Back to Business
A week of big games, and Spurs, has gleaned seven of the nine available points, coincidentally the same haul that was taken from our three away games just before the last damned interlull. I believe most of us would accept that four wins and two draws in November is not to be sniffed all things considered. No doubt there will be a little disappointment at the dropped points away to Sunderland and Chelsea but we should keep in mind that we are unbeaten in 17 games now and that regular runs of 7/9ths will win us trophies come the business end of the season. Also, someone please send a large gold star to whoever actually said those fateful words ‘I know, let’s buy Mikel Merino’. He is a very useful little engine.
A Busy Christmastime for The Arsenal
Anyway, after Bayern and Chelsea, next up is a more mundane midweek match-up with Brentford, not quite a Bavarian giant or top of the table clash but it will, if won, provide the same three points. It will also kick off a busy December when we will have to fight on three fronts in 8 matches over just 27 days. Six of those matches are in the PL, 18 juicy points are up for grabs. I would very much like to hoover up most (all) of them because whilst the common mantra of “no easy games in the PL” is mostly true, some are less equally difficult than others. In other words, to move from George to Ron, these six games present an opportunity to open our legs and show our class to our rivals. What the two draws in November did illustrate clearly enough, in my own opinion, is we cannot go to the well too often with the same XI. I recognise Mikel has been managing astutely as ever, using substitutions strategically and giving rests where he can – and to be fair so I think did most of the national team managers during this break – but it is time for a few to put their feet up for the next game.
So, although several of our shiny new wonder squad have got broken already by the relentless churn it is time for the hardy few to bloom. What does that mean in terms of feet on the pitch? Well for me it means this XI
Raya
White Saliba/Mosquera Hincapié Calafiori
Øde Nørgaard Rice
Saka Gyökeres Martinelli
In truth, I would be amazed if MA named that exact XI. but we have a tricky game at Villa at the weekend where we will need a stronger different XI than we need for Brentford at home. I read back and then changed stronger to different as actually that’s a good, strong team! The point is of course why push our luck by starting the likes of Zubi, Timber, Merino and Leo? I accept an equally good case could be made for resting Declan, Bukayo and Cala too and I am sure Mikel and his team are well aware of who needs what. As long as we can rest at least four or five of the players who came through all or nearly all of the November games plus went away with the national teams, we can then rest a few of the others later in December in some of the other er… less equally difficult games like Wolves, Bruges and Palace.
So, in summary for December all I want is to rotate/rest effectively, rake in points, and advance on three fronts – who said football supporters are demanding?
Is Brentford in Middlesex?
Yes, the unimaginatively named town is at the confluence of the Rivers Brent and Thames. It’s also, despite what anyone may tell you, in Middlesex, just like Teddington and Spuddington. At this point I was about to suggest that Teddington would be, by some distance, the best of those three to visit but I just remembered this new idea my Auntie B told me about – it’s called fact-checking apparently, and it’s what you do instead of just making stuff up. It’ll never catch on, but anyway I bethought me to give it a go and after extensive research mine eyes were opened to the glory of the once, and perhaps future, County Town of Middlesex – take a bow Brentford, and take that Teddington and Spuddington! It was also once home to Pocohontas and John Quincy Adams, though not together I hasten to add. A long list of Illustrious visitors includes the likes of Julius Caesar, King Canute, Edmund Ironside and Prince Rupert, who all stopped by for a battle or two over the centuries. Nothing much has happened since then it’s true, though Rat Scabies is currently resident I believe, but at least they had their 15 centuries or so of fame.
Brentford FC
But I suppose I should also briefly tell you something about Brentford the football club. Founded in 1889 by a bunch of wimpy rowers who didn’t fancy rowing in the winter, they have won nothing of note in 136 years of trying. Although, given they are above the Spuds these days perhaps their fans can give us a chorus of “Champions of Middlesex, you’ll never sing that” and we can all laugh happily together. Now, usually at this point I would respectfully address some of the failings of whatever opponent we happened to be playing, however Brentford have confounded many a pundit this season by maintaining their mid table place despite selling attackers Mbeumo and Wissa, goalkeeper Flekken and of course their captain Christiaan Nørgaard. Their previous manager had surprisingly decided to take a step down in life this summer but the club then took the bold step of appointing set-piece coach Keith Andrews in his stead. A recipe for disaster on first glance (I should ‘fess up that I plumped for 15th in the Predictathon) they in fact currently sit comfortably in 10th driven largely by excellent home form (16 of their 19 points have been accrued at home) and the goals of Igor Thiago (just above half their 21 goals). Encouragingly their away form has been poor but we really do need to be aware as Thiago is certainly on a roll – hence the title of this piece. However, unless Andrews has a surprise or two up his sleeve – and from what I have seen this season they haven’t fundamentally changed their approach – I think we all know how the game will go. They will be aggressive, organised and pressing hard, we will need to break them down and attend to matters defensively. So………
What will happen?
