The Carabao Cup has rolled around again and it’s time for the annual discussion of should we take it seriously or just send in the reserves and the kids. We’ve done both without winning it in recent years. In fact it is a trophy that we have only won twice and not lifted in any of its varyingly ridiculous guises since 1993 when we won 2-1 against a Sheffield Weds side led by Viv Anderson, once notably of this parish, in a game that has not stuck in my memory despite actually being there. Though I was reminded of it this year when Auba dropped the FA Cup, as that 93 final is the one where another Arsenal captain, a clumsy Adams on this occasion, dropped not the cup but the unfortunate winning goal-scorer Morrow breaking his arm. I am not a superstitious man but we have had many years of bad luck in the competition since, still hope springs eternal and perhaps we’ll do better on the morrow. The luck of the draw has not been kind this year either; a trip to Anfield is likely if we get past Leicester. However, should we prevail and add carabao to our coke and littlewoods we will be rewarded not only with the prestigious Carabao Cup (see above) but also a place in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, a competition so absurd that it makes Hardaker’s Folly look like serious stuff. The poor relation’s poor relation, think Baldrick’s idiot brother on a bad day and if that is not sufficient motivation for the players to get in the Top 4 this season and make such contemplations superfluous then I just don’t know what is. As you may have started to suspect I am not a big fan of the League Cup and to be honest see no reason it should be played at all this season given the current situation. However, it is being played, we are in it, and I would very much like us to win tomorrow night for the simple reason that it will keep the atmosphere positive and confidence high ahead of some difficult PL games to come over the next six weeks – a run of games that I believe will show us exactly where we stand and exactly what sort of a season it is going to be and another potential turning point for The Arsenal. It is difficult for me to overstate how much I want us to be a force in the league again and if a win at Leicester in the Carabao Cup helps that along then I am all aboard for the ride. Enough of that for now and back to what is supposed to be a Leicester vs. The Arsenal Carabao Cup preview. What is the definitive answer to the tricky question of team selection?
Who will Mikel select?
I don’t know. Well, what do you expect? It’s a tricky question. But I am being paid the big bucks to have a stab at it so I will moo and be damned with an XI as below:
Leno
Holding – Luiz – Gabriel
Soares – Elneny – Joe W – AMN
Pepe – Eddie – Nelson
I am expecting to see Soares, Elneny, Eddie, Joe W and Nelson start but the rest are in all honesty my best guess as indeed is the formation. We could just as easily see a team with several youngsters, Balogun and Saliba spring to mind, but considering the stage of the season and the difficulty of the tie I think Mikel will want to give some of the current squad members more playing time. Whether to play Leno in goal is itself a more difficult decision that it was – we are one three-week injury away from starting with Macey or Runarsson away at Liverpool and Man City. I believe Mikel will take the risk as Leno would probably appreciate the game time after his injury but it is a risk and one with a significant downside. We need another keeper. In defence, Saliba could easily start as might Papa if they have been training well and Mikel wants to rest Gabriel or Rob. In midfield we have less options as I suspect Torreira may be near the door and only played in an emergency. I also don’t know Kieran’s actual fitness (bone inflammation but I assume that has degrees of severity) and whether we may want further rest or to get him playing for at least part of the game. Do we play Kola and keep AMN, Saka and Kieran back for the weekend game? It’s possible we might want Guen in the shop window – a pure guess that and I have no inside knowledge. I suppose if we play four at the back then a sighting of Ozil is possible but it seems very unlikely at the moment. ESR is out injured. Up front Pepe and Eddie could do with a full game and I have selected Nelson but we may see Saka playing left wing again – I imagine he’d appreciate it. Balogun as a long shot to encourage him to stay?
Who knows but despite my ridicule of the MilkRumbelowsLittlewoodsBanaramaCocaCalpisColaCarabou Cup I will hunt down a channel and tune in tomorrow at 3.45AM to find out.
