Huge away test looms

by .

Hitting you with some super short contenting today, because I’m flying out, and Arsenal are dropping a 2pm kickoff.

Injury news is mixed. Ramsey, Xhaka and Laurent are all in contention.

We’re going to need all the experience and help we can leverage today. This really is the start of a hugely important group of games. If we lose to 10th placed Everton, suddenly that Europa League game on Thursday against Napoli doesn’t look as winnable.

We have momentum on our side though, so let’s not panic too much. The problem we have is that away form hasn’t been our best friend this season. Losing games away at Rennes, West Ham and BATE weigh heavy on the mind. However, worth noting that Emery has changed things up lately, he’s brought his better players in from the cold, he’s taken them somewhere warm to rest their minds and the team is playing with far more swagger than they have done in 6 months.

Defence is crucial, we need player of the month Bernd Leno to continue bossing things from the base, we need to try desperately to avoid putting Mustafi under any sort of pressure and we need to cross out fingers.

The most notable change for me has been the early goals. Not really something you can attribute to a specific idea, because I’m sure early goals is always on the agenda… but, it’s better than conceding early, which was certainly something that worked against us in the front half of last season.

BIG GAME. The start of a tough run of matches where the coach is going to have to make some tough decisions. Rotation is going to important, player fitness is crucial, and focus will be essential. Tired minds are just as dangerous as tired legs. The manager needs to balance carrot and stick if we’re delivering an epic 3rd place this season.

Right, that’s me done, enjoy that game and PLEASE do not lavish too much praise on me for this HUGE post… xxx

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grooveydaddy

1st

grooveydaddy

2nd

grooveydaddy

3rd

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

grooveydaddy

Clean sweep!

Colney Gooner

Would help if I could spell Colney. Only lived there 20 years!

SpainishDave

Socrates one yellow away from a two match ban!
This could hurt us.

Leftsidesanch

Must win today

Nelson

Thinking about the replacement for Ramsey, I think Adrien Rabiot would be ideal. He likes to go box to box. He may cost a lot though.

Marc

Nelson

Isn’t he available on a free? Obviously wages would be reflected in that but you are spreading the cost over the length of the contract.

Nelson

Marc

I thought Emery wanted him to play defensive Mid in PSG but he wanted to play box to box. Now we need a box to box Mid to replace Ramsey.

Words on a Blog

Wouldn’t mind me some Rabiot, although he’s got a bit of a reputation of bein a prick.

His agent is his mother, and she’s got an even worse reputation, kind of like a deluded tiger mother from what I understand

Leftsidesanch

I thought I read that he may be going to R.Madrid..

Jack gunnerr

Arsenal neutralize the MU and Chelsea strike force. The strikers at these
2 teams are a tad better than the Blues strike force.
However no 2 games are the same.
If Arsenal approach like they did against the 2 teams there is no reason
why the gunners cant win.
Believe me,the Blues will go physical and go full blooded into tackles.Inthe past
the gunners could have been overrun but under Emery they will fight.
Far better than the pretty soccer stuff leading to no man s land.

Nelson

Rabiot is in the correct age group. He is also more durable than Ramsey.

Freddie Ljungberg

Rabiot fire his mom as his agent because of the failed Barca move. He looks pretty much done for Real Madrid though. On a free. Was my ideal Ramsey replacement but that ship has sailed now.

Steveyg87

Rabiot all day for me, silky B2B player that Ramsey probably studied given the form his in now. Wont come cheap but if we are looking to hit the ground running next season, we need to be going all out for him

Steveyg87

“Rabiot fire his mom as his agent because of the failed Barca move. He looks pretty much done for Real Madrid though. On a free. Was my ideal Ramsey replacement but that ship has sailed now.”

Don’t lose hope just yet, remember, Wenger isn’t running this coming TW. If we can get him for anything under 250k per week, we smiling. Then the focus should shift to flogging off Mustafi and some of the other dead beats, a list which is getting shorter in my opinion

Paulinho

Ha ha, nah Ramsey is well capable of doing B2B all by himself without studying someone who isn’t even as good as him at making runs in the box.

