On Saturday, our Premier League campaign restarts with a visit to the blue side of Manchester, just the same game as our restart in June after the Lockdown. These master versus pupil contests have become a regular feature of 2020 with yet another lined up in the League Cup quarter final later this year. Hopefully Mikel can continue where he left off and establish a run of pupil dominance.
Our last visit to the home of the Oilers ended in a 0-3 reverse for a young team with a starting midfield of Willock, Guendouzi and Xhaka. The Arsenal went toe to toe with Shitteh, pressed high and held their own for the first half hour despite losing both Xhaka and Mari within the first 20 minutes. Thereafter, despite superb goalkeeping from Leno, almost constant pressure from Shitteh, abetted by two major errors and a red card for Luiz, resulted in defeat for a team that was outclassed, overrun in midfield and lacked midfield steel, creativity and an offensive threat.
In the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, Shitteh started as they had finished but after 15 minutes on the back foot, a far more assertive first half performance by The Arsenal produced a different outcome, vividly reported on this blog by OsakaMatt (https://www.goonerholicsforever.com/?p=1101). After Aubameyang gave us a first half lead with a superb goal, Matt described a second-half involving a modicum of good fortune and much stolid defending that would have had Adams et al purring. The result was ensured by Aubameyang’s second goal after 70 minutes and we saw out the match with bravery, organisation and skill with David Luiz to the fore. Matt also gave call outs to Xhaka and Tierney whilst many remarked on AMN’s fine contribution with Aubameyang as outstanding as he was anonymous in the previous game.
Our historical record against the blue side of Manchester is good. We have played them, initially as Woolwich Arsenal vs Ardwick, on 200 occasions since November 1893, winning 98, drawing 45 and losing 57. As observed by a fine correspondent in the current issue of the Gooner, we used to relish our trips to the blue side of Manchester racking up high scoring wins in the noughties before their massive injection of oil revenue. However, prior to July’s FA Cup semi-final we had lost 7 in a row in all competitions to an aggregate score of 2-20 since November 2017. Our total Premier League record at their place is 11 wins, 3 draws and 9 defeats. The shift in dominance took place in the 2008-9 season before which we had 10 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat out of 12 PL visits with an aggregate score of 24-7. In the 12 PL visits since November 2008, we have won only 2, drawn 2 and lost 8 with an aggregate score of 16-28. It’s high time we restored our traditional relationship.
Huge investment by the ruling dynasty of the United Arab Emirates has transformed the fortunes of our previously somewhat flaky opponents. It helped them amass a collection of fine players whose efforts and trophy haul have been enhanced by Pep Guardiola and his erstwhile assistant. Having pulled off a treble in 2018-19, they had to content themselves with the League Cup and Community Shield in 2019-20 though they still finished 25 points above us, scoring 46 more goals and conceding 13 fewer. It’s fair to say that while their attack has remained deadly with de Bruyne pulling the strings for Aguero, Sterling and Mahrez, their defence has looked more vulnerable since the departure of Kompany particularly during Laporte’s long injury lay-off. More recently, they have had problems finding a reliable partner for Laporte, hence the summer purchase of Ake and Dias, also adding Ferran Torres to replace Sane. However, Shitteh haven’t yet replaced the energy and guile of David Silva who has returned to Real Sociedad.
Their form has been unspectacular so far this season. After a delayed start they have played three times and sit 14th with 4 points and a minus 1 goal difference. A slightly fortunate 3-1 away win against a flat Wolves team suggested normal service might have been resumed but a 5-2 home thrashing by a rampant Lesta showed unexpected vulnerability to pacey forwards. This was followed by a 1-1 draw at Leeds where the home team merited at least a point. We must hope that rather than getting back on the right track, their wheels come off properly in their fourth game.
I expect Shitteh to field Emerson in goal, Dias and Laporte as their first-choice centre back pairing and Walker and Mendy at full-back. In midfield they have a wealth of options (literally) but I expect a three of de Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo as Pep goes for The Arsenal’s throat with Fernandinho, Gundogan and Foden very able alternatives from the bench. Upfront we can expect to face Mahrez and Sterling on their flanks with Gabriel likely to lead their line unless Aguero has recovered from injury.
