MATCH DAY BLOG – PALACE DEEP BLOCK AND AN ATTACK ABOUT TO PIVOT

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Arsenal has the opportunity to go 8 points clear in the Premier League knowing that City has secured itself in two cups this week.

They have 17 games left.

We have 11.

Today is basically our League Cup final. It’s massive. There’s an expectation we’ll roll Palace, but the truth is it’ll be very hard out there.

Vieira shouldn’t have been sacked. Yes, Palace have had a rough run. But they’ve not conceded more than one goal in their last 10 games and they have played some teams with serious, serious equipment. I also don’t think he’d lost the dressing room. I’m hearing rumblings that the dressing room there hates Hodgson, so news that he’s arriving might be to spur them on to play well and show they don’t need him. Who knows.

It’ll be tough today, regardless.

Palace has a collection of street footballers that have power, speed, and usually a goal threat. They’ve had no shots on target in 3 games. Their xG is the lowest in the league this year.

… and that means the tables will totally turn today.

Arsenal has to control the midfield, they need to be very patient, and the fans need to be onside for the full 90 because it’ll be tough.

Saliba is rumoured to be out, it’s coming from France which means it’ll be a France camp leak, so you’d expect he’ll be out. I was kind of hoping this would be the same as it was last week when Arteta pretended he had no forward for Fulham before rolling out Trossard.

We’re going to have to trust in Bob Holding. I can’t have the catastrophizing for a Palace game. He did well against a far better outfit in the week. He just needs to do the basics well, concentrate, and not compete with Saliba for line breaking runs or passes.

If we’re patient today, we’ll win. If we let the moment get to us, we’ll be in trouble.

Let’s see what the boys have!

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psuedo warrior

The EL has already screwed us. Tomiyasu would have been huge in the difficult away games, I recall him starting LB and keeping Salah quiet at the Emirates. Sucks that we have lost that option now.

Hopefully Saliba’s injury is a short term one

psuedo warrior

Also when do we call a spade a spade?

Arsenal’s best attacking form this season has been with Trossard in the front 3. Regularly scoring 3 goals or more now.

Was this the case with Jesus in the team? I recall a lot of frurstrating 1-0s and 2-1s with Jesus

Samesong

What we have shown this season is that yes we have had injuries but we are still very difficult to beat. And haven’t heavily relied solely on one person. That’s what you call a team squad. Hopefully we strengthen it next season. Everyone has played their part

Samesong

team to beat*

psuedo warrior

I think we will have to rely on our attacking if we are to win the League.

I know people are looking at clean sheets and defensive solidity. But the fact of the matter is the team is very young and more likely to concede due to mistakes as the pressure builds.

Hopefully Jesus can add his contribution and bring us goals and assists. We will see a lot of 3-2s and 4-2s I’m sure

Dissenter

“We don’t fear anyone.” – Bukayo

Nothing wrong with that
He’s not saying they don’t respect anyone. There a vast difference between fearing other clubs and respecting them enough, hence the settled belief that we have 10 more league games.

Dissenter

**hence the settled belief that we have 10 more final games.

Dissenter

Pseudo
You’re right, Jesus is a substitute till the season ends, same as Eddie

Tony2

Afternoon chaps. The footballing God’s work in mysterious ways. We won the league x2 at shite hert Lane. We won the league x2 at Old toilet. We won the league at anfield. I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised we win the EPL in our game away to city..and sid you can take that to the bank

Mysticleaves

Xhaka is gash. Is being hid by the make up of the team and should be immediately upgraded.

When we win the league, it will be a straight battle between Xhaka and Henderson for the “worst player that to ever win the league” award.

Never seen a worse first team midfielder in my entire life as an Arsenal fan.

Dissenter

I’m not going to blame Tomi for the EL injury but he does have a definite history of crockableness
He’s like precious china that chips away with every little bump.

Some players can’t stay fit if their lives depended on it

Xhaka got his knees badly twisted and kicked whilst his studs were stuck in the turf- he played the rest of the game.

Samir

Mysticleaves

Xhaka is so bad every manager we’ve had has picked him to start all games?

TR7

Saka finally getting some praise in the media. The guy is Eden Hazard level talent and still one trick pony Rashford has been hogging all the limelight.

Partey too not getting the recognition he deserves, Casemiro is the media darling.

Mysticleaves

It’s unthinkable that an Arsenal fan will be suggesting Xhaka be seen as a club legend should they win the league. What do they smoke on LG lol.

In all but of his seasons he was atrocious. In the last 2 he has been serviceable.