The Opposition
Leicester have had a good start to the season with wins against West Brom and Burnley, hardly in the class of Fulham and West Ham of course, but nonetheless they have put a somewhat miserable run of form at the end of last season behind them and sit with six points from 2 games. Like us they have a tricky game coming up at the weekend – Man City in their case – and I assume that like us they will play various squad members. As I believe our squad is better than their squad I expect them to lose. Once Rogers has stopped staring at his ridiculous portrait I imagine he will choose some of their older squad members like Fuchs, Albrighton and Morgan for a run as well as a start for Iheanacho in place of the cheaty Vardy. Maddison didn’t start at the weekend so he may play too. Regardless, there should be gaps in quality as well as speed of foot in their defence and that is where we can hurt them.
The Holic Pound
I am anticipating a fairly even game between two teams with plenty of players needing to shake off a little light rusting. As the game wears on I expect Pepe and Nketiah to take the game by the scruff of its scrawny neck and see The Arsenal home to a 2-0 victory. The bookies have us as slight favourites to win outright and 12-1 for a 2-0 win. Seems doable to me as do Leicester, in purely footballing terms I hasten to add.
That is about it for this preview, other than to wish an enjoyable game to you all and the best of luck to The Arsenal tomorrow night.
Get in!
Great preview Bt8. I expect to be stream hunting tomorrow!
Deft stroll around terra incognita, OM.
I suspect Macey will start in goal with Runarsson on the bench. Saliba to get a game at right CB. AMN might have to play right back as Soares is out injured. That would let Saka play left wing back. For no particular reason, I think Guendouzi will start alongside Elneny.
helluva first paragraph, matt, and i like your team sheet. ned data’s soares is out sore; when did that happen?
i’d just like to see us play as at fulham, or pool or city. none of our v. west ham bullshido.
David Moyes and two West Ham players come down with Covid but league cup game against Hull goes ahead.
https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/david-moyes-west-ham-players-covid-19-250208
Nice one Matt !
Even if we can’t be sure about team selection, we can certainly be sure about the importance of punctuation and sometimes the importance of not having any of it.
I refer you to the Holic Pound – “I am expecting a fairly even game between two teams with plenty of players ……”. would have been ruined had a full top appeared at that exact point. It didn’t – the sentence was rescued – I am tired- I apologise ! 😉
Any silver members might like to complete this survey
Great preview Matt.
Maybe Saliba and Matteo to start as well?
3-1 my prediction with a brace from Pepe and one from Eddie.
Just like last year, if we win tomorrow we will most likely play Liverpool. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54199445
Personally, I am waiting for the season when they rename it the Pink’s Cup. Ah, the refreshment.
Nice one, Matt. I wanna see Saliba.
Spillchucker has struck once more above.
Pink’s = Pimm’s
An excellent preview Matt, particularly given our lack of information about the players MA8 is likely to select. I expect a starting 11 close to your selection but with Macey, Saliba and Kolasinac added to the teak in place of Leno, Holding and Soares but I have no more inside info than you. I don’t see a place for either Guendouzi or Özil and I expect a bench pf first teamers. Our opponents will probably select a similar second-string team for the reasons you outline and your impeccable logic about the relative quality of the second-strings is compelling. 2-0 to the good guys sounds good to me.
Matt,
A better preview than this tie probably deserves !
I have very little concern about this competition and this tie.
I never want Arsenal to lose but this Cup in the scheme of things is largely irrelevant.
To succeeed in the league this season we have to prioritise ourvresources and one of those the benighted Cedric is somehow unfit despite not having played this season. He was unfit when he came to us and then got injured at the end of the season. Wonder why Southampton got rid so willingly ? 😃
Maybe this team would be worth trying
Runarsson
AMN Saliba Holding Kolasinac Saka
Elneny Willock
Nelson Nketiah Pepe
Might even be a place for Mesut if that’s alright with him
Score – Depends on who they put out but maybe 1-1 . Runarsson saves the key penalty and Mesut scores to send us through.
An event worth supporting –
Dear AISA member
A Celebration of George Armstrong’s life and his contribution to Arsenal Football Club – Thursday 15th October, 7.00pm
Next month sees the 20th anniversary of Geordie’s death and AISA are delighted that we are able to put on an event via Zoom that will include members of his family plus Bob Wilson and will be compered by Tom Watt.
