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.
Whoever rolled out this selection should be sacked even if it’s arteta. What is it with our coaches with their selection imbroglio? See how useless our midfield is without torr? You can’t press from the front with ozil, pepe and nelson and nelson should never play for arsenal again, such a pussy
I really wanna mention how poor and ineffective Lacazette has been in yet another game but I know that will illicit a response from the resident diva so I’ll just leave it and talk about how shit Guendouzi has been
Yep… Lt is our best midfielder but he drains the tank every match so you cant play him in matchers like this. Need him for the League. Experimental lineup maybe to learn something. I think Arteta is a pretty smart dude so hopefully will have a few answers. Ozil only had like one or two touch in their half. That’s not going to work.
Watched first 35 minutes in an Irish pub in Alicante (no not Paddys Point). F..cking awful. If I didnt know better would thought Leeds were the home time. They will kick themselves if they dont win it.
Holding’s regression is really something.
Looked very good before the ACL last season and came back in his first 2 games and looked good…against weaker opposition…but since then he’s looked total shite.
Leeds will eventually tire and we’ll win comfortably, that’s my guess.
Why has Arteta risked the good work by beasting players and playing some out of position. Odd
Laca has been poor for a while now. Maybe we should give Eddie a chance?
I don’t know what Arteta does here.
Throw on Ceballos for Ozil? Get Martinelli in there as well?
We’re not aware of fitness etc but…
Willock will run around but offers little on the ball most of the time.
Holding needs to graft in u23, he needs to learn his game again.
Laca up front solois weak, no pace to stretch
Harrison has been great for Leeds.
That coverage BBC just did on our lack of options in any sector of the pitch when trying to play out from the back should be of real interest to Tets.
The Guardiola City thing is to always try to generate 2 passing options for a passer, whereas we often have no open options either short or long. Hopefully Tets can improve our positioning and speed of passing to create that space.
That was a wise decision replacing Emery for a virgin rookie.
Martinelli amn on and this thing looks a lot better.
Park guen in a wheelie bin as well
Leeds will eventually tire and we’ll win comfortably, that’s my guess.
We done alot of running around without the ball I think we’re be tired too.
Squad is stretched? Who stretched the squad if not arteta. I honestly wasn’t expecting this selection knowing the regulars are just getting used to the new pattern of play. He should have just rested ozil, zhaka. Holding shouldn’t be playing cos he’s as good as our opponent, always serving passes to leeds players.
CA
Very very predictable. The whole team has been woeful not just the two you have a permanent hard on for.
Mikel is going to have to do something he hasn’t done so far in his managerial career and that’s have an improved second half performance.
Need a platform in midfield get Guendouzi off and bring Ceballos to the party.
Completed out played in 1H. Looked nervy.
Leeds man-pressed almost everyone when we had the ball in our half. Few support. Few outlets.
The rare occasions we got into Leeds’ half appeared no clues on what to do next.
Hope the 2H can’t get worse …
I also hope Arteta would bring out his hair dryer in that dressing room
Torr was always looking for Ozil while Guen kept passing the ball to Laca. Those were also bad passes.
Lineker saying Leeds look like a premiership side…more like Arsenal look like a Championship side…
come on Arteta sub please I need to BELIEVE
We are not beating this Leeds side on their home turf it’s an absolute nightmare to visit…we better finish the job here and now
Nelson..wtf
the fuck Nelson should’ve put that in!!!!?!!!!
Arteta seems to have a thing for nelson cos I can’t understand why a natural hustler in martinelli who enjoys pressing from the front is being benched for nelson who can’t even catch a fowl
Nelson’s season so far. Does everything right and falls over when it comes to the easy stuff.
The saucy one don’t seem to trust Martinelli….
Ok, this is from. At least Emery smashed the last championship team he faced.
Xhaka is getting red card at this rate.
My gamble would be Saka on, Xhaka off, Luiz up beside Guen, Sokratis to CB and shove Nelson to right back. We probably keep 11 on the pitch that way. Luiz can put a better tackle in than Xhaka too.
Also, Ozil off for Willock/Ceballos.
Basically go 4-3-3 with Pepe and Saka dropping back to make it 4-5-1 as needed. Or er… 6-3-1.
Ugh… another good run into the box .. just cant get a pass to anyone. Arteta probably told them to up the energy levels. They look a bit more engaged. But I think it will take a sub or two.
Xhaka with the forward run.
yeah if that was Marti he would’ve easily slot that in
nice FK give it to Pepe please or for that Xhaka special delight
Xhaka dived the cheating cunt
Pepe’s time!!!