Passing swiftly over the events of last season’s home game against this lot, we do generally, over last few years, have a good record at home to the Bees. I see no reason we cannot win this one too, a clean sheet thrown in would be nice – by the way, we will shatter the Man United record of 107 premier league games without conceding three goals in game if disaster does not strike. I would of course take a 4-3 win and no record in fact, but much prefer a more sedate 3-0 from this game. Be good to see Viktor back on the scoresheet as well, plus a late cameo from Jesus if at all possible please Boss.
Enough of what I want. As always, have a great time to all the Holic’s lucky enough to be there and for the rest of us watching on some form of media, well, let’s hope we have a great time too!
COYG!!
Cheers Matt. Excellent preview, and I seem to want all you want too!
Thanks Matt
I have some good memories of Brentford Middlesex from the 70’s / 80’s. I went to the old Griffin Park a couple of times when a cousin was playing for them. There is / was? a lovely butterfly park there (Syon Park) which was fun for the kids.
I will hold those good times at bay tomorrow when I hope we batter those Bees by a solid margin, 3-0 will do fine although I have a feeling that a single goal might settle it.
UTA.
Having a great time tonight, rings my bell, Matt and a win of any colour, size or persuasion will do that very nicely.
The days when an upcoming game in the PL could be considered as ‘one that we’ll certainly win’ are long since gone (if the ever existed other in the purpler parts of my memory). There are no easy games and tonight is no exception, however, like you, I think we have what it takes to win tonight.
I like the look of your team but worry about Declan Rice being viewed as an indispensable component. Were the worst to happen to him, the impact on our season would be profound.
Enjoy, Holics. I look forward to warming the seat of greatness tonight (thanks, TTG).
Great stuff as usual, Matt.
Like BtM I do worry that even the indefatigable Declan Rice needs a rest occasionally. Maybe e a chance for MLS to resume his midfield duties, although I’d be amazed if that happened. I’m going to plunder from BtM again and borrow his purpler parts in a spirit of continuity from the last preview. Limoges proved a tough ask for most of us in the limerick stakes – which should definitely be a horse race if it isn’t already. Some of us very cleverly got round the Limoges problem while others were met with some of the fiercest pedants in cyberspace ! However, limerick away with ‘purpler’ if you can !
3-0 win sounds great. Come on you Reddsss !
Not sure if this challenge’s gonna be ‘purplar’, Trev!
Good luck to the entrants anyway!
Cheers, Matt. Your excellent preview has revealed all there is to know about Brentford. Let’s pound ‘em into submission 🤞
Fun preview as usual Matt! Thank you!
Completely agree with you that while there are no easy matches, in this stretch of winter weeks when the schedule is so congested we will need to use the full squad and not overplay even the most indefatigable of them. Should definitely give Rice and Timber a rest for this one. Question is should we play Zubimendi and Nørgaard both or give even Zubi a rest? Should we start with Gyökeres or bring him later in the game? My starting line-up would be:
Raya
While-Mosquera-Hincapié-Calafiori
Nørgaard
Ødegaard-Eze
Madueke-Gyökeres-Martinelli
But Mikel most likely would surprise us all.
I will take your 3-0, I would even take a 2-0 home win, achieved without fuss and keeping a clean sheet.
Come on Arsenal!
You’re hitting a perfectly purple patch with this purpler preview, Matt.
I agree that Timber deserves a rest and White needs minutes to recapture match sharpness. If Saliba is 100% then I’m fine with him starting this one but if there is any doubt, I think we can rely on Mosquera alongside Hincapié and it’s important that pairing gains experience together. Calafiori is one yellow short of a ban and he would be extremely useful at Villa Park on Saturday. I would rest him and start MLS but I don’t think Mikel will.