What of the good guys? Given the challenge of a trip to the Emptihad, I don’t expect Mikel to start with the 4-3-3 formation that he is said to favour. At the time of writing, the possible absence of KT reduces our flexibility in morphing between 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 as possession changes. Although Kolasinac offers similar flexibility between left-sided centre back and left wing back, he plays both roles with markedly less security than KT. Fingers crossed that The Arsenal can make the case for an immune individual with circulating antibodies not requiring 14 days quarantine following socially distanced exposure to a Coronavirus-positive Scotland team-mate. I am led to believe that the PL recommendation would be 7 days quarantine rather than 14 days as prescribed by the SFA though neither recommendation is rational for an immune individual. Given that this is a PL match, it should clearly be played under PL rather than SFA rules. Perhaps Mikel’s responses in his pre-match presser were deliberately Delphic. A reported outbreak of Coronavirus-positivity in the Ivory Coast squad also raised anxieties about Pepe’s availability. Hopefully he has been wearing his mask and keeping his distance from infected compatriots!
Subject to others falling foul of Coronavirus-related sanctions, Bernd Leno is clearly our number one ‘keeper and will hopefully again excel at Saturday’s venue. In the absence of KT, Holding, Luiz and Gabriel are our strongest available back three though may lack the shape-shifting potential KT brings to the party. To date, Gabriel has been very impressive on the right and centre of a back three. Perhaps he is capable of shape-shifting versatility on the left side? Bellerin is nailed on at right wing back and in the absence of KT, I would choose AMN at left wing back over Saka and Kolasinac because of his excellent performance against this opposition in the FA Cup semi-final. AMN will also be doubly determined to get over his disappointment at his attenuated first start for England.
I hope Mikel will have no hesitation in starting Thomas Partey at the right side of central midfield and although I would pair him with Ceballos to his left, I expect Mikel to start with Xhaka. I fully expect Partey to make a paradigm-shifting contribution to this Arsenal team and the club’s future and it would be wonderful if he could make a landmark statement in this game. Given the opposition, I think Mikel will go for experience and start a front three of Willian, Lacazette and Aubameyang with Laca dropping back into midfield to link up play and the wide pair tracking back when required. Personally, I would surprise the Sky Blues with a mobile and pacey front pair of Pepe and Aubameyang with Willian playing an advanced central midfield/’Number 10’ role behind them. Alternatively, Ceballos or Saka could play that ‘Number 10’ role whilst Willian and Saka both offer an added metamorphosis to a wide left position. This would allow Aubameyang to move into the central striking position that he exploited successfully to facilitate the opportunities for our goals against Sheffield United.
In summary, I expect Mikel to choose a starting line-up of:
Leno
Holding, Luiz, Gabriel
Bellerin, Partey, Xhaka, AMN
Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
The Holic Pound
Whatever the challenge we face, I cannot bet against an Arsenal victory, though pre-match, given recent history, I would be content with a point. The value bet is 40/1 for a repetition of the 2-0 victory we achieved at Wembley. This will require top performances from every player selected, the creation and clinical execution of chances, stolid defending and another slice of Lady Luck’s benevolence at the back. Let’s do it again! Go win, Arsenal!
Enjoy the game, Holics.
COYG.
Thanks, Bath. This checking which players are available due to Covid restrictions following the international break must not make writing the preview any easier but you did swimmingly. 👍🏼
Re: Harry Maguire, Rio Ferdinand puts it politely.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54558838
Terrific preview Bath, up to your usual thorough and excellent standard .
I heard that De Bruyne was injured at Wembley and might not make it and I hope Tierney is allowed to play but suspect the SFA will block him although I agree with your reasoning
I think your defence is spot on but I think there will be a role for Ceballos joining Xhaka and Partey in a more creative role than usual. Citeh are a side who try to boss possession so depriving them of the ball as much as we can will be key.
