It’s FA Cup time for us. We’ve watched Jose Mourinho and OGS lead their teams to magnificent replays after embarrassing stalemates, we have to avoid that sort of indignity at all costs.
Mikel Arteta might look to Jose Mourinho for a little inspiration. When the ‘Special One’ first landed at Chelsea, he went all guns blazing in the cups, making the league cup the first win of historic tenure.
We don’t have the luxury of a league cup run, but we do have a great opportunity to progress today against a Leeds side that has promotion on their mind.
I don’t know how the manager will line up for this one, but he’s making big noises about winning something.
“I think winning brings togetherness and when you have beautiful experiences together and you win trophies, those experiences stay within that group,” Arteta said.
“You like more the people you work with and you believe more in them and share some fantastic moments and that stays.
“That habit of winning, winning and winning. After you win, you don’t want to stop winning and you become addicted to that and that is what we have to try and implement at this club.”
There’s no lack of clarity there, he’s not a top 4 merchant, he wants to build a winning machine.
I suspect the pumped-up rhetoric is part for the fans, but more for the second string players he’s going to likely have to pick this evening. We’ve had problems the last few seasons raising our levels with players who sit on the bench. Rotation of the squad hasn’t always been fair and to be honest, the depth of our bench has been fairly poor. This season, the main difference is we have a lot of kids who intro’d last season who are year older, and all should be desperate to impress the new management team.
Matteo G and Dani Ceballos are probably the two closest to the first team with the most to prove. Matteo has been all over the place this season, far too much responsibility was put on his shoulders and he’s struggling for form… worse, his attitude has been less than spotless. He has the chance to show he can play with discipline and listen to a manager that will be good for him. I’d really love him to blow up under Arteta.
Dani is very different, there’s been no lack of enthusiasm, more a struggle to keep pace with the relentless physicality of the Premier League. I think his attitude is there, the talent is not in doubt, he just needs to be given a clear role and deliver against it. No way his energy isn’t going to be useful over the next 5 months.
Nicolas Pepe could start again, if he does, this is a huge test of attitude. It’s all well and good putting on a show against United, but can you motivate yourself against a Championship side? I hope so.
As for the kids, I’d love to see Saka have a chance further up the pitch. I think this could be a good game for ESR to show what he’s made of. I’d also love Willock to deliver to productivity in the final third, the club are clearly excited about him, hopefully he can show the fans why.
… could also be a bit tasty to see Eddie land some minutes.
No idea who else is going to play, but I do think it’d be wise to put some heavy rotation into the starting 11 so we don’t suffer any more injuries to key players.
It’s a home game, Arteta is clearly looking for a performance from the fans after seeing a lot of empty seats this weekend (shame on you, Stoke City fans).
“It is too powerful, with the fanbase we have, our history and the great players they have seen and the great teams they have seen, if we get that connected it is so powerful. Without that, I think it is impossible to do it.”
You heard the man, take your vuvuzelas and makes some noise.
Enjoy the evening, I’m very sad not to be there… also listen to my podcast with Matt.
Saturday 3pms are great.
Also doesn’t ruin your weekend.
Friday night kick off’s like in Germany would be great I think. Do away with Monday night kick off’s they’re a menace to away fans
benny
Well obviously she’s not as slanderous as Un is making out!
Friday nights are great as well.
Pedro / Marko
Agree on both counts.
Also do away with FA Cup replays.
Really really hoping Arteta is a sure thing. Bad omen for other teams.
I m in the mood to banter. Tired of being the abused…Would like to abuse for a while.
Marko, no replays unless it’s Spurs!
Friday evening game sets up the weekend, Saturday 3pm sets up Saturday night.
Night games have the potential for a better atmosphere, fully expect with the FA allocation, for Leeds to take the whole of the lower tier clock end so should be noisy. School night so I won’t be drinking ( see above).