PEPE not laca to take gk
ooof at least we know we are really dangerous on set piece just need to capitalise on that
Good response so far
Xhaka dived the cheating cunt
Yeah but you know Guendouzi…
Wonder who is going to take this. hmmmm.. good effort coudnt get it to dip… Think I would have let Pepe try it.
Laca is shite
Laca hit the top corner cross bar!
nice now that’smore like it need to push higher up clearly sauce has been sprinkled on half time team talk
Rubbish weak shot laca
Far better in the second half because Ozil is actually looking for the ball now
Arteta must have screamed at them the whole half time
Laca can’t aim the ball to the corner.
Good 7 mins. A few decent shots too.
Were only getting a half Nelson. Get him off.
Much better. Pressing higher
Nelson needs to take care of his footing too sluggish right now for him
Harrison has had Kolasinac on toast all game
Martinez is a good shot stopper.
Nelson looks always a half yard behind / slow AND timid
Keep pressing boys…
Finally.
Can’t make it up
Reiss Nelson is doing shit.
Nelson nearly missed that lol.
yeap Have A Faith In The Saucy One!!!!!!!!!
Nelson is shit alright
Get IN!!!! nice…
Good save again!
Finally!!
Whenever I see stats of Leeds games they always seem to have dominated possession and had countless shots, even if it was a close game or they didn’t win.Bielsa has indoctrinated his methods into the group, but looks like the reason they don’t batter the opposition every game like City is that their Championship players lack top level quality in the final third. Lucky for us tonight.We need new players to control possession. Elmo very true…I watch a lot of championship matches(I usually love them for the late drama,you are almost always assured of a goal in the 94th minute).Leeds… Read more »
1-0
Some on here probably gutted hahaha
Lol how did he even score that.
1 up
Nelson bundled the ball from goal mouth!!!
Jammy as hell but it counts! hahahaha
Just about the criticise Nelson and then he goes and scores!! But he’s done bugger all else tonight
Arteta is a good coach. But he really needs better players.
Nelson scores!
Elmo The Guardiola City thing is to always try to generate 2 passing options for a passer, whereas we often have no open options either short or long. Hopefully Tets can improve our positioning and speed of passing to create that space. — That was also the Wenger thing. Green lights, red lights, playing in triangles. And much much before that, it was also the Cruyff thing. And it has always been the thing about possession football ever since. I am so, so surprised that some basics of the game are being talked about as if they are so saucy.… Read more »
@Champagne : you are seriously retarded.
Better from Guendozi second half
World class from Nelson.
Radio commentators are fuming. Delicious
Lovely to hear
Luck had it our way. The goalie spilled it
Don’t care
But need to play like this rest of the game
Martinelli must leave to find a club who respect his skills.
Ozil
Chasing back…
V good.
Xhaka is still awful. I just can’t see why some fans rate him.
With the sheer density of that barnet, Tets must have quite a hairdryer to get out at half time.
Holdings passing out from the back has been really poor, he’s not choosing the right player, and when he does it’s underhit.
HL
Spare me, you’re 12.
Some on here probably gutted hahaha
Prick connects criticizing Xhaka to wanting Arsenal to lose. Objective my hairy arse
Ozil getting 9 touches is not a reflection on Ozil. It is a reflection on the rest of the team not being able to get the ball to him.
But you would know that if you knew the bare basics of the game. These days, there are PL players being taught to commit a rival before passing so no surprised at that comment.
As someone said, Ozil is useless in team that cannot hold the ball for more than 5 seconds. Most creative number 10s will be.
Arsenal need to get one of those Dortmund passing machines installed for training.. so many bad passes under no pressure. Energy level from whole team is much much better though.
Good management from Arteta second half the lads are showing fight now.
That’s more like it.
PEPE should’ve shot though even w right boot
Nelson needs shooting lessons.
Nelson should have passed
Set piece goal… would be nice.. We have the height advantage for once.
Is martinelli injured or something ? It’s quite a weak team selection from arteta.
Marko
Not sure why you’re trying to wriggle around what I said. It’s not a Xhaka thing, it’s the same names thing. I called every player you’ve had a fanny flutter over, you’re predictably dull and moaning at the same lot.
Quick, talk transfers you melt.
Nelson shoots from the bottom of his boot. Very odd for obv by definition a good talent
Xaka is a cart horse
Art was right to play a stronger team…
It’s just lacking a bit of …
Had high hopes for Nelson but again, he’s so ordinary it’s scary….Hope it’s not a project Arteta has decided to take on…We need better in that position
Much better from Guendouzi in this half.
Goons
Replace un with the ar
And ur spot on.
Difference has been Pepe and Özil have turned up this second half
err how was that not pen?
used to see that kind of pen given all the time….
Xhaka been much better second half.