Before we’ve had anything like enough time to bask in Sunday’s glorious destruction of the self proclaimed, ahem, european (please note the small ‘e’) champions from the smelly end of Seven Sisters Road, the Arsenal are back in business tomorrow evening. More on that later when we take a look at the Arsenal team.
Ready or not, Wednesday evening sees us return to Champions League action at the Emirates. A glance at the league table will tell you there is only one team currently placed higher than the Arsenal, and that at the narrowest of margins. That team, as if you didn’t know, is Wednesday’s opposition, Bayern München.
Both teams have played 4 matches, won 4 matches and sit tied on 12 points. Their goal differences are also identical at 11. Bayern’s lead is awarded by virtue of having scored 14 goals and conceded 3 while the Arsenal have scored 11 and conceded 0. A further glance at the stats reveals how similar the teams’ performances have been so far. Bayern have had 53% possession and passing accuracy of 88%. Arsenal have 58% possession and passing accuracy of 85%.
Bayern, so far, have beaten Chelsea, Pafos, Club Brugge and PSG while the Arsenal have seen off Athletic Club Bilbao, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague – so similar levels even of opposition. We should, therefore, be in for a close contest with little or no room for error. Exactly as you would expect at the pinnacle of the world’s hardest club competition.
It’s worth mentioning that in the previous round when Bayern were drawn against PSG, the trip wasn’t always straightforward for some of their fans. One German fan flying into Paris was halted by a French customs agent who demanded of him,
“Name?”
“Hans Mueller.”
“Place of residence?”
“Munich.”
“Occupation?”
“No, I’ve just come to watch a football match this time!”
It turns out that Mueller is a vet – actually an ex German soldier who took to caring for sick animals when he retired from the armed forces. He now refers to himself as a Veteran Aryan.
The history – or not
It seemed to me not a million years since I last did a preview on Bayern. A check through the archives proved that it was only nineteen months ago, in April 2024. That post contained a deep – for me, although Ned’s monks might poo-poo the idea – dive into the Bavarians’ history. I will spare you a repeat in favour of concentrating on the Arsenal at a time when we all genuinely need to appreciate what we have right now.
I remember, very consciously, repeatedly telling myself in the early 2000s that we were watching a world class team, the like of which we may not see again for a very long time. Or ever again, in fact. It was and remains a tragedy that the Invincibles squad never quite managed to win the European Cup. Our current squad is the closest we have had by far. The work put in by Mikel Arteta and more recently Andrea Berta, and the commitment shown by the owners since they acquired full ownership should, if continued in the same vein, ensure our genuine competitiveness for years to come. However, we know all too well that nothing is guaranteed in football so let’s make hay while this particular sun shines and concentrate on our team.
In the absence of a history piece, I thought I’d share with you the gist of an interview with Mikel Arteta on Sky Sports last Saturday. The interview was conducted by a young chap called Joe Tomlinson. He was unknown to me but he did a good job of exploring the more personal side of the manager.
Arteta talked of the importance of leaders, mentors and role models for the young players in the squad. He refused, predictably, to single out individuals in our current squad but instantly named Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique as those who most helped him when he moved to Barcelona from the Basque country at the age of 16, and stressed the importance of such seniors to our own academy players.
The interview revealed that he speaks six or seven languages – something he regards as a necessity to settle in whichever environment he, or anyone else, finds themselves if they want to truly integrate and understand their working group. That began for him at 16 when as a young Basque he could not understand the Catalan he encountered in Barcelona and immediately set about learning the local dialect – really a separate language. It’s not then hard to imagine how that ability helps him to so clearly order and organise his thoughts and plans.
His own youth experiences, playing in big teams from a very young age, have clearly shaped the way he tries to look after the youngsters in our squad now. However, as always with Arteta, the care comes with a realistic warning: “they have to accept the standards, otherwise they cannot be a part of what we are trying to do.”
Everything you see and hear from Mikel Arteta convinces you that he can, and will, emulate his own erstwhile mentors. That’s why we can approach the forthcoming game against Bayern Munich in a positive frame of mind. Let’s not forget that wasn’t always the case.
