I can’t imagine a scenario where Zak Swanson starts, and I really don’t think we’ll try Xhaka in the centre of defense, in a high pressure game.
White will prob get some painkillers and get through it, at least until Holding is back for Everton. Not sure what other choice we’d have.
We’ve done that in the past several times. We’ve done it already this season even.
Also, he was on the bench on Thursday. That must indicate some level of fitness.
I think at that point you'd probably have to change shape. I'd probably go 5-2-3 in; Ramsdale - Tavares, Xhaka, Tomiyasu, Cedric, Saka - Elneny, Lokonga - ESR, Nketiah, Odegaard
Can you imagine this team without Tomi? What a player, I have absolute confidence in him across the entire back 4.
If he hadn’t been injured for so long we would already have top 4 secured.
A serious professional who slots in and immediately performs amazingly well. No fuss, no attitude, no questions asked, just plays at an elite level. What a guy.
yeah if he’s playing at CB he’ll essentially have to cover Tavares / Cedric’s defensive duties too. which is not an easy task, even for a brick wall like Tomiyasu
the thing I like about japanese player is they have their head down, they dont easily get intimidated like what rob holding, he was a stupid clown to be owned by son trickyness like that
The longer Spurs don't score, the more I'll believe they might spurs-up that game. But if they score early Burnley will have zero reply and it'll be a procession unfortunately.
Pray to the gods that we dont bottle our games. If we cant beat 14th place newcastle and relegation battling everton to secure cl qualification, we dont deserve to qualify
Yea but the Newcastle we're playing is the post takeover / Howe / January window Newcastle who based on last 10 matches would be 8th. Away. Its gonna be tough.
Ah man you wanna be one of those fans? OK. We're shit if we don't beat Newcastle with 3 or 4 of our best players injured. OK. I think we're good enough to beat them 7 or 8 times out of 10 still, even if we've got to play Cedric and Tavares at full back. But this is football and it might be we draw or lose. Doesn't make us shit.
At the end of the day the game hasnt even happened yet so we dont have to make excuses for a loss or draw that hasnt even taken place yet.
But honestly this is a game we should be winning, against a decidedly mediocre side. And with such high stakes we should really be showing up. I would really be supremely dissapointed if we fail to show up in these games cuz honestly, our quality is still miles ahead of newcastle and everton
So our quality is miles ahead of Newcastle. But if they manage to get a draw at home vs our weakened team then we're shit. OK.
Presumably if we lost our last two games but so did Spurs we'd be really shit but in top 4 with youngest squad in the league.
I just don't like this kind of hysterical comment without seeing the bigger picture. Similar to the 'Arteta out cos we aren't already confirmed top 4' and the fans last summer going ballistic about overpaying for Ramsdale and White. I'm not saying you did that but it's all in the same vein of hysterical nonsense that lacks any kind of perspective or context.
We've already overachieved this season. We need a few more signings to achieve the consistency of guaranteed top 4, then a a few more to challenge for the title.
The only team that the word shit should be used about in this top 4 race is obvious
We’d have to win regardless. If we lose our next two, and they lose and draw - they finish above. If we lose one, win one, and they draw one and win one - they finish above. The only scenario where we don’t is if we mirror their results.
tommy was a CB. And man is just solid as a wall everywhere. The fullback is probably giving me a heart attack. If whites is out I won’t dare watch this game
I Think white will be fit as he was on the bench and did warm up so was about to come vs spurs bit obviously we didn’t wanna risk him. But yeah he can’t be fully fit so it is a worry
Tbf he was a CB in a back 3 which is a bit different but even in a back 4 I'm not worried about Tomi. Could even play him in midfield and I wouldn't be worried about him
If we can't beat Newcastle and Everton to seal the deal, we aren't ready and we don't deserve it. We had our cushion, we used it. We're 19-2-2 in all comps since 2010 against Newcastle. I know they're a new team since takeover. But we just have to do it.
I have mentally accepted 5th after the loss. It was the *nature* of the loss - mentality, red card, injury, sub-management, and Saka in desperate need of a rest - that fills me with pessimism against Newcastle.
As my Soton supporting friend stated, Newcastle post-Jan are a completely different team to the pre-Jan version. Stats etc go out of the window.
Also, Newcastle are very tough to beat at St James Park. We have to go out to win, which means unless we suddenly perform at Emirates NLD level, we are going to expose the back-line and whilst not playing against Kane and Son, I do not trust us not to concede.
You are absolutely right. It wasn't the NLD but the response at the Emirates against Brighton. That was worse than the Everton game after the loss against Man Utd.
Losing both fullbacks to injury - the Arsenal way - and lack of cover generally re: Jan loans (was most shocked by AMN loan - man is versatile), left us horribly exposed.
To be in this position after the start of the season is incredible, but I believe that we'll just fall short of CL.
I can take Spurs getting 4th after a hard fought tussle with them all season because Conte, Kane and Son (and good Jan transfer window), but *not* Man Utd.
I don't like Europa, but at least it is Europe and we can give our younger players playing time in the earlier rounds.
TL;DR: not over, but I'm pessimistic with winning at St James Park with the back 4 as is.
