Fulham Preview: Can Arteta solve for a deep-block?

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Well, here we are, the first game of the season. It’s pounced on us. I’ve barely had the time to miss football, yet here she is, back with a 3 game a week schedule for the next 3 months. I am VERY excited.

Fulham is a tricky game simply because we’re not really sure who is going to show up. Both teams could spring a surprise. Arsenal could turn up like they did against Villa. Fulham could roll over like they did that time we thought we had our Arsenal back.

We need a win. There’s no glory in a draw. Arsenal needs to start the season the same way they played the FA Cup final. Everyone needs to show up focused. This season we’re gunning for top 4. Arsenal can’t have another transition year. We have the talent to do it. Arteta picked up a bag of shite in December, he took us from 8th to 8th, but the half-season table showed that we finished 4 points off 3rd (in 5th). If we’re that close to 3rd in March, we have every chance of taking a Champions League spot.

There are 4 very important games coming up before the international break. Anything above 9 points will be classified as very good. Most would say the big game is the Liverpool one, but for me, it’s actually the Fulham, West Ham, and Sheff U games that pose the threat.

Arsenal’s challenge this season will be dealing with deep blocks. We lack creativity through the middle and we haven’t really addressed that this summer so far. There has to be a solution. Arteta needs to evolve how we play this season. It’s no good becoming the London version of Wolves. We need to rack up points against the little teams this season.

There are some potential solutions. The biggest bet we’ve made is that Willian will carry over his elite form from last season. He had a great record for balls into the box last season. We’ll need some of that trickery tomorrow. The big question is whether Arteta opts to play him out on the left, or whether he moves him into a modern #10 role.

We could also see Mesut Ozil back in contention. The German international is out of the cold and he’s making a fuss online that he wants to play. Say what you like about him, he’s a deep-block specialist and if willing, he’s more than capable of being a solve for us there. Question, as always, is how much does he care?

There are also some other potential solves that are little more far fetched. Saka ‘might’ get a shout as a #10 at some point this season. Could be a little early for that. Especially as he’s been so good from wide positions. We also have ESR who can play in those pockets. He had a great time at Huddersfield. Would Arteta take the chance? I’m not sure (not tomorrow as he’s injured). Especially not for the first game.

What we do know is this: Fulham under Scotty Parker are pragmatists.

They will set up with a sturdy team tomorrow and they’ll look to nick a goal on the counter. They clearly aren’t elite pragmatists (they finished 4th in the Championship and there’s been a serious debate about #ParkerOut among entertainment starved fans), but they’ll be an early test for us. They have some decent ball-playing defenders and they have a bully of a target man in Mitrovic. Those two factors combining have been the death of us over the years. Hopefully, there’s a strategy tomorrow to work around the obvious plan that’ll be rolled out.

So here we are, heading into our 13th year together (feeling so emosh). This should be fun. We have a solid setup. We have a brilliant young manager. We have a vibrant squad of young players eager to make it happen. We have a chance to make the top 4 if things fall for us. Let’s enjoy it, it’ll be a fun ride. Lots of ups and downs. But we’re heading in the right direction regardless. I’ve not been able to honestly say that in a very long time.

Enjoy the game and listen to the podcast. Whoever gave me a 1* review, I hope you have some mild internet disruption today. Yeah, I’m that serious about the slander.

Also, I fixed the link issue on the newsletter. It should not be working perfectly!

COME ON YOU GOONERS!

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Champagne charlie

COYG

Champagne charlie

DM is slacking at the start of the new season

Champagne charlie

Seriously?

Leftside

Tro4hy

Leftside

Nothing less than three points will do

DivineSherlock

I dont think they have a midfield or fullbacks capable enough. Should be an easy game for Xhaka and Ceballos . I would start Nketiah though , Laca on the bench . Pepe on the right and Willian as CAM , Auba left . 4-3-3 . Arteta would obviously go for 3-4-3 so I dont know who starts.

Chi

Who starts is anyone’s guess really. That being said, we all know we getting 3 points today.

Pierre

7 players out injured .. Martinelli…..training Luiz……………..training Sokratis………training Smith Rowe..training . Is it a possibility that Arteta’s policy of selecting the starting 11 based on the effort they put in during training is part of the cause to the injury situation . The players know they will not be selected unless they give it all in training. Maybe the desire to impress the manager is pushing their body to the limit. This will also make them more vulnerable to many types of injuries during the 90 minutes on the pitch… Today should be fine, Fulham are average at best and… Read more »

Guns of Brixton

“Whoever gave me a 1* review,”

Looooool 😂😂

þorkell einarsson

I hope we score 3 today, with Auba hitting 2 and send a statement of intent for the club this
season !! Also cant wait to see ESR and Martinelli in the same team .. when recovered ..

