The Arsenal will make the short journey south to a bus stop in Fulham this Wednesday to take on Chelsea in the 1st leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Fortunately, as The Arsenal have the necessary wherewithal, we will not stop at the bus stop but continue right on into the ground in our very own spiffy coach, unless of course we rent or lease, but I digress. In recent weeks we have avenged previous defeats of varying kinds by rolling over Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth (let’s not discuss Liverpool) but this time it is the very Carabao itself that I wish to serve the coldest dish.
We arrived at the same stage of this competition last year and suffered the unpleasant experience of being dumped unceremoniously out by a once proud club sadly now in dire straits ethically. That won’t happen this year of course as, though Chelsea are without doubt ethically shaky (on account of they ain’t got none), there is no pride worth a mention. However, fixture pile-up be damned, I would be very annoyed to lose again at this stage and especially to this shower. We have, of course, already played them once this season – a 1-1 draw at their place in the league. Odd things happened after that game – Chelsea were widely mentioned as title contenders, a top team, etc etc. It all seemed a touch precipitate to me at the time and, without wishing to gloat, events since then have only proved the wisdom of the old saying “one swally does not a premier league title make”. Myriad dropped points later and minus the deluded Enzo “we were much the better team” Maresca, it appears that reality has reared its tired old head and they have returned to the “it’s the early stages of our project” line. Stay humble lads, eh?
The Arsenal on the other hand are deep in the happy phase of our project currently – top of the league, CL table toppers too, progressed to the 4th round in the FA Cup (home to Wigan in case you hadn’t noticed) and now this particular opportunity – three short games away from winning a Carabao. Contenders, then, in four different competitions and with a decent shot in all of them. You’d have to be a leading contender for curmudgeon of the year not to be enjoying the ride currently. This particular shiny bauble of those four has not been a happy hunting ground in recent decades and it would be great for morale, as well as satisfyingly ghost-busting, to get an early trophy in the cabinet this season.
The Arsenal XI
Choosing the XI for this game was a touch tricky as I am not sure who will stay in the team from the Portsmouth win and who will be rested for other important challenges ahead, Personally, I would just take the team that started the Portsmouth game, season lightly with a couple of bushy-tailed lads and, Bob’s your uncle, you have your first XI. However, to give myself a clue as to what Arteta might do, I went back to a game that I preferred to forget – last year’s 1st leg against Newcastle – and had a look at the side MA chose that night. It was just about the strongest XI we could field at the time and given that evidence I suspect the boss will do the same again.
Kepa
Timber Saliba Gabriel Hincapié
Zubimendi Ødegaard Rice
Saka Gyökeres Trossard
As last year didn’t exactly go to plan, I suppose it is possible that MA will take a different approach but I think we will certainly see some of those rested entirely for the Portsmouth back for this one. I admit that the left-side is guesswork as it must be tempting to start our newest hat-trick hero again and there are some doubts about Hincapié’s fitness as of writing, but this is the XI I expect to see.
The New Interim Manager at the Bus Stop
I must admit I knew little about Liam Rosenoir before his appointment and was quite surprised to learn, during my in-depth investigation, that he had, in fact, once appeared against The Arsenal (including Mikel Arteta) in an FA Cup Final. Many points for you if you knew he was in the Hull side that was joyfully ‘rambo-ed’ nearly 11 years ago, and doesn’t time fly, by the way?
Anyway, I’m digressing again. After a modest playing career, Rosenoir has made his way steadily up the management ladder and enjoyed some recent success with a young Strasbourg side. I suppose the young part of the equation attracted the attention of what we will laughingly call the recruitment team at Chelsea. That and the fact that Clearlake own Strasbourg too. There have been mutterings about propriety of the situation but personally I have no objection to a company transferring employees from one subsidiary to another – if you allow the multi-club approach (I certainly wouldn’t as it simply isn’t, well, sporting seems to be the word, but then no one is asking me) then this type of thing is inevitable I can’t see it ending well in all honesty but then it rarely does at the bus stop.
It certainly didn’t start well for Rosenoir as he watched while they lost the Fulham derby but things picked up in the FA Cup as Charlton were beaten 5-1 at the weekend. Much like ourselves it was a scratch team and offers little clue as to who the manager will select and how they will play in this game. I honestly have no idea, but no major changes at this stage seems likely, so to summarise….a meh defence, solid enough midfield and Palmer and Neto representing the main dangers in attack, probably with Pedro at CF. Not a bad side, but not to worry, we are better. And we have proved that over the last 10 matches, a solitary victory 4 years back being their only win. So, on that encouraging note……….