Bob, Leeds will take the whole of the lower tier of the clock end tonight so they’ll be rowdy and very loud. Biesla’s teams are very energetic too so we’ll need to match their intensity. Should be a cracking game.
Ronaldo with a hat trick already.
You think he’s slowing down but he looks so fit and ruthless for someone his age
What a dangerous player Douglas Costa still is. Naingollan still has it in him.
Having a funny feeling about tonight’s game
Spurs in for Lemar.
(Wenger rated him.)
Good Age
Good Engine
Good Dimensions.
Something to Prove.
Made for The Prem.
Mobile
Versatile..
Not injury Prone.
French.
And sure better than Suarez.
I agree entirely about Arsenal playing far too many games on Monday or for
that matter a game next week against Chelsea on Tuesday!
There have been too many occasions this season where we have landed up with three games in 10 days.
Frankly I don’t think that the television scheduling has been particularly sympathetic to Arsenal this season
‘He’s a decent ball carrier, nothing special.’
Nothing special?
Was Messi playing better @18 than Martinelli? Maybe at ball control; but not speed, physical play, power in the air and defensive energy.
All Mbappe did better at Monaco too was ball control and being calm under pressure.
Only CR7 was as troublesome at such a young age.
Teach my boy a bit of ball control and start him more in PL games to learn calmness. We should eventually find a CR7 somewhere inside there.
Lemar rejected us so he can go jump!
‘good dimensions’ Beach Boys?
GentlebrisJanuary 6, 2020 16:30:55
I like Martinelli but relax. He’s nowhere near Messi,Mbappe or CR7 when they were 18.
Messi at 18 was virtually already the best player in the world. Mbappe led his team to a league title over a financially doped PSG. Ronaldo was a star for United. The levels are absolutely staggering. You’re talking about generational players here. Martinelli is not that level.
By the time Messi had reached 18 years and 120 days on October 22, 2005, he had made it to four UEFA Champions League appearances for Barcelona. LOL
By the time Messi had reached 18 years and 120 days on October 22, 2005, he had made it to four UEFA Champions League appearances for Barcelona. However, in those games, the Argentine failed to register a goal. He wasn’t to wait long for that first goal, with it coming against Panathinaikos on November 2 of the same year. Ronaldo reached the Frenchman’s age by June 5, 2003, but had had even less Champions League experience than both Messi and Mbappe, with just one substitute appearance to his name, alongside two UEFA Cup appearances. It took even longer, almost four… Read more »
Tr7
If they manage to keep Douglas Costa fit, they’re my pick for the champions league…
Demiral is an absolute baller too by the way, going to permanently pit De ligt on the bench soon
Demiral is an absolute baller too by the way, going to permanently pit De ligt on the bench soon
Hasn’t ther been talk of him coming to Arsenal??
Looks like the move as been blocked.
Martinelli getting vague comparisons to Messi, Cristiano, and Mbappe? 😂
Also look at what Cesc and Rooney were doing at 16. That’s what you call real levels. I like Martinelli a lot but let’s not do this
Romford Pele
Let’s be realistic do we want Martinelli to be at the same level as Ronaldo or Messi at 18?
The certainty if he was is that he would not be at Arsenal longer than one season. Barcelona or Real Madrid would be destabilising the player as they have been doing with far too many other players over the years.
Arsenal need to be rebuilding their team/squad around such players as Martinelli and Saka in the future.
United in for Maddison, yes please, leave us Grealish to go for in the summer.
Got to love Lingard getting into bed with Raiola too, as close as the lad gets to being among the elites. Has a fan on here, no guesses who.
My wish list for tonight. 1. 3-0 to the Arsenal 2. No more injuries or suspensions. 3. I want to see our kids given a run out tonight. We need to keep our strongest and experienced players for the EPL and the Europa League. 4. Having said that, if they are fit I would use this game tonight to give run outs to long term absentees Rob Holding, Bellerin and Mavropanos… so that we can ease them into the rigours of the EPL… the sooner we can get them into main squad the better. 5. I hope Freddie Ljungberg exercises… Read more »
Emirates, you might well be right but that wasn’t the point I was disputing anyway.