Please do register for the event by replying to this message or by separately emailing us at events@aisa.org
Thanks All.
I can’t believe it’s 20 years since
Geordie’s untimely passing.
Evening, all.
Very good preview, OM. I suspect we will see all of Gwen, Runnarson, AMN, Luiz, Saliba, Pepe, Eddie, Kolasinac, Elnenny, Joe Willock, Nelson and maybe even Ozil start. Torreira will only start if he isn’t less than 24 hours away from his purported move to Athletico.
Like a lot of people here, I couldn’t care less about this tournament but I will tune in and hope to god we win every single duel and eventually go all the way and win the trophy.
Thanks Cent and all for the kind
comments.
I cannot disagree with anyone’s team selection.
Soares is proving to be a very unuseful little
engine that can’t.
Probably I have all my facts and interpretations wrong, but if Soares and Pepe were signings that Sanhelli orchestrated, maybe that is why he no longer has an orchestra?
Last week, as I wrote in the Hammers preview, Issa Diop, one of two West Ham players now reported to have tested positive for COVID, was reported at the time to have returned from an “unspecified injury” to play in both of the Hammers matches before he also played against Arsenal, making me wonder if the injury should not perhaps have been “specified” for the benefit of public health.
Ornstein says we tested negative for Covid after the West Ham game
Seems it is possible to get a legal, HD stream for tonight’s game. It will cost you £10.
https://carabaocup.live/
Excellent preview OM, lots of information & your interesting take on things. What for certain we know who won’t be in the team tonight ( injuries ), the starting eleven is an educated guess. Personally I think he may plump for Macey in goal as he trains with the first team and should have an understanding of what he can expect from those in front of him. Mikel likes to win every game so he will put the stringiest team out he can but include players who’ve yet to have a good run out. I won’t speculate who the 10 outfield players will be – the early drinkers above have already made some good choices.
I expect Brenda would also like to win a trophy so he will also put out fairly strong team. This should lead to a good encounter with a 2-1 win for the good guys.
Leicester are away to Man City on Sunday, whereas we play Liverpool on Monday night. That may or may not be a factor for both teams.
In drink 2 above, I credited Bt8 with the preview. It was of course OsakaMatt. Great job Matt and sorry!
Good point re the next fixtures C100. That may determine our team selection .
I just may not bother watching it live tonight but may give way to temptation nearer the time . Not sure you can ignore a live game if you have a chance to see it .
Interested in whether football will carry on with the current rules which have worked well in place or whether increasing infections will render it inadvisable to continue . I think the Government would be keen to see sport continue. What do our scientists think?
C100,
No problem, an easy mistake to
make in a collective 😉
Thanks for that C100 @21.
It seems the PL clubs are in discussion with the broadcasters about how to respond to the extension of the ‘no fans rule’ beyond 1st October. They are considering streaming to ST holders as a means of mitigating the unexpected loss of revenue.
Aberdeen FC have been streaming their games to all registered fans on a PPV basis at £12.99 per match with home games free to ST holders who have already paid for their seat. Arsenal would increase their match-day revenue considerably by offering the same facility to silver and red members. Just a thought.
And thanks for the link @7, C100.
I’ve submitted my observation on PPV streaming to silver and red members on that form. I guess the income will come predominantly from the UK membership as red members worldwide may already have access through their media. However if it’s not proscribed by their existing contracts there may well be a group of members for whom it’s more convenient or economical to watch us on PPV than take out a contract that allows the questionable pleasure of watching other matches they choose to broadcast.
This may indeed offer a future service for many Arsenal fans who can rarely get to matches and don’t want to sign up to an expensive contract with the likes of Sky or BT. However there may be other clubs who don’t have the same size of fan base and whose income benefits massively from the group negotiating approach (what was that 70’s TUC expression, C100?) who would vote against such an approach.
Bath,
I believe you may be alluding to Collective bargaining !
