ROTATION WITH A SPRINKLING OF FIRST TEAM FOR FA CUP

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FA CUP 3rd ROUND DAY!

The best cup competition in the world kicks off today, we have ourselves a lovely trip to the River Trent to take on the storied Nottingham Forest. Arguably one of the best club names in the game.

What do we expect from them? A big attempt at a performance. They are smack bang in the middle of the Championship, they’ve won their last 3, their players will be looking to shine brightly whilst the whole of the UK is watching on ITV a bit later.

Arsenal will be playing a very young side because there’s no choice. COVID issues, knocks, and some big games coming up will mean heavy rotation. When you have to heavily rotate, you can’t guarantee you’ll maintain performance, so we have to be prepared for the evening to be tough.

Rumours have it that Biereth, Salah, Hutchinson, and Patino will be on the bus. BIG rumours that the conductor of the 2022 hype train, Charlie Patino, could actually make his first start for the club. That would be special, he has everyone at Arsenal buzzing about his talent, and he even has his own song with the fans. I don’t think we’ve been more sure about a second coming since Jack Wilshere.

Outside that, who knows what the team will look like, but my assumption is it’s going to be all about the fringe players. Bernd Leno, Holding, Soares, Tavares at the back. Midfield will probably have to be Patino and Lokonga for the minutes. But somewhere along the line there’s going to have to be some first-teamers you’d rather keep fresh. The Smith, Odegaard, and maybe Benny Blanco spring to mind.

Personally, I’m looking for the same thing I always do during heavy rotation periods. All 11 players dropping performances like they want to be considered for the Spurs and Liverpool games. Healthy squads create the feeling that everyone could start. Unhealthy squads see these games as an imposition. As I said many times last season, players like David Luiz used to think they were above games like this, so they’d not show up. In healthy squads, they all go there to do the business.

IN OTHER NEWS

Ainsley made his move over to Roma to play under the delightful Jose Mourinho. I don’t really have much to say on this outside, I REALLY HOPE HE DOES WELL. It never worked out for Ains, the killer blow to his career was saying no to the right-back role which could have been lucrative for him. Still, going to Rome could be good. That league lacks power, so he’ll have a leg up on the intensity. If he’s playing well, he’ll have to up his concentration. All things he’s young enough to manage.

We’ve been linked to some midfielder in Brazil. Those rumours really do nothing for me. Their league makes Italy look intense, so it’s really hard to work out which players you can bring from over there that would make it here.

Midfield is such an interesting position to recruit for. We need a body for the now, but really, only for emergency reasons. So who are they going to buy cover for? And is it cover, or someone that can challenge Xhaka and Partey next season? Or, will they look for a midfielder that does something different to the other two. Someone that is more of a specialist for certain types of games? Is Arsenal building out two squads of players that do that same things, or are they building out a chessboard of pieces that can cover off the different types of games we struggle in?

Who knows, but if Arteta is to be believed, we’ll find out in the next 3 weeks.

Right, that’s me done, have fun in the comments x

 

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Left Testicle

Lillywhites

Nigel Tufnel

Does your season ticket provide a seat and also an understanding of what’s happening on the pitch? Maybe you need to spend more.

Maybe your view isn’t as good as the Portugal manager’s?

Left Testicle

Arsenal playing in white will not make any difference. Street gangs run on drugs won’t suddenly lay down weapons because we played one game in a white shirt.

Zacharse

so why do you care then that they make a gesture?

Left Testicle

Virtue signalling.

Nigel Tufnel

L T
I kind of see how Eddie would stay, but he’d need to be assured that both Laca and Auba or not going to be around to begin next season. I would want to know that I’d be the second choice after whoever comes in to start.

That, along with a small raise could do it.

Left Testicle

That’s just it. It’s just a gesture. Won’t make any difference. It’s all just PR for Arsenal plc.

Bob N16

Nigel T, Soares on his performances for Arsenal is a half decent RB and a very limited LB. I don’t suppose you’ll be in the slightest bit bothered when he leaves, I know I won’t be.

Danny

Why the fuck is Saka playing? Better use all of those 5 subs FFS.

Br0wnie

Left Testicle did u watch any of the earlier games on that channel today?

Left Testicle

Brownie, No.

Left Testicle

Do things in the community makes a difference. Wearing a white Adidas shirt doesn’t.

Benjamin

Saka start is madness!

