With the greatest respect, as always, to the White & Red Rose opposition beaten in our opening two games of the season our first serious test of this fledgling season comes at Anfield this Sunday. We all know it’s necessary to take out the trash effectively to win this league, but Liverpool are a decent side, they possess a very dangerous attack and were entirely deserved title-winners last season. A tough game awaits and there is much talk in the press of our not having won at Anfield since 2012 (though much less of our not having lost to any of the so-called Big 6 in the league since April 2023, a quite remarkable run) and whilst it will not be in any way conclusive should either side win, it is also true that an away win would be a mighty fine boost for Mikel and his newly revamped Merry Men. And talking of newly revamped………
Transfer News
IN
The latest acquisition by Andrea “he buys who he wants” Berta was confirmed by our favourite ITK journo, Mr Ornstein, last night. It has truly been a divine summer – ‘It’s Raining Men’ is just about right – and our latest ‘Holic warm welcome is to Piero Hincapie, once of Leverkusen & Ecuador but for this season at least, and possibly several more, our first Ecuadorian Gooner [you’re just guessing that aren’t you? Ed.]. The deal has been described as a season-long loan with an option to buy for 52m in total. It is unwise to speculate on the structure of a deal when you have no information but I am assuming it is related to a desire to keep the costs off the books until next season rather than any doubts about Hincapie as such. He will provide more competition / depth on that left-side of the defence for Big Gabby, Cala and MLS I imagine. One thing I am sure of is that even with the inevitable injuries it is going to be a mighty struggle to get in and stay in this Arsenal side. There will be rotation of course but even so the competition is now the fiercest that I can remember.
OUTS
With the transfer window closing shortly, the narrative in the press has recently been around the fact that there have been many transfers in and no transfers out this summer – conveniently ignoring the actual departures of KT3, Partey, Jorginho and Tomi of course as well as the loan ends for Sterling and Neto. We had an opportunity to replace those six players in the squad and take a significant step forward in quality and we have taken it and then some. Of course there are the usual laments of Why, Oh Why Can’t Arsenal Sell Players? etc etc ad tedium nauseam, which for those of you whose Latin is a little rusty means “until OM is sick and tired of it” [er…. No, not exactly, Ed.]. However, it is also fair to say that the club is keen to sell several of the current fringe – Kiwior on loan to Porto for ‹25m with an obligation (not option 😊) to buy and Zinny to Marseille are the latest stories. Additionally, I think it is no secret we would like to move Reiss Nelson, Sambi and Vieira to pastures new. Much to be done and little time to do it. But if Mr Berta is light enough on his feet to get deals done for those five players then our squad will be around 24 plus Max Dowman. That seems about the right number in these new and wondrous times. One not leaving according to Mikel is Gabriel Martinelli, who is “super important” for the future. Or “very, very, very important” as I also found reported. I have decided to take that statement at face value – always risky in football! One confirmed loan announced by the club was Ismael Kabia, fairly regular on the bench last season with a solitary pitch appearance against Bolton in the Carabao. The best of luck to Ismael for his season-long sojourn to Shrewsbury Town in League Two. I cannot tell you much about Shrewsbury I’m afraid, though I did once go on holiday to Brittany with a girl from Shrewsbury and she said it was a nice little town. On then to the walking wounded……..
Injury News
The little flies in our 6-point ointment to start the season have undoubtedly been injuries. MA, not unreasonably, was as vague as ever on injury news and it is not always easy these days to get clear information even if you’re on the very short list of journalists in the know at The Arsenal but for what it’s worth the latest news seems to be……
Kai Havertz – probably back mid-November all being well
Bukayo Saka – probably good to go after the interlull, not available at Anfield
Martin Ødegaard, Ben White & Christian Nørgaard are all doubtful. They do sometimes play of course in these situations but, like Arne Slot, I hope, I have no idea of the likelihood and haven’t considered them for the XI below
Leo Trossard – No mention, but also rumoured to be carrying a knock
Gabriel Jesús – running around, but no estimated return date
What’s our starting XI then?