Negotiations for the broadcast rights (free TV, cable and streaming) for the next three-season cycle of Premier League games, starting in the 22-23 season, are underway. It will be telling to see if clubs are prepared to chisel out exceptions for their season ticket holders and other fans to the PL’s current approach of collective bargaining as being the way to maximise their revenue. I suspect that even if the broadcasters make an accommodation to clubs for as long as games are behind closed doors, it won’t carry over to the next round of contracts. The broadcasters won’t want to give up their customers.
For what it is worth, American viewers can now get Premier League packages for less than $5 a month. NBC’s new Peacock streaming service has 175 games live and all 380 on same-day on-demand replay at that price. For $60 a month, Fubo will sell you every Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Liga MX and a bunch of other leagues and tournaments, all live. You will never need to leave your couch again.
A bright note: the club says Tierney will be back in full training this week. Thus, presumably, he will be available for the Liverpool game.
Scruz@4: Soares has a tight right calf. Must have tightened up in training as he hasn’t played since the Community Shield.
The Carabou Cup is the competition that makes the Charity Shield look like a proper trophy, so hopefully we don’t put a decent side out tonight. No shame to lose at Leicester, so hopefully a good opportunity to exit gracefully.
Clive, thanks for asking after me. I’m presently half-way through a thirty week stretch of chemo, and taking things very easy indeed. Hope you are enjoying the rudest of health!
Welcome back Mick. We wish you a successful outcome to your chemotherapy. All the very best.
Bath @28. If such an agreement Is reached, hopefully we enlist the help of our old friend Solomon Binding!
It is indeed, TTG. I just couldn’t bring the term to mind! It’s so long since I heard the dulcit tones of Mick McGahey and Len Murray that it had slipped from my memory.
Ned, the games are so cheap and readily available in North America! The wonders of naked capitalism! I can’t imagine the clubs couldn’t squeeze a bit more out of the U.S. marketplace.
Heh @ C100! Indeed! We canna hae any mair o’ thae gentlemuns’ agreements. Why were the spokesmen almost always Scots?
Mick @32, good to see you back in. All the very best wishes for the best possible outcome with minimal toxicity, mate.
Layth Yousif is convinced we have a keen interest in the loan signing of Coutinho. He is very well- connected at Colney . This would suggest we would favour Partey over Aouar
Welcome back Dorset Mick!
TTG @36, the last I heard (Twitter only but good sources) was that Koeman had told Coutinho that he wanted him in his team next season.
I enjoyed that, Matt. Very nice job. I’m a Carabao Cup fan only because of the opportunities it presents to our younger players to experience the ‘almost ‘big time and games can be very entertaining.
@30, Ned, when I lived for a while in Virginia I had a ‘Slingbox’ on my Cox Cable box. I controlled it anywhere in the world from my phone and used it to watch every Arsenal game. This irritated Her Nellieness greatly. She’d be midway through Desperate Housewives when Mike Dean’s Mug would suddenly appear ‘at the end of the street’ (Yes, that made them even more desperate), but otherwise it worked really well. I was able to give a link to several who could dial in but not control.
Now, if only we had some American Holics, we could work something out 🙂
Bath
You are absolutely right but we are talking about Barcelona where a day is a long time! Layth was very sure that serious negotiations took place before the CL resumed . You may remember that Cynic rubbished the idea . Things seemed to be quite far advanced but Barca were then slaughtered by Bayern and Koeman became boss and clearly rethought his requirements .
Layth has suggested today that something may have changed at Barcelona . He is much more reliable than most of the ITK journos but he wasn’t correct that Huss Fahmy was leaving but there might be something in this . I haven’t been in contact with him but I’ve seen a tweet by him
Thanks BtM.
That was a cracking system in Virginia!
In Japan for the football. I pay a tenner a month
to DAZN for all the PL, CL and
Ropey League games live plus the FA Cup, La
Liga etc etc and can give my log in to be used
by other people or use it on my laptop.
Not so bad but I can’t give it to people to use
outside of Japan.
