Arsenal v. Dundalk FC
Europa League Group Stage Round 2
Thursday, October 29, 2020, 8:00pm, Emirates Stadium
Having seen off Rapid Vienna a week ago thanks to a Luiz/Aubameyang second half salvo after we struggled in many of the same ways we suffered against Leicester on Sunday, Arsenal’s second Europa League group stage contest features the challenge of Dundalk FC, currently the loftiest Irish side (#127 overall) in UEFA’s ranking of European football clubs. The Irish club represents County Louth, the Republic’s north-easternmost county, and the town of Dundalk itself lies nearly within shouting distance of the Northern Ireland border so the club’s supporters must feel a good deal of complexity about all things British. But a Dundalk win against Arsenal in London would surely bring a smile to many an Irish face. As cba, our longtime County Donegal correspondent might have pointed out, (mostly) good-naturedly, Irish people everywhere have valid reasons to feel that way about the British, but I don’t remember him mentioning which Irish club he supported, if any, prior to his passing shortly after the big man, Goonerholic himself, last December. As TTG pointed out in the last drinks, Wednesday the 28th marked a whole year since ‘holic posted his last blog. It was indeed a very sad time in this corner of the internet that deserves remembrance upon Arsenal’s first meet-up with Irish opposition in Europe in many years (if ever, help Ned!!), but it does my heart a world of good to think of cba and ‘holic getting together to watch this one over a few pints of Liffey water.
In keeping with the many close connections between Arsenal and Ireland over the decades, I recommend this article by Mary O’Shea, written a dozen years ago when Ulsterman Pat Rice still formed half of Arsenal’s dynamic coaching duo as Arsene Wenger’s his second in charge: https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/66569-arsenal-in-ireland-what-the-gunners-mean-to-the-land-of-saints-and-scholars . To our chagrin, Irish players have not enjoyed such success at Arsenal since then, but Rice, Brady, Jennings, O’Leary, and Stapleton live on as legends in the memory of Arsenal fans.
Opposition
Historically, Dundalk are the Republic’s second most successful side in domestic competition after Shamrock Rovers, and the most successful of all Irish clubs since 1985. Since 2003 the Irish league season has run through the Summer, so Dundalk have already played 15 league games this season, and currently sit third in the table. On Sunday they lost at Waterford where they failed to break the crystal, matching Arsenal’s goal-less tally of the same day. Dundalk, as the defending Irish champions, secured their place in the group stage by defeating Faroe Islands side Klaksvik in the final qualifying round, but this will be Dundalk’s sixth European match this season alone after they lost a Champions League qualifier and won three Europa League qualifiers; so Arsenal have no reason to complain of fixture congestion. Last Thursday Dundalk lost at home 1-2 to Norwegian side Molde, giving up two second half goals after leading at half time, so Arsenal and Molde jointly top the group going into Thursday’s matches.
Dundalk’s manager is Filippo Giovagnoli, a 50 year-old Italian who upon being drawn in Arsenal’s group said (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40058720.html) that fear will not be a factor for his side. But prior to the draw he, somewhat worryingly, declared a wish to be paired with Tottenham Hotspur so Arsenal’s task will be to refurnish Filippo’s fear, and make him wish he had been grouped with Tottenham after all. Dundalk last played at this stage of the Europa League in 2016 when they faced Maccabi Tel Aviv, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and AZ Alkmaar, and became the first team from the Republic to win a group stage match in any European competition. Dubliner Chris Shields, their captain and longest-serving player, was a mainstay of that Dundalk side so his experience will come in handy against the Gunners.
Team News and Arsenal XI
Some degree of rotation seems to be in order, so the only question relates to the exact speed of Mikel Arteta’s rotisserie, as it were. Bernd Leno may have played his worst game in an Arsenal shirt in Vienna, where he made three glaring errors and was lucky only to be punished on one of them. A few days later, Leicester’s James Maddison nearly scored from midfield after Leno committed another clanger. Could it be time to rest Leno and give a first start to Rúnarsson, our new backup keeper? Indeed, on Wednesday Rúnarsson’s picture figured prominently on the club website, but Mikel Arteta has shown his players a lot of loyalty, even when they are going through tough patches. Having recently sold Emiliano Martinez, Leno’s only real competition for the no. 1 spot, Arteta has little choice if he wants to play with the highest degree of confidence in his keeper, but after two consecutive subpar displays I wouldn’t be completely surprised if he took a slight risk and put the Icelander in Thursday’s team.
