We are now at the business end of the season and the Arsenal are in contention for the two biggest trophies in club football! The proximity of such massive silverware and near misses in the last three seasons, not to mention sniping from media hacks and fans of also-rans, has generated nervousness and tension in some of the fanbase but that should be assuaged by recognition that this team has a massive opportunity to deliver a truly historic season for this club. It was delightful to see the return of front-foot football against Fulham, driven by a red hot Saka and top performances by the whole team and this generated a much more relaxed and positive mood on the terraces. Our players showed no nerves; they showed focus, determination and not a little authority and strategic awareness. Saturday’s crowd was lifted by the dynamism of the team and reciprocated at full volume. We are now six points clear at the top of the league table with a goal difference, 4 goals better than our only rival.
After the match, I did hear some carping about us not pushing on in the second half to score more goals as “goal difference could be important”, Sure, it could be, but that ignores the need to conserve energy and preserve fitness for immediate battles ahead. Certainly, 5-0 or 6-0 would have been better but recent games have seen our level drop off in the second half and I’m happy with us conserving energy at 3-0 by playing within ourselves and seeing the game out. At this stage of the season, with four or, hopefully, five more, vital games coming up, there’s absolutely no sense in breaking a leg (even figuratively) to score a fourth. Moreover pushing for another goal could have jeopardised the clean sheet and diminished rather than extended the improved goal difference.
A further gripe yesterday heard from the Monday Morning Quarterbacks was that, in the light of his performance yesterday, MLS had not been used in midfield earlier in the season to save the legs of Zubimendi and Rice, both of whom have certainly looked leggy in recent games. Of course, the retrospectoscope has 60/60 vision, but these carpers haven’t seen the training sessions at which MA8 makes his selection decisions and these same carpers would have whined loudly if our midfield was overrun by a powerful opposition midfield because MA8 had started an, albeit talented, inexperienced 19 year old. I expect MLS to start against Wham but not in this game. The same ‘fans’ also moan that we haven’t utilised Nørgaard enough in league games (he has played under an hour all season!) to relieve the pressure on Rice and Zubimendi, but again, they haven’t seen our training sessions. I have no idea why he hasn’t played more but it must be clear to even moderately unintelligent sixth formers that Arteta simply doesn’t trust him to maintain the standards set by his preferred midfield pairing. The selection of MLS against Fulham conclusively proves that Nørgaard has even slipped further down the pecking order.
This team have achieved the amazing feat of being in pole position in the Premier League and in the semi-final of the Champions League despite a season littered with serious and recurrent injuries to key players, most noticeably upfront where Havertz, Saka and Ødegaard hadn’t played together since 2024, but also in defence, where we have missed Gabriel and Saliba for short periods, fortunately to discover that in Mosquera we have an extremely able deputy.
Wallow in the position this Arsenal team have achieved, Gooners! Shed the nerves! Be proud of the boys! Revel in the culmination of a monumental season!
And so, we turn to the challenge of the semi-final of the Champions League for the second consecutive season. We face arch-manipulators, Atlético Madrid, at our place, on level terms after a first leg that we should have won. I will be intrigued to see the tricks that Simeone and his gang will try to pull off to get the result they want, given the 4-0 drubbing we meted out in October with goals from Gabriel, Martinelli and Gyökeres (2) in 13 second half minutes.
Simeone has had this game in his sights since the final whistle on Wednesday. His team is securely in a Champions League place in La Liga with nothing else to play for. He made 11 changes to the team for their away game to Valencia on Saturday, bringing on regular starters Griezmann and Koke only after 73 minutes to swing the match with two late goals. So, their first XI are all well rested. Sky Sports showed the Atléti line-up as a 4-5-1. I don’t expect them to persist in this formation in this game though it will be their line up when we have possession. The midfield five will attempt a mid-block press but will drop back to supplement the back line if the midfield press fails to regain the ball. I, actually, expect Atléti to attempt a sustained, high tempo start akin to their second half in Madrid, hoping to score an early goal and gain control of the tie. However, their default position will undoubtedly be rugged defence and rapid assaults when we turn over possession. For more on their likely approach to the game and dramatis personae, I refer you to last week’s preview.