Tony2

Mystic how old are you ?? 12? 15. Obviously you’ve never seen gus caesar or raph made or Johnny Matthews ( mind you he was a sub at 1 match at Highbury I recall v Sheffield utd we were 0 2 down jonny boy came on moustach n all and popped in 2 for us to draw. Or what about Lee wifebeater Chapman? Or Glen helder? Mind u he scored winner in 1 0 win the night it was announced GG was sacked. Very eerie atmosphere that night I recall

Mysticleaves

In all but 2 or his seasons*

Samir

He all made sure they were sacked.

Wengaball

Haaland’s arrival at City has clearly made them a different team. Instead of their patient, intricate build up, they now aim to go more direct and get the ball quickly to the Brut. I haven’t checked the stars but I suspect they put in way more crosses now as well. While this allows Haaland to score loads of goals, it also means City have less game control and allow more turnovers. One stat I did check was their average possession – and predictably it is down 4% season-on-season. 64.3 v 68.3 last season. Interestingly, the team with second highest possession… Read more »

Mysticleaves

Tony2

I’m a bit young. Wenger Arsenal is all I know. I also meant first team player not squad player.

Dissenter

Mystic
You used to keep me honest when I went too far critiquing Elneny back in the days
I can’t believe that you’re seriously going after the 2022-2023 version of Xhaka
You’re on a wind-up, me thinks

Let’s put it this way

If we win this league title, Xhaka wil be a club legend because he’s the emotional leader of the squad and he’s shown great resilience to come back from his adversity.
The lad gives 110% every single game.

TR7

Xhaka has just been ok, nothing special.

In every game he fluffs 3-4 critical passes which can lead to clear goal scoring opportunities.

That we have both Partey and Zinchenko running the show in midfield makes Xhaka look better. You play Xhaka with Elneny, Jorginho or Viera and he will play exactly like the Xhaka we have known over the years.

Wengaball

The point I was making about City is that there is a clear reason why they are gettable this year and I am sure Mikel and the boys know it.

Dissenter

“Xhaka has just been ok, nothing special.”

That’s bollocks
Xhaka has been sensational this season
You need to put your Xhaka-trauma syndrome symptoms aside, banish the Xhaka of pre-2021 away from your mind and be rational
He’s played 27 games, far more games that Partey. How can you divorce our league form away from Xhaka?

Xhake lives rent-free in the minds of so many people here.
I recall when I made the simple point of Xhaka being the emotional leader of the squad, the push back was so extreme.

TR7

Wengaball

Haaland may help City’s CL campaign as we have seen teams which are more direct usually do better in CL (Pep’s Barca the rare exception). But you are right in suggesting that Haaland does limit them in the league in a way. When good teams close down Halland’s channels City do look out of ideas.

Wengaball

Xhaka was always a good player but blighted his reputation with his rashness.

This season he is playing even better and has cut down his rashness. So a double improvement.

As for players around him – that is a universal argument. Better players around make most players better.

And I agree with Dissenter that he (and Oleksi) are the emotional/passion leaders of the team. Probably why a passionate person like Mikel likes them both a lot.

Mysticleaves

Dissenter

El neny and xhaka are same level. Serviceable players in the right system. Xhaka trumps neny cos of his “leadership qualities” and his team seniority.

Samir

Dissenter

+1. Agreed.

psuedo warrior

Hah, I can imagine 32-34 YO Xhaka starting some games or coming in as substitute for the Arsenal. And mysticleaves tearing his hair out.

Its not his football brain that lets Xhaka down, its his physical characteristics. But looking at his incredible fitness record, doubt he’d be cursing his physique.

Every title winning team has these type of players

TR7

Dissenter

See I have nothing against Xhaka this season. Whatever his deficiencies may be, if Arsenal win the league with him in our starting 11 he will be praised.

He has cut down his mistakes and has always been available. Apart from that he is the same player he always has been. Partey and Zinchenko run the show in midfield.

I am not really criticizing him, all I am saying is Arteta has changed our system so beautifully that Xhaka looks better than he actually is.

Mysticleaves

Pseudo

I even came believe he’s in our team now. It’s depressing.

TR7

Bang on. Nothing against him. Just an average player

Useroz

Wengaball

In a press conf a week or two ago, Pep admitted with Haaland, their playing style has changed and players just look for the brute and send the ball in his direction .

Also, Pep saying there should be some balance and his players should take a look before always looking for him.

By the look of it, not 100% happy with on field behavior and tactical execution.

The brute scores almost 42% of City goals. On paper, if he’s cut out by the opposition, it’s as if City’s chance of scoring drop by 42%… that’s whopping !

psuedo warrior

Carrick and Fletcher at Manchester Referees United.