Bayern Munich
The Germans, with further similarity to our current fortunes, sit six points clear of RB Leipzig at the top of the Bundesliga. They are having it all their own way, as usual, and have rattled in 41 goals in their 11 league matches, one goal off twice as many as Leipzig. We are constantly informed that he who can lick his own nose is their top scorer with 13 goals in their 11 games, but he hasn’t faced a force like Saliba and Hincapié yet. He is obviously a danger but it’s to be hoped that the officials will be wise enough to his falling over and dangerous back making habits. Ex Gunner, Serge Gnabry is their third highest scorer with 4. Luis Diaz sits between them with 6 but he is suspended for 3 games for a foul that put PSG’s Hakimi out of action for 6 weeks. He also scored both of Bayern’s goals at the Parc des Princes in the 2-1 win before being sent off – all in the first half. The German press refer to him as a key figure in their record-setting start to the season. So good riddance to him!
I considered doing the “Bayern play like this in possession and switch to that out of possession” thing and doubtless all roads will lead to Kane – but I just don’t care. Mike Tyson once famously said “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”, or, in more modern parley, Mr ‘Orne, “until they get Eze’d in the box.” So let them worry about how we play. And no, I’m no Mikel Arteta, in case you were wondering! 😉
The Arsenal
With Chelsea this coming weekend, we could see a moderate amount of rotation. We fans probably consider that Premier League game as of more immediate importance with the prospect of a possible 9 point lead, and a top 8 finish in the Champions League already seemingly fairly secure. I’m not at all sure Arteta would agree. He really does seem to be of a mindset where the next game is always the most important one. I definitely don’t think he will interfere with the Saliba-Hincapié partnership. Other than that I wouldn’t like to guess. However:
Raya;
Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori / MLS;
Zubimendi, Eze, Rice;
Saka, Merino, Trossard / Martinelli.
I don’t see any returning players starting but there could be minutes off the bench for MLS (who could actually start if Calafiori is carrying a knock), Martinelli, Mosquera at LCB or RB, and Ødegaard.
Or I could be completely wrong …..
What I would like to do is to give a shout out to a couple of possibly less obvious players. I have been a critic of Leandro Trossard as a starter in this team and his contract “upgrade” in the summer maybe seemed a strange move in light of the players we brought in and the money we shelled out. So far, though, he has been a revelation – another goal on Sunday and a perfect assist laid on for Eze’s third goal just the latest of his goal contributions.
This stat surprised me – Arsenal have never lost a game across any competition when Leandro Trossard has scored:
DDWWDWWWWWWDWDWWWWWWWWWWDWDWWWDW
32 games and counting.
And then there is Mikel Merino. He’s been asked to be a defensive midfielder, a creative midfielder, a striker and a substitute in his 15 months at the club. He does them all without comment or complaint. And he’s pretty damn good at all of them.
And after becoming only the fourth player ever to score a hat trick in a North London Derby, what can you say about Eberechi Eze ? Here’s what Mikel Arteta said,“Things happen for a reason. And after the international duty, he had two days off, and after one day he wanted to train. And he wanted to improve, and he wanted to do extra practice. And he was asking me questions about this and that. And when a player has such a talent, and his desire is at that level, then these things happen. And he fully deserves it.”
And Eze’s reply,“It’s crazy. It’s a special day for me, my family, and I’m happy to help the team to win. It’s so special, I can only thank God for it. For the opportunity to be here, be working and applying myself every day – it’s a special day in my life.”
Oh, and anyone who thought he wouldn’t be willing to defend …..One of many special players in a special team.
I’ll stick my neck out and go for 3-1 to the Arsenal.
TV coverage on TNT in UK, Kick off is at UK 20.00.