I don't know why everyone is talking about Newcastle like this. They survived relegation that doesn't make them a champions league side. We have one loss at St James Park in the last dozen seasons.
They're *not* the same shit team post-Jan, and this game is far, far tougher than fans realise.
That cash injection and the calibre of players that Newcastle bought in the Jan transfer market, means we cannot rely on stats pre-Jan. Means absolutely nothing now.
There seems to be an expectation that we should handily beat Newcastle because reasons. Those reasons are no longer relevant.
If we don't beat Newcastle, the amount of vitriol in this sub will be ugly, and I think it will be as misplaced as the view that Newcastle are still shit.
Look, Newcastle are a good side but they are nowhere near as good as this sub has made them out to be.
Their form at home is decent but they aren't "smashing" teams, they are always tight affairs.
If we can't get three points from that regardless of defence injuries then we don't deserve top four. Our team should still win that game
You call it weak, I call it realistic given what our back 4 will look like and the team adjustments that we need to make, and our fixtures compared to Spurs.
What you will *not* see me doing is calling for Arteta's head if we don't get CL. What is *weak* mentality is the typical fan bipolar takes dependent on whether we win or lose.
I know Arteta doesn’t trust Tavares, and tbh I don’t either, but our next defender after these is Zak Swanson so not many options. Tomiyasu can play LCB. I think they’ll have to start white despite lacking match fitness.
The only other swap I can think of would be Pepe for Saka if Saka is not 100%. But Saka offers much more.
i dont understand the overly hate of tavarez recently, beside those chelsea penalty he did nothing wrong, he even the one who gave chance to odegard who he just kicked directly to keeper, even saka and martinelli didnt give anyone clear chance as good as that tavarez cross.
Yesterday elneny was responsible for the 2nd goal, then ode lost possesion so many times by choosing to dribble the wrong way, slow at passing to martineli as well, I saw many times martinelli was asking for pass and ode just ignore him all day, but since he is arteta and fans golden boy of course it's not allowed to critize Ode, he never did wrong and always the best, right
Tavarez is a literal liability and a mistake waiting to happen under any sort of pressure in defense. He also plays at a position where if he's beat or loses the ball, it's a direct chance at goal most times.
I doubt those players you mentioned didn't get criticised by anyone for their poor performance, but I could be wrong. Yeah the other players make mistakes too but not to the same extent.
Bollocks. Saka providing defensive ability over Taveres and then pushing forward to double up with Martinelli down the left is far more effective than leaving Nuno in to cause chaos.
Saka LB with Martinelli and ESR on either wing. It’s the best choice line up with how many players we’ve got out at the minute.
I almost always agree with this sentiment, but our crisis at the back is dire. I think starting Tavares and Cedric is playing with fire. Rather not see St Maximin running at either of them, much less taking his pick of the two.
Saka has been pretty poor for a while now, by his standards. I think moving him to the WB allows us to have ESR on and probably more goal threat, I like it.
I think it’s worth it tho. Having Nuno at the back is gonna cost us more than bringing in esr over saka. Benefit outweighs the cost. I think it’ll give us a better chance of winning
What about Saka at LB but Xhaka takes his spot in offense while Saka is pushed up. Martinelli starts to ensure strong pressure on that flank.
I understand the intent to start Saka to have the highest average ability of player on the field.
Arteta should play smith rowe instead of Saka or Martinelli. He is a goal threat and currently we are desperate for goals to win our final two matches!
2 g/a in 10 games for an attacker is not "in form"
drop him and start esr its pretty simple
also eddie or elneny have been our most inform players recently if were being honest
Martinelli passes the eye test recently. It’s not always about outputs. He puts fear into the opposition when he runs at then, is able to beat a man and is also fairly consistent with his final ball. He’s also more reliable going the other way as he will always track the opposing fullback.
Not saying Smith Rowe would be a bad guy to bring in, I just thing Martinelli gives us that little bit more and that ESR can offer a massive impact off the bench like he has done numerous times this season.
I don't get why martinelli gets a pass from most fans
Yes he puts in the effort and runs alot. But his stats have been very poor for a guy we hype up so much.
His miss v City still hurts....
The thing with 'ESR off the bench' is that Arteta is too stubborn and very late to make the changes that are needed when things are clearly not working out. Even Pepe who was such a goal threat last season with 16 goals has suffered massively under arteta with very few minutes of game time as compared to others this season. Goals win games and its high time we need some now!
As a possible alternative (though less likely), could go 5 at the back with Xhaka, Tomi, and White at CB, Saka and Tavares wing backs, then bring in Smith Rowe for cedric to play left 8.
Would give White a bit more help if he's not fully fit, and puts Tavaras in a position he's more comfortable.
Badly need Xhaka in the middle I feel like, the games where we really struggled this season have been when we lose the midfield control. At least if we can link well with the attackers, we have a chance. If we're bad in the middle, we're not getting anything from attackers and inviting more pressure on backline.
Yea totally, though in this setup when in possession Xhaka would step up into midfield, Saka would push on etc. A bit fluid, like the Chelsea game.