Fortunately, we have avoided the 2nd round of the Carabao Cup. Sorry, but I have to digress for some gentle mockery at this point – Manure renaissance my arse hahahaha! Amorim reportedly hates his players, and yes, he means you Ratface and your crimbo chum Hairy McGrievousBodilyHarm. Don’t worry Reuben you’re not alone, no else likes them either mate! Anyway, we have had a full week to work together and prepare for this game (as have Liverpool). Does that full week mean a start for Eberechi? Given our injury situation there will likely need to be at least two changes to the XI that started at home to Leeds last weekend and I think that makes it more probable that we will see him on the bench for this one.
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabriel Lewis-Skelly
Zubi Nwaneri Rice
Madueke Gyökeres Martinelli
Just my guess of course but I think Eze will be kept back for the 2nd half if needed and Gabi M preferred to start in what may be our toughest away game of the season. I also believe MLS to be a better match-up with Salah on the right than Cala. Of course, Mikel may decide to stick with a defence that has not let a goal in for about 200 minutes so far this season and proven a significant set-piece threat, an area we may be able to exploit again this week. Whoever plays let`s hope that clean sheet is about 300 minutes by the end of the game!
The Opposition
I am sure you have read about Liverpool’s attacking reinforcements and their bright start to the season. Fortunately, they have not yet signed Isak but there is no doubt that Ekitike, Salah, Gakpo, Wirtz et al represent a serious threat to any defence in the world and we are certainly going to have our work cut out to maintain that classically shaped 0 in our goals against column. However, there has also been some encouragement from Liverpool’s defensive commitment – or lack of it – in both pre-season and the first two league games. Konate has looked wobbly, Van Dijk clay-footed, and Kerkez weak to my own eyes. It certainly doesn’t look like a defence that will keep us out in open play or at set pieces for 90 minutes. So far this season Liverpool have started with the above-mentioned front four, with Curtis Jones and Gravenberch behind them in midfield last week. However, it seems that McAllister, who was off games last week, is fit again and likely to return. Frimpong, their new right-back was also out last week and will according to reports be out again this time, Szoboszlai deputised, out of position, at Newcastle last week but I wonder if Slot will continue that experiment as it didn’t look too good to my untutored eye. Whichever square peg is inserted, it is an area we can exploit. Ideally, we can get our wingers in behind and running at VVD / Konate, in particular an on-form Madueke will be a serious problem for them. If Noni can get enough defenders committed to stopping him it should enable Gyökeres / Ethan to pick a pocket or two. I am sure Mikel knows full well how they will play and how well Slot has got them scrapping until the end – when asked what this team needs to do that other Arsenal sides haven’t since our last win 2012 he replied “play better”. Sound advice that.
The Score
I had wanted to talk about our Carabao Cup draw (away at Port Vale) and our CL octet of opponents but the prolific Mr Berta put paid to that idea! In the circumstances I will have to leave those largely favourable draws to another day and come without further ado to a forecast. Who will triumph in this 245th meeting of the two sides? Will Liverpool record their first league win against us since 2022? Will our net remain virginal? Can we exploit their defence? The Arsenal, No, Yes and Yes is my bet – 2-0 to The Arsenal on Merseyside. What more is there to be said? Oh yes, goals for Viktor & Big Gabby.
It’s a big game folks, a pleasure to be in it and it’s only the first of many this season I suspect. I hope you will all enjoy it wherever you may be.
Great stuff OM.
It’s a shame that the injury gods continue to frown upon us, but note the noun – “shame” – and contrast it with what I would have said last year – “disaster”. Maybe all this talk of “strongest squad for years”, “strongest squad ever” and “strongest squad since the Invincibles” has some substance. No friend of controversy (Really? Ed), I’d settle for “very, very strong squad”.
COYG
Thanks, Matt for a fine summary of an ever changing personnel situation at present.
It really has been an exceptional summer for the club. It’s not just the acquisitions but will also be – hopefully – a cleaning and rebuilding of the squad which means that bringing squad players into the team will no longer result in a marked drop in quality.
It’s going to be very interesting to see how Mikel Arteta plays this. Will he make limited, regular changes to the side in all competitions, or will we see a favoured Premier League and Champions League team emerge while the other half of the squad take on the domestic cup competitions.
I hope we really have a go at Liverpool tomorrow. There are various reports of van Dyke slowing up and needing better players around him which, at the moment, they don’t appear to have. We have invested heavily in creativity and goal power so let’s give it a go. Sitting back and trying to contain on that ground usually only ends one way – and it ain’t well.
