward line, so there’s still more than a little reason to hope we can squeak out another result. Could be knife’s edge stuff! And with that in mind, I leave you with this... perhaps the best memory of us going to OT:
One more thought I might've added in the OP... In addition to coaches & players, Sunday's result may be somewhat dependent on the quality of our away support. I'm thinking not just about the typically loud and steady vociferousness which they're known for, but specifically about them singing for and supporting specific players, especially the younger ones who might do with a boost at a tough venue. Our fantastic supporters have already shown this towards players like Saliba & Nketiah. So if it turns out that if someone like Lokonga could use a little of the same, I hope they're quick to provide it, and in ample duration. OT is bigger and more intimidating perhaps than Selhurst Park, but I'd love to see the same loud and passionate support as they did there.
I think ManU is not yet top 4 material but better than some are giving credit, and ETH is probably right to bring in players he knows and that know his system. That should stabilize their ship. I also think Arsenal have looked great but haven't faced truly stout competition, so this will be a good early season test of progress. Hopefully the lads are not only up for it but are anxious to put doubts to rest. Up the Gunners! Down the Red Devils! Long my NorthBank reign!
For me, the key will be how fast we start. If we pressure them early, then I think they're really vulnerable. My main concern will be how well we control midfield. If we have mostly healthy MO8, and get similar contribution from Sambi that we got on Wednesday, then I definitely like our chances.
They're on the up, our midfield is bare. Hopefully, the extra day of rest plays a big part, but right now I would take a draw.
I wouldn’t count on that. Mikel said today Martin hadn’t trained since Saturday. I think it might be a plus if he just makes the bench. IOW my expectations have been suitably lowered.
I have a bad feeling. Also our Injuries don't help at all. We need a DM badly. I fear Casemiro will nulify Øde and disrupt our flow. Hope I'm wrong. We have to take our chances and hope for good referee decisions.
per de roche. ramsdale and odegaard are "to be assessed", i believe. while zinchenko is a no. no particular good news on the two midfielders.
c.ronaldo doesn't start for ten hag, though. but, if we don't seal the game by the hour, he would be a scary threat then.
The Arsenal web site has a training video posted today that has Odegaard participating in team training.
Based on Saturday’s results, we will come out of the weekend still sitting top of the league. I’m even more interested to see how aggressive the team comes out for this one. Hopefully they seize this opportunity to capitalize and add to point difference
United writer says Odegaard, Ramdale and Zinchenko traveled to Manchester. As has Zinchenko. #afc— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) September 3, 2022
Sitting in Red Bull Arena right now and at HT there’s a random high school band in the 2nd tier playing Tequila. I’m gonna take that as a good omen for tomorrow.