Arsenal vs Leeds is always a special game for me. Family connections, heated early 2000s rivalry, it’s usually a fun 90.
The big question this evening is how junior Arteta goes. Some are saying we should be going for the League Cup as we have limited trophy options. I agree with that, but also think we need to give some development minutes to players that aren’t out on loan.
Rumour has it that Salah is going to join the squad, possibly because Charlie Patino picked up a slight ankle injury. The attacking midfielder has been a regular feature in the post-game comps with the kids. He signed from Feyenoord on a free last season and apparently he’s a beast of a worker in training. His footwork is great, he’s very creative, and he looks like the type of player that is going to have goals in his future.
Who knows what the rest of the side will look like.
I suspect we’ll see Martin Odegaard who has been a bit up and down with regards to form. Eddie will probably start up top, maybe with Pepe on the other side of him. This is another game for Martinelli to force his way into the starting 11. His start to the season has been a bit bland.
In defence, I think we’ll see run outs for last seasons defenders. Holding and Mari will be at the back, Cedric on the right, no idea who picks up the left considering Tierney’s injury.
Midfield will probably be BIG MO and AMN. Martin acting as the creative lever.
The subs bench will also be interesting. Maybe it’ll be first team heavy for a rescue operation?
It’d be lovely to continue our 7 game unbeaten run. Heading into the early Leicester kick-off with another victory just adds to the confidence.
Let’s see what the boys have got. Hopefully, we can field a debutant as well!
See you in the comments. We’ll be dropping in with an OTW podcast… Johnny is back.
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1st
Wow second
Tr4phy?
Tr4phy!
At least it looks like I can actually watch the match this time and not just some weird radio only coverage. Like it’s 1925. The lineup should be interesting.. I do hope we take this one serious and move on to the next round.
8th
It’s nice to keep the momentum going. We need to bag a win tonight and hopefully we prepare well for a resurgent Foxies
I am wondering whether we are going to replicate the front foot style that we have displayed against Villa? I hope we do. It would go a long way to being a bit more consistent. Slowly banish the blips. As much as Leeds need to keep their focus on the PL, I doubt they’ll make it easy for us but they are there for the taking. It’s a really good opportunity to move on in the Carabao cup. And this should be a good game to keep on rehearsing our 442 front foot setup and style and be prepared for… Read more »
A big No to Mo tonight
Top 10
Say it again, put in a solid 90 minute effort and the results will show. That and “Release The Hounds” !!!
As with Villa, Arsenal(despite Arteta) are the better team and should win this one should the effort match expectations.
Leno; Cedric, Holding, White, Kolasinac; Elneny, Maitland-Niles; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Nketiah.
………….….Leno
……..White Holding
Cedric…………Kolasinac
…….Elneny Niles
Pepe Smith Rowe Martinelli
…………Nketiah
Great to watch Smith Rowe, but can’t say I’m happy he’s starting this one
Arsenal subs vs Leeds: Ramsdale, Tavares, Chambers, Sambi Lokonga, Partey, Saka, Salah-Eddine, Lacazette, Balogun.
Interested to see if it’s 2 central strikers or one. I think 442 favours all the players but especially up top
Good team selection
No martinelli ?
DOH
Leeds going with a much strong starting 11 than I thought
Yes, Leeds start Phillips and the core of the team that played on Saturday. It places even greater importance on us running down their famous energy with a high-press game of our own. Let’s hope our fresh legs counteracts their usual energy and greater experience.
No Odegaard- even on the bench
Very interesting line up. It’s pretty much the B team tonight.
The focus is not on the Carabao cup, which I like.
Kind of a weird lineup.. But Pierre should be happy .. Eddie getting his chance.
It’s defintely risky starting ESR but it will make the team better. Our midfield is sketchy otherwise. And I was really hoping to never see Kola ever again.. Not gonna lie. Backline most likely has never started together other then in training. Fingers crossed it works.
Odegaard was apparently carrying a knock on Friday, that’s why he was on the bench, and didn’t start
No sign of Tierney either, things must be bad if Arteta has turned to Kolasinac
At last, a chance to see Nketiah. I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t score at least a couple.