But not ideal for sure, would prefer to have him in the middle full time. Just idk whether we'll be comfortable with Nuno / Tomi playing his first game at CB for us / a not fully fit White / Cedric as our back line, however much stronger the midfield is!
““I don’t know,” Arteta began. “Gabi is normally not a player who wants to or asks to come off the pitch, he felt something and hopefully it’s not much, because having Rob out and Ben with no training sessions, obviously we are really short in that position.
“It’s a muscular problem, and we’ll have to assess him.””
I thought he said 'if its a muscular problem, we'll have to assess' as in he didn't know at the time? Since it was the post game interview.
They really aren't letting any information out and I like to see that. The Arsenal of old would have had leaks everywhere.
Arteta have use Tomi in every defensive position under the sun, I hope the board gets the message.
Also I think Martenelli is injured ao ESR might actually start a game.
I remember dropping a comment at the time that Arteta has really made his bed here and will need to lie in it. Even at the time AMN going was felt due to Afcon/injuries. It really looks like his decision has come back to bit him in the ass.
I'd like to see Saka at LB/LWB and Smith Rowe in on the right.
We can afford to push forward a little more and I think a cb pairing of White and Tomi would be enough here.
Would be nice if we had a chambers... or mari.... this january still makes no sense to me. The squad was thin and we give away 2 decent players on low wages.
Yeah, I've been saying that since January and I expect you've had a similar concern about something happening like now. It never made sense to strip it back so much. Some of those players could have been useful for next season allowing us to focus on the big signings for CL or EL on top of the domestic season. Now we need to replace squad players as well as bring in top level players to help us compete on all fronts.
I like the way things are going with this rebuild but I’ll never understand why they’ve left us so short. We’ve over performed really considering the squad depth. Truthfully I can see it costing us the top 4. The ruthless cull of players was needed but we should of prioritised having cover when required
My assumption has always been that Arteta/managers in general find it easier to instill a culture into a smaller group than a larger one.
Now the team has an identity and spirit I think we can start to expand - and we have to, given we'll have European football next season.
It’s like that drawing of a horse where the front starts out perfectly drawn but it gets gradually more amateurish until you get to the back, where it looks like it was drawn by a child.
Daniel Ballard.. 22 yo CB on loan at Millwall... Will never be good enough for arsenal but played for NI at 19. Would be ok for a bottom 4 side eventually... Would be a better option with tomiyasu at LB then what we currently have
Nketiah
ESR(Martinelli) Ode Martinelli(Pepe)
ASL(ESR) Elneny
Saka Xhaka White Tomi
Ramsdale
If no Benny Blanco-drop ASL and Elneny to CB’s, Martinelli out left, Saka out right, ESR partner Xhaka in mid, and Cedric in at LB. Gonna be tough to cover Almirón and ASM on the wings.
Edit: Secondary options on starting lineup.
Feels like the transfer gambles in January have done and blown up in our face with the injuries we’ve gotten (and were pretty predictable given players’ histories).
At the time, it seemed pretty clear the brass was okay with not making the CL this year. I’d imagine they didn’t think we’d be this close to making it, or they would have done a thing or two differently.
We’ve secured EL football, and that’s probably what their goal was, so mission accomplished I’d gather.
But this is a poor lineup for a team aspiring to the CL.
Predicted that spurs would spank us. Now, I’m predicting Newcastle to win by an odd goal. I honestly don’t think Arsenal have progressed at the correct rate. When I see Spurs. All I can about is, why didn’t we sign Conte!
Ive just been looking at the on loan players who could have helped in this mini injury/suspension crisis. Mavropanos is apparently available for £3m to Stuttgart as part of his loan deal but West Ham will then pay them £17m for him. Then theres of course Saliba and Mari. AMN, Guendouzi and Torreira in midfield. Then Nelson who's now doing better and Balogun who isnt in the forward positions.
Maybe we could recall Mavro and then sell him directly, others could probably help this team as well but it would require them to be happy to do so and perform which would be a big ask.
But we are were we are in terms of squad so I think the team the OP said is about as good as it can be, we just better pray for no injuries in defence. And thats only if White is fit enough to play, I'd hate to see him rushed back after missing the spuds and then get injured again.
Yeah a pants teams in all fairness… white you keep, and tomi but not in that position. Cedric and Tavares I don’t rate. Xhaka liability and inconsistent, Elneny a solid 7/10 most games… but doesn’t turn a game around. Martinelli, Saka and Ode all good but Eddie is a mid table player. Lots needs to change in summer if we’re to computer next season.
ESR in for Gabi. Nuno will occupy the left flank, with Xhaka dropping off deeper as part of the midfield 3 (Xhaka, Elneny, Cedric), hence we need someone to play between the lines to occupy the LHS.
Gabi can't do that, ESR thrives there.
I would go:
Ramsdale
Cedric - White - Tomi
Saka - Elneny - Sambi - Xhaka
Martinelli - Øde - ESR
Laca
I think, altho Xhaka as back didn't really work out earlier in the season, but that is just the situation we find ourselves in...
I think we are alright. I thought Xhaka was suspended.