To combat it anyway, i think young players are thinking twice about going there now due to lack of opportunities.
Madrid for example have like 6 playmakers (Isco, James, Kubo, Odegaard, Diaz, Ceballos and now they also are close to Reinier). As a young player why would you go there? It makes no sense.
Bati
Yes, Juventus look good but Liverpool have to be the strongest contender for the CL given their form.
“The certainty if he was is that he would not be at Arsenal longer than one season. Barcelona or Real Madrid would be destabilising the player as they have been doing with far too many other players over the years.“
I’m not convinced this is as big a threat as once was. Cristiano (a player all teens look up to) has shown the blueprint for young talents in England to make great careers, and they begin with creating something of a legacy where they are.
Please no to Boteng by the way. With Luiz and Sokratis in our squad we don’t need anymore old defenders.
Romford Pele
Their recruitment policy has nothing to do with need.
Real Madrid are not concerned about the needs of young players or the consequences.
Also there are very few players or their agents who will reject an offer from
this club whatever the consequences on their future careers.
Arsenal fans unnecessarily comparing Martinelli to some of the absolute greats of the last couple decades. They just never learn. Let the lad do his thing don’t put him on any pedestals.
Leeds, big day for you today… you’re gonna get rinsed if we get beat.
Big shame about Reinier. I really thought that we’d bust a nut to get him. But if he wants to risk his formative years at Madrid then good luck to him. But for me this January it went Reinier<Ziyech<Lemar. Upamecano above all.
For me the,many don’t care about the FA Cup,is sad.FA Cup Final day was an Major Day in Certainly English, calender.OK in those days,it was the League or the Cup.
I feel it will be a mistake to play too many youngsters against Leeds, who are a well organised outfit. Winning is a habit and I feel it is imporant to maintain the momentum.
I would lean towards a more experienced side than some on here are proposing. Save the youngsters for the bench and bring them on if we get a decent lead.
Martinez
Bellerin Mustafi Holding Saka
Guen Ceballos
Pepe Smith-Rowe Martinelli
Laca
Pedro Fair dues man. 😉 As you know Arteta wasn’t my first choice but the initial steps are encouraging. I want Arsenal to do well before me being proved right… I’m an Arsenal supporter so if I have to eat a bit of humble pie so be it. If Arteta does well, the club does well. The club’s fortunes come first. For the first time in a long time I care very little for the FA Cup. With our squad being so thin on depth and quality the club could do with less distractions… I’m not convinced , unless we… Read more »
Leeds, I meant that you are from Leeds! I wasn’t having a pop!
“Arteta is clearly looking for a performance from the fans after seeing a lot of empty seats this weekend (shame on you, Stoke City fans).”
I was really surprised to see the worst offenders for the empty seats were the lower league teams, whereas Chelsea’s ground was full and rocking. I watched the Cardiff game (wife is from Cardiff) and it was emmmppppty. Embarrassing stuff for the FA. It’s their clubs who haven’t got time for it.
Where did it all go wrong for the FA Cup? I remember a time when it seemed more important than the league …
Pedro
I have a soft spot for Leeds, and after Arsenal results, I check how Leeds are doing… I don’t mind admitting that.
Pedro, it wouldn’t have mattered if you’re poking gentle fun… I know you would meant it in jest.
Let me take the opportunity to wish you a happy 2020. In a way with Arteta as manager all your Christmas came at once!
Wishing you the very best.
Baying
Since the 4th place trophy I suppose.
There’s very little money in the FA cup, I think the only way they will revive it is if they make the winner qualify for champs league instead of 4th.
*Christmases
FA cup has lost its edge because the clamour for CL is so, so strong. Would really put the cat amongst it to have the winner earn a CL spot instead of 4th place in the league getting it.