The AI-generated updated fitness report suggests Alvarez will be fit despite an ankle knock, striker Sorloth is apparently still suffering from discomfort (but I expect him again to make the bench), Lookman is apparently a doubt (believe that?), defender Giminez is said to be unlikely to recover in time, winger Gonzalez is expected to miss this match while midfielder Barrios has a season-ending injury (I believe this last one!). Defenders Le Normand, Lenglet and Molina played 90 minutes on Saturday, so I expect them to be on the bench alongside midfielders Vargas, Molina, Mendoza and Almada. It’s quite likely that we will face the same starting XI as in last week’s first leg: Oblak in goal; a back four of Llorente, Pubill, Hancko (the perpetrator of two fouls in the box last week) and Ruggeri; a midfield of Giuliano (Simeone Jr), Koke, Cardoso and Lookman (though Gonzalez may make a surprise return); up front it’ll certainly be Griezmann and Alvarez. I hope that Atléti will be as intimidated by a vibrant Arsenal crowd as they were in October and that the adventurous full backs leave lots of space in behind for our wingers to exploit.
The Arsenal were superb in the first half in Madrid and found their mojo again late on when they got a second wind with three technically proficient attacking substitutions. They were also simply unstoppable in the first half against Fulham. While Atléti will provide a far sterner test than the Cottagers, I hope that we see a reprise of Saturday’s performance with first half goals to establish a commanding half-time lead followed by a controlled second half to see the game out.
Raya, Saliba and Gabriel are, of course, shoo-ins. It would be fantastic to see Timber return to stiffen our right flank but that does seem literally ‘fantastic’, and a start against this opposition after so long out seems very unlikely. In his continued absence, I expect White to be selected over Mosquera at right back, but to be replaced by the Spaniard late in the game. For me, Hincapié gets the nod over Calafiori at left back because of the Ecuadorian’s defensive solidity though the latter will certainly get a run out after 45-60 minutes especially if his creativity is required. His interplay with Trossard looked very promising on Saturday.
There are clearly questions over Ødegaard’s knee but if he’s fit enough, I expect MA8 to start him alongside Zubimendi and Rice. However, he, along with Merino Timber and Havertz, missed the open training session today. I was hoping to get an update from MA8’s press conference but that must be late this afternoon and is not yet publicly accessible. After his storming performance against Fulham, MLS will probably get a late run out if Zubimendi’s legs begin to flag. If the captain doesn’t make it, Eze will take that ‘8/10’ role but if Eze doesn’t start there, he will start wide left and drift in. Up front, I think we will see Saka, Gyökeres and Eze or Trossard whose performances recently suggest a return to form. Havertz may be fit enough to make the bench and perhaps come on to change the thrust of our attack late in the second half. Thus, subject to the fitness of Ødegaard, I expect the following starting XI:
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Hincapié
Ødegaard/Eze Rice Zubimendi
Saka Gyökeres Eze/Trossard
Expect a scrap, fouls, black arts and intimidation. Hopefully, our boys can rise above this, continue their recent upswing in form and finish the job they started at the Metropolitano. 2-0 to the Arsenal feels like a good outcome.
May Light triumph over Darkness.
Enjoy the game, Holics wherever ye may be!
COYG
Excellent preview, Bath. Can’t argue with your team selection. Reckon we’ll see both Odegaard and Eze starting as we out in one last push. After this our games are 5, 8, 6 ( and hopefully 6) days apart, relative luxury after this packed season.
Expect to see plenty of diving, faking and whining from Simeone Major, acting as conductor of the orchestra on the pitch. Early cards fio Koke and Hancko would be welcome. We in the ground need to create a hostile atmosphere, putting pressure on the referee and Simeone for that matter. We can do this. Let’s start loud and proud.
Everything that CER said @1, Bath.
Is Pep time the new Fergie time? Doku gets an equaliser in the ninth minute of the six minutes of added time! Still, it’s two points dropped by City. Title back in our hands.
Just win another five in a row, lads. You’ve done it before. And you’re good enough.
Well, well, well. Three holes in the ground. What an evening.
@2 Ned – Just managed to get the last of extra time after an awful golf game😂
Obviously PMGOL or whatever they are called are determined to stop the Gunners from winning the league this season – maybe they’re being ‘sponsored’ by the
‘Cheaty’’ owners? Nah! They wouldn’t be that blatant would they?
Thanks Bath, a fine preview of a game that will probably be
just as you expect, a scrap against a very unpleasant shower.