Zacharse

testicle
might be the kinda thing that would mean more if you’d been impacted by the issue. sometimes people need an excuse like sports to rally together and take life seriously

Bob N16

Pedro, was wondering whether I should respond to Left T but you saved me the bother. The community department at Arsenal does lots of great work which I’m very happy to see.

Buzzy

Things like these backfire because teenagers who never knew knives could be used to commit crimes are implanted with an idea and begin to think its normal

Left Testicle

Zac, fair enough, point taken.

Zacharse

have some empathy and withhold your hot takes occasionally, its not like we all don’t understand what you;re saying

Left Testicle

Moaning again but the draw shouldn’t take place until all the games have been played.

Zacharse

touche

Zacharse

whos ready for a patiño brace

MidwestGun

Hello Y’all…. This should be a fun one I hope… Project youth in action.

Bertie Mee

Well said Pedro. I’m very much behind the initiative and delighted that Arsenal are making a point on a very important issue . Change has to start somewhere

Left Testicle

Home to Leicester.

Bob N16

Buzzy, are you being serious? How naive can you be?

Any youth in London knows that knives are carried by a significant minority. The idea that Arsenal’s highlighting of the issue would somehow encourage the take up of knives is ridiculous.

Chika

Those maoning about Saka starting, tell us the player on the bench you would have started in his place!

Time Up

Home to the foxes next round

Chika

*moaning

Habesha Gooner

Chika
Bruno G. Undoubtedly.

Patino was always going to start. I sympathize with arteta on the fact that he has to use all the starters in attacking midfield. ESR would have played. So would have pepe. And Balogun is close to Middlesbrough loan. So I get why he started all Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard. There was no one left. Omari Hutchinson and Mika Biereth arent options yet. They are kids and they would have had a culture shock to start both together with Patino. We need to qualify.

Time Up

All teams has easy games we got Leicester. Oh well, at least we’re home.

MidwestGun

LC isnt a bad draw… I like beating up on Brenda.. oooops That didnt quite sound right … but you know what I meant. Assuming we win this one.

Habesha Gooner

Where is that Henry Francis kid that played CM in the summer for a couple of games? I was so impressed with him.

WengerEagle

AMN starts vs Juventus for Roma.

Be interesting to see how he gets on there.

Time Up

Pierre would be happy, he’s going to watch Eddie next to Saka and Martinelli.

Mb

Unfortunately I have to stream it today – so here’s a link for anyone looking for it.

https://www.totalsportek.com/arsenal19/

WengerEagle

Why isn’t this being shown on the Beeb?

No live game today is strange.

Bob N16

WengerE, it’s on ITV

Br0wnie

Lefty that works. Thanks

S Asoa

Players warming up.

Chris

Leicester at home is a tasty draw should we get through. At home as well.

MidwestGun

It’s on Espn+ if you have that..

Leedsgunner

Ridiculous that we’re risking Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli for this game.

I really really really hope they don’t get injured.

Poor poor man management.

WengerEagle

Bob

Great, one channel I don’t get for whatever reason.

Have to stream it so.

Left Testicle

No problem Brownie.

Chika

Habesha

“Bruno G. Undoubtedly.”

I think we’d try to sign him in the summer. Quality player.

Buzzy

Bob I wasn’t joking. Read up on Stasi police and their methods. They would nip a crime commottion in the bud because they knew that awareness of the issue could actually lead to a revolt.

Chika

Leedsgunner

“Ridiculous that we’re risking Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli for this game.”

Tell us the three players you would have started instead.

Bob N16

Let’s hope there is no refereeing bullshit

Leedsgunner

I want to win as much as the next person but it’s ridiculous that we’re jeopardising our EPL season for this.

AFC Forever

Left

“Didn’t even want to see Kolasinac on the bench.”

No choice, Covid & injuries leaves us short just look at the bench.

Great experience for Patino because that Yates thug will try to leave something on him. Let’s hope we get through unscathed. That kits looks cool but a bit weird

Dissenter

Strange seeing Arsenal white

Samesong

Wow that kit is bright.

Left Testicle

Blessed with young talent with the right attitude.

Luteo Guenreira

Another stream for those who need it

http://nflsportz.com/embed/1.php?sport=soccer

Bob N16

Buzzy, am afraid all kids know about carrying knives in London.

