Even before the dust has fully settled down from this summer’s transfer window fun and frolics, Arsenal fans were treated this week with exquisitely positive news. I don’t know about everyone else, but I myself found Mikel Arteta extending his contract as the Arsenal manager for three more years as heartening a treat as that second glass of champagne just when the dinner party has started to drift into a state of ennui-inducing commonplace. And I must confess that even though I like champagne, I love watching Arsenal play. And I am in love with how we now play under the leadership of our steely-eyed komandante. And not only how we play, I love how the entire club seems to move forward with lucid determination and uncompromising vision, and I love how we nowadays stand up to bullies – on and off the field – many of whom find in Arsenal a nobility so far beyond their own insecure selves that they cannot help but try to drag us down.
Life has taught me, just as it teaches everyone else, sooner or later, not to take things one loves for granted. With love comes loss, and with love comes the fear of loss. Close friends can pass away without warning, people and places you hold dear to your heart one day can suddenly become the target of vicious attacks of its imperial neighbor, and most viscerally of it all, you end up agreeing with Leonard Cohen when he sings “I ache in the places where I used to play.”
Without ever meeting or communicating with Mikel personally, my guess is that his first and foremost loyalty is to the vision of what he thinks he would like to achieve as a human being. And I suspect the professional dimensions of that aspiration involves becoming one of the best football managers in history. I don’t think without that range of ambition and hunger it is possible to bring the kind of intensity, rigor and dedication he brings to his work. So, notwithstanding his genuine connection to the club, I think it was never given and it is never given that he will continue his professional journey at Arsenal, unless of course Arsenal can ensure that his ambitions have a pathway to success here.
So, to me, Mikel extending his contract was a great bit of news. And his subsequent interview – one of his best since he returned back to Arsenal – reaffirmed the very human qualities he brings in as well. The integrity, the clarity, and the sense of purpose resonate with me.
Well, I really needed this second glass of champagne, so to speak, as the rest of the news over the international break was not really appetizing. (I am abstaining myself from using words like bleak, which I nowadays keep in reserve for the world at large.) While participating in an absolutely pointless international tournament, the heartbeat of the current Arsenal team, our captain, Ødegaard, was significantly injured and he returned back to London on crutches. One of our new defensive signings, the perfectly Italian combination of vigor and finesse, Calafiori also has suffered an injury in that same pointless tournament. Another summer signing, Merino the midfield monster (have you seen his duel stats?) had already broken his bones in the training ground. Forgive me for feeling a sense of … I would have liked to say déjà vu, but I would be wrong because we really have seen this scenario unfold before where our best players are spun out, broken and injured by the machinery of international football. Hopefully the trio will recover soon enough. I thought Calafiori and Merino were both superbly astute signings, and will help to move this team forward to the next stage.
So, where do we stand? Three matches in the PL season, good enough beginning – would have been the perfect start, if not for a typically strange bit of officiating; were you surprised? – but coming to a stretch of relatively difficult matches, with some of the key players unavailable due to injuries.
While it is not ideal, it is not unrecoverable by any measure. I think this team now has a kind of anti-fragility in their collective psyche that the more they put under external pressure, the more they seem to unify and strengthen their fortitude.
And what better occasion to express that unity and strength than a North London Derby! Also the craft, the guile, the composure, a kind of footballing savoir faire, if I may.
There seems to be the hint of a possibility that Martin will be available for this game. I will actually be very very surprised if that turns out to be the case, and for all the obvious reasons I think that is unlikely. In his absence I think Kai is best suited to this role, with his pressing, his defensive workrate, his ability to combine with other players around him. Martin’s passing and vision would of course be missed, but we will have to find ways to compensate for that.
In that regard, I think Zinchenko will be a good option for the left sided #8 role. Though he has never played in that position for Arsenal, at international level he has always seemed quite effective playing as a left sided midfielder. Some of Martin’s ability to recycle the ball and offer positional unpredictability he can definitely provide.
Gabriel Jesus seems to have recovered fully. And given Kai will need to play in Martin’s position, I think Jesus should start. And if Jesus is starting, I find Martinelli on the left offers the best combination with Jesus. While Gabi senior with his dribbling, close control and movements is superb at destabilizing defensive shapes and tactics, Gabi junior is best when given a bit of space to run into with or without the ball, the kind of space that inevitably opens up when Jesus is in and around the penalty box.