The same from three as the first half against Fulham is fine
with me – same result would be bloody handy too but I guess
it will be tight.
Front three I meant to say…….
Forgot to say I think Kai will make the bench.
I heard that in his presser, MA8 confirmed that Ødegaard and Havertz are in the squad for this game.
I suspect tomorrow night we will see the biggest game the Emirates has ever staged . On 18th May that distinction may be taken when possibly we can clinch the league title . These are stupendous times for our club and let’s try to enjoy them……even though we are as jittery as hell! Saturday was a glorious occasion and very easy to enjoy .
Tomorrow will be a massive dogfight but we crushed them back in the autumn and we can do it again . Believe Holics! I am hoping for a 2-0 victory
Momentum has swung. Rice is going to have a stormer tomorrow and Sunday.
The GHF Predictathon leaderboard for Matchweek 35 has been posted. It has got tighter at the top and is as tight as White on Rice in the middle of the pack. You know where to find if you are up, down, or just the same…
@8 just saw that, thanks Bath, good news!
@11 thanks Ned, my race to the rear continues apace
but I appreciate the sterling good work in these tense times.
It seems timely to mention that the Holicsropeyleague Cup,
currently seeking a blue-chip sponsor, has kicked-off with
preliminary play-offs prior to the quarter-finals beginning
soon……As the monks have led us a very merry dance all
season in the league the cup may represent a last shot at triumph for
our managerial gladiators. Buckle on the breastplates gents.
Thanks Bath for a fantastic preview, as this game tomorrow deserves.
Would like to add to yours and others’ calls for creating a spirited, energizing and intimidating (to the Atletico boys) atmosphere on the ground. And then cheer the team on every action.
We just need to play to our high standards.
Completely agree with your team. It was great to see Leo showing signs of his early season form in the Fulham match. He and Calafiori dovetailed well. If Eze starts on the left, the left fullback would surely be Hincapié for the greater defensive cover, but if Leo or Martinelli starts on the left, I wonder if Ricky can be a surprise starter given his ability to create tactical variations and greater attacking presence.
I suspect we will see a double pivot of Rice and Zubi with Rice/Zubi alternatively staying deeper, and Eze/Leo/Gabi overloading the middle in the attacking third.
Assuming Martin is fit enough to start, this would be my preferred starting eleven:
Raya
White-Saliba-Gabriel-Hincapié
Ødegaard-Zubimendi-Rice
Saka-Gyökeres-Eze
The bench (“finishers”) would definitely have a role to play as well.
An absolute privilege to be where we are, deservedly, and earned through hard work, planning, intelligence and commitment to the cause. Let’s take it to the next step.
Come on Arsenal!
Cheers baff.
Weirdly, I wish I’d gone to bed when the score was 1-0 last night (didn’t watch any of it, didn’t want the live stress to go maximum in case there was hope). I’d have been less excited, slept better, and found the happy news in the morning to even better effect.
I’ll take those dropped points anyway 😀
Where’s yer man with the bottle, eh?
Hopefully more goodness tonight.
And what the gents at @1 and @2 said.
@15 I think that was more than we expected from Everton in
the last drinks Ollie 😃
A happy surprise when I woke up this morning.
Great perspective from Keenos:
https://shewore.com
Haha, yes, I did think of our exchange, Matt 🙂
Thanks Bath
A big game indeed. A repeat of last week’s first half will serve us well.
A real pity that Everton couldn’t hold on to 3-1, 3 points and two worse goal difference probably a dream too far. However, I would have taken a draw pre-game so thank you Moyesy. Just need Bournemouth to take all their
points to repay for taking all ours. Come on you Cherries.
Tonight, 2-0 and send the cheaty, whiney, divey undesirables sloping back to their slimy manager.
UTA.
Outstanding, positive preview, Bath. Hope to see Odegaard, Havertz and Eze start. Saka may well be the key that unlocks that solid oak door that unfolds the pathway to Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
@9 TTG, “the biggest game the Emirates has ever staged” – that title in a CL sense is probably held by the 2-1 win over Barca or last season’s 3-0 win over Atletico’s neighbours in Madrid. Win tonight and both of those will be transcended. Any alternative outcome is…………
COYRRRs.