Would drive the PL top 6 to be more winning-centric on league titles, with the FA cup being a huge incentive in and of itself.
Leeds, same to you, I’m VERY excited about Arsenal. Really think we could have a great year. Just hope it’s more Saliba’s, less Boateng like players.
I wouldn’t say I have a soft spot for Leeds, but I have an affiliation. I worked in Hull for a time, 1999-2001 ish. My boss was a big Leeds fan (he was from Durham). We went to quite a few games. I think we went to all their CL group games. I can’t remember the later rounds … went to see Leeds v Liverpool for the atmos. I went to see Micheal Owen play in his prime and he limped off with a hamstring in the first half. Also was there (in the home end) when they derailed our… Read more »
No evidence of Rudiger racism claim.
Wonder if anyone will take any action against him for false accusations?
My experience of Arsenal playing leeds back in the day is not too good. I was at Wembley as a 12 year old when we lost 1-0 in the league cup final 1968 to a Terry Cooper goal after Jacky Charlton clearly fouled our keeper jim furnell. My memory from a home game v Leeds in our 70/71 double season was of a sending off and we were down to 10 men for a large chunk of the game. It was a 0-0 draw in a night game and the atmosphere was electric. Taking into account that Leeds were the… Read more »
Robbed
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DmaoQkoADBVo&ved=2ahUKEwjusMCpz-_mAhXYWhUIHU4pBrIQt9IBMAp6BAgJED0&usg=AOvVaw1Cunem6VVALXdZxrdLsfSx
Mikhi heading back, welcome back aged legged
In the football world finding a natural goalscorer with pace is like finding a golden snitch. We have one in martinelli.
Even amongst European academies it’s like a 1 in a 1000 rate or less. We would literally be bonkers to turn a kid who has these attributes into a middling wide forward. He needs to be developed centrally.
Before I get killed here the big 3 were already at established european sides when they were developing.our kid was playing in a backwater in sao Paulo.
Doesn’t necessarily mean he is elite elite but it means this guys ceiling is far more than what we are seeing now
LEEEDS Giles /Madley /Bremner/Bates who was well underated.
Yorath?
A very tough core
And a very good side
DUIFG
I agree totally.
Martinelli is a gem.
I hope Arteta manages to keep polishing him so that he becomes a jewel in our crown.
Arsenal XI confirmed: Martinez; Luiz, Sokratis, Holding; Nelson, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Ozil, Pepe; Lacazette
WTF!
Slightly surprising line up. Guess Ceballos and Martinelli not fit to start.
What in hell!!! We don’t play
Still no Bellerin!
Subs: Leno, Mavropanos, Ceballos, Willock, Saka, Martinelli, John-Jules
Pierre
If memory serves me right, I think we also lost to Leeds 6-1 at Elland Road in 1973.
I was eleven.
Very distressing.
Does this make Saka our starting left back going forward
Nelson as a RWB?
Unexpected line up
Surprising team picked by Arteta.
CA
Looks like it. Surprised why we switched to 3 at the back after doing so well with 4 .
Strong lineup.
Why play Kola since he was not 100%? His injury may get worse while playing.
I hope that Ozil and Laca will not feature in the 2nd half.
Martinelli will be mbappe, messi, christiano levels at the same age, in the remainder of season.
You heard it here 1st.
Team to play Leeds: Martinez, Sokratis, Luiz, Holding, Nelson, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Lacazette, Pepe.
Subs: Leno, Mavropanos, Ceballos, Willock, Saka, Martinelli, John-Jules.
Wasi
Maybe he wants to go for CB consistency? Wants to give Holding a chance but also wants to maintain consistency and build a relationship between Luiz and the other CBs?
Wasi
“Surprised why we switched to 3 at the back ”
I guess it would reduce the work load for PapaSok and Luiz. I would also ease in Holding, who may not be 100%.
Whats the formation?
