… and we’re back

by .

Here we are, back together, ready to indulge in some peak-Barclays viewing today.

So what can we expect away at Manchester City?

A tough game. Sorry to be very obvious here, but Manchester City are hurting at the moment and they really need to impose themselves back on the league.

First game back can go either way. It’s an advantage in one sense, because teams have only had a couple of training sessions to crack the code. The fact that they don’t have KDB and a striker of note is also a big win for us.

Arteta has his side on better paper form, but really, we haven’t blown a game out the park so far this season. This would be a nice one to execute a sound plan really well.

Again, I wouldn’t be expecting us to express ourselves. We’re going to take our chances on the break, we’ll test their centre backs, and we’ll try and play very patiently.

The key is always defence. If David Luiz starts, you’ll know within 6 minutes which one showed up. We can’t have it be the Luiz who came on last time and had one of the worst performances of the season. We need the towering leader of a defender that took us to an FA Cup final win.

It’ll also be interesting to see how tempted the manager is to use Thomas Partey. Suspicion says it’s too early and he’ll go with Xhaka and Ceballos. Hopefully, he’ll see some minutes off the bench.

Nicolas Pepe, on form, could be interesting today. He lit up the last game with his energy and quick passing. Question is, does the manager really trust him? If we’re to have any sort of free-flowing football this year, it’ll likely have to include him. We know he has it in him to be world-class, we just don’t see it often enough.

I don’t have lot to offer today, but we’ll be back with a podcast and a match report tomorrow.

ENJOY THE GAME HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW! x

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Left Testicle

The whole bloody thing is weird.

grooveydaddy

Our last 3 league games at home video Liverpool –

Wenger 3-3
Emery 1-1
Arteta 2-1

Why should Ancelloti be getting any sort of praise for a fortunate draw when our last 3 managers have equalled or bettered that?

China1

Besides partey (understandable) this is pretty much our best 11 give or take.

Interesting choice leaving Luiz out and auba as a 9… very exciting I just ducking hope it pays off

grooveydaddy

*vs not video

Vickingz

What has willian offered arteta? He will defo disappear again in today’s match. Dunno why we keep shooting ourselves in the leg with stupid selections

Left Testicle

The club is supposed to have this big vision but Arteta and Edu keep doing strange things and contradicting themselves.

Receding Hairline

What’s wrong with the lineup besides no Partey?

I don’t see what the issue is

Leftfootcurler

Since we are playing a balanced front 3 in this game,the football would be less drab, that’s one positive

raptora

Pedro,
Do you think we were going for both Thomas and Aouar or it was one of them the whole time with Thomas being 2nd choice? If we were going for both, AMN’s money would have surely helped pay the 3m fee Aouar’s camp wanted.

Upstate Gooner

Oh, I’m pumped for the game, Peds. Just hoping for a good performance from the boys and a smart game plan from Arteta. But if I see the same shit I did against Sheffield United, I’m bringing a pitchfork and screaming for blood.

Radio Raheem

Gabriel allows us to play 4 at the back so wouldn’t surprise me if we play 4-2-3-1 from the start or at some point today

Karsa

Waiting for the pre game line up critics to come up with the flaws in that team…

Nelson

MC: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Mahrez, Foden, Bernardo, Sterling (C), Aguero

Upstate Gooner

Groovey, because people want Arteta to fail. So boring.

Wait, I thought he was admired and loved by Everyone.

China1

Damn I’m nervous. I think everything is in place that we can win this game but my heart tells me it’s going to be a bad day at the office and we’ll lose badly.

But my predications are always wrong so WERE WINNING BIG TODAY LADDOS AND LADETTES

Radio Raheem

Torreira limping off on his debut, some things never change.

karim

Come on Arsenal !

Calypso

This should be a pipe and slippers job for a man like Partey yet has no place in the side

raptora

Pedro,
Agreed.

Pierre

Laporte will be City’s biggest miss…

Left Testicle

I didn’t want Soares but why did we buy him to just stick in the u23s?
Why pay £27m for Saliba just to look to loan out for 2 years?
We were supposed to after Partey for seven months- so why did we risk losing him by only getting the deal over the line with five minutes to go?

Leftfootcurler

Pedro

I am pretty sure Arteta wanted both.
They are not similar players, profile wise.
But yes if he had to choose one, probably wanted Aouar over Partey.

Rich

Pedro

I was thinking the same, City’s back line can be got at.

Willian on the right, Pepe down the middle.

Dias in for a baptism of fire on his City debut

It’s a big nod for Gabriel today, hopefully the young lad stands up to the test.

How good is it going into an away game against a big 6 opposite with a little bit of hope?

City away over the past decade and I’m usually resigned to accepting zero points.

Nelson

They tie it!!!

Buzzy

fantastic lineup…barring Partey, this is our strongest line up..I’m glad Arteta has realized Auba has to play in the centre….No Nkiteah/Laca BS….We’re goning to win this!