1-1 would be a good and very possible outcome especially if Arteta watched Leicester’s recent tactics .
great stuff, baff. i love your variations on a theme for starters. i’d certainly like to see dani party with partey. we could see a three with xhaka there, and a flexible three in possession and five in defense with amn and hecate wingbacking.
i’ll be happy with a draw, ecstatic with a win.
and since i closed the comments on our very own BFG (Bodrum Friendly Gooneress) i’m reposting https://www.goonersvcancer.com in case anyone wants to get in on it. a worthy cause.
COYG!
Excellent preview Bath! I agree with your starting line-up except that I think Partey may haven’t had enough practice with his new teammates to start yet. Especially when he is playing with someone like Xhaka who has a few idiosyncrasies. 🙂 So I expect Dani to partner Xhaka, But if our new number 18 starts that will tell us Mikel has seen enough in the practice session or two.
City’s fullbacks constantly bomb forward and their defense has been shaky against fast counter attacks. Maybe Mikel will also be tempted to start with Pepe. I think it is a kind of match where if he could fit all four of Willian-Pepe-Laca-Auba we will score goals, more than one. But that I guess cannot happen until we move to 4-3-3.
That Santi Cazorla inspired 2-0 was our last away win at City if I remember correctly. A 2-0 will be perfectly fine this time too.
Cent from previous drinks — thanks a lot for sharing the name of the book. I just ordered it in Amazon and looking forward to read it soon. Congratulations again and best wishes!
scruz — The Gooners vs. Cancer link doesn’t work for me. However I had previously donated to this admirable effort based on another link shared earlier by another esteemed poster, and that links still seems to be active.
https://events.lls.org/pages/nca/goonersvscancer2020
Added congratulations to Cent on getting your book published. Writing it too. 🙂
If Arteta starts Xhaka and Ceballos in midfield will it become known as the Partey feint?
Excellent preview, thanks Bath!
You’ve covered the key issues
well. Does KT play? Does Partey
play? Which Shitteh will turn up?
Which Luiz will turn up? 😄
It’s a big game for many reasons,
not least psychological.
One nil to The Arsenal.
Very nice preview Bath. Manchester City are an enigma. Strong enough to blow any team off the park, flaky enough to have inexplicable defeats. We have to get amongst them and counter their press and, crucially, take our chances. Can Partey start with only one day’s training with the team? Who knows.
Excellent preview, Bath. It will be a big ask for Partey to start in what will be a highly tactical game on one or two days training with new team mates. My guess is that he will come on off the bench sometime during the second half.
Guardiola confirms De Bruyne out tomorrow through injury.
A rather candid interview with Arsene
https://theathletic.com/2140778/2020/10/16/arsene-wenger-interview-arsenal/?source=user_shared_article
Re: Partey coming on some time in the second half. Maybe when we are 4-0 up? A good time to start or join the Partey to be sure.
It’s a very good interview Dr F. I’ve now finished the book but won’t be commenting as Pangloss will be reviewing it for the blog in the next international break.
Top notch preview, Bath.
I hope Arteta doesn’t approach the game with too much caution. I hope we have a good go at attacking them. They have key players unavailable and coming off a very bad home loss that I hope has tortured and messed with their heads throughout the Interlull. Let’s take advantage of the circumstances.
I suspect we will know more about our current team’s mentality after the game. Are they a predator that, when it smells it’s opponent’s blood, goes for the jugular or are they still a team of son in-laws? We will see.
Thanks for the kind words and support, Dr F, BT8, Scruz and anyone else I may have missed.
Another prediction of a Partey appearance from the beginning at
Thomas Partey set to start as transfer window finally shuts
Another preview predicts we will see Thomas from the opening whistle.
Thomas Partey set to start as transfer window finally shuts
Pray tell if Thomas takes part in a pleasing and predominating proportion of the play despite my previous prediction.
Shewore also predicts he’ll be in the starting XI so it could be that Bath knows. 🙂
A good read, and an excellent preview Baff. Thank you and congratulations.