To my mind, it’s a toss up whether Rice or Zubimendi should be rested for this one and I guess it’s down to who is further into the red zone. As you imply, one of them may be rested to allow Nørgaard to play against his old team though I’m not certain that such a romantic notion will influence Mikel. I expect Ødegaard to start and recapture his synergy with Saka and White on the right with Eze moved onto the left wing if Trossard is still not fit. Hopefully Gyökeres will return at centre forward.
While Brentford haven’t been great travellers this season and I too would prefer a sedate 3-0 to the Arsenal, I expect a struggle rather than a procession and a somewhat less dominant victory, perhaps of the order of 2-1 to the good guys.
COYG
That was a most enjoyable read, OM. The poet John Gay described Brentford as a ‘tedious town, for dirty streets and white-legged chickens known’.
As for Brentford being the county town, I refer you to volume 2 of The Environs of London, published in 1795: The elections for the county of Middlesex are held at Brentford, for which reason it is considered as the county-town; but there is no town-hall or other public building.
TTG@the previous drinks: Thank you for the intelligence about the secret scouting network run out of the Holloway Road. Your extensive luncheon arrangements make me wonder how many more of these back channels exist.
Dr. F@7: Norgaard can sub for Zubi, but I suspect that resting Rice requires Merino being available to cover for him. That, in turn, will depend on Gyokeres’s return, so Merino can be relieved of No. 9 duties.
Ned @9. It’s not for nothing that TTG, when he worked in the City, was known as a legend in his own lunchtime! I believe his annual expenses were about the same size as the GDP of Ecuador!
C100@11: 🙂
Come now gentlemen I was never one for the four hour lunch hour . I could eat two lunches in that time and often did. But I couldn’t eat two of our Ecuadorean friend’s Sunday lunches at one sitting .
Great preview Matt. I remember going to the old Griffin Park. There was a pub on each corner but I only sampled two of them . You saw the ground and the KLM advert on the roof as you came into land at Heathrow. It’s near enough to Slough to couple it with that town in John Betjeman’s famous verse.
It’s hard to predict the team. I’d rest Declan and Saka , give Norgaard a league starting debut and keep Hincapie and Mosquera together
2-0 to us I reckon
Same here, TTG – about the team, not the lunches.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori , Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Merino
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Eze, Saka, Jesus, Gyokeres
Looks like slightly less rotation than many predicted. Here’s hoping Mikel’s got it just right.
…I was offered both the nevvy’s season tickets for this game but had to decline because of other commitments. Make me regret not rescheduling them.
COYR
PS Thanks for the health update in the last bar, C100 – all the best!
…aaaargh!
@16 Pangloss, yes, I’ll raise a glass to Mikel getting it right
Lovely run in behind and cross from Ben
Excellent from Mikel too to lose his marker, 1-0
Time for subs I think
Saka and Eze on
Corners from our right shoulder improve anyway
Job done. Three points. Onto Saturday with barely a moment to draw breath.
Having seen nothing more than the result, I am happy, but disappointed not to regret not getting down to the stadium (see my 17 above). Keep on grinding out “boring” 2-0 wins for the rest of the season and I will be delighted. (Memo to Mikel: Try to cut out the injuries, if you wouldn’t mind.)
COYG
Well Saka put it to bed. Three points and move on.
Mosquera off was worrying, and I hope Declan doesn’t
have anything and it was just precautionary
I’ve just had a look at the goals on Arseblog News. Am I wrong, or is that an absolutely sensational pass from Madueke to White in the build-up to the first goal? I concede that “pass” may be the wrong word to use, but… a-maze-ing.
You’re not wrong on Madueke. They all did really well for the first goal.
I really liked another clean sheet too, especially from a fairly makeshift defence
and fine keeping,
Raya pulled off one of the saves of the season from a bullet header to keep it at 1-0. So important.
A big win.
We looked very good in the FH and should have scored more than one. However we looked leggy in the SH, conceded too much possession and had to defend with determination. Brentford had a single real attempt in the whole match that Raya saved well. Pity Mosquera and Rice were crocked but the latter is optimistic he’ll be fit for Villa.
Onward.
Agree with @30&31
I thought Benjamin looked more his usual self and we still have high quality
on the right even if it is a combination of White / Timber at Villa. From MA’s
words though I think Saliba will be back.
Good that Declan is optimistic, we will need him. Villa are back to near their best and Watkins has chosen the wrong time to finally find his shooting boots.
>>>>>>>