Rabiot is a good player but a silkier Xhaka with more strings to his bow that can travel well with the ball. He’s no final third killer though.

Words on a Blog

Freddie L,

As usual with this sort of thing there are a lot of conflicting reports about Rabiot to Real.

In the last week alone, some sources reporting that it’s a done deal, others reporting that Real deny this, and others saying that Liverpool are on the scene now that Real have cooled interest.

With the usual situation of the media making things up as they go along, who really knows?

Freddie Ljungberg

Words

True. I’ve been wanting Rabiot for a couple of years now so I guess I’m just depressed that it just doesn’t seem very likely anymore, would be perfect next to Torreira and wouldn’t chip into our budget that much with a rumoured 10-15m sign on fee.

Nelson

As Emery said:” I think we can improve first, by spending money to achieve players”
“I think we are in the right way with the club, with the owner, with Raul Sanllehi to find that.”

Dream10

Barça technical secretary Robert Fernandez has been offered an important role at Arsenal.

HillWood

Putting my neck on the block here
1- 3 Gooners

Nelson

Napoli will be playing Genoa later today. Serie A is not like League 1 and Bundesleague. They tend to modify the schedule for teams playing in the UEFA games. I’ll follow this game and see whether they rest some of their star players.

mysticleaves

Rabiot wil be perfect. Hes the right age and has the right temperament and motivation to come into this team and make it his own. Rabiot, Xhaka, Torr, Guendouzi, AMN, Willock as option in the middle is not so shoddy.

Also we need to use El Neny more, atleast until we sell him. came in against Newcastle and really played ball.

Paulinho

Be doing very well to get a result with that team.

Nelson

Arsenal XI to play Everton: Leno, Sokratis, Elneny, Monreal, Mustafi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Lacazette.

Radio Raheem

Arsenal
19
Leno
20
Mustafi
5
Sokratis
18
Monreal
15
Maitland-Niles
4
Elneny
29
Guendouzi
31
Kolasinac
10
Ozil (c)
7
Mkhitaryan
9
Lacazette
Substitutes
1
Cech
25
Jenkinson
12
Lichtsteiner
8
Ramsey
22
Suarez
17
Iwobi
14
Aubameyang

Nelson

Arsenal: Leno, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Mailtland-Niles, Guendouzi, Elneny, Kolasinac, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette

Subs: Cech, Lichtsteiner, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Suarez, Iwobi, Aubameyang

TallestTiz

That lineup is worrisome

DivineSherlock

No Iwobi or Aubameyang . Ozil starts . Emery being as always very unpredictable. Love it.

Dream10

Don’t like the XI. Not attacking enough Would have gone for Aubameyang over Lacazette

Bergkamp63

Don’t see us winning today, Mustafi is a massive liability.

Would take a draw.

Everton’s last two home games

2-0 vs Chelsea
0-0 vs Liverpool

Love to be proved wrong !

Moray

The manager is showcasing Elneny for the upcoming transfer window. His legs should be fresh though and if he plays well he puts a few grand in his next contract.

The games are coming thick and fast but we need to have our best players in the mix and continue the momentum. Keep winning and make the other teams blink first. Lose this one and the pressure is automatically on for both the league and the Euros.

azed

Let’s hope Elneny can earn some of his wages today.

JDavey

Elneny and guendouzi in midfield, great 🙂

Nelson

I have no regrets letting Ramsey go. His body is not reliable enough.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Short sharp precise

Pedro

It’s a pitch winner …

Too much nerves for words

Moray

Narrow 2-1 win for us today.

Charlie George

The selection of the totally hapless and NON SELLABLE Elneny- once again prove that Emery will never be a manager in the top echelons. of world football.

His team selection- clearly has Napoli in mind.
Why?

He is obsessed with that losers festival of football.
Because he is a master of it.

Why stop the goal scoring momentum and brilliant form of Ramsey.

May I remind everybody
Aaron Ramsey scored 4 goals alone against Everton last season.

Elneny over Ramsey is a preposterous call.

And will bite him and us on The Arse.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Not sure bout
Ozil n mikkhi both starting

Time will tell

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Too many defenders on bench

Marc

Clearly Ramsey not fit to start so limited options in CM.