I’m inclined to agree with some recent posters that it would be a surprise if Thomas (let’s cut the Partey gags now, eh? They’ve been done to death) were to start. I rather think that starting him look more like desperation than I’d like. I suspect Mikel’s first instinct will be to start Xhaka and Ceballos in midfield with two or three of AMN, Willian, Pepe and Saka depending on the overall formation he plumps for. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see our new signing coming on at some point in the second half.
TTG in previous bar – I’m very sorry not to have replied sooner – yesterday was CRAZY busy and I haven’t had a chance to catch up today before now. You asked @17 what I meant by hopes “coming to fruition”, well I can be irritatingly literal minded at times (only when I’m awake I hear you cry) so when I read reports that say “this bloke will be world class” I mean just that, how often does “this bloke” turn out to be world class? I haven’t re-read the links, so I may be being unfair on them, they might set a lower bar such as “this bloke will make a good career for himself in the Premier League (or at a similar level abroad)” if that’s what they say , then again, how often does “this bloke” indeed make a good career for himself at the top level.
I appreciate that it’s hard to predict how a young player will develop, and I, for one would be unwilling to make such predictions because of that. I’d like to understand how well the guys that put themselves up to be shot at for their predictions do.
I have retired to an undisclosed location in the upper Severn Valley to peruse Arsène’s book. I’m not sure how grateful to be for the expressions of self-denial above. I am genuinely concerned at whether or not my review will be worth waiting for, but you’ve said it now 🙂
Returning to Saturdays match, I agree with Scruz above, but I’d express it as I’d love to see us win, but will settle for a draw. In conclusion…
COYG
COYG
So good he said it twice.
COYG
Thrice!
Dr.F
I read that interview too. Ornstein asked a lot of questions I’d have liked to ask after reading the book . I hope Pangloss that you enjoy it in the Upper Seven Valley ( I’d guess Bridgnorth!?). I read the book in a much flatter place – Norfolk on the Broads and possibly because I had plenty of time on my hands I read it very quickly.
Given the COVID situation in Manchester I hope we don’t dwell too long after the match
Cheers Baff!
Great stuff Cent! All the best mate
I hear that Tierney will be allowed to play. Not officially confirmed yet
Excellent news TTG.
I too have heard that de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus are out and Sterling is doubtful but I am too long in the tooth to place much faith in such scuttlebutt.
Thanks for the feedback fellas.
“ since their loss to Brighton in June, no side has picked up more Premier League points than the Gunners (25).”
-source: https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/dont-rule-out-arsenal-at-the-etihad/185465
Lots of encouraging news!
– Tierney in
– De Bruyne out
– most PL points since Brighton
– Pangloss won’t be party to
any more party jokes
COYGS!!
Comprehensive preview Baff. Good stuff indeed.
I am excited about the game!
UTA
Massive congrats to Cent on publishing your book!
(for those who missed it details are towards the end of the last drinks)
I shall ask for it as a Christmas present and I’m looking forward to it!
1-0 to Liverpoo after 3 minutes.
Everton barely had a kick apart
from the two free kicks as a
result of Van Dijk clatterings.
Oddly enough Van Dijk injured
now after Pickford went straight
through him
Wonderful preview there, Bath. I like the look of that team with Gabriel and Tierney on either side of Luiz. I’d go with Saka over AMN on this occasion for additional creativity. I have a good feeling and anticipate a win for the good guys.
Good result in the blur ground at Liverpool today. Four points lost.
Yep, as BtM says 4 points lost.
Not a bad game, Everton a bit
lucky to get a point at the end.
Finished with 10 after a red for
Richarlison – a tackle that was
bad but not as bad as Pickford’s
earlier.
Hopefully Southampton can do
us another favour.
TTG@20. I fear I misspoke – Where we are laughs at Bridgenorth’s attempts to pass itself off as being in the Upper Severn Valley. Maybe better to describe my current whereabouts as the headwaters of the Severn.
COYG
Aguero and Sterling both playing.
No Luiz, No Laca. Gabriel entrusted
with the centre and a Willian, Pepe,
Auba front line. Thomas on the
bench and KT plays.