Pierre

Mysticleaves
“Leno is absolutely world class. ”

That being so, would it not be feasible to think that a world class keeper would fetch 40/50 million and would be in demand if we put him up for sale.

Martinez is obviously good enough, so why not sell our “world class ” keeper(Leno) and use the money to buy the midfield player that we are so desperate for.

Graham62

Excellent point Pierre.

What a wonderful day for golf.

Prediction for today.

Receding Hairline

Borkell our Auba dependency for goals is actually a weakness. Will like to see the goals more evenly spread out this season

Pierre

Graham
Sadly I can’t get out on the course today..

My positive head says a 4-1 victory

My negative head says a scrappy 1-1 draw.

shad

I’d take the 3 points today anyhow they come, preferably with an Auba hattrick.

And as he takes the matchball, he is met in the dresser by Aouar.*wakes up from wet dream..*

Trap

Sell your world class goalie ?
Like saying Barca should sell ter stegen to fund transfers just for the large fee he can generate
Leno is no ter stegen but he is a German international, who has played at the top level of European football for the better part of his career ,he’s not angliy for a love is he ? He’s not forcing the managers hand and like Mikel said if the second string goalie cannot support the first choice he doesn’t deserve to play.

Fredo

Come on Arsenal!!!!!!
Can’t wait for kickoff. A bit sad to hear Martinez may be off. I hope we are keeping the right keeper

Ernest Reed

1-Nil to The Arsenal today!

TT

27 – nil to Arsenal today. Nothing less will keep CG quiet!

alexanderhenry

Pedro

Looking forward to today’s game . 0-1 Arsenal.

Tee

“In December 2018, Leno cost us at Southampton. An absolute clanger at the end when Charlie Austin scored, in a 3-2 defeat. I was there.Missed out on CL that season”

Oh! We missed CL that season due to Leno’s clanger. You should also be sincere enough to mention the number of times he saved our asses from embarrassment.

Was Aubameyang, our talisman not guilty too?

Tee

“The players know they will not be selected unless they give it all in training.
Maybe the desire to impress the manager is pushing their body to the limit.
This will also make them more vulnerable to many types of injuries during the 90 minutes on the pitch…”

This is the right answer to the puzzle – Pierre and Ozil

Graham62

Tee

Just saying.

Fingers crossed he does well today.

Just Another Customer

New season new design wow it really feels tactile on mobile.

Emiratesstroller

Pedro

Willian used to play AMF for Brazil so that is a central midfield option until and unless we buy
a specialist.

Arsenal need to win the first two matches of season and get off on right foot.

mb

0-3 Arsenal. #COYG

Arson Wengerer

If Martinez intends to force his way then he is the right choice to go. No-one is larger than the club. You don’t get to try and bully the club. By all means, let thrm know you want to play. As soon as he gave the club an ultimatum he sealed his own fate.

Buzzy

People at Twitter predicting a 4-3-3..no way are we transitioning to that so soon..it aint PS ffs..gonna be a back 3

CG

TT “”””27 – nil to Arsenal today. Nothing less will keep CG quiet!”””” CG will keep quiet when Arteta does his job and gets us top and in the CL and out of this ridiculous Loosers Cup.. If he does that, ill get back in my box, For good. Great to read Evertons Ancellotti stating in Telegraphs UK online that his and the players sole focus is Top 4 attainment this season. He knows he will get the chop if Everton falter. We need that from Arteta too. Its Top 4 or bust in the modern game.And if he don’t… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

No-one discusses who will be the alternative goalkeeper if Martinez leaves and we are unable to recruit the Brentford Goalkeeper.

Samir

……………Leno…………….
…..Holding–Saliba–Tierney
Bellerin–Ceballos–Xhaka–Saka
……Pepe–Lacazette–Auba

Would rather play Saka LWB but I think Arteta will probably go with AMN.

Shakey Dave

Shame if Emi leaves, we will miss his command of the box and his massive frame that deters strikers before they even hit the ball. Good luck to the lad, I think it will be a big loss.

CD will be very interesting today. COYG

CG

ES “”””No-one discusses who will be the alternative goalkeeper if Martinez leaves and we are unable to recruit the Brentford Goalkeeper.”””” And Mancy the no.3 wants out too. We have gone from having 3 strapping goalkeepers to 1 all of a sudden.. For the life of me, I cant see the wisdom of selling Martinez now , when the transfer window will heat up in a few weeks.. other clubs could loose a goalleeper from injury and offered us more cash in desperation. No chance with Edu and Vinny in charge. None whatsover. Only Arteta is stopping the whole bloody… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

“The most likely scenario is that Emi Martinez leaves Arsenal because he wants to play,’ the shot-stopper’s agent, Lucas Martinez Quarta, told TyC Sports .He dreams of being the starting goalkeeper for the national team and he is willing to leave his home [at Arsenal] for the worthy cause of being Argentina’s number one.” Martinez agent, maybe time to stop blaming the club now? He shouldn’t get any guarantees at this stage,if he was confident in his ability he would duke it out with Leno this coming season, no way he wasn’t going to get his chances to play if… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

CG

The loss of Macey is not a concern. By all accounts we have better options for 3rd String in U23
Squad..