Talking of time and Munich reminds me – an older neighbour of mine once took his grandfather clock all the way to a specialist in Bavaria to be repaired. The repairer in the clock shop was an old German man. My neighbour explained that half of the movement in his clock seemed to be broken as it only went tik tik tik tik. The repairer took the clock to the back room of the shop and tied it with a rope to a chair. The old man then lit up a cigarette, took a big drag and blew the smoke in the clock’s face. He set the cigarette aside, leant back, looked at the clock and said, “ Ve haf vays of making you tock!”
Enjoy the game all!
C100 kindly posted this reminder of the last hat-trick in a NLD in the last Drinks, minutes before it closed, so I repost it here on his behalf, as it’s a fine memento to a team that really didn’t fulfil its potential properly in terms of silverware:
A reminder of the last hat trick we got in the NLD
https://x.com/simonlester24/status/1992993009978286434?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Trev that is one of your best and funniest previews ever. Totally hilarious. The team selection will be fascinating, given our visit to the bus stop on a Sunday. Hincapie seemed to be feeling his hamstring at the end of the Spuds game. Let’s hope he’s OK.
Trev
Thanks for an absorbing and entertaining preview leavened with the usual Trev humour !
Thanks also to C100 and Bath for reflecting back to December 1978 . That was one of the greatest Christmases ever despite the fact we then lost at home on Boxing Day. To be on the Shelf and see that win transpire was magical.
Tomorrow is nowhere near as important as Sunday’s match but will tell us about just how good our team is. I think we might see MLS , Madueke and Norgaard starting but Arteta wants to win this and may make few changes . Two draws this week wouldn’t be a disaster but a narrow win will be even nicer
Thank you for the highly entertaining preview Trev!
And thank you TTG for the superb report of the semi-annual Spuds demolition event.
Best wishes to C100.
I keep reminding myself that this current Arsenal journey that we are enjoying is a rare privilege to be a part of. It’s not any kind of natural right, nor can it become an expectation that it will always be so. While the ambition and vision were admirable, it has been a long, patient and painstakingly executed plan to bring those to fruition. If we could achieve the kind of successes we have been building towards, and then sustain them for a while, the last five odd years would become unforgettable.
Tomorrow’s will be one of the toughest matches we would have played this season, and a strong performance will only help us in our league run as well. I think Mikel will have most of the weekend’s starting eleven unchanged, with MLS the likeliest for Ricky. Madueke or Martinelli may come in for Leo, but he is in such a great form that won’t be an easy decision to make. Hopefully Martin and Gyökeres are both back on the bench.
Raya
Timber-Saliba-Hincapié-MLS
Zubimendi
Eze-Rice
Saka-Merino-Trossard
Would like to not concede any goal. A 2-0 home win will be just fine.
Come on Arsenal!
thanks, trev, for that. i 4 1 think your humour is sublime, and i am sure i am not alone. i’ll take your scoreline right now, believe it.
baff, i didn’t realize “oh look at that” was from the same game as sunderland’s hattrick. what a pleasure.
c100, i am glad you’re at least able to type! feel better, my friend, and heal quickly.
Both the team and the scoreline are very difficult to predict for this one. Mikel, and all of the players, will join the millions in the Goonerverse in wishing to see the bad old days of being constantly second best to the Germans consigned to the dustbin of history. And yet, of the three games we’ll play this week, this is the one in which a ‘reverse’ is likely to the least significant consequences.
Your predicted (guessed) 11/13 look likely, Trev but suffers from only limited rotation and a dig into the depth of the squad we’ve assembled to ease the stresses and strains of which you’re our most prominent authority. Whether as starters or subs it would be good to see White, Madueki, MLS, Odegaard and Martinelli feature.
Declan works like a horse. I wonder how long he can continue to be ever present, but with Merino at centre forward, Rice is difficult to replace.
Puntastic, Trev! You’ve brightened up a damp Tuesday afternoon at Castle Ned as only you can.
Regardless of the trip west on Sunday, I think Arteta won’t want to break the ‘one game at a time’ mantra or countenance any interruption to the squad’s relentless focus on consistency by giving any indication that any one game is more important than another. As you rightly say, losing to Bayern would be a defeat of little consequence, and I would happily accept the inverse of last season when we beat PSG in the league phase but lost in the semi-final. I strongly suspect Arteta will have other ideas.