Win or lose, don’t care much at this stage. Pretty much a second-string line-up, so no conclusions to be drawn, apart from individual performances.
My worry is with a makeshit bandaid backline with AMN and Elneny in front of them… not the most prgressive players.. and the non communicative Leno behind them.. could be scary. Because you know Leeds will throw everything forward every chance they get. But anyhow.. is what it is I guess.
Saliba sounds like a Guendouzi headcase if this story is true. https://www.football365.com/news/arsenal-forced-to-cash-in-starlet-not-appreciated-by-mikel-arteta. Rather than whining to the media just let your play on the field do the talking for you.
Brownie. That’s such a garbage story . Not worthy of responding to content
Englandsbest “Win or lose, don’t care much at this stage. Pretty much a second-string line-up, so no conclusions to be drawn, apart from individual performances.” Yep. Thing is we have a squad so we have to give people game time. Eight changes is probably what most of us expected. The onus is on those coming in to make a point. That’s what we need, strong competition because it benefits everyone. Leeds have gone very strong so it’s down to the fringe players to give the manager a problem. I agree with Kris, I think those we need to start seeing… Read more »
Would rather see the youth players given a chance over Kolasinac and Elneny.
That would have been more stimulating article than the one Brownie reffed. Just garbage regurgitate filler .
Balogun should request a loan in January. It is clear that Arteta won’t use him in the 1st team this season. Nketiah is selected ahead of him.
Why the fuck is ESR even in the squad and at that even starting? Another brain fart by Arteta.
Why the f*** is Kolasinac anywhere near our lineup, much less starting……..why wouldn’t Tavares be starting? Two games in 3 days is no problem for a 21 yo. Tets, hello, give minutes to players who will actually be here past January.
This backline with Mo in front of them isn’t going to go well. Leeds playing half their starters. Oh well, guess we’re not prioritizing this competition.
Yep. ESR and Benjamin White playing in a Mickey Mouse cup game. 🤔
Mari ill, Odegaard apparently carrying a knock on Friday, Tierney + Patino ankle injuries
Not convinced Smith Rowe, White, Kolasinac would be starting otherwise
Nice to see Arteta moving away from the weird OCD with symmetrical centre backs, I worried that was going to become a thing
We need to win this, keep the momentum
COYG
I think Tets is using the same formation he used against AV…… that may be the reason he is starting ESR as no other person can bring what he brings to table..
Happy to see Martinelli and AMN getting a go at least. Wish it was Flo instead of Eddie since looks like Eddie leaving anyway Jan or summer. Better get Flo out on loan if he’s not even going to play in cups.
Mulerise… Issue is Pepe doesnt really fit into a 4-4-2. and especially with Martinelli on the other side. Anyways.. Let’s win!!!! Lets go!
Really wanted to see Balogun tonight. Hopefully he’ll get 30 minutes. He can play with nketiah. Esr will need a rest before Leicester.
Rich
Yep they just confirmed the injuries you mentioned. Ode, Tierney & Patino not ready. Mari is sick and was due to play, so White comes in.
strange lineup. play the kids rather than White or ESR if you are not serious about the competition.
Mari can’t even make the B team. On his way for Mavro or Saliba next year?
That start with Leno epitomises his distribution.
Elneny straight away failing to take the ball forward on the half turn with no Leeds player in front of him instead passing it back to holding who was under pressure.
Well lets go Gunners! Got to keep the momentum going. ESR and Pepe, bang in a couple early against Leeds 4th worst defense and carry the 8 game unbeaten into King Power…….
Mari is Sick they said
Holding looks sharp today…….
Holding is doing pretty well so far.. gettign forward a lot.. still passes like a CB though.
Holding driving the ball forward like peak Alessandro Nesta
Ohhh thought Kola was gonna score after I Le Grove jinxed him.
AMN has a fast starting speed.
Pepe taken down!….by the turf.
Pepe tackled by the ball.
Yep Turf monster chomped down on him.
Pepe tripped by a ghost!