My concern is who will replace Martinez if he goes.

Champagne charlie

New season, and it starts with a new line of speculative criticism..

Now the players are getting injured because Arteta has a policy of rewarding hard workers in training and some are over doing it to prove themselves 😂

Savage

Apparently Martinez is in his last two years now. So in a way we scored a winner: got a blinding 3 months out of him, pushed his price way up, and now we cash in.

Useroz

If selling Martinez is mainly down to raising funds, been saying that Leno could fetch much more especially some on here think Leno is a much better than Martinez. Personally I think Martinez is more than good enough and exudes confidence not seen in our keepers , and yes Leno included, for awhile. This is PL not continental leagues so Leno may be a tad disadvantaged. It is what it is. Martinez should have kept his mouth in check and he’d have been starting the season I’d think. Unfortunately, with 7 midfielders on the book, we still don’t have a… Read more »

DivineSherlock

Not that I want to start a raging debate but Gabriel > Saliba right ? Holding on the right , Gabriel to the left . Tierney and Bellerin . All of it points to 4-3-3 to me . I dont think Arteta will risk all his CBs today itself.

andy1886

“if willing, he’s more than capable of being a solve for us there”

One goal, two assists and one big chance created last season suggests that that statement is nonsense for starters.

I’m expecting us to score either none or several goals – if we get the break through we’ll add to it but if we can’t the more the game goes on the more Fulham will think that they can nick it.

Being an optimist I’ll go for 0-3 to the away side.

Dissenter

Martinez helped Arteta out and saved him a lot of paracetamols for those selection headaches he would have had.
I agree with Useroz that Martinez would have started today had he not run his mouth. It would have been hard to drop the goalie on form. It would have been Leno’s professionalisms that was being tested.

Ultimately this was a case of Martinez forcing his way out of the club in a calculated manner, not Arsenal ditching him. It’s the right professional move for him.

Nelson

Good morning, Le Grovers.!

The game is too early for us from North America.

Dissenter

Nelson
Too early? Do you live in the west coast?
I’m up and about wearing my 05-06 Arsenal Jersey.
Football is back.

Sid

Arsenal to penetrate, give it hard, stand firm, release that juice on fulham
Fulham are limp and lack the right testicle

Nelson

Dissenter

I am from east coast.

Goobergooner

And here I am still refreshing the last post 😂

The anticipation is brewing that is for sure and it’s 8pm on a Saturday night and I haven’t even cracked a brewsky. I’ll crack one to the lineup I guess haha.

COYG

Champagne charlie

“The game is too early for us from North America.“

Awful excuse.

TR7

Mesut Ozil not in Arsenal squad.

Buzzy

Willian just tweeted so guess he’s starting..possibly in midfield instead of Ceballos would be my guess

Kay

Yeah Football is back !!!

Kay

I want an Everton type victory today
Been a long time on the opening day

CaliGooner

I’m up watching bing the premier league preview drinking my coffee and chasing my one year old that wants to destroy everything.

2-0 to the arsenal today. If Luiz was healthy we play three at the back. No Luiz and we go four. This season we need to go at the smaller teams not play conservative. Let’s get as many attacking players on the oitxh as possible.

COYG!

Ishola70

Serious stuff starts again.

Six points required and expected from the first two games before Liverpool away.

It will be a minor miracle if Fulham survive this season in the EPL.

Aussie+Gooner

“The game is too early for us from North America.“ Game is on at a perfect time here in Western Australia – 7.30 pm. Usually I am up in the middle of the night with all the late kick offs or evening matches. And I still make it to work the next day! We need to come out with all guns blazing in order to show intent and provide the confidence to go forward. Start Willian and Ceballos, Start Gabriel and Saliba, be positive moving forward and try and establish some sort of midfield to open up the attack and… Read more »

Nelson

Arsenal: Leno, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Bellerin, Eleny, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

Subs: Macey, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Willock, Saka, Pepe, Nketiah.

Aussie+Gooner

Football London:

“Here’s how Arsenal line up today at Craven Cottage:

Arsenal: Leno, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Bellerin, Eleny, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

Subs: Macey, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Willock, Saka, Pepe, Nketiah.”

Receding Hairline

So much for the Ozil redemption

Not a bad 11.

Aussie+Gooner

Snap!