Layth’s tweet
As I was told in August Coutinho is a player Arsenal want. Movement stalled with Bayern focused on winning the CL but with new Barca supremo Koeman looking to reshape his squad expect the Gunners to make a concerted effort to land the former Liverpool talent on a season-long loan
Important news for those planning to watch tonight’s match at a local watering hole:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/09/23/liverpools-premier-league-clash-arsenal-brought-forward-15-mins/
Sorry fellas. That’s MONDAY’S match against the Bindippers.
welcome back, mick. sorry to hear you’re on *that* cocktail. enjoy a few here of the tastier kind 🙂 on the house. if you’re ever in need of some special californian anti-nausea medicine i can hook you up. i still have a key to the happy train’s medicine chest.
baff@34, hush, now. what we don’t pay for individual packages we pay for base cable/internet. hundreds monthly. let the club squeeze the new money spots…
thanks, ned@31, i guess soares might have strained it getting up from his couch.
so, good news re tierney? no muscles tearing from his pubic bone? 😳
Welcome back, Dorset Mick. Easy on the chemicals, now, but all the best for your health!
Dorset Mick@32: Good to see you popping in. Thirty weeks of chemo is tough sledding. Hang in there. Best wishes for a successful outcome.
Scruz@45: Cut the cord. You don’t need those 42 shopping channels that come with your base cable. 🙂
Mark McGuinness is going to Ipswich on a season-long loan. Good luck to him there.
Thanks to everyone for their kind thought, they are much appreciated.
If the last few years have taught me one thing, it’s that there are always lots of people worse off than yourself. All Tottenham fans, for a start!
First qualifying round of the FA Cup started yesterday. The winners have another five ties to survive before the big boys come in in the Third Round proper in January. No replays this year. Penalties if scores are level after 90.
Well in for the half-ton, DM. And well said.
All the best with your treatment, Dorset Mick. Hopefully The Arsenal can keep offering up good football and decent results to help you get through these tough times.
Heh @ 50.
Leicester change their entire starting XI from the Premier League win over Burnley. James Maddison steps up his return to first-team action with a start, while Kelechi Iheanacho leads the line. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall starts in midfield.
Arsenal make seven changes but still field a strong side, which includes Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka. David Luiz starts in the centre of defence.
Leno
Maitland-Niles
Holding
David Luiz (c)
Kolasinac
Elneny
Willock
Saka
Pepe
Nketiah
Nelson
Bench: Rúnarsson, Bellerin, W. Saliba, Ceballos, Xhaka, Willian, Lacazette
You were pretty close on the team, OM.
No Ozil or Guendouzi in the squad. They are done.
No Torreira, either. He must be close to leaving. Ditto Macey.
Slightly surprised not to see even a single U-23 on the bench.
i’d’ve liked to see balogun on the bench, and runarsson on goal with leno sitting. otherwise, strong team. good call, om.
until we see what icelandboy is capable of, are we really going to let macey go? let’s hope he makes it through the game unscathed, leno.
i look forward to seeing our front line play together. i hope pepe gets some end product from his crosses tonight, and that nelson gains confidence in his ability to take on defenders with his dribble. eddie for a hattrick.
maitland niles to stake his claim for operating in front of tierney when kt3 is back. and kola shipped out.
Strong team. Mikel is clearly prioritising game time over rest at this stage
I’ve found what looks like a decent free stream on footybite.tv. I’m on Chrome and have downloaded Adblock.
Good shot Nelson
Dorset Mick
The thoughts of all Goonerholics are very much with you , I have a mate who cane through the same sort of challenge last year and he is doing really well now
No crowd noise on this Bein Sports stream
Good save Leno
No crowd noise on Eleven Sports 1 either
Great save Leno
A fine preview OM. I am backing us to win though we have lost our last three matches away there.
I thought this would be the perfect game to blood Saliba and I am surprised to see him on the bench.
Game off to a good start with fine saves by the two goalkeepers already in the first six minutes.
Elneny needs to watch himself now
Elneny picks up a yellow for a late tackle
Very open game. Maddison pulling the strings for Leicester.
Pepe. No right foot. Must find a short cut for that phrase.