For some late basking, Clery on the NLD (Spoiler alert: the neighbours don’t come out of it very well).
Ned
Adam Clery’s excellent analysis was interesting. I am fortunate to have a seat which gives me a pretty good visual perspective on the game and I find this team’s performances very satisfying. In days past you would want your team to fly at the opposition , win second balls , up the tempo and create chances so that the early moments would often decide a game’s outcome . That rarely happens with this team . We are much more strategic and our game is about creating overloads , inserting players into space you’ve created and keeping your defensive shape. It can be 25 minutes before we create a chance but the outcome is affected by the manoeuvring from the outset and the way our pressure changes the way the opposition respond .
Analysis like this will break Tottnumb hearts because it shows the chasm in coaching nous between Arteta and Frank . It also suggests to me that while we will regularly rotate which will provide space for more than our first eleven, Odegaard will find it hard to start at present. If we had everyone fit I think he’d be on the bench- remember how influential he was at Newcastle in that role . But I don’t think he displaces Eze or Trossard or either of our other midfielders . It’s what has to happen at an ambitious club .
Thanks Trev, funny as ever and plenty to consider too.
I have no idea either about the team. I am sure MA
noted Pep made 10 changes and got beat at home
by Leverkeusen. I can’t imagine MA making 10 changes
but I wouldn’t be surprised at 4 or 5.
Enjoyed Adam Clery’s straightforward analysis too,
should be required watching for Tiny Totts everywhere 😂
It’s always a tough gig to try to second guess Arteta’s line up. I imagine we might see MLS for Calafiori, but the rest of the line up will be the same. Hopefully we can get another couple of the Sick, Lame and Lazy, as my games teachers used to call them, back on the bench. I too am glad that we won’t be facing that Oompah Loompah Diaz. He always used to score against us.
Great preview, Trev. Plenty of good stats, “occupation”, “veteran aryan”, “tock” and a passing reference to the great Kenneth ‘Orne. Absolutely bona!
Cheers Trev. Excellent preview as others have said. The tock gag punchline was worth the entry fee alone – I loved it!
I think this game is potentially more important than a lot of people seem to. Sure, the points against Chelsea are important, but if we can win both games it sends a huge marker to our rivals. Even more importantly, it sends a message to our players. Later in the season, if things are going as well as we hope they are, then there are going to be ‘must-win’ games in midweek and at the weekend. If we adopt a mindset now that it’s too much to beat Bayern and then win in the PL, then that’s gonna hurt our chances if we are in the running for both comps later in the season. It’s hard to shake a lingering doubt about your own capacity once you start shying away from challenges. You gotta face ’em.
Fortunately, I think Arteta knows this and will be all over his players to win this one. After years of playing Bayern and feeling like the underdogs (or not even getting to play them because we hadn’t qualified for the CL) this is the first time that we are genuinely (at least) as good as they are. We should be aiming to show our dominance at home, put down a marker to all of Europe and earn the confidence that comes of winning against top sides.
If we fail to do that, then that’s fair enough (they are pretty good!) but I think if we fail to try then we’ve messed up big time. Let’s give it all we’ve got!
I think MLS will start and Trossard will be rested, either for Martinelli or Madueke. Apart from that, i reckon the boss won’t make any other changes but will look to bring subs on from 60 minutes. Hopefully Odegaard will be back for a few minutes. Unlike TTG, I think when he’s fit he slots straight back in to the team for the big matches, probably with Eze taking Trossard’s position on the left (harsh, yes, but that’s elite sports, and there are plenty of minutes to go round).
Odegaard is our captain, he dictates so much of what we do, he’s got energy to burn and he’s no less brilliant a player just because external circumstances have hampered his form for the last year. It’s all still there. Also, he’s not daft, and when he sees Eze taking all the plaudits for his willingness to shoot, our captain will be remembering his 15 league goal season a couple of years ago and recognising there is no reason he can’t start pulling the trigger and getting on the scoresheet.