Left Testicle

Bellerin would have had to accessorise with this kit.

andy1886

Nigel, not sure what your ‘qualifications’ are to claim some sort of superior football knowledge, but I suspect that if you were actually aware that Cedric has only one appearance for Portugal since 2018 then you wouldn’t keep harping on about his international ‘career’. Whatever he did prior to joining us means jack shit for his performances since then.

Zacharse

i think the kids have seen worse defensive offenders than forest, but ive not seen this side

MidwestGun

Sounds like it woild be a fun one to be at… Crowd sounds electric..

Spanishdave

Starting very slow, hesitant.

MidwestGun

Look at Leno doing a Ramsdale impression.. Got off his line quickly.

Leedsgunner

Instead of risking Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli I would have played Kido Taylor Hart on the right, ESR in the middle and Balogun on the left.

No way we should be risking our fantastic three.

AFC Forever

Midwest

Yep Forest are a proper club. They are the reason we wear red which is ironic considering we’re saying ‘no to red’.

S Asoa

Kit white, graphics white with grey edging- almost invisible.
Thank God AFC are not going to repeat kit again
By the way, who is ridding the brake pedal, in in spite of having an overkill squad of starters

Left Testicle

The officials won’t be able to see the numbers.

TR7

Holding with a hair transplant ?

MidwestGun

You can tell our defensive midfield are newbies.. Odegaard is going to have to drop deeper and Ben White step in.. a little more.

Rob Holding getting spicy.

andy1886

“The officials won’t be able to see the numbers.”

Given that recently officials might have been better off with a guide dog in tandem I’m not sure it’s much of a problem.

S Asoa

Patino is thoroughly not trusted by team mates although gets in position. Didn’t see mistakes in him, so why?

Left Testicle

Ramsdale would have made an assist from that. 😄

Spanishdave

All over the place poor start

MidwestGun

What the hell is Tavares doing… hahaha settle down man…

Chika

Leedsgunner.

“Instead of risking Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli I would have played Kido Taylor Hart on the right, ESR in the middle and Balogun on the left.”

lol I knew you’d come up with something stupid as usual. ESR has a knock, Balogun is out with Covid, not sure Taylor Hart was even available for the last U23 game.

Luteo Guenreira

Lol Nuno

Dissenter

Forest are going to give us a good game in the proper tradition of the FA cup
We’ll have to work hard for this win, glad Arteta didn’t underrate then and start too many green players.

S Asoa

Hope players can figure out Mikel’s hand signals. To me it looks like he is directing a backing up truck

Time Up

This ref cunt Pawson he always looks as if he’s going to cry.

MidwestGun

I never like short corners.

Unoni

Great tackle that

Dissenter

I read that VAR is only available for FA CUP games played on premier league grounds

Strange one that

Time Up

Tavares start worrying me, Santos vibes.

Left Testicle

Messy, but probably to be expected with so many changes.

AFC Forever

Andy

‘Given that recently officials might have been better off with a guide dog in tandem I’m not sure it’s much of a problem.’

Ha ha. To be fair I don’t think there’s anything wrong with their eyesight it’s something else.

Bloody weird looking all in white.

Can we change back to normal at half time? We’re looking like the spuds and playing as shit. Has to be the kit 😁

Luteo Guenreira

Time Up

I had that same flashback to Santos after the errant backpass and that casual way he allowed the defender onto the ball as he was dribbling up the wing.

Really don’t know what to make of Nuno right now. He could go either way I think but If he corrects the errors he has the talent and athleticism to be an amazing player.

Samesong

Forest are definitely more physical than us.

Shaun

VAR only at premier league grounds, well it was at West Ham and somehow managed to rule the 1st goal wasn’t offside, English officials really are getting worse

Spanishdave

We are poor tippy tappy crap

Chris

Let’s hope with the white kit we start playing more like Real Madrid and less like Spurs!

Dissenter

Holding was hoping that shot ended up as a goal kick, instead the corner flag deflected it to throwing.

MidwestGun

Oh Rob….. hahaha his eyes got big.. and the goal got small.

Spanishdave

Tavares is shite player looses the ball constantly.

Chris

Tavares had been poor so far today. Sloppy and getting beaten too easily.

Time Up

Tavares never recovered since the Liverpool game. He’s losing the ball all the time.

Dissenter

Game has to be settled today, which is great.
No replay

S Asoa

Forest have deployed their personnel better and are intercepting passes better.