The Outcome
Firstly, it should be said that over the past few years we have a good record against Chelsea – one defeat in the last ten matches home and away. I would expect us to take a fairly circumspect approach from the off, as is our wont these days, whilst we look to understand how the new man has set up his side. Their players will probably be keen to impress their new boss but then most teams are up for it these days when they play The Arsenal, and so I also expect we will slowly get on top as the game wears on. It will probably be fairly tight as these first legs often are and I suppose some would be happy with a draw. However, I have never predicted anything other than an Arsenal win and so will plump for One-Nil to The Arsenal.
As always, I wish all our Holics an enjoyable watch wherever they may be and a damn sight more cheer than at this stage last year!
Nice preview Matt.
Team selection is difficult with all this football. We have three games coming up where we can(must) rotate – Wigan and the two CL games . Hincapie is injured and out for a while and Saliba and Trossard are doubts . I wouldn’t risk Willie as the Carabao Cup is our lowest priority and we have another bite at the cherry .
My team would be
Kepa
White Rice Gabriel Timber
Zubimendi Odegaard Merino
Saka Jesus Martinelli
MLS is in poor form , Jesus has played very well at Stamford Bridge in the past and is much better than Gyokeres . Martinelli scored there last season and got a hat-trick at the weekend .
I think this might end 1-1 again
A most engaging taster for Wednesday afternoon, as it will be in these parts of the world, OM. The previews are, as the Guv’nor used to say, coming like Aaron Lennon — thick and fast.
I suspect Arteta will go with as strong a team as he can muster. TTG is right that Hincapié is banjaxed for this one and that Saliba and Trossard are 50/50 to be available. I would consider playing Nørgaard in the back line again if Saliba remains off-games. I think we get better value out of Rice when he is in midfield.
Left-back is tricky. MLS is in patchy form (although I think he is playing better than many do), but an already overplayed Timber is the only alternative. Yet Chelsea have Palmer and pace on their right flank, so you are probably right that we’ll start with White and Timber as the full-backs. Salmon and MLS will probably be occupying those berths by the end of the game, though.
Thanks Matt for a very timely report. Not sure how you manage that timeliness when you live on the other side of the world not to mention the international date line. Very good preview but I think Ned has come the closest to predicting the team Arteta will choose, and agree that Martinelli should continue so long as he keeps scoring hat tricks. Cheers.
Yes, I agree that is a very high bar for Martinelli to stay in the team so I have agreed to lower it a peg or two.
Cheers Matt – I’ve given up guessing teams these days. It would seem logical to rotate where possible as this competition has to be our lowest priority. However, we are two games from a final and I wouldn’t be one tiny bit surprised to see our strongest available eleven take the field. That seems to be the way Mikel rolls and I don think he’ll take it at all lightly.
I don’t know who’s officiating – as though it makes much difference – but I hope he comes well aware of Ceicedo’s preference for maiming our very best, and well prepared to send the dirty bar steward – ooh, that pesky spillchucker – packing.
Just watching the Barcodes vs Oily Cheats semi on ITV and they’ve gone and borrowed that horrendous Matterface / Lucy Ward 😱😱😱 convo from TNT. Another evening ruined 😡
The great Peter Simpson, one of the most underrated English defenders and a monumental Arsenal player is 81 today . Many happy returns mate . 🎂
TTG – 100%
Many Happy Returns Peter Simpson.
Thanks gents, yes both Hincapié and Calafiori are confirmed out
since I wrote the preview. I had hoped for a quicker return for
Cala but MA mentioned the dreaded ‘weeks’
I doubt Palmer will play now and Caicedo is out.
I would still play MLS personally but it must be tempting
for MA to go with White / Timber.
Agree with Ned, we need Declan in midfield and anyway I
expect Saliba to play.
What TTG said @6. Inexplicable that he never won an England cap.
Also RIP Eddie McCreadie, another one from the Swingin’ Sixties team at the Bus Stop gone.
Such an enjoyable preview Matt, thank you! Even though I agree with your team I think your hunch about Saliba and Leo not being risked would likely proven to be correct. Not having any of Mosquera, Ricky and Hincapié in this very busy period — with four consecutive away games — presents challenges that would require really careful squad management, and I think using Nørgaard as a defensive option is an effective enough solution for the league cup.
Martinelli works well with Jesus, and would be nice to see them start. The only concern would be if Jesus has physically recovered enough to start two games within four days. We should also consider giving Saka some more rest. He has looked tired lately and a mini period of lighter load will rejuvenate him.
My guess for the starting lineup would be
Kepa
White-Nørgaard-Gabriel-Timber
Ødegaard-Zubimendi-Rice
Madueke-Gyökeres-Martinelli
With Jesus, Merino, Havertz and Eze all available on the bench we should be able to change the course of match or keep our lead preserved, as needed. Kai to score against his old club a minute after coming on?
A clean sheet would have been nice, but given the makeshift defense I think we will concede one, but will win convincingly by 3-1. Which would allow us a wider set of options for tactics and starting eleven in the return leg.
Come on Arsenal!