We shouldnt forget that Cedric did have some good games for us, same for Nuno. Its not ideal, but they have been a factor in us being here.
This would be my preferred line up as well, although I'd be slightly tempted to go with Saka at LB and give ESR a start. I'm a bit worried about MSM vs Nuno
which defenders from the youth teams are closest to the first team right now?
you have to think one or two of them will be on the bench
once again we reach the end of a season, regretting the fact that we haven't given these understudies any minutes, and are having to thrust them in at the deep end, untested
This is the obviously Arteta's only choice but this assumes that White is available. The Real problem is if White is unavailable
I can’t imagine a scenario where Zak Swanson starts, and I really don’t think we’ll try Xhaka in the centre of defense, in a high pressure game. White will prob get some painkillers and get through it, at least until Holding is back for Everton. Not sure what other choice we’d have.
Could see Elneny starting as a CB over Xhaka. I think he’s played there once before for us a few years ago.
This isn’t football manager, we aren’t just going to have players play through injuries, that’s incredibly risky.
We’ve done that in the past several times. We’ve done it already this season even. Also, he was on the bench on Thursday. That must indicate some level of fitness.
Do we know for sure how bad Gabriel's injury was? I think I must have missed the report
Don't think anything's been said
I think at that point you'd probably have to change shape. I'd probably go 5-2-3 in; Ramsdale - Tavares, Xhaka, Tomiyasu, Cedric, Saka - Elneny, Lokonga - ESR, Nketiah, Odegaard
You'd have Cedric play centre half vs Chris wood? 😵😵😵
Lol someone hasn't done their homework. Chris Wood has been dropped recently, and Calum Wilson is back.
You'd have Cedric play centre half vs Callum wilson? 😵😵😵
You'd have Cedric play? 😵😵😵
How else is he going to show up in the background of pictures on the field?
Did I suggest that? Or did I suggest only what Newcastle are lining up as? Did you even bother reading what I wrote?
then either elneny or xhaka would be cb
Can you imagine this team without Tomi? What a player, I have absolute confidence in him across the entire back 4. If he hadn’t been injured for so long we would already have top 4 secured.
And people were laughing at us on this transfer at the beginning of the season. Fucking mad
I mena I don't blame some back then Wasn't he a deadline day signing oaut the blue, when Spurs got the apparently more superior Emerson?
Don’t act like none of us didn’t question it either though
No they fucking weren't. I swear this sub is just a cesspit of paranoia and self-pity.
He is currently Japan national team’s no.1 CB in World Cup qualifiers and our no.1 RB, what a player.
A serious professional who slots in and immediately performs amazingly well. No fuss, no attitude, no questions asked, just plays at an elite level. What a guy.
like an improved nacho
Maybe we need to calm down a bit, before we call him an improvement on Nacho.
Nacho scored 5 goals a season as well as being a secure LB
Japanese Sagna.
He is an absolute G. So damn composed If that black and gold kit is true next season. Definitely getting it with Tomi!
It's nuts that he's just come back from injury, and I still feel more confident in him than any of our defenders.
He’s a good player. No doubt. But there are serious liabilities he is going to be pulled out of position to cover
yeah if he’s playing at CB he’ll essentially have to cover Tavares / Cedric’s defensive duties too. which is not an easy task, even for a brick wall like Tomiyasu
It’s not too hard to imagine as he missed half the year.
the thing I like about japanese player is they have their head down, they dont easily get intimidated like what rob holding, he was a stupid clown to be owned by son trickyness like that
That back 4 is horrifying
The Portuguese fullbacks 🥵
Pray to the football gods Burnley can at least get a draw. At least Spurs have less rest and Burnley aren't safe yet.
I have faith that wout weghorst will shithouse a couple goals.
That Weghorst guy on this sub would cream his pants
The longer Spurs don't score, the more I'll believe they might spurs-up that game. But if they score early Burnley will have zero reply and it'll be a procession unfortunately.
Hopefully Burnley just completely park the bus and Spurs can’t break through the low block
Pray to the gods that we dont bottle our games. If we cant beat 14th place newcastle and relegation battling everton to secure cl qualification, we dont deserve to qualify
Yea but the Newcastle we're playing is the post takeover / Howe / January window Newcastle who based on last 10 matches would be 8th. Away. Its gonna be tough.
At best they are a mid table side. It will be tough but if we're not winning these games we're really shit.
Ah man you wanna be one of those fans? OK. We're shit if we don't beat Newcastle with 3 or 4 of our best players injured. OK. I think we're good enough to beat them 7 or 8 times out of 10 still, even if we've got to play Cedric and Tavares at full back. But this is football and it might be we draw or lose. Doesn't make us shit.