Remember them?

englandsbest

The upcoming ten games will likely be tough. For one reason or another – qualification or relegation – the teams we face will be trying their utmost. Right now Saka and Martinelli carry the weight of goal-scoring.. But I sense t a late surprise package in that – Gab J. Notable for chances not taken, I think he’ll find it hard to miss.

psuedo warrior

What a joke it is that a 22 year old kid in his first season in the PL is set to break records set by likes of Shearer, Henry, Suarez, Aguero, Kane, Ronaldo, Salah and the likes

Mysticleaves

Did you watch Carrick? Fletcher was a squad player.

Haven’t really been able to catch our games this past month. Even the debacle against sporting so it’s hard to get into conversations when I do have time to come online.

I didn’t even know Jesus was back against Fulham lol.

Useroz

Jesus could have scored from 4, 5 yards too…. but hit Leno

S23

Still smiling from our battering of Palace-although I am a bit surprised how many goals we are conceding from corner deliveries,surely put one of our big chaps at the near post and once it clears them,Ramsdale should be able to catch or punch it.
Then there is the Conte meltdown only bettered by Maitland Niles ‘s penalty award-superb.
10 more cup finals,boys and we are there.

AFC Forever

Xhaka has been excellent this season. End of.

raptora

Gabi Martinelli appreciation post <— Our deadly Brazilian scored the best and most important goal of the day. It wasn't an easy goal and I watched Keown say "there's no defender in the world who can deal with that because of the pace" of his move there especially when he can go either way and this time he went on his so called "weaker" foot. All big goalscorers need to be able to score with every part of their body and Gabi's stats speak about that diversity: – 6 Right-footed goals – 4 Left-footed goals – 3 Headed goals Deary… Read more »

TheGodfather

Mystic, I get your points on Xhaka and like some others I understand why you may never buy into him. Does he have many obvious deficiencies? Of course. Should he be upgraded immediately? Absolutely. But look when he went down how many players gathered around him? He does play a role on the team and the players like him. His success is primarily due to the presence of Partey, the vision of Arteta, who he said, threatened to replace him unless he got fit and accepted his new role further away from the defense and up the field …. He… Read more »

Tom

Imagine having to change the whole system to accommodate the one below average player, when a much easier route would’ve been to just replace him.

“Henderson plays 98% of the time when fit….that’s how important to us he’s been”, said Klopp.

Xhaka and Henderson are very much in the same category it seems, they divide the room and attract criticism…… never from their managers though.
Weird.

,

AFC Forever

“Haaland’s arrival at City has clearly made them a different team.” We had this debate the other day. They have had to change the way they play to accommodate Haaland, going front to back quicker. Just compare their numbers this season to last season after 27 games:- 2021/2: PL: 27, W:21, D:3, L:3, F:64, A:17, (GD: +47), PTS: 66 2022/3: PL: 27, W: 19, D:4, L:4, F:67, A: 25, (GD: +42), PTS: 61 They have scored only 3 goals more, but have conceded 8 more and won 5 fewer points. So you could argue they are a worse team than… Read more »

AFC Forever

* going back to front quicker. Some typos change the entire context…!!

Pierre

Wise decision by Arteta to continue with the Trossard/Martinelli/Saka front 3.
We are scoring at over 3 goals a game during this run of 6 victories., so why change it..

We have gone from having Jesus as a clear first choice striker with Eddie as back up , to having 4 potential strikers all fighting for the right to lead the line..

Saka, Trossard and Martinelli are currently undroppable, jesus and Eddie will have to wait for their chance to maybe make an impact as sub, what a great position to be in.

Chris

Pierre

Agreed I wouldn’t change the front 3 for the next couple of games unless injury dictates it.

It goes to show how fantastic Trossard has fit in here, I had a feeling he would be a very shrewd addition but he has been a critical part of the team the last 6 games especially.

I think if everyone is available against City in a few weeks, Arteta will likely go back to Martinelli, Jesus and Saka. Jesus should be at 100% by then

Pierre

Chris
I can’t see how you can drop trossard ( 6 assists in 5) or Martinelli ( 6 goals in 6) for jesus who hasn’t scored in about 9/10 games..

There will probably be an injury or 2 before the end of the season and that may open the door for Jesus , Eddie or Nelson, but without injuries i can’t see how Arteta can change it whether jesus is 100% fit or not.

Chris

Pierre

Yeah I agree, it’s just what I think Arteta will decide to do (put Jesus back in) for a game like City away.

Anyway it is a great problem to have selection headaches when it wasn’t so long ago we were all concerned about a lack of option up front it Eddie got injured. Trossard has been a signing who has made an immediate impact akin to Ljungberg, Arshavin a a couple others.

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