So, my starting line-up would be:
Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Timber
Partey
Havertz – Zinchenko
Saka – Jesus – Martinelli
Sterling and Trossard to appear later in the match if we need goals. The North London Derby is known for its chaotic nature where form may matter for little if you don’t keep your composure, but as mentioned earlier I trust this team to keep their cool and stick to their game plan. Any win would be welcome, as always, and especially away at this ground, but I think a 2-0 can be a very good result for us.
Enjoy the match everyone. Come on Arsenal!
(P.S. How can I forget? It seems we will need to play in our away kit because our red-and-white home kit apparently has too much white in it. I would like to say that I am speechless. But you know what? This type of heightening the importance of insignificant things is exactly what you would expect when the significant ones are blindly ignored.)
Excellent preview thanks Dr F.
No idea on the team but if I had to guess I think we will move Havertz on the left,
so far MA has always resisted any urge to play Zin in midfield. We may also see
Jorginho start for this one too. Hard to tell as we really don’t have a like for like
replacement for Ode although there doesn’t seem to be any end to Bukayo’s
talents. Sterling and Nwaneri are options I suppose though it is a big ask to
throw either in for a game like this.
An excellent preview to a match that carries more jeopardy than I thought it would, just a few days ago. You contextualise the situation well and select the team I would pick though, as ever, I expect MA8 to surprise us. 2-0 would be simply exquisite.
Was there ever a better summary of our challenge:
“And what better occasion to express that unity and strength than a North London Derby!”
Nicely set up, Dr F. While I like your team, I suspect Mikel won’t and I don’t think we’ll see Zinny start in midfield. I wouldn’t be amazed to see an inter-changing right side of Saka and Jesus with Havertz and Partey adding power and panache alongside.
Well done, Dr F – especially like the intro and the bit about Mikel Arteta.
There are so many options on team selection. I wonder if he might go for the slow but experienced duo of Partey and Jorginho in a more defensive style. Tottenham’s pace is out wide so maybe organisation is more important centrally – but we must be secure on the wings.
Whatever the line-up, we have enough to beat that mob.
Delightfully put into context, Herr Doktor. I have a suspicion that our Herr Komandante will find a solution to our predikament. Cheers!
A refreshingly upbeat preview, Dr F. Arteta’s team selection remains the proverbial enigma wrapped up in a mystery but a conundrum for Ange, too. He will need several contingency plans, which may be overwhelming for the tiny Totts.
I hope Arteta resists any temptation to rush MØ8 back before he fully recovers, especially as there was a suspicion the skipper was carrying a knock before the interlull. Sunday’s is game 4 of a long season. We will need him to be 100% for games 20-38.
Fine preview Dr F and much good sense in your words and the comments .For Odegaard to play we would need to be certain he could not worsen the injury and it would be an enormous folly to risk him . I think he’s winding up Ange by suggesting he might play
He doesn’t use Zinny in midfield although it would be an interesting option.
I think he might start Sterling because of the shock factor. He tore them a new one when playing at the Lane for the Chavs last season .
I think he will play Havertz left 8 and Trossard in the Odegaard role with Sterling out wide on the left and Jesus upfront in the centre .
I’d take a point simply because it’s agony to lose this one . We are good enough to win it but they will be in a ferment down at the Lane and we will need cool heads. Two of our coolest – Rice and Odegaard will be missing
C115y are going to be fried and the Scousers are already dropping points so we need not get the vapours if we manage a draw . Next week is an even bigger challenge . I think it may be 1-1 tomorrow and Raheem will score
COYG !
I hope Ode sits this one out. We need him for City if he’s fit.
I wonder if we might see Saka move into the middle with Martinelli and Sterling on the wings. Given that Jesus is just coming back from an injury I wonder if he might come off the bench and Trossard starting up top with Kai in the left 8. I guess we will find out in about 16 hours.
Now this is a red card for the ages:
https://x.com/i/status/1832841221670064470
Really well done Doc, that’s a thing of beauty. I agree with your sentiments on Arteta. And also about the team being resilient and resistant in a way that none of our teams were for the best part of 20 years. It’s great to have that back.