I think it’s another intangible of Eze’s signing, that he will inspire our other players, and almost provide a serious guy like Odegaard with the freedom to express himself on the pitch as a way to be effective, not frivolous. When he’s in a funk, Ode stops trying the outrageous or starts misjudging the moment and making attempts at stuff that is never gonna come off. Eze’s blend of purposeful risk and imagination is exactly the mindset that brings out the best from our captain, and I think watching from the sidelines for a few weeks will have re-energised him and he’ll be champing at the bit to get on the pitch and show what he can do.
We’ve got lots of good players and they’ll all have their roles to play. Eze and Ode will both do great things this season, and when they’ve learned to play together they’ll be killer. I can’t wait.
Man City are a warning about over rotation. They made 10 changes last night at home against Bayer Leverkusen and lost. Haaland has only failed to score in 4 matches this season. They’ve lost all four.
The happy medium is the way, but so tricky to do. Timber needs a rest but is Ben White up to it right now? Who could possibly replace Declan in his current imperious form?
Thanks for a rib-tickling preview Trev. I think MA8 believes in momentum and I don’t think he makes changes for changes sake. Nor can I see him making multiple changes to a well-oiled machine that is running well but I think we sustained a few knocks on Sunday and a couple of players may be approaching the red zone in terms of minutes played.
I expect that BW4 and MLS49 will be our full-backs as Timber is one of those who may be approaching the red zone while Calafiori took a hefty knock to an ankle late on Sunday and hobbled off. Like C100, I spotted Hincapié grasp his right hamstring as he limped off the pitch after his impeccable performance against the Spuds and I would be surprised if he started, and disappointed if he did not. The conundrum for MA8 will be whether Hincapié or Calafiori should be risked, to preserve his left-footed LCB mantra, or the fit, but right-footed, Mosquera be called upon to reprise previous exemplary stand-in performances in that position.
The midfield looks untouchable, though Rice, like Timber must be approaching the red zone, though he does not have a replacement of the quality of BW4, while Merino is required to lead the line. I don’t think Ødegaard will start this one as Eze must be walking on air though if the latter replaced Trossard, another who must be nearing the red zone, there would be a place for the captain. However I think Martinelli will start wide left in this game.
I expect a hard fought draw to be the outcome of a lot of cerebral activity from the coaches.
Thanks all for the kind words – very busy day for me now – fingers crossed for tonight whoever makes the team – what’s the wurst that can happen ? 😉
It seems from reports that Gyokeres and Kai will both have fitness tests for the Chav game at the weekend. I guess the midfield duo of Rice / Zubi will need to soldier on until then.
GSD@12: You have said what I was trying to say @7 so much more eloquently.
Meanwhile, at the darker end of Seven Sisters Road……….
https://tottenhamonmymind.com
Ooops, pushed the button too quickly @19. Silly Billy.
Nice one BtM. I always enjoy Alan Fisher’s writing. He’s at the intelligent end of the Spuds fan base.
Max Dowman for the U19s
https://x.com/ay8e0/status/1993695997516497071?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Interesting link @19, BtM. A very fair analysis.
We introduced a 13 year-old – Munoz- from the bench this afternoon in the UEFA Youth League ! In a 4-2 win.
Arteta is presumably mixing some embryos for the 2040 tournament!
Mosquera for Hincapie and MLS for Cala. Otherwise unchanged.
Strong bench featuring our captain fantastic.
Raya
Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly
Zubimendi, Eze, Rice
Saka (c), Merino, Trossard
Bench: Arrizabalaga, Setford, White, Hincapié, Odegaard, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Calafiori
Thanks Trev for another great preview – it’s like reading a newspaper all the through with news, views, facts & funnies. Another good test awaits this evening, Mikel now plays each match as the most important there is and he puts out the strongest team he can each time. There are fitness doubts with Calafiore & Hincapie so he wisely leaves them on the bench – their replacements do not lessen the team’s quality.