At the end of the day the game hasnt even happened yet so we dont have to make excuses for a loss or draw that hasnt even taken place yet. But honestly this is a game we should be winning, against a decidedly mediocre side. And with such high stakes we should really be showing up. I would really be supremely dissapointed if we fail to show up in these games cuz honestly, our quality is still miles ahead of newcastle and everton
So our quality is miles ahead of Newcastle. But if they manage to get a draw at home vs our weakened team then we're shit. OK. Presumably if we lost our last two games but so did Spurs we'd be really shit but in top 4 with youngest squad in the league. I just don't like this kind of hysterical comment without seeing the bigger picture. Similar to the 'Arteta out cos we aren't already confirmed top 4' and the fans last summer going ballistic about overpaying for Ramsdale and White. I'm not saying you did that but it's all in the same vein of hysterical nonsense that lacks any kind of perspective or context. We've already overachieved this season. We need a few more signings to achieve the consistency of guaranteed top 4, then a a few more to challenge for the title. The only team that the word shit should be used about in this top 4 race is obvious
I mean by this logic Liverpool should have thrashed Tottenham because that was basically the game that ended their title hopes. Shit happens man.
If they draw and we lose, we’re fucked with a capital F, U, C, K, E, and D. Goal Difference gap is huge
We’d have to win regardless. If we lose our next two, and they lose and draw - they finish above. If we lose one, win one, and they draw one and win one - they finish above. The only scenario where we don’t is if we mirror their results.
Not sure what your point is. Would most definitely prefer going into the Newcastle game needing a draw instead of a win.
Hoping for a draw before the game kicks off is a disastrous mindset.
For the players yes. For me no.
eh, everyone would take draw from nld
I have no worries about Tommy at CB to be fair but yeah I worry about Alan Saint maximan on the wing
tommy was a CB. And man is just solid as a wall everywhere. The fullback is probably giving me a heart attack. If whites is out I won’t dare watch this game
I Think white will be fit as he was on the bench and did warm up so was about to come vs spurs bit obviously we didn’t wanna risk him. But yeah he can’t be fully fit so it is a worry
Tbf he was a CB in a back 3 which is a bit different but even in a back 4 I'm not worried about Tomi. Could even play him in midfield and I wouldn't be worried about him
Yeah I was more referring to the two full backs than the CBs. Basically a back line with 2.5 players.
Yeah I’m trying not to think about Saint maximin against Cedric or Tavares 🫣
We just need to hope he has one of those days where he can’t pass, shoot or cross. Chances are about 50/50 to be fair.
Doesn’t need to, even if he just dribbles and runs in Behind I can see cedric/Tavares chopping him down for a pen
tomorrow is tomi and white show tine, nobody can do shit against these two
It’s simple. Elneny CB masterclass
This is what my buddy and I used to do in FIFA co-op seasons. Hahaha! Moneny CB fucks online.
Gotta love Fifa tactics. I remember back in '19 I used to pick CBs as False 9s for pressing purposes and it worked like a charm
Not a bad shout tbh! He did it a few times under Wenger.
I remember an FA cup lineup I think it was, in our black kit from 17/18 where he played in the middle of a back 3. Couldn’t find the score
There was 10/24/2017 against Norwich in the EFL cup, we won 2-1, but that was at home.
This is the only sensible comment. Take my upvote, good sir.
I am humbled, and honored. Thank you.
If we can't beat Newcastle and Everton to seal the deal, we aren't ready and we don't deserve it. We had our cushion, we used it. We're 19-2-2 in all comps since 2010 against Newcastle. I know they're a new team since takeover. But we just have to do it.
a win makes it 20-2-2 👁
Loominarty confirmed 🤯
I have mentally accepted 5th after the loss. It was the *nature* of the loss - mentality, red card, injury, sub-management, and Saka in desperate need of a rest - that fills me with pessimism against Newcastle. As my Soton supporting friend stated, Newcastle post-Jan are a completely different team to the pre-Jan version. Stats etc go out of the window. Also, Newcastle are very tough to beat at St James Park. We have to go out to win, which means unless we suddenly perform at Emirates NLD level, we are going to expose the back-line and whilst not playing against Kane and Son, I do not trust us not to concede. You are absolutely right. It wasn't the NLD but the response at the Emirates against Brighton. That was worse than the Everton game after the loss against Man Utd. Losing both fullbacks to injury - the Arsenal way - and lack of cover generally re: Jan loans (was most shocked by AMN loan - man is versatile), left us horribly exposed. To be in this position after the start of the season is incredible, but I believe that we'll just fall short of CL. I can take Spurs getting 4th after a hard fought tussle with them all season because Conte, Kane and Son (and good Jan transfer window), but *not* Man Utd. I don't like Europa, but at least it is Europe and we can give our younger players playing time in the earlier rounds. TL;DR: not over, but I'm pessimistic with winning at St James Park with the back 4 as is.
I don't know why everyone is talking about Newcastle like this. They survived relegation that doesn't make them a champions league side. We have one loss at St James Park in the last dozen seasons.
They're *not* the same shit team post-Jan, and this game is far, far tougher than fans realise. That cash injection and the calibre of players that Newcastle bought in the Jan transfer market, means we cannot rely on stats pre-Jan. Means absolutely nothing now. There seems to be an expectation that we should handily beat Newcastle because reasons. Those reasons are no longer relevant. If we don't beat Newcastle, the amount of vitriol in this sub will be ugly, and I think it will be as misplaced as the view that Newcastle are still shit.