No real reason to fear either of them, ksn 🙂
Enjoy the game.
It’s good to see common sense has prevailed over KT. That’s a bolder line-up from Mikel than I had expected. It has plenty flexibility to morph from 4-3-3 into 5-3-2 or 3-3-4. It’s time to be assertive with this lot.
COYG
so that’s back of beyond then, pang?
i like our lineup. i hope we see some speed and creativity atop a solid defensive foundation.
This side of Woop Wopp, Scruz. But only just.
In other news,
COYG
OG
Plynlimon?
Partey is wisely starting in the bench. Surprised that Luiz is rested for Holding .
Expect a big game from Pepe
David Luiz starts. Holding has pulled a hamstring in the warm up.
Rob injured in the warm up. In comes David Luiz.
Luiz back in
Feo assist for a late Soton
equaliser at Chavski!
Now for the main event
COYGS!!
Gabriel looking imperious in the centre of our defence.
Thanks for that info, OM @ 43. I missed the last quarter hour. I see it ended 3-3.
I hope you are right BtM @ 35.
twenty minutes gone, our defense has done well. not getting it together on the ball, though.
TTG@39. You talking to me? You talking to me!
If so, then no. Close but no cigar. Llanidloes.
COYG
damn. shouldn’t have said anything.
Sterling scores. 1-0.
Bugger, we were keeping them
quiet fairly well until then
Maybe Leno should concentrate to turn the ball away to the side rather than put put it straight back into danger zone. Can’t really blame him.
We can’t open up too much now as they could over run us. Wait till the second half.
better, at least a couple of
attempts. Pepe header was a
fair chance.
Nice effort from Saka.
we are standing off them letting them weave pep’s little triangular patterns. that’s fine, but eventually they’re going to open us up. we don’t seem to be quick enough to break on them, either.
What on earth are we doing we look awful
great work leno. good anticipation.
Saka so close. We need those to go in our favour.
just unlucky, saka. second time he was in. well done.
Auba misses. Shit.
Great hustle from KT to help
make the chance for Sska
We played well after we went behind and are unlucky to not be even at the break. All to play for in the second half.
Saka had a great half and lucky to not score, as was Auba.COYG.
Poor goal to lose, Hector badly at sea. Three great moves delivered very good chances for Saka (2) and Auba. Three good saves. A strong KT/Saka axis.
Structure of the front three is wrong. Pepe and Willian are ghost pressers in the style of Iwobi. Auba tightly covered by Walker on the left, much more impactful in the middle. Needs sorting in the second half.
All to play for. This is far from over. I think we’ll see T18 in the second half. Push Saka wide left for Willian play Auba in the middle.
We are still in this. They took their chance and we spurned ours. We need to be more clinical in the second half.
Auba shows the ghost pressers how to pressure their keeper
Laca on for Willian. No sight of Partey yet.
What a talent Saka is. In a few years he will be a monster baller for us.
Partey on for Xhaka and Pepe replaced by Nketiah. Let’s see what all this hype is about Partey.
Thomas & Eddie on
Last throw of the dice
Come on TP!
Disappointing.
As someone said above we didn’t take
our chances.
Closer than recent visits to the Emptihad. So some progress. If we had scored any of the three chances we created in the first half it might have ended well. Disappointingly flat in the second half.
So we lost by a goal but were unlucky to lose. We had better goal scoring chances than City but we had not put on our scoring boots today. Lucky City.
Partey had very little time to do anything. We should get to see the true Partey after he has a few games under his belt.
Good outing for Saka ( man of the match), Gabriel and Tierney. Not so good for Auba, Leno etc.
Manure go behind in the second minute off a Shaw deflection.
Well there is plenty of him to deflect off ksn.
Played like a team winning 1-0 instead of losing 1-0 for too much of the game. Frustrating because in one way they were there for the taking, although City never really let the handbrake off. A bit more brvado and we might have got all the points, with City the ones under pressure.