Lower Tierney

Very conservative starting 11

andy1886

Hope that’s not a back three with Xhaka and Elneny as the midfield two.

Kay

Ozil can go fuck himself

Aussie+Gooner

Elneny must be trying/traing very hard!

James wood.

Mitrovic sub. That’s handy.
Leno in goal
Gabriel and William in

mb

Is it a 3-4-3 lineup? Dani boy in place of Elneny or Xhaka would have been better may be?!

Nelson

Saliba’s name is nowhere to be seen.

andy1886

@Buzzy – Pepe not starting so I expect Willian to play on the right with Auba left and Laca central.

Buzzy

Arteta sure knows how to sap your fucking enthusiasm with his lineups…where’s Pepe? No Ozil? Saka not starting…Saliba not even on the bench and why the fuck is Elneny starting? …fuck it..the trophies have earned him the right..so COYG!!

mb

@Buzzy – exactly. No saka, Saliba nowhere to be seen? I was guessing Sal will get his chances ahead of Gabrielle!

In any case, come on ya gunners! Get those three points with a 3 goal difference!

Buzzy

Andy yes looks like that..a front three with Pepe on right and William near the hole would have been more exciting..I still think we’ll be seeing Willian drift a lot towards the centre and supply to the front two

James wood.

MACEY sub

Marc

Sorry but unless we have serious fitness issues round a few players that’s a really negative starting 11 against a newly promoted team.

Back 3, AMN (right footed) at LWB and a CM of Xhaka and Elneny.

Fuck me it’s like Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce had a holiday fling and had a Spanish love child.

Bojangles

……You can’t please all the fans all of the time.

DivineSherlock

Martinez out of squad . Ozil out of squad . niceeee . Already fucked my Fantasy team with no Pepe . Thanks Arteta.

gazzap

Really surprised with the team. Pépé, Saka, Nketiah, and Ceballos I has all of them down for starting.

azed

Arteta has problems with technical players and prefers grafters hence no Ozil in the squad and Pepe on the bench.

This message is sponsored by Pierre.

mb

Anyone up to join a Fantasy League for Le-grove?

https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/b9a6qr

Bojangles

Don’t see a back 3 there. Back 4 for mine.

Just Another Customer

is this lineup good enough against low block teams?

NO

Receding Hairline

Its the first game of the season after a hectic end to the last just a few weeks ago, wouldn’t read too much into that starting 11.

Aussie+Gooner

Not the most progresive line up – where is Saliba? No Saka, Pepe or Ceballos in the starting line up? Elneny and Xakah in midfield?

Just Another Customer

not enough creativity to penetrate the defense

TT

Agree with you all that are not happy with the lineup. Arteta only sees these guys in training were we have the benefit of the internet and youtube and all that chit…

Just Another Customer

good to be in good company TT

Marc

azed

That was funny

Marc

Bojangles

“……You can’t please all the fans all of the time.”

True but it’s some fucking going to piss off all of your own fans.

Bojangles

I’m not pissed off

Marc

Bojangles

Are you happy with that line up?

Leftfootcurler

Lol Pedro you are falsely optimistic. This is not a top 4 squad. You are judging by the results we had under Arteta so far but did you see our underlying stats? Against deep blocks? It’s going to continue. Structurally,there was no issue. Arteta just needs proper BTL players. So without investment, I just don’t see Arsenal improving enough to compete for top 4. One thing that can improve our creativity is if we buy Aouar. Aouar is not a creative player yet but he can create perfect situations for Willian to be creative. Willian is not great against a… Read more »

gazzap

yeha the fisrt thing you notice is Elneny and Xhaka in midfield. Against a low block? mmmm serious doubts about that.

Paulinho

Straight away having Willian there is comforting. A genuinely talented-all rounder that gives us much needed fluidity in areas we continually stuttered in last season.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Emi
Totally dropped .disgrace.

Marc

Actually maybe this is a cunning plan by Arteta to get Kroenke to give him some money. Get whooped by Fulham and West Ham, bottom of the table and in a relegation battle after 2 matches and Kroenke might shit himself.

Bojangles

Considering most of our squad has been back just over a week, this selection may E the fittest on offer. Imo, still good enough to beat the mighty Fulham.

Sid

Make Artesenal Great Again!

Karsa

Back 4 with AMN in midfield?

Probably not.

The Godfather

@Pedro:

“ We could also see Mesut Ozil back in contention. The German international is out of the cold and he’s making a fuss online that he wants to play. “

Well doesn’t look like yer claims on online fussing worked cuz he isn’t even in the lineup😭😭😭😭

The Godfather

Is Saliba injured or already Guendozeed by Arteta

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Arteta out….

Sid

The excitment in the air can be tasted

Bojangles

Godfather

Doubt anyone was seriously considering Saliba for this game.

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