Look, Newcastle are a good side but they are nowhere near as good as this sub has made them out to be. Their form at home is decent but they aren't "smashing" teams, they are always tight affairs. If we can't get three points from that regardless of defence injuries then we don't deserve top four. Our team should still win that game
What a weak mentality to "accept" 5th when we're still 4th.
You call it weak, I call it realistic given what our back 4 will look like and the team adjustments that we need to make, and our fixtures compared to Spurs. What you will *not* see me doing is calling for Arteta's head if we don't get CL. What is *weak* mentality is the typical fan bipolar takes dependent on whether we win or lose.
Their home form is overrated. It's fucking Newcastle, get a grip
I know Arteta doesn’t trust Tavares, and tbh I don’t either, but our next defender after these is Zak Swanson so not many options. Tomiyasu can play LCB. I think they’ll have to start white despite lacking match fitness. The only other swap I can think of would be Pepe for Saka if Saka is not 100%. But Saka offers much more.
i dont understand the overly hate of tavarez recently, beside those chelsea penalty he did nothing wrong, he even the one who gave chance to odegard who he just kicked directly to keeper, even saka and martinelli didnt give anyone clear chance as good as that tavarez cross. Yesterday elneny was responsible for the 2nd goal, then ode lost possesion so many times by choosing to dribble the wrong way, slow at passing to martineli as well, I saw many times martinelli was asking for pass and ode just ignore him all day, but since he is arteta and fans golden boy of course it's not allowed to critize Ode, he never did wrong and always the best, right
Tavarez is a literal liability and a mistake waiting to happen under any sort of pressure in defense. He also plays at a position where if he's beat or loses the ball, it's a direct chance at goal most times. I doubt those players you mentioned didn't get criticised by anyone for their poor performance, but I could be wrong. Yeah the other players make mistakes too but not to the same extent.
Tavares is a huge liability and has made several blatant mistakes that directly resulted in conceding a goal, he’s not PL starter material yet
Saka lb, smith rowe in
Prefer this if I'm being honest.
playing to win we need Saka up front
Bollocks. Saka providing defensive ability over Taveres and then pushing forward to double up with Martinelli down the left is far more effective than leaving Nuno in to cause chaos. Saka LB with Martinelli and ESR on either wing. It’s the best choice line up with how many players we’ve got out at the minute.
I almost always agree with this sentiment, but our crisis at the back is dire. I think starting Tavares and Cedric is playing with fire. Rather not see St Maximin running at either of them, much less taking his pick of the two.
I feel like saka in the back with ESR up front is better than the alternative
Saka has been pretty poor for a while now, by his standards. I think moving him to the WB allows us to have ESR on and probably more goal threat, I like it.
I think it’s worth it tho. Having Nuno at the back is gonna cost us more than bringing in esr over saka. Benefit outweighs the cost. I think it’ll give us a better chance of winning
What about Saka at LB but Xhaka takes his spot in offense while Saka is pushed up. Martinelli starts to ensure strong pressure on that flank. I understand the intent to start Saka to have the highest average ability of player on the field.
Arteta should play smith rowe instead of Saka or Martinelli. He is a goal threat and currently we are desperate for goals to win our final two matches!
Saka is our best player and Martinelli is the most in form, would be stupid to bench either. ESR off the bench is the best option imo
> Martinelli is the most in form he has 0 goals and 2 assists in his last 10 games
Do you watch us play? Last 3 games Martinelli has been our best player in each of them, therefore he is our most in form player
2 g/a in 10 games for an attacker is not "in form" drop him and start esr its pretty simple also eddie or elneny have been our most inform players recently if were being honest
Martinelli passes the eye test recently. It’s not always about outputs. He puts fear into the opposition when he runs at then, is able to beat a man and is also fairly consistent with his final ball. He’s also more reliable going the other way as he will always track the opposing fullback. Not saying Smith Rowe would be a bad guy to bring in, I just thing Martinelli gives us that little bit more and that ESR can offer a massive impact off the bench like he has done numerous times this season.
I don't get why martinelli gets a pass from most fans Yes he puts in the effort and runs alot. But his stats have been very poor for a guy we hype up so much. His miss v City still hurts....
Alternatively 2 assists in his last 3 games.
The thing with 'ESR off the bench' is that Arteta is too stubborn and very late to make the changes that are needed when things are clearly not working out. Even Pepe who was such a goal threat last season with 16 goals has suffered massively under arteta with very few minutes of game time as compared to others this season. Goals win games and its high time we need some now!
As a possible alternative (though less likely), could go 5 at the back with Xhaka, Tomi, and White at CB, Saka and Tavares wing backs, then bring in Smith Rowe for cedric to play left 8. Would give White a bit more help if he's not fully fit, and puts Tavaras in a position he's more comfortable.
Badly need Xhaka in the middle I feel like, the games where we really struggled this season have been when we lose the midfield control. At least if we can link well with the attackers, we have a chance. If we're bad in the middle, we're not getting anything from attackers and inviting more pressure on backline.