Cheers Matt. As it is a first leg, I’ll take a draw if pushed (obviously happier with your 1-0), but above anything else, I’ll take no injuries.
Excellent preview, Matt, for which many thanks. The uncertainty regarding team selection in the comments above reflects the relative defensive injury crisis, low priority of this tournament, number of big games upcoming- Inter away is less than a week from today-, as well as Arteta’s “Operation Mincemeat” level deception in press conferences regarding availability. The latter being high praise not low criticism, for avoidance of doubt. I tend to agree that MLS is in shaky form and would rather he were saved for Forest at the weekend. I was at Chelsea for the league game in November and Madueke was given dogs abuse by the Bus Stop patrons when he came on early in the second half for Saka. I was really surprised but he visibly wilted under it. I expect Saka to start, with Madueke starting Saturday and Saka returning against Inter.
21CG and I will be there tonight and hope to bump into The Countrymen on the concourse. I am doing Dry January. May Chelsea’s be even dryer,
Cheers, Matt, at this stage of the competition Mikel will want a win and I expect to see a very strong team start at the Bus Stop. Let’s hope that our ‘good record against Chel$ki’ continues and I, for one, would very happily settle for the good old 1-0 to the Arsenal you’re predicting.
Thanks for an entertaining read, Matt. As you and others have observed, MA8 is likely to select his strongest possible team for this tie and with fitness doubts over Saliba and Trossard, not to mention forthcoming fixture congestion, I think DrF has called the likely team correctly though CER’s observation on Madueke’s reaction to abuse at the Bus Stop earlier may make MA8 select Saka to start. Any win at all will be delightful. I don’t see it being by a large margin however.
Happy birthday, Stan, a greatly under recognised talent.
RIP Eddie McCreadie, a warrior.
Thanks Matt for your review – it’s a good read. I’ve never liked the Chavs going b@ck to my early years ( that’s a very long time ) and enhanced by the Abramovic ownership. A win against gives an extra level of enjoyment. I expect MA will,put out the strongest team possible as we are this tie away from the final and we must grasp all possibilities of picking up silverware this year. We are up against the New Managers Bounce – I think Rosenior will set up his team differently to his predecessor, hopefully this will be to little effect. A win will be great and a draw not a disaster. Whatever the result no doubt it will be a hard match.
I join the the birthday wishes to Stan ( that’s Peter Simpson not Kroenke ) who was a fabulous player at the end of the 60’s & early 70’s and an unsung hero at the beginning of that successful era after years of direness.
COYRRR
Saliba and Trossard are fit and start . Gyokeres starts upfront . Timber and White are full backs . Kepa in goal
COYG ! O
Arsenal: Kepa, White, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Subs: Raya, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly
One of the strongest team/bench of all time.
That team meets the definition of strongest available.
Tough on Nwaneri, although I don’t know who’d come off the bench to make room for him.
Well, so far, so good.
Fingers crossed second half for the clean sheet and no more
injuries, especially at the back.
Decent first half. Chel$ki may not be at full strength but they’re no pushover. We need (as always) to be more ruthless in and around the box. May see Jesus or Havertz around 60 mins I think.
Martinelli and Merino on.
Zubi! 3-1!
Goal and assist for Vik tonight, Saka doing well too.
Merino did well on the third, great break forward and finish
from Zubi
Jesus and Kai on now,
Vik and Declan off.
Pleased for Gyokeres, nothing spectacular but just what we
bought him for.
Garnacho gets a second, annoying to let him score
Pity about their second and the penalty at the end there but I would have taken that before the game and well done on a deserved win.
Good performance and pleased we’ve come away with a win. At one stage it looked like a 4-1 or 5-1 game and tie over. Chel$ki didn’t create much but managed to scrape two goals. I wasn’t surprised to see Martin substituted. He wasn’t at his best – and how old is it to have Merino as back up to nearly every position on the field? His forward pass into the box for our third goal was perfect.
Goodnight and sweet dreams from me.
That feels like points dropped, even though it was a cup game, and there are no points involved, obviously. Still all to play for in the second leg, although we should have killed off the tie.
old = good.
The Chavs are a horrible team. I don’t know how they get away with so much rough-housing at corners – at both ends. Lovely goals from Ben and Martin and good to see Vik get his tap in. It was an important win but it could and should have been much more decisive. We were clearly the better team but, as so often, failed to land the killer blows. The tie is still wide open. The home leg will be another scrap.
I suppose there’s only one goal in it so the Chavs have a chance
but to be honest I thought tonight was there best hope and they
weren’t close to winning. We haven’t lost at home all season and
should be long odds on to go through.
On to Forest in good heart, just keep winning
I agree we were definitely better but they were without James, Palmer and Caicedo their, arguably, three best players . We have high standards but this doesn’t feel quite as good as I thought a win away in a semi should feel
Gyokeres did much better tonight
>>>>>>>