Pedro is also on point today:
https://www.le-grove.co.uk/p/man-city-drop-a-shocker
Thanks for your excellent preview Bath. Come on the big performance, the big crowd support, and the big decision making by Super Mik, and come on the controlled Arsenal home second leg vanquishing of the Atletico dark artists. We have earned and will earn this. 🤞
A very clear analysis of how Simeone’s tactical approach has changed:
And a good history of his antics (£):
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7252114/2026/05/05/diego-simeone-atletico-madrid-arsenal-touchline-antics/
Back on a football pitch 14 months later, and it felt really good. Hopefully more good things happening tonight.
Ollie @24, that’s great news, mate. Congratulations on a successful outcome of all your hard work. I hope it’s a favourable omen for the Arsenal.
Thanks for the links @17 and @21, Bath. Both good, the latter particularly so.
We’re near the peaks of two extraordinary mountains. Exhilarating and scary, but no time to look down.
Ollie@24: Good news. Stay strong.
Finally made it ! Thanks, Bath – good sense intro and a very likely team selection.
Interesting on Norgaard. Thomas Frank looked like he was achieving a lot at Brentford but found the pressure and expectations at the Skelly end of Seven Sisters quite different and was completely out of his depth. Similarly, Christian Norgaard looked good when captaining Brentford but I assume Arteta looked and thought this was simply not a player with the required standard and consistency to win a league title – and you can’t take a chance on losing the odd game in this league.
Maybe he could have featured more in the domestic cups but what do we know ? Not a lot. I can’t honestly remember how much he did figure.
I think the vast majority woukd credit Arteta with knowing better by now. He has performed miracles to get us to this position with an ongoing injury situation that we still don’t really understand.
Well summed up, Ned @ 26!
OM@13: I see that the monks have drawn your Viktors in the quarterfinals of the Ropey League Cup. The big match of the round between the top two teams in the league. Worryingly, yours is the form team, chewing back our lead with alarming celerity. We may have to take careful note of Mr Simione’s methods this evening.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Zubimendi, Dowman
Gyokeres goals tonight.
Good stuff Bath. MLS keeps his place which is a bit of a surprise. That said, I’m sure he’s more than up for it.
A Fulham style first half for 90 mins please. Then we have 3 games against teams in the bottom 6 to win the league. I’m sure we would have all taken that if it was on offer back in August?
Up the Gunners.
Unchanged from Fulham. Slightly surprised by that, but it suggests we intend to be on the front foot from the start. A lot of finisher nouse on the bench.
That unchanged team selection is bold. I applaud it!
Fridge well loaded with beers…..
Won’t be the same as being in the Lions pub with Ollie!
Great report Bath. A very progressive team selection from the boss with superb strength on the bench. It’ll be very special with the win and reach the ECL final – all to play for.
COYRRR
Really solid first half. Brilliant time to score. The real Ben White seems to have made a reappearance. MLS justifying his selection with a sterling performance alongside Declan. Victor putting himself around well.
More of the same in the second half please.
Got nearly an hour out of Bukayo and he got us the lead.
Going to be a long 30 minutes but I hope we keep going
forward
YES! yES! Get the fuck into the final 😃😃😃
Defended really well last 20 I thought, kept concentrated
and ignored all the touchline stuff at the end there.
2nd time ever to the final, proud of all of them tonight,
tough game and showed some real fight over two legs
Excellent!
Commitment to keep pressing to the end was key to the outcome. Really good all-round performance. Important to see key players returning to the squad, fitness increasing. Hats off to Victor, he showed speed and fitness at a level we haven’t seen previously. MLS has arrived in his position for the next decade.
ole ole oleeeeee, ole ole olaaaaaa, what a great game by our beautiful team. i love their grit, their determination, their strength, their awareness, their drive, and everything else about them.
i was worried to see mls in the team sheet, but he more than justified his selection. and for all the stick our fans (and not fans) have given to big vik, that was a masterclass only missing a goal…if only he’d scored the beautiful ball from hincapié.
huge props to everyone: rice covering every blade of grass at the right time, trossard putting in his best game all season at the right time, saka active and sharp and again had the beating of his man for a goal (a little easier this time, maybe), eze gliding all over the place and controlling the pace, and our back 5…mostly brilliant, not below a 9/10 performance from any of them.
weeeeee’ve got super mik arteta, he knows exactly what we need….viktor in attack, gabby at the back, arseal all the way to the champions league…..FINAL!!
Amasing! One-nil to The Arsenal!
Final it is.
COYG
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>