Pepe reminds me of Gervinho (unfortunately)….
Kola defending in the box flat footed always makes me nervous. PK waiting to happen. Got away with it though this time.
Mid exactly, Kol can’t defend one on one at all, so clumsy. PK is coming if they keep attacking in the box on that side.
Any good streams??
Pepe is shite. Still 2.5 years left on his contract we should loan him IMO.
James and Harrison are going to be a handful today……
ESPN+ in the States
NIce Ben White drawing the yellow card. Our 2 best players so far have been White and Holding which isnt saying much about our attack.
Cmon Holding rise above…..
Why does Pepe turn back into the defender when he has already gone past him?
AMN also started quite well and nketiah too.
Leno coming up big today so far……
Leno is a class stopper. Good money there
Elneny forgot to bring his brain tonight.
Holding making a case for more playing time today, AMN looks quite tidy in the pivot.
He’s not here for afcon, can’t see why he’s playing
Pepe, pass the damn ball ffs………….
Most of our attack ends up on the right and then promptly ends with Pepe. Defintely one of the most frustrating Arsenal players to watch in a long time.
Pepe is so frustrating. Holding and AMN have been good.
Can I just say , even if Pepe scores 3 tonight, he is sooooooooooooo shit. Lille’s chairman must of thought we WERE smoking something to pay what we did on him. Overall it’s been a good game
AMN playing well. Needs to back himself more there
As if there was any doubt, Kola has shown why nobody came in for him. He is poor at even Carabao level.
Ok take the short corner out of the play book please .. almost ended in a disastrous counter attack. Rodrigo was wide open for a goal.
He’s shockingly average. How bad must Reiss Nelson be if he can’t displace him.
Couple of halftime impact subs needed, Sambi for Mo and Laca for Pepe (ESR wide). Tavares soon for Kola too.
Pepe should be sold
Pepe passes the ball back at the 6 yard line!
Pepe with the touch of a rapist there in the box.
Gazzap,
Lol. I’m going to use that one.
When ESR plays with the reserves he looks like reserve. Why is he even playing?
@Soham
But who’d want him? 🤣 ooh ooh ooh maybe Newcastle.
I’d certainly bring saliba back. Must be among the worlds top centre backs right now.
Come on Mikel, if you can manage to flog Pepe for anything over 25 million, I’ll be an Arteta in for life
We’re truly witnessing some awful football under Arteta.
Nketiah appears to be physically stronger now. He can hold up the ball. Pepe and Martinelli both have no final ball.
TYAG
I will discount him 10%. 22.5million for #ArtetaIn for me
Well.. it was mostly disjointed this half. which I guess is to be expected.. Backline held up mostly.. AMN was our best midfielder.. Frontline didnt do much.. Pepe being the worst. Got out shot 6 to 8… but had 8 corners .. mostly wasted.
@Mb
🤣🤣 be a bloody miracle. Come on Newcastle, you know you want him. Sure he has some Geordie in him.
Pepe has a football IQ of a minor league player.
Then again we got 30 million for Iwobi. Who ever pulled that deal off can sell ice to the Eskimo’s
The front three just have no clue what’s happening. I’m sure even Arteta doesn’t know how to fix the attack, most of our goals this season from dead balls or flukes.
There’s some improved originations in defence though.
“When ESR plays with the reserves he looks like reserve”
___________________________________________________________
Because Pepe didn’t move around to offer a passing lane.
Not as bad as I thought.
Pepe is not a footballer.
Please take ESR off as soon as we score or no later than 60 min.
Ditto White
Martinelli showing why he has hardly even made the bench this season,
Eddie showing a lot of energy. Give him a chance with the 1st team.
What are we getting positive playing Pepe on the right? He is simply not got the game or intelligence to operate well out there for us. He is too predictable and it just encourages him to do the basic cutting inside.
Just move him permanently too the left where he can go on the outside /by line to cross or drift inside. He has looked good whenever he has played on the left before and so far it has been three years of a downward spiral him playing on the right.
KISA
Keep it simple Arteta
I agree. Pepe would look great in black and white