Marc

RSPC

We’ve got Ozil, Mhiki and Laca starting, with Aba, Ramsey and Iwobi on the bench.

How many attacking options do you want?

Nelson

Talking about fooling your opponent. The whole week, Emery talked about how well Auba and Laca play together. He then put Auba on the bench.

Victorious

That’s a worrisome starting 11..

Absolutely no physicality in that midfield

chuckle brothers Elneny and Gwen to hold the forte? Not overly confident

Emery HAS to get a result here, absolutely on him if he fails to

Marc

Vic

Who would you play in CM?

DUIFG

Guen worries me, he isnt ready to start games like Everton away, home fine but first half will be a battle.

Freddie Ljungberg

CG we all know you’re an idiot, you don’t have to prove it every time you post.

Ramsey is not fit to start and because your beloved Wenger constantly bought crap players, like Elneny, and Torreira is suspended we don’t have that many options now.

But sure, keep blaming Emery for every small thing you don’t approve of.

Charlie George

There is 1 thing we will all agree on.

Elneny will not last the 90 mins.

I will donate 3000 rand to charity if he does…

DUIFG

He’s basically saying to the front 3 and lol you guys go and create. I will hold Fort with 2 sort of dms. No issue with that really but I worry for guen

Zfree

Why isn’t Torreira on the bench? His ban is over now right?

Nelson

Emery is taking a page from Wenger’s tactics. Similar to how Wenger uses Giroud, he is using Auba as the impact Sub.

Victorious

Marc

In the Absence of Ramsey I’d chuck in AMN there, at least he has presence and put himself about, a good tackler and keeps it ticking nice

Marginal gains the as Jenk would have to come in as RB, Gain a lot I. Midfield and just about lose little in the flanks

Mustafi ever remains an accident waiting to happen

Victorious

Marc

In the Absence of Ramsey I’d chuck in AMN there, at least he has presence and put himself about, a good tackler and keeps it ticking nice

Marginal gains the as Jenk would have to come in as RB, Gain a lot in Midfield and just about lose little in the flanks

Mustafi ever remains an accident waiting to happen

Victorious

Why isn’t Torreira on the bench? His ban is over now right?

Serving his last of a 3 match ban

Bergkamp63

Ramsey is not fit, stating the obvious as some on here are completely blind.

That’s why he come off on Monday night against Newcastle, I’m surprised he is even on the bench.

Charlie George

Freddie L

No manager in the world would choose Elneny in his team over the other options.

The mind boggles- that u defend him for this selection.

Only one idiot around.

Our coach.

In Choosing Elneny over Ramsey.

The partnership with Genduzi is asking for trouble.
Devoid of pace and mobility. Don’t be surprised if one gets a red card.

Preposterous team selection
Preposterous over complicated coach.

Bergkamp63

Torreira still banned

Zfree

Damn that red for LT was quite costly… seems like ages ago.

Freddie Ljungberg

CG

Seriously, are you re.tarded? You would have to be right? If so it’s ok, I’ll stop being so harsh with you.

If not though, what other fucking options??? Ramsey is not fit enough to start dumbass. It’s not Wenger in the dugout anymore playing players until they break down, deal with it.

Charlie George

Why are Arsenal being so cautious all of a sudden today???
We have scored 12 goals against this lot- in our last 3 games.

Get your best attacking players on the pitch.

PEA
Ramsey

Get your failures of it.
Elneny
Mustafi

Keep it simple.

Victorious

Torr man is a huge miss

It’s a game that is tailor made for a fit and hungry Torreira

He thrives in physical environment such as this

Bergkamp63

FL,

You are wasting your time there, sub humans with 70 IQ and an agenda will not care if we don’t have anyone else available !

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

DCL

Could be the worry

Charlie George

Fred

Emery said he was fit. Passed his tests.
If he is not fit. GET him fit.
And not on the bloody bench.

If u are fit to be on the bench.
You are fit to play.

Don’t defend the indefensible.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Is torrs still banned ?