G8

Walcott you fucking legend!!

Receding Hairline

Lol @ Chelsea

Complete garbage at the back

Upstate Gooner

Wasn’t there a handball for Werner’s second goal?

Nelson

Chelsea likes 3 – 3 score!

raptora

Once a Gooner, always a Gooner!!!

China1

Was it city away when Walcott was sent through on goal and he jumped over the ball?

Absolutely next level Wally bants that was. Not at the time ofc. I nearly shat my pants in anger when it happened

Havyn

GK Keppa 72m? Can’t believe he’s so shit and cost that much. Almunia-like

Marko

Good attacking line up. Holding continues to be a head scratcher but starting with Auba centrally and Willian, Pepe and Saka is the kind of ambitious line up that we want to see going forward

Receding Hairline

“You will see after the game if it goes wrong”

Are fans not supposed to criticize a bad performance any more? I’m sure if we play well and lose no one would be that bothered all things considered. If we play badly though fans are well within their rights to have a criticism or two

Not everything is about loving Arteta

Buzzy

3-0 to Arsenal tonight… I’m that confident after seeing the line-up..Auba playing through the centre will see us dominating this game… Haven’t felt this optimistic in a big game for quite a whole!

Upstate Gooner

Thank you, Theo!

Bamford10

Radio

Well, if we play as we did in the last match, it’s a 343 (or 5-2-3) when we’re defending and a 433 when we have the ball. Saka was deployed as a wingback when we didn’t have the ball, but he would tuck centrally and play like a third central midfielder when we did. It’s flexible. It shifts.

China1

Speak of the devil

Thanks Theo. I always said Theo was basically TH14 incarnate

Don’t I guys?

Sid

Thats a positive lineup, including Luiz benched,
We will win this one

You can take that to the bank!

China1

Buzzy whatever you’re smoking pass it around

Radio Raheem

Bamford

We played with a back 4 last match. No formation is static so players will quite naturally or by instruction fill in into positions when required.

Rich

I love Saka, but surprised we didn’t go with the right footed Niles to try and stop Mahrez cutting in on his left.

Niles is so good 1 v 1

Leftfootcurler

Rich

I think Arsenal should get a comfortable win.
City will miss fernandinho.

Saka/Tierney vs mahrez and sterling vs holding/Bellerin is the key battle defensively.

As long as we don’t give the ball away cheaply in our own half,we should win.

Expecting a goal via Pepe crossing to Auba who scores.

SpanishDave

Xhaka will get picked by Arteta if he had one leg.
He will pull off Elmeny guaranteed.
We will ply with fear and get beaten.
You heard it here second!

Nelson

With Saka and Pepe in the lineup, Arteta really goes for it. Either we got our ass kicked or we kick their ass.

Radio Raheem

De Frij officially serie a’s best defender for 19/20.

China1

If we do the unthinkable today and win then it’s safe to say artetas record against the top sides is legit AF and receding should be banned for putting “ “ around the word win ever again 😝

Sid

Holding will do okay, he only struggles against smart footballers like KDB, neither Sterling lacks that.

DivineSherlock

Bringing levels of optimism here ( probably misplaced ) but if we win somehow , we will be 2nd only behind Everton . I am so fucking excited today . Here is hoping we smash them. That is one hell of a lineup .
.
.Also Everton is just gonna be the Leicester of this season , great start then gonna fade out . Not a big squad there and bad GK.

Marc

” Also, you’d flog someone with that much sauce with penalties?”

I can pass on the heart attack sauce thanks!

Sid

Hasenhuttl doing a good job with crap players

Buzzy

China . I”m actually smoking a Kentucky Fire cured cigar. Don’t usually pass it around, not in these times. far as football goes, I know I may have sounded a bit too optimistic but the line-ups are in front of me and I can’t help but think we look way better than them.

Sid

This a win no doubt

raptora

With another manager Chelsea would be Premier League contenders.
If I was a kid watching as a neutral, there’d be a decent chance I become a chav. Their front line is so mobile, quality footballers, stretching defences, being able to score and assist. Reminds me of 2009 Arsenal.

China1

Buzzy 👍👍👍

Radio Raheem

Fart Frank doing a farking good job in West London, deserves a lifetime contract.

Left Testicle

They’ll target Holding.

Receding Hairline

Pedro you are protecting your behavior during the 18 months of Emery’s tenure on anyone who criticizes a bad performance.

Make peace with yourself.

I don’t take any joy from Arsenal losses.

Appreciating the progress of other teams in the EPL doesn’t make a poster a non Arsenal fan either.

If the performance calls for criticism I will criticize. If it calls for praise I also do so.

Receding Hairline

*projecting

Rich

Leftfootcurler

Love your confidence, can’t say I’m quite as confident as you, but I do think City’s back line is there to be got at, we’re in with a chance.