It should be an interesting match between two heavyweights and a good test to see how much w3 continue to,progress.
COYRRR
Strong team and welcome back Ode!
CoYGS!
Uply 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Get in! Timber!
Great corner, great goal. But got caught for their equalizer,
Quality game.
A real bastard for Leo
Got caught is probably not fair as I think we saw it but
the two passes were just perfectly weighted
OM @33. Well said, nothing to add.
Great goal. Pressed well, Dec interception, swift passing
and the two genius substitutions combined for 2-1
Nice timing for Noni’s first goal!
3-1 classic breakaway, Gabi M past the hapless Neuer and rolls it home.
Brilliant 2nd half
Great ball from Eze to set Gabi free. He and Timber off,
Ben and Ode on. Now that’s a bench. The luxury of it all 😂
Superb. We took the game to them in the second half and showed that we’re the best team in Europe.
Very happy with that, showed the progress since the last time we played them very clearly.
Superlative, statement win.
I’m staying in a five star London hotel tonight ( very unusual) and I’ve been treated to a five star performance by our lads tonight. It was a very high quality game. We were well matched in the first half but we stepped on the gas in the second half and frankly obliterated them . I jumped in a cab at Kings Cross driven by a very happy Gooner who had come from the match . He was as impressed as I was.
These are special times at our great club . I don’t think we’ve ever had this strength in depth and players come on who you forget we had ( Madueke) . But the key substitution was Calafiori who checked Olise when MLS was struggling . Rice was immense he is one of our finest ever midfield players – even better than Xhaka , yes that good ! A great night for the club .
Memo to Kompany: Bring Burnley or bring Bayern, you get beaten 3-1.
Meanwhile, I am in a state of shock: TTG thinks there is a midfielder better than Xhaka.
Well, that was rather tasty. Nice work, chaps.
I refer you to the score prediction in the preview …. Thank you ! ☺️
Well done Trev and well done Gunners. 3-1 ain’t too shabby.
I missed that – congrats to Trev on his acumen.
Got most of the team right too.
Lots of good decisions for MA to make for the weekend.
On merit alone everyone should keep their place from the
Spud game I think – Leo wide, Cala at LB, Hincapie at CB
and Mikel at CF as they were all excellent. Of course MA
has various other factors to consider and will but after being
a little short at Sunderland it’s nice to have more options again.
Lobs an Eze-esque ball over the CB to…
Just wondering around the edge of the area minding my own
business when suddenly a ball drops for the shy, hits me on the head,
and drops down to……………
I meant ‘drops from the sky’ not for the shy 😀
Oh! Now I’ve inadvertently taken the half-ton too!
Doffs cap
Dubious self-assist committee reviewing the half -ton..
It’s all the spillchucker’s fault guv, honest it was
The atmosphere in the ground last night was electric. There were a few times when it went a bit quiet. But that is because this was a game against by a mile the best team we have faced this season. Bayern came with the belief that comes from being certain Bundesliga champions and having a genuine history in the tournament. This was clearly shared by their fans who were loud. Until we scored when they were shocked into silence They resumed when they scored, but by the end they were quiet. Second half we totally outplayed, as a result of Mikel totally outthinking Kompany, a Bayern team which had destroyed PSG in the last game, while playing most of the game with 10 men. This 4 days after Bayern played yet another Bundesliga dead rubber, against Freiburg, and rested Laimer and Kimmich. While we had a day fewer in terms of rest and had played a derby, with all the concomitant nervous energy that requires. All of Europe now knows how good we can be.
On to Chelsea.
Great performance and result. That’s gonna do us a power of good. And it puts the rest of Europe on notice.
Once again, the manager, coaching staff and the players deserve their flowers. Everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction and performing at such a high level. Plus the owners are backing them with cash. Apparently, even the tealady was taken to Fortnum and Masons to choose new loose leaf tea for the canteen. She found one she likes, but Josh bought her seven other options, just in case.
Dino@54 – Genius!
It was a good call from Josh, CER.
The darjeeling has already pulled a hamstring.
>>>>>>>