Exciting times for Gooners. Everything crossed for tomorrow 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Great preview OM with lots of up to the minute detail. I’m not sure even Berta has time for any more purchases but hopefully we can raise a decent amount in sales or obligations to buy attached to loans which gives us a terrific squad ;
Raya / Kepa, White/Timber, Saliba,Mosquera , Gabriel,Hincapié/ MLS/ Calafiori
Zubi/ Norgaard, Rice/ Merino , Odegaard/ Nwaneri
Saka/ Madueke , Gyokeres/Havertz , Eze/ Martinelli plus Jesus ,Trossard and Dowman .
I won’t be as conservative as my friend above and will claim this is the strongest squad in terms of depth and quality Arsenal have EVER had . Hopefully it will be good enough to take at least a point tomorrow.
Excellent, entertaining read, Matt. I wonder if we may see White at RB and Timber at LB until the ancient Egyptian relic, frustrated by failing to achieve a single touch of the ball, is substituted.
I’d happily steal all four of your hub caps in the style of the locals for a 2-0 away win.
NLFE, COYG.
Good going, OM. Sets up what will be a stern test nicely. Like BtM, I would take a 2-0 win in a heartbeat. I suspect our margin of victory will be narrower.
In response to your question in the previous drinks, as I understand it, BBC iPlayer is not available anywhere outside the UK. The paywall on the news site is only being imposed in the US — at least so far. The site has been infested with low-grade ads for a while.
Thanks Ned, I was wondering about the paywall. I guess it may come here sooner or later but perhaps the English speaking countries will be first,
Fulham being robbed in broad daylight at the bus stop this afternoon.
Win at 115ty, lose at home to Bournemouth, very spuddish and funny
OM@6: It’s probably a follow-the-money thing, combined with the capacity to collect it. FT reports that BBC News website has an audience of 60 million people in the US, 43% of its global audience. The next three biggest audiences are in India, Nigeria and Kenya. Free-access news websites typically convert only 5%-10% of their audience when they switch to a subscription model, and 30% stops coming altogether, Dr Google tells me. Still, at $49.99 a year that would still work out to at least $150 million a year in revenue from this side of the pond. At least in theory. The Guardian, which has a voluntary subscription model, has said that it got $33 million in digital revenues in its 2024 financial year out of a US audience that fluctuates between 30 million and 40 million uniques a month.
And, yes, Sprzy is as Sprzy does.
Many thanks OM for that very fine preview. COYG
Good stuff, Matt and an entertaining read.
I think Ben White is still less than 100% and unlikely to be selected so while I favour BtM’s suggestion at fullback, the only questions for the first XI are (1) left back, for which I would start Calafiori (neither he nor MLS are the perfect defensively secure LB – hence the purchase of the Ecuadorian), (2) inside right if MØ isn’t fully fit, for which I would start Nwaneri and (3) wide left, for which I would start Martinelli. I would plan to introduce Eze by at least 60 minutes, whether for Martinelli or Nwaneri depending on game situation, and simultaneously, or soon thereafter, add Merino for whichever of the latter two was still on the field and replace Calafiori with MLS and Timber with Mosquera having asked the former pair to give everything for 60 plus minutes.
I would love 2-0 or better, expect it to be tighter, would give everything for any kind of win and, in truth, would take the draw, having set out to win.
COYG
Thanks Matt
I’m hoping for a statement and would venture a 3-1 accordingly.
UTA.
Thanks all for the kind words gents and like many of you I will also
be just as happy to win by one goal as two…..
It seems Ode travelled with the team so it’s looking more likely
he will start than it did 24 hours ago.
Interesting if true
https://x.com/alex_crook/status/1962129515280310768?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
It’s true according to the Grauniad.
It was a woeful decision I thought at the time.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Zubimendi, Merino, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: Kepa, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Dowman, Eze, Trossard, Harriman-Annous.
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabriel Cala
Merino Zubi Rice.
Madueke Gyokeres Martinelli
Ode, Eze, Leo, Ethan part of strong bench but no
Norgaard or Ben White again
Cala v Salah will be interesting. Martinelli may be required to assist. I think we’ll see Eze for Merino early second half.
COYG.
Team news : Containment & corners it is then … perhaps big gunners orff the bench if we need a goal or two/some creativity .. ?