Hopefully today’s the day Pepe’s Arsenal career takes off, and Dias is hauled off at half time for City after a baptism of fire.

Pep in his pre-match interview already talking about dropping deeper, can’t blame him with the pace we have upfront

Leftfootcurler

Pedro. Yep. But I hope you read the whole comment. There is a big IF in it. Mustafi, Ceballos and Bellerin lost the ball near our penalty box in the FA Cup semi final. If City had punished us in those situations,we would have lost. As long as we don’t give the ball away in our own half,we should be fine. City’s settled shape is shit. If you get past their press,they can concede goals. In our low block, certain matchups which I mentioned above is key. AMN shutting down mahrez was a big part of nullifying city. Hopefully Saka/Tierney… Read more »

Chris

Today would be a fine day to break the duck of no wins away at a top 6 team.

City can be got at as shown in recent weeks. The line ip looks like we may go toe to toe.

WengerEagle

Haha, and that’s why Chelsea aren’t competing for no title.

No matter how phenomenal that attack is, you aren’t winning shit shipping that many goals and chances with clowns like Kepa in nets.

Some people are sleeping on Southampton though, really good side with a top class goalscorer in Ings. Could easily make a push for top 8.

WengerEagle

Zlatan strikes first in Milan derby.

39 years young.

Leftfootcurler

Lampard is the modern era Wenger.

TheLegendaryDB10

I like that line up. Very glad to see Tierney starting alongside Gabriel.

A bit if shame that Partey isn’t starting, but I guess he will have 30 mins in the 2nd half.

Good to hear that Auba is playing through middle as it is where he is more effective.

Luteo Guenreira

You just know Fat Frank is gonna be England manager one of these days.

China1

OGS and Frank both need to stay

raptora

Arsenal 10 pts in 28 away goals vs the other teams of the big 6. 16th in the ranks. Holy shit, we’ve been a bit shit.

Bamford10

Pete “no excuse for a bad performance against one of the best teams in the world away from home?” That would be an excuse, maybe, for not getting a result today, but it wouldn’t be an excuse for a bad performance from the team. Those are two entirely different things. Why are you making excuses for bad performances in advance of matches? I don’t get it. “this is going to be a very long month. Not defining, but it’ll certainly tell us how far we have to go.” Wait, you told us this group was top four quality *without* Thomas… Read more »

Chris

I would say Lampard will not be Chelsea manager this time next year.

WengerEagle

‘Reminds me of 2009 Arsenal.’

Not 2008 Arsenal rap? We were pretty meh in ’09.

No Hleb, Rosicky or Flamini. Adebayor in and out of form.

Leftfootcurler

I am predicting 2-0 win.
Come on Arsenal.

Leedsgunner

I like the line up… 2 – 0 to the Arsenal, time for our wretched streak against the Citizens to end TODAY!

Chris

The best thing about Arsenal 2009 was Arshavin.

China1

Zlatan is an absolute specimen

At his age to be doing what he does is beyond ridiculous. He needs to go down as one of the all times legends for not just the relentless success he has achieved at the top level but the absolutely ridiculous longetivity of it all.

How many elite players are still doing it at 39? He signed a two year contract as well I think? I doubt he will be much worse next season

WengerEagle

Disappointed not to see Partey in there for Xhaka.

Otherwise, nice lineup. About as strong as we have for a City away match.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Man

Pepe thighs are non existent

Does he not eat

WengerEagle

I’m calling a 2-2 draw.

Auba and Pepe to score.

Radio Raheem

Lampard is the modern era Wenger.

———–

Extremely harsh on Wenger. Shit Wenger won two FA cups.

Upstate Gooner

Effin Zlatan strikes again

raptora

WE,
Yeah, that’s the team I meant. Such a joy to watch.

Sid

Lampard managing England would be a match made in heaven

WengerEagle

China

For a CF it’s pretty much unprecedented in the modern game.

Maldini is an example, think he was 39 playing in the CL Final in 2007. But it’s much easier to play longer for a defender I’d argue than a striker.

MidwestGun

Sup Ladies? All the negative douche’s coming out in droves today I see. Just win, baby. Good to see both Manchester Clubs in bottom half of table… let’s keep it that way. Let’s GO!!! Slightly worried about our nemesis.. Serge Aguero. but Hopefully Gabs has him on lockdown. There is no denying that the number of people on here wanting us to struggle to prove Pedro wrong is staggering. We haven’t won an away match against a top 6 side in 5 years but suddenly we are supposed to play like peak Barca.. ok then. Just win no matter how..… Read more »

Receding Hairline

A Zlatan brace in the Derby

AC Milan have started the season nicely in serie A

Sid

Why isva man checking out another mans thighs?

WengerEagle

Zlatan AGAIN, 2-0.

Up 4 grabs now

Holding injured luiz in…..

Nelson

Holding is injured!