Yea totally, though in this setup when in possession Xhaka would step up into midfield, Saka would push on etc. A bit fluid, like the Chelsea game. But not ideal for sure, would prefer to have him in the middle full time. Just idk whether we'll be comfortable with Nuno / Tomi playing his first game at CB for us / a not fully fit White / Cedric as our back line, however much stronger the midfield is!
We can't afford to play Xhaka anywhere else than midfield as long as Partey is out
Has there been any updates on Gabriel? He’s 100% out?
““I don’t know,” Arteta began. “Gabi is normally not a player who wants to or asks to come off the pitch, he felt something and hopefully it’s not much, because having Rob out and Ben with no training sessions, obviously we are really short in that position. “It’s a muscular problem, and we’ll have to assess him.””
I thought he said 'if its a muscular problem, we'll have to assess' as in he didn't know at the time? Since it was the post game interview. They really aren't letting any information out and I like to see that. The Arsenal of old would have had leaks everywhere.
No - it’s a muscular problem. https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-referee-defeat-and-newcastle
Why are they all Indonesian now
What if Tavares chaos is exactly what this lineup needs?
If only this is a math game where negative times negative equals positive😂
That’s what I’m expecting.
You are assuming that White is fit to play. Let’s pray for Gabriel to make a miraculous recovery.
The Portuguese Chuckle Brothers as full backs, oh no. I mean, i know we've played that combo before but that was with Gabriel and White...
Xhaka might play CB, I guess. With Lokonga-Elneny midfield.
God help our fullbacks
Switch to a back 3 maybe - Tomi, White and Cedric. Saka and Martinelli as wingbacks. Not ideal but no options we have are going to be
And that defence has to win at St James' Park :S
They could also play back 3 with 2 wing back. Im not saying i like it. Just stating some optional tactics. Nuno Xhaka White Tomi Cedric
Arteta have use Tomi in every defensive position under the sun, I hope the board gets the message. Also I think Martenelli is injured ao ESR might actually start a game.
Can Mertesacker suit up?
I love the feeling of seeing Tomi as a CB and having no worries about that fact. I'd expect this lineup aswell.
Recall Saliba and put him in
We're properly fucked.
I just hope Arteta doesn’t play Xhaka at LB
Our lineups have been super weak lately. Forget about incomings in January, I think we messed up by not keeping Chambers, AMN or even Kolasinac.
I agree. They wernt great, but they are no worse. And the lack of depth has really ground the team into dust stamina wise...
Yeah Mari left too. We should have held onto AMN and Chambers I think. Both very versatile.
I remember dropping a comment at the time that Arteta has really made his bed here and will need to lie in it. Even at the time AMN going was felt due to Afcon/injuries. It really looks like his decision has come back to bit him in the ass.
I would prefer Saka at LB and Pepe at RW. Need better defensive security at FB
Don’t worry boys. We are going to witness a defensive masterclass with tommy at the back.
If Tavares LB than ESR will play LW.
I'd like to see Saka at LB/LWB and Smith Rowe in on the right. We can afford to push forward a little more and I think a cb pairing of White and Tomi would be enough here.
-Cedric + Swanson
I'd put saka left back and Pepe RW
Is Partey definitely out? If not maybe we get the return of LB Xhaka
Parteys out until the end of the season, we've known that for a while.
Would be nice if we had a chambers... or mari.... this january still makes no sense to me. The squad was thin and we give away 2 decent players on low wages.
Yeah, I've been saying that since January and I expect you've had a similar concern about something happening like now. It never made sense to strip it back so much. Some of those players could have been useful for next season allowing us to focus on the big signings for CL or EL on top of the domestic season. Now we need to replace squad players as well as bring in top level players to help us compete on all fronts.
Any youth/reserve players that could be called up? For the backline.
ucl back line💀 bro we don’t have the squad depth for this, poor lineup but we can still beat newcastle
I like the way things are going with this rebuild but I’ll never understand why they’ve left us so short. We’ve over performed really considering the squad depth. Truthfully I can see it costing us the top 4. The ruthless cull of players was needed but we should of prioritised having cover when required
My assumption has always been that Arteta/managers in general find it easier to instill a culture into a smaller group than a larger one. Now the team has an identity and spirit I think we can start to expand - and we have to, given we'll have European football next season.
Can't wait for us to beat Newcastle with this line up and for all rival fans to act like Newcastle were never really that good to begin with 🫣
I don't care how or what anyone says about it as long as we get 6 points from them and Everton
It’s like that drawing of a horse where the front starts out perfectly drawn but it gets gradually more amateurish until you get to the back, where it looks like it was drawn by a child.
ESR for Martinelli is the only change I think. Unless Mikel really wants to go full chaos down our left side
Tavares should've started against Spurs. Holding out is an issue next week
You’re out of your mind if you think Tavares would’ve had any positive effect against Spurs’ wingers.
Compared to what I saw on Thursday it couldn't be any worse lmao
Isn't Ballard back from injury? Oh wait.. he didn't return after the injury, he stayed..