I don’t really know what Arteta will do, but my guess is he’ll change as little as possible. Havertz at left 8. Trossard up top. Gabi on the left. Jesus and Sterling on the bench.
We’re better than them. All things being equal, I think we’ll win. 2-1.
UTA!
Ned @9
That is in the great tradition of Gentile and Tardelli !
Such a classically Italian piece of shithousery – sorry CER!
All the best to all posters and drinkers, I’ve made the decision to step back from all social outlets and will not be posting again for the foreseeable future.
I’ll continue to hope for the best and to one day see my beloved Arsenal lifting silverware in the near future.
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
DepressedGooner @12: My very best wishes to you. Please take care of yourself and please feel free to reach out to all the ‘Holics anytime you want to.
Let’s just play well tomorrow. With composure and best of our abilities.
Come on Arsenal!
@9 thanks Ned, I really wasn’t expecting that when the lunatic suddenly appeared 😂😂
Good to see Liverpoo losing at home though to be honest I wasn’t expecting them to be challengers this season. On to the main event…..CoYGs!
And all the very best to you DG, take care mate
I had a pleasant afternoon yesterday down by the river running the rule over the little colony of Arsenal alumni at the Cottage. ESR and Iwobi displayed a longstanding understanding of each other and ripped the Spammer defence apart throughout the first half though Fulham had only a single goal to show for it at half time. The Spammers had a better showing in the second half but Fulham really should have seen the game out. Nelson had a 15 minute cameo on the left and looked lively but there was no-one in the middle to finish his cross balls and as so often at this lovely venue, the visitors plundered a goal in the dying embers. Sadly, Leno, having made a couple of fine stops earlier, did not cover himself in glory on this one. ESR has become a firm favourite with the locals and had a fine game.
Is there a match on today?
Here’s hoping the team trained well in the limited time they had together and Arteta will pick his team with confidence. I’ll be happy with a point and anything more is a bonus. If we lose I’ll be hiding in the shed from my 13 year old for the best part of a week.
Thanks Doc, nicely done.
Not a fan of champagne but happy with your team and projected score although any win would do really. I think it is time for Jesus to forget the loaves and fishes and get on with mashing some spuds.
UTA.
Cheers Dr F..
The Arteta extension was great news, but as far as I’m concerned, it was only the second most exciting thing, as the teasing of the new Cure album with an actual release date at last was number one.
I don’t know what to expect for a line-up today, or what sort of match it will be.
Expect some refereeing crap, a tight match but hopefully we shall prevail.
It was great to be back in Bergamo even for just one evening, and a week too early. Hopefully the travelling gooners will enjoy it next week. Weather was a mixed bag with some serious thunderstorms that evening.
But let’s mash some spuds today first.
Leaving for enemy lines in about 45 minutes.
I’ve said before I loathe and detest this game. I’ll only be happy when it’s over and I’m safely back in the car.
COYG
Good luck, C100!
Best of luck C100.
Watched the Fulham Wham game and agree with Bath, though I thought ESR faded a bit 2nd half. Mavro played ok too I thought.
Indeed, Matt @22, he didn’t have the same involvement in the second half and I was surprised that Iwobi was subbed nearly 15 minutes before him. When Cairney came on for ESR, Fulham re-established midfield control and began to look secure. He’s had so few full games in the last two years it’s unlikely that he’s got 90 minutes in his legs. ESR was so full of running in the first half it was predictable that he would run out of steam before the end. At least he’s got a smile on his face again but we could do with 45 minutes from him this afternoon.
Stay safe, C100. I hope you are grinning like the Cheshire Cat at the final whistle.
Morning :Spud haters,
I’m becoming convinced Arteta will go with a Partey – Jorginho double pivot (kids) and Havertz ahead of them.
The front three I’m not so sure about but Sterling could well start as he does quite well against them . So probably Saka, Jesus, Martinelli would be my choice – even though it will annoy super sub Trossard, who can come on and score the winner.
Yep, stay safe C100 – I hated going over there.
Yes ok – I left Sterling out. Oops ! You choose !
Solid team. As expected, unless there was surprise news on the injury front.
Jesus coming off injury straight into the intensity of a NLD always looked a bit of a stretch. Sterling starting over Martinelli would have been an unnatural choice for Arteta – he’ll want the new guy to know he needs to earn his place, and everyone else to know it too.