Willock misses a tap in (just too late to the ball) after great work from Saka
Thanks for the stream c100, it’s coming through clear as you like. 👌
WTF that’s a pen
Should be a penalty, Saka hauled down
Nelson misses a sitter
Got away with that one
Fuck a duck! Maddison is class. Dead lucky
Rob looking a bit slow and clumsy
Maddison almost got through. Lucky to be still even.
Just read about your health problems, Dorset. I pray you get through the long and tiring course of your treatment and recover fully.
Leno’s defenders can’t recognize his voice. Must be listening for Emi’s
Half time. Saka and Maddison best two players on the pitch
We were the better team and should be ahead despite Maddison hitting the post.
Pepe needs to pull his finger out second half.
We are leaving far too much space in the ten metres just outside the area. One of their shots is going to fly in in a minute
£72m and he’s only got one foot!
Get in!!!! Own goal by Fuchs. Pepe’s persistence pays off.
Goal!!! Messy but I’ll take it!
Willian coming on
Willian coming on for Nelson.
Maddison has come off too which is good.
I thought Nelson played well. Some time on loan, playing every week will do him a power of good. No option to buy nonsense. Reiss is a keeper.
Good effort Eddie!
Ceballos on for Willock.
Dani on for Willock who really grew into the game I thought
Perez should have scored there
Agree C100. Nelso and Willock both played well and a loan outing to a premier league or championship team would give him regular playing time.
They almost scored off a free kick. Our old failing against set pieces is rearing it’s ugly head again.
Martinez was really good against high balls in the penalty area. Leno just flapped once again and completely failed to make contact with the ball. An area ha has to work on.
Bellerin coming on for Saka.
Well played Saka. Another good solid game
Squares across the box for
Eddie!!! After some good work by Bellerin. 0-2.
C100 lays it on a plate and is gleefully slammed in.
Stick it in the net Eddie!
Well in ksn and Eddie! Not often you get a goal on the 100th post!
Nice run Hector
That will do nicely boys and girls
Another win and MA continues to impress with the way he set us up. Even Kola had a good game and Luiz’s experience and the energy of the young brigade ensured that we controlled the game through out and came away relatively easy winners in a tough away game.
On a point of order ksn. “Even Kola did well”. I think not. Left for dead at least three times and his passing sucks. I refer the honourable gentleman to my West Ham match report. However I thought Eddie worked really hard. He’s not a natural back to goal player and he stuck at it.
Selfless work @99 C 100
You are an assist machine !
How may I assist you? ksn, Eddie like, was there for the tap in, taken with verve and style.
Whoever said AMN is better on the left may have hit on something. His passing was very poor.
I saw him at right back a couple of years ago, away at Man City. He was roasted by de Bruyne (not the first). I really don’t think it’s his position.
I agree on AMN. It’s counterintuitive but he seems to have been much better at LB. I’d have him there before Kola every time.
Still not feeling it for Pepe despite perseverance forcing the goal. Is he going to make it?
The young brigade all did well today. We should have been ahead at half-time, however, which would have made the second half more comfortable.
Good observation about AMN playing on the left. He has been on the losing side 16 times in the 54 league games he has played (which seems a fair record given how many of those will have been Emery-era), but only in one of those 16 was he playing on the left hand side. (That may be correlation more than causation, or it may back up the sharp eyes in the bar.)
I am in two minds about loaning out Reiss Nelson. I take the point about him needing regular games, but equally he looks to be benefiting hugely from Arteta’s coaching. His positional play was really disciplined today. He was getting the ball in space and spaces where he could use his undoubted skill effectively.
Good win that I must shamefacedly
admit to missing as I slept through
the alarm
Still, we won and I nailed the score.
All part of the normal service here
at Holics Bar folks 😉
@57
Thanks ksn. Would’ve been nice
to see Saliba I thought too.
Hopefully Lincoln win and we
see him in the next round as
Liverpoo away might be throwing
him in at the deep end.
@114 Ned,
Given that Martinelli is back in
the New Year maybe a January
loan for Nelson would be the
win-win option?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>