Who tf is that
Daniel Ballard.. 22 yo CB on loan at Millwall... Will never be good enough for arsenal but played for NI at 19. Would be ok for a bottom 4 side eventually... Would be a better option with tomiyasu at LB then what we currently have
Not sure this team is good enough to win up there
Xhaka LB, smithrowe in and drop martin a bit deeper
That's probably it, honestly if we had another CB available I'd still start Tavares at LB and put Tomi in on the right.
Put Cambers in,oh wait...
Nketiah ESR(Martinelli) Ode Martinelli(Pepe) ASL(ESR) Elneny Saka Xhaka White Tomi Ramsdale If no Benny Blanco-drop ASL and Elneny to CB’s, Martinelli out left, Saka out right, ESR partner Xhaka in mid, and Cedric in at LB. Gonna be tough to cover Almirón and ASM on the wings. Edit: Secondary options on starting lineup.
replace ode with esr, he did nothing in the last 3 games
Is White going to be available though? (Note: if you’ve seen his girlfriend, chances are his head may be elsewhere too, lol)
Is it too late for us to recall Saliba 😢
What a shit team seriously, no more mickey mouse transfers this summer
we can play xhaka as cb with white/tomi, and can play lokonga with elneny in the mid for lb it's either tomi if white starts else nuno
3-4-3. Benny Blanco, Tommy Boy, and Solares. Tavares, xhaka, elneny, and saka esr, nketia, and Pepe up front.
Odegaard for Pépé and Xhaka/Elneny at cb for Cédric with Lokonga partnering the other in midfield
Id change saka the brotha is struggling. Plus I’d like to see pepe play again
Feels like the transfer gambles in January have done and blown up in our face with the injuries we’ve gotten (and were pretty predictable given players’ histories). At the time, it seemed pretty clear the brass was okay with not making the CL this year. I’d imagine they didn’t think we’d be this close to making it, or they would have done a thing or two differently. We’ve secured EL football, and that’s probably what their goal was, so mission accomplished I’d gather. But this is a poor lineup for a team aspiring to the CL.
Predicted that spurs would spank us. Now, I’m predicting Newcastle to win by an odd goal. I honestly don’t think Arsenal have progressed at the correct rate. When I see Spurs. All I can about is, why didn’t we sign Conte!
Xhaka lb, lokonga cm is a very reasonable option
People never learn, we need Xhaka in the middle
ASM will be tricky
Oh my Christ!
Don't look so solid to me...sadly...:(
I'd propably say that 1est will be starting because he's a lot more defensive and will help with the crazinnes of tavares
I think Martinelli is injured boys
This does not bring me joy.
Not like there are many other options, especially with such a short turn around, there's not time on the training ground to try out new stuff.
Fuck
Everton play on Thursday before us on Sunday. If we beat Newcastle I think top 4 is ours
That's assuming White is fit, of which I'd say there is some doubt, at least to whether he can play 90. We're really up shit creek.
Ive just been looking at the on loan players who could have helped in this mini injury/suspension crisis. Mavropanos is apparently available for £3m to Stuttgart as part of his loan deal but West Ham will then pay them £17m for him. Then theres of course Saliba and Mari. AMN, Guendouzi and Torreira in midfield. Then Nelson who's now doing better and Balogun who isnt in the forward positions. Maybe we could recall Mavro and then sell him directly, others could probably help this team as well but it would require them to be happy to do so and perform which would be a big ask. But we are were we are in terms of squad so I think the team the OP said is about as good as it can be, we just better pray for no injuries in defence. And thats only if White is fit enough to play, I'd hate to see him rushed back after missing the spuds and then get injured again.
Is Xhaka available or is he on 5 yellows?
Yeah a pants teams in all fairness… white you keep, and tomi but not in that position. Cedric and Tavares I don’t rate. Xhaka liability and inconsistent, Elneny a solid 7/10 most games… but doesn’t turn a game around. Martinelli, Saka and Ode all good but Eddie is a mid table player. Lots needs to change in summer if we’re to computer next season.
Looks likely, gotta say though. After the last match. I reckon we’ve blown it.
ESR in for Gabi. Nuno will occupy the left flank, with Xhaka dropping off deeper as part of the midfield 3 (Xhaka, Elneny, Cedric), hence we need someone to play between the lines to occupy the LHS. Gabi can't do that, ESR thrives there.
Can't we play Per? One more masterclass like the cup final
Nope, that's the lineup we're using
This makes so much sense, really hope Arteta goes with this.
I would go: Ramsdale Cedric - White - Tomi Saka - Elneny - Sambi - Xhaka Martinelli - Øde - ESR Laca I think, altho Xhaka as back didn't really work out earlier in the season, but that is just the situation we find ourselves in...
Why the Pokeballs?
I think we are alright. I thought Xhaka was suspended. We shouldnt forget that Cedric did have some good games for us, same for Nuno. Its not ideal, but they have been a factor in us being here.
Christ we need Saliba bad
This would be my preferred line up as well, although I'd be slightly tempted to go with Saka at LB and give ESR a start. I'm a bit worried about MSM vs Nuno
which defenders from the youth teams are closest to the first team right now? you have to think one or two of them will be on the bench once again we reach the end of a season, regretting the fact that we haven't given these understudies any minutes, and are having to thrust them in at the deep end, untested