352 is the formation that suits arsenal best going forward considering our players available and i think Arteta wants to introduce it, any combination of pepe, martinelli, laca, Auba can sneek in goals while keeping the middle solid
Im telling you this for free!
Looks like it will be a high scoring game. Should be fun.
Very strong lineup indeed. I did not expect that at all. Was expecting a bit more of a mix between youth and seniors.
I am wondering whether Arteta’s plan is to go all in on the first half and then sub in the youth in the 2nd half.
All in all, it certainly does look like Arteta has decided to take this cup seriously, which is not a bad thing.
Bloody hell people getting worked up over selection and formation.
Just go with the flow.
It is the Wolves winger whose unique skill-set separates him from any other player in the Premier League. Against Watford on New Year’s Day, Traore broke a Premier League record – completing 15 dribbles, the most in a single game since Opta began collecting records.
It was the fourth time this season that Traore had completed 10 dribbles or more in a Premier League match. For context, there are only three instances of other players doing it.
Very strong line up. I hope we don’t pay for it in future league games. Surprised not to see more youngsters on the bench.
We simply have to go for adama traore he will be WC by next season.
Fastest player and best dribbler in all of world football. With end product now and scorching shot.
The only reason that many first team players should be because of fitness issues. I don’t want to believe we have given up on a strong league finish.
I am concerned with new injuries, especially for Kola.
be playing*
UN
“”””Pierre and CG will be loving this.”””
The name of the game is to win.
Blooding kids( whatever that means!!)- is what the reserve team is for.
Nothing Else. That is the whole point of it,after all.
And this team will win.
CG predicts with Arteta in charge- we will win this FA Cup, this season.
Our Art has learned from Mr. A.Wenger
Dont do a Spurs.
And Put the trophies on the mantelpiece.
4 0 and you wont be far too away.
That’s not the line up I was expecting. Hoping we get through this without any more injuries.
Graham6
.
Are you on drugs leeds 6 Arsenal 1..
I know Arsenal thrashed leeds 6 or 7-1 in the Cup when Lukic was the Leeds Keeper..
Pierre
You got another one right, o persecuted one
Arteta is starting with a very strong line up because he knows we have 4 days to rest out till we play on Saturday.
Though it doesn’t look like it, I have a feeling it could be the same system 4-2-3-1..
Holding could take AMN position and play the inverted full back role.
Guendouzi DM alongside xhaka
Nelson and Pepe the wide players , Ozil CAM , Lacazette up top .
Of course , I could be reading it completely wrong as it does look like a line up made for wing backs.
Ruth FYI
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/pdf/match19730509.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjHqb7E2u_mAhVVoXEKHQ8kC4YQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2qrRBDNEoinCoYewEJSFII
Arsenal thrashed Leeds 7-0 in 1979 in the League Cup
If we do anymore business with Celtic perhaps we should ask for a discount/premium on the basis we’ve bought a player who has not been fit for purpose so far this campaign.
Not his fault, but it feels like they rolled us with regards to Tierney and his fitness and recovery… our medical team needs to step up a gear too, like the rest of the squad.
with that lineup arteta is keeping europe in mind next season
kolac recoverslike iron man it seem
rather not risk saka tbh
That 6-1 scoreline is a strange result because Arsenal were runners-up in 1973
Arsenal thrashed Leeds 7-0 in 1979 in the League Cup
————————–
I was there and it was a replayed tie.
Danny
Lukic was in goal for Leeds…no or yes.
Dissenter
I didn’t think of checking our schedule. We indeed play Palace on Saturday (early kick off; which means an early drinking session!!!) and then our next game will be the following Saturday vs Sheff Utd.
So plenty of time for our players to rest. And perfect to keep on getting us to play as unit.
For those interested, the FA Cup draw is just before our game.
Our Art has learned from Mr. A.Wenger
Let’s hope not. For all our sakes
Redtruth
David Harvey was in goal.
Who the f*** is that woman, she’s always on tele…
Playing Bournemouth in next round of we beat Leeds Utd.