Apart from that, he’s done what he always does, which is to move as few pieces out of position as possible. He’s got 3 blokes who have played regularly in Central midfield, Havertz, Partey and Jorginho. So, big surprise, he’s playing them in Central midfield.
That means Trossars up top, who dovetails well with Havertz, who makes his runs from deeper but ends up in similar spaces to when he plays striker.
All makes sense. All good.
COYG!
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Jorginho, Partey, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Kacurri, Heaven, Nwaneri, Sterling, Kabia, Jesus.
Cheers Dr. F. A very well phrased compliment to our beloved manager.
It looks he choosed the minimalist version of the necessary changes.
COYG
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1835284393889353962/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1835284393889353962%7Ctwgr%5E5b93cf93298079789477db8852ed2e88869a886d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ffootball%2Flive%2F2024%2Fsep%2F15%2Ftottenham-v-arsenal-north-london-derby-premier-league-live
That bench is a little light….
Barring injuries, I doubt we use our five subs today.
Unless we’re 4-0 with two minutes to go.
DG@12: The very best wishes to you. Stay strong. As Dr F. said, we will always be here with a welcome if and whenever you feel like popping in.
Hey DG. Cheers, and i reiterate what others including Ned said above. You are never a stranger here.
Zinchenko being crocked was kept under the radar. It is still a strong-looking side, given that MØ8, Rice and Calafiori are also unavailable. The bench looks very kid-heavy, although I doubt if any of the youngsters except Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have much chance of getting on.
Zinchenko is not even a sub. Is he injured?
ARSENAL ARSENAL ARSENAL 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
COYG
Win this!
Saka looks oddly not sharp. Admittedly it’s only 5 mins.
Anther ridiculous booking. What was Saliba doing, the idiot?
Much better, Reds
Eff it. Got to be a goal from Martinelli.
First 30 mins the least blood and thunder I think I have ever seen in a game against this lot.
Why has Timber even been booked?
Yes, yes, yes big win
1-0 to the Arsenal at the Lane. What is not to like?
I’m with Big Gabi, scream out that win, that is such a happy fucking win
A Win straight out if the George Graham 88/89 playbook. And with Calafiori, Zinchenko, Tomiyasu, Rice, Merino, Odegaard all absent.
Outstanding defence 2nd half, absolute rock, we gave them almost no chances at all despite all their possession,.
A performance that, as CER alludes to @48, will have tickled GG’s heart. A massive performance and a well earned 3 points. R&R now before Atlanta.
It’s the witching hour in Japan, so I gotta ask witching team won the North London Derby?
@51, the Black Arsetists.
A big shout out for the back four. Big Gabi was quiet first half but hugely influential in the second, Saliba would have impressed the visiting Real Madrid scout reportedly running the rule over him, Benny Blanco was very solid once he had got to grips with Son and Timber looked the real deal. But the whole team put their backs into that performance. Jorginho looked at the end as if he didn’t have the energy left to walk off the pitch. C100 must be beaming all the way back to his car. Hope he finds not up on bricks with the hubcaps missing.
The game aside, what Burke thought navy blue v black is less of a colour clash than the normal first team kits?
1 nil to the Arsenal!
Mikel figured them out and we executed the plan to perfection.
Well in for the half ton, bath. You snuck in there out of nowhere.
OM@51
T H E A R S E N A L
SP@54: PGMOL, of course. Who else? Adding colour vision deficiency to all its other deficiencies.
Good old 1-0 to the Arsenal, that will do.
Yes, you’ve nailed it Pangloss 😃
A lot to talk about later and many good performances but
just to say I was very impressed with Timber defensively.
It was the first time to see him away from home in a tough atmosphere
and he was the real deal.
Oh and @52 too as well Bath. It was indeed, for those of you who missed it earlier, The Arsenal that mashed the spuds dream for the third time running I believe.
As per usual, lads, it WAS only Tottnum.
MCMBD
Have I mentioned how much I love this game?
A 1-0 win, with the winner scored with a bullet header from our centre half from a corner. Right in front of me.
Inject it into my veins.
Incidentally what a cameo by Nwaneri. Looked totally at home.
Glorious, C100. What a day to be there…….
We’ve now won at the New Lane against them more than they have against us . Another sad statistic if you’re a Spud
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