Bergkamp63

Torreira still banned but back on Thursday

Freddie Ljungberg

Berglamp63

I know, I’ve tried to educate/scold CG many times but he’s honestly a hopeless case, dumbest poster in the history of le grove, and I’ve been reading from the beginning, only Johnty comes close.

Paulinho

Think we will play some nice stuff with that team – Elneny can deal with a press better than Xhaka – but once Everton raise the tempo we’re in trouble. Don’t trust AMN, Guendouzi, Ozil, Mikhi if they press on us. Laca can sulk as well in that scenario.

Victorious

FL

Go a day without yapping abt Wenger,come on man you can do it

Also not true you peddling the narrative about Emery not having other options in midfield

AMN would be a better option for starters

Chris

CG

Plenty of options from the bench if things don’t go to plan in the game. The selection has logic behind it, you just don’t agree with it. That’s fine but maybe try to see how the game pans out first before bitching about it?

Freddie Ljungberg

Playing from the start or maybe playing 20 minutes at the end against tired legs is not the same fuckwit. It’s not exactly our only game this month either so we have to manage the squad appropriately, that is way beyond you to understand anyway so I’ll stop there. I’m off to the pub to watch now.

Charlie George

Chris.

Yes
That’s our hope

Stay in the game.
60 mins gone

Get Ramsey, PEA and iwobi on to win it late.

But a needlessly cautious approach.
We are on form
We should be going there with intent, aggression and goals.!

gonsterous

el neny in the starting line up. who would have predicted that ?

Bergkamp63

I think now is not the time to go trying AMN in midfield at this level at this stage of the season.

And yes, I know that was his original position but the only experienced midfielder at this level we have that is fully fit is Elneny, like it or not !

Freddie Ljungberg

Vic

Sorry I forgot you on the dumbest list, but you just can’t beat CG, try harder.

AMN is not an option in midfield when he’s only been playing RWB the last couple of months and Jenkinson is the only other option, sorry, but no.

I don’t yap about Wenger every day, try harder.

Kay

@Vic
Bringing in Jenks for this game isn’t tge best option.
AMN on the right is better. Yes Elneny is not the best option but I would rather go with Elneny + Amn than Amn + Jenks

mysticleaves

Lol, CG is a lunatic. This selection is the best we can offer. Miki always turns up against Everton too. Should be a good match. El Neny to surprise a lot of people today. up the Arsenal.

Kay

Go 1-up in the first half. Finish them off with Auba and Ramsey.
Its good to have our top 6 not tired with the crucial games coming in thick and fast.

mysticleaves

Yea, much as I like AMN in middle, that should be next season’s project. We also have Napoli on Thursday, this is just sqaud management. El Neny can hold his own pretty well against Everton.

Rambo Ramsey

“El Neny to surprise a lot of people today”

April 1 passed a few days ago, boy

Un battle angel

Not happy with elneny in the middle but I’d guess this lineup is with one eye on the Europa league tie against Napoli

mysticleaves

Rambo, well at this point pray he does, cos the fortunes of the team you support is on the line

useroz

Laca should do better. Looks hurt.

TheLegendaryDB10

Come on The Arsenal!!

Good start!

Auba on the bench. To be played on 2nd half and run at tired legs?

Un battle angel

It’s an absolute disgrace to award elneny the no4 shirt.

Un battle angel

Well In lacazette

Paulinho

Take the idiot off.

useroz

Guendouzo needs to calm down. Already a yellow ffs.

Victorious

Gwen got to be careful

Both players/crowd are targeting him

Rambo Ramsey

What a clown

Guns of Hackney

Anyone think Emery looks like Ray Reardon?

Some of you will know, the rest, google him.

Victorious

Everton pressing like mad dogs

Our midfield non-existent..shock horror

useroz

Doesn’t feel right with Elneny and Ozil and Mikhi.

Positive though we have half chances so far. Need to take ’em

Fucked.

Victorious

LMAO.. Calamity.

Paulinho

Ha ha the player that wasn’t going to play until a few mins before kick off. What a surprise.

Guns of Hackney

Bossing it.

gambon

So where are all the mugs who were saying Everton and Watford would be easy games?

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