UTA!
Time to focus.
England expects every man to win his duels.
If every man can do that then we win the day.
TDMBD
3 defensive-ish mids, 2 new boyz up front … plus one that don’t look up & pass very often … we’ll be 5 nil up in 10. UTA!
Losing Saliba in the first 5 minutes is a blow, tough test for Mosquera
CoYGS!
Blimey – Big Willy out … UTA!
Good first half. Mosquera doing well. Madueke has his full back on toast. Hope to see Eze second half.
Containment/corners part of plan on track – tho corners unusually pretty p-poor. 2nd half attack,attack, attack ahoy – shorely!
UTA!
(Oh, & caps orfff to the new boy at CB.)
Eze for the mostly anonymous Nelli ??? Gets the G-man into the game & feeds the almost sparkling Maddy some more … ?
… & doesn’t upset the defensive balance of the team too much …
Bollocks
Painful loss. Coud we have been a more adventurous attacking team I the second half?
They were there for the taking. They weren’t very good. But we didn’t do enough to win it. Fingies crossed for 2nd again!
UTA!
Yeah, what C100 said @27
Slot moving Szoboszlai into midfield after halftime made ‘Pool more potent going forward, but our defence still stood firm. The Hungarian’s free-kick was top-notch, no doubt, and it always seemed it would be a moment of sublime skill or a horrendous howler that would break the deadlock. As C100 said, it was a bollocks moment. Brace for a gleeful pundit’s incoming of champions always find a way to win.
Injury gods continue to be punitive but Mosquera had a fine game, I thought.
Superb free kick, a worldie.
Not the end of the world. Important to win at Newcastle.
The injuries after each game we play are a real problem. They ruined last season and to have so many out after three games is a real pain in the backside.
Why, where’s VAR/PGMOL etc. to blame when you need ’em … ? (Next time … )
The Arsenal bossed it in the first half despite 3 missing starters and losing a 4th after 4 minutes. Zubimendi was superb in that first half both with and without the ball and Madueke was by far our most threatening attacker while Mosquera seamlessly replaced Saliba. I thought Gjökeres put in a good shift throughout on very limited service – we still haven’t learnt how to give him the ball the way he likes it. Martinelli did great work defensively but had a disappointing day on offence.
A second half change in the Dippers’ formation with Szoboslai moving into MF and not being picked up made them more dangerous and we dropped off significantly. However there was nothing between these teams except an unstoppable worldie FK. Our heads didn’t drop and we threw everything at getting level – perhaps we could have been more front footed before they scored? The Dippers defended desperately and celebrated like they’d won the World Cup at the end.
I wonder how they would have coped in the absence of Wirtz, Salah and Ekitike and the loss of a CB after 4 minutes. I think we would have thrashed them.
One battle lost but the campaign continues. Plenty to play for and there’s a long, long way to go.
COYG
This week I is mostly blaming daH injuries …
Spot on, Bath.
There is no disgrace in losing to a world class free kick. There was nothing in it other than that. A good performance. If you’re going to lose, then lose to a world class free kick, rather than being outplayed and routed. I’ve never known Anfield quieter than it was towards the end of the first half. Onwards.
@35 Bath, very fair summary. The game plan appeared to me to be to control the game from the off, quieten the hub cap stealer’s fans, create the occasional opportunity and perhaps nick a goal before bringing the talent on for the last half hour or so to take all three points. We came close.
No surprise to anybody when I say that personally I thought we were too negative, I genuinely think that if we had gone at them we could have won today, but that free kick was unstoppable and gave us to much of a mountain to climb.
The GHF Predictathon leaderboard for Matchweek 3 has been posted. Some sensational frontrunning, but brave or foolhardy at this early stage? You know where to find it…
Both teams set up with the ambition not to lose the game. As a result it was a dull watch. The fk was excellent but 99 times out of 100 it flies into the Kop. The story is already pre written. If we win with a fluke it’s a smash and grab. For them it’s a mark of true champions.
Need for improvement is obvious in games like this both in performance and selection. This will happen. It has to.
Lots of balanced comment above, close but no cigar this time seems fair enough.
And that 22 game run had to end some time I suppose.
I was very impressed with Mosquera too in the circumstances.
>>>>>>>