Well, today is huge. Everton were beaten by Newcastle giving Arsenal the opportunity to go level points with them AND Spurs in the table. Both teams have a game in hand, but let’s be clear, some sections of the Arsenal fanbase have been purring over both managers, dreaming of the alternative reality where we’d hired them. I’m not sure the extra £12m a year looks like good value at the moment.
Today is one of the dreamy opportunities to close that gap when those around us are flapping around like a seagull trapped in a Pot Noodle container. Having to do that against a team that has the attacking options of United is going to be tough. Today is basically our very good defence versus their very good attack.
The main difference between the sides since the last time we met is that Arsenal has found a bit of a formula when it comes to attack. Since the emergence of ESR in the side, we’ve gone from creating 10 shots a game to 16. That’s quite the jump. Outside the shots output, we’ve just looked more cohesive in general. We can play some nice football at times, especially when the runners are on the pitch.
Many eyes will be focused on the left side of midfield. Nicolas Pepe had a good game by his standards in the week, scoring a vital goal against a good team. Martinelli sat the 90 out on the bench. There are many that think you should play the expensive signing who has found something resembling form… my view would be to give the best player the minutes. That would be Martinelli.
I feel for Pepe, I really did, but how many false dawns can one man be given? The first half of our season was dedicated to the hope that certain players would come good. I’d rather go on meritocracy. Pepe scored a nice goal, yes, but he also switched off and failed to track his man for the first goal. That sort of lapse will cost us harder if it happens today. It’s a big call. I will happily eat humble pie if he plays and scores… but for United, I’d love to see ESR, Saka, Martinelli and Lacazette conjuring magic.
Defence is also a tough one. Pablo Mari is out and Kieran Tierney seems to be running into trouble again. Cedric was excellent in our last game, but it’s a huge ask to play out of position against United. Not that we have much of a choice. There are also big questions over who partners Rob Holding… David Luiz? Or do we bring Gabriel back into the mixer?
Midfield is likely going to be Thomas Partey… but will they roll with Big Mo to hunt down the United firestarters, or will they opt for Granit Xhaka who has found some nice form next to a better midfielder who shares the workload?
Also tantalising that Martin O is in the squad.
I’m feeling excited about the game. These are the moments that have to matter. We need a tactical masterclass. There has to be a result if we’re serious about European places this season. Win and we go 4 points from 4th, lose, and it’s going to be a long week.
Before we go, can we have a chat about Edu? He is a DISGRACE for trying to move on Mustafi. This is what we all feared. Our powerhouse defender is rumoured to be off to Liverpool. For any of their fans leaving. He’s a machine. Great in the air, elite levels of concentration, a player so dedicated to the clean sheet he cries when he concedes in training. I’ll be reeeeeally miffed if we let him go. Perhaps you should tweet that he’d be a good signing? Pull it over the line?
On that note, see you in the comments… and watch my Youtube appearance.
Esr !!! Ohh sop close
Imagine if we were playing with 10 outfield players?
Maguire us such a cunt….
Come on ….. Let’s score this
Pepe looking so much better
Cmmmmon ARSENAL
These cunts are there for the taking
Each team missed a certain goal in the 2H
Come on boys… need to take advantage of this spell… of pressure.
How is that not a yellow!?
Pepe has to be commended. He has shown up today.
Hits the crossbar…. oooof.
And ESR nearly scores…..
COME ON!!!!
Esr shoots very well
WTF happening at the back. Choas
unlucky
Fkn luiz running away from his man
So close. Come on they are for the taking.
Luiz one one on one is trouble.
Yikes!!
Cmon boys….
Put Martin O on for Willuan
very good game of footie and we are playing our role in it.
Bellerin is a weak defender.
Belly lucky
We are tooo nice ffs…compared to roll on ground screamin
Loved that Cavani miss. Lolz!!!!
This match is destroying my nerves… hahaha
Gine in our shellz again
Esr has been much stronger.
Under seige atm……
It sounds silly to sub a sub but we need to take off willian.
At least it isn’t boring
Put Odegaard on for Willian and let the party begin.
I d take a wenger 70 min changer
I hate Willian
Pogba’s hairdo is rubbish
We surely should put Martin O on for 10 , 15 min IF arteta has any ambition for a win
Ok another fk… lets go..
Good pressure from Laca.
Need both Martin O and Esr on the pitch
ESR is running his socks off and they were low to start with.
Maguire you slag
Wot a splitting pass by Luiz. The brute finally got a card
Norwegian thunderclap please….💥💥
Luiz ?
Go away Luiz. Don’t waste our FK
Arteta s game management is toast
I’ve been impressed with Cedric
He has to be some player to be able to play RB and LB properly.
Another fk… card these fuckers up… nice.
Ok. At least a corner
Substitution: Plastic bag on for Willian.
Diss Cedric is a good free signing for sure
If Maguire had been booked like he ought to for his previous infraction, he would be off now.
This is the kind of bias that ultimately always favour ManUtd.
Wilian = handbrake
Thomas ffs, are you high ?
Substitution: Plastic bag on for Willian
Lol
When has luiz last scored a free kick. It astounds me that he still takes them. Partey doesn’t look match fit.
Soares has a very balanced game in an unnatural position
Partly ain’t what you think he is…
Struggles with basics .
Cardboard cut out coming on for Willian
Has he got to play each game in his contract?
Habesha no way Partey is fit he has not done 90 mins yet
We paid over the top…
Don’t rate him..
What’s the point of Odegaard if not for a game like this
Rspca I do he is just not fit
Partey has been very wasteful.
Substitution: Plastic bag on for Willian.
Hahahaha …
Party has not had a good game today…..
Back to our fkn back passing giveaway game
Partey has had a poor game
Are we allowed to say that?
Partey is really having a nightmare game. Since his return he has been poor.
Arena ain’t going to put Martin O on by yhr look of it. Or may be 2 mins…
Greenwood on
Partey has a bad game.
At this rate Partey is going to cost us. He’s has a really, really bad game
Diss yeah I agree TP has been poor
Partey worst game in an arsenal shirt.
He isn’t sharp when he runs. That’s how I know he isn’t match fit. If he was the performance would be match better than this.
@serge asda tesco or aldi…MandS be too good
Shit !
Has anyone lost the ball more times than Partey today?
Damn almost.
10 or 14 mins left … Keep it together lets go.
Pepe unlucky there, could have passed it too.
Oh my. 2 feet off the post by pepe
Agree re Thomas. Been meh all game.
Partly having a mare
Pepe should have put that away it’s not our day I keep saying it
Martin OOOOOOOO
Mmmmmm Not mad at Pepe today..
As close as that was from Pepe it was never going in
Greenwood.
Shite
Hah. Arlo calls for bit more quality in front of goal…
Esr off
Elneny for Partey should happen
Yeah Partey is having a poor game. But I can see he is not match fit. That is why he looks off the pace.
I wonder how good this kid odegaard really is? Never seen him play to be honest
Good Pepe had a go there, nice to see him confident
Again unlucky Pepe
Welcome to Arsenal Odegaard
ESR looked gassed.. so.. Here’s your chance Ode.
Cmon
Martin Ooooo is coming on.
Show us what you can do.
Yep 7 mins to go and weight of arsenal fans on yah…hah
Wots different from Soares yellow
Come on Arsenal!