As for their goal, Leno might one day learn that you don’t parry shots into the centre of your own 18 yeard box every time. It’s drummed into even the worst coached kid (and I was never coached as such, just told by a games teacher) that you get the ball out to the side and away from danger. Goalkeeping 101.
Oh well. Positives and negatives to this but frustrated manly. We seemed to waiting and hoping rather than being proactive.
I agree with the general tenor of comments .
We are MUCH better organised and the central two defended well which is to Luiz’s particular credit as he came in at the last minute .
My main concerns are Willian who doesn’t contribute much of value and Bellerin who as you may know I think is viewed through the lens of 2016 not the post-injury player of the past few months . But I trust Arteta despite my sense that he is a very conservative coach. But he has brought this team a long way and with more creativity we could be top 4 this season
C100 @ 74 – 😃. Shaw has never been able to get over his weight problems.
Unfortunately, Manure ran out comfortable 4-1 winners yesterday.
Agree with you, TTG. We no longer go away to the big four thinking we are going to lose. I was able to watch yesterday’s match without too much worry as Arteta has got the team organised and given them self belief. We more than held our own yesterday and were unlucky to come away without, at least, a point.
Willian has been a big disappointment. He hasn’t really contributed meaningfully, except in his first match for us, and I feel Pepe offers a lot more going forward.
We will need a few transfer windows of recruiting quality players before we can fight for honours in the league and qualify consistently for the Champions League, as we used to under Wenger.
A quick sweep through the
goonerverse this morning shows
some stick for Hector and Leno.
Personally, I thought both played
fine as did Luiz.
We were in with a chance until the end, a definite improvement, but the score line was a fair enough reflection of the game. Time to move on.
Thanks, gents, Esso @22 and GSD @28!
Somehow that game felt like a missed opportunity to me. It felt like we could have at least gotten a point with better luck and more creativity. I suppose it’s credit to Mikel that some of us, fans, now see a game away to the most expensive football team ever as winnable.
My only concern is that our team play looks so mechanical. I hope it’s a bug not a feature of Mikel’s style of play. Anyway, on to the next game.
I agree that we were still in the match at the end but we were still second best in many areas of the pitch. We could learn from the crispness of their passing. Their forward moves were swift and incisive whereas we seem to have lost the ability to mount a rapid breakaway. Our midfield, hard working though it was, was ponderous and pedestrian. City deserve credit for their defensive solidity and they had worked out how to neutralise our forwards with Auba tied to the wing and Pepe forced onto his right foot. Saka was our only real threat and it’s a great pity his fine efforts on goal didn’t hit the back of the net. Auba’s efficacy increased when he went into the centre and he too was unlucky with his opportunities. Apart from playing Saka more regularly (which has its risks for his longterm development – think Jack) he lack of creativity in midfield must await another window or two to be fully rectified. However yesterday was clear further progress and we must give MA8 much further credit despite nit-picking in some quarters.
Bath
I’m very much on the same page as you. I don’t like some of the features of this team . I don’t think I will ever get fully used to playing out from the back because it is so risky and we pass backwards sooo often. I get so irritated when we have an attacking corner cleared and the midfielder who thinks the best option is to play tye ball back to Leno!
But overall Arteta has fixed the appalling mess he inherited and made real progress with the structure of the team .
Some calls for Ozil to be reinstated are a joke. This was exactly the sort of game he never turned up in . But we have to be more creative . We have to maximise Auba’s effectiveness because he can be marginalised on the wing and we have to be slicker in our passing. Prime Wengerball saw us moving the ball at breakneck speed . We are far too deliberate at the moment . But hey as Cent says we are talking about competing with the potential champions and the most expensive team in the world . We were outclassed the season before last like men against boys. We brought on Dennis Suarez ! Yesterday we brought on Thomas Partey !
We are of one mind TTG. I will never ever get used to the pissing around at the back. We are better at it than we were but is often as unproductive as a punt up the park from the ‘keeper or a defender. You highlight nicely where we have progressed and how Özil is yesterday’s man. Our future midfield will be Saka, Thoas and one other – neither Ceballos nor Xhaka are the longterm solution.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>