In central defence Gabriel really shouldn’t need a rest this early in the season, and I expect him to retain his place where he has shored things up smartly in his first few games. Calum Chambers is nearing readiness for selection once more, which is timely news considering that Rob Holding will be out for several weeks after he injured his hamstring in the warm-up against Manchester City two Sundays ago; David Luiz suffered a muscular injury on Sunday; Shkodran Mustafi looked every inch not the part as his second half replacement; and William Saliba and Sokratis were excluded from the 25-man Europa League squad. As Mustafi recently returned from long-term injuries while Chambers has only been in training, we will most likely see the former of the two but it would be refreshing to see Chambers back in the team. On their flanks Cedric Soares and Sead Kolasinac may give Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney a breather.
Up front, Willian, who suffered calf strain at Manchester City has a niggling injury and his availability is uncertain. Bukayo Saka, whose leg was clattered by a Leicester tackler, is available for selection. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have looked slightly off the boil in their last few games so I would keep them on the bench and ready for second half action if needed, but go with Eddie Nketiah as lone striker with Nicolas Pepe and Reiss Nelson providing service on either side, and the seldom sighted duo of Joe Willock and Mohamed Elneny in central midfield.
Rúnarsson
Soares – Mustafi – Gabriel – Kolasinac
Willock – Elneny
Pepe – Saka – Nelson
Nketiah
Enjoy the game, wherever you may be watching. Seeing as Arsenal top the table after our win in Austria, another of the same against the Irishmen would put us in fine fiddle for the rest of the group stage. I wouldn’t harp on it but it’s important to keep our noses to the stone, and not count our shamrocks until they bloom in the Spring. Playing good football wouldn’t hurt though. Our friends ‘holic and cba would have appreciated it.
A timely and excellent post to read
just before I’m off to bed, thanks bt8.
Team looks fine but I wouldn’t play Gabriel
if it were up to me. I think we might see a
truly makeshift defence tonight.
A very fine job indeed Bt8. Lots of background and interest. I suspect there will be a lot of folk from across the Irish Sea tuning in and not just fans of Dundalk. I really don’t know about the team – so much depends on how fit people are. Unleash the kids!
Cheers Bt8
That’s a shillelagh of a preview you’ve conjured up from the bottom of your Guinness jar, bt8 and it’s got me thinking that just like that old sweet talker Bath you’ve been off and kissed the Blarney stone, so and you have.
I wouldn’t start Saka or Gabriel tonight. I have a sneaky feeling that Xhaka might not start at the Old Toilet on Sunday – he and Partey don’t party up to an effective combo. I won’t be shocked to see our dark chocolate Swiss at the back tonight for Gabriel. Ainsley instead of Saka for me – we’ll need Bukayo fresh as a shamrock on Sunday.
Superlative preview bt8!
I am with BtM about Gabriel and Saka. We should see AMN and Xhaka in their place. A flat midfield of Elneny-AMN-Joe with AMN more on the left and Joe on the right. Xhaka in place of Gabriel. We need to give him a little rest ahead of ManU.
Something like 3-0 will be fine.
Oh, and I see you’ve been up and given a good Saturday night in a back-street outside a spit and sawdust pub in the scratchy part of Dublin’s east end kicking to that nice German fella Mr Leno.
Bit harsh I’d say. He wasn’t great in Vienna but the Lesta shot from miles out missed the target by yards and was never going in. If the measure of poor goalkeeping now extends to ‘watched happily as ball sailed wide of his goal’ there isn’t a decent keeper in the League.
But if good means ‘saves at point blank range from Lesta golden boot stealer when Mustafi serves up yet another howler’ then Leno’s yer man. 🙂
On a point of order BtM
A pint of plain is yer man.
Plain has never been part of my repertoire C100 🙂
Bt8
Terrific preview- informative , atmospheric and amusing.
I’ve spent a lot of my life in Irel@nd. I retire from an Irish Board on Wednesday and I’ve friends on both sides of the border. On askin* likely shorelines of m6 mate’s one said ‘ Arsenal dinner ladies would beat Dundalk ‘! So I’d put Mrs Hargreaves at centre back and Mrs Mainwaring upfront instead of Auba.
I’d go
Runarsson
Cedric Mustafi Xhaka AMN
Elneny Willock
Nelson ESR Pepe
Nketiah
But the dinner ladies could be on the bench
Thanks Bt8 great work !
Seems appropriate on this night
https://www.kinglaoghaire.com/lyrics/313-the-workmans-friend
It depends how you define Irish, bt8, (and I can feel cba staring down hard from above) but we played the Belfast club, Glentoran, in the Fairs Cup in 1969. We beat them at home in the first leg, 3-0, but then put two Ulstermen in the team for the away leg, Terry Neill and Pat Rice, and lost 1-0.
An excellent preview, by the way.
Anything less than 86-0 and it’s Arteta Out. 🙂
I’d settle for 7-0 but a severe doing is required.
Cheers bt8 !
A very decent team selection for the task – not 100% sure about that back line but any Arsenal back line really should be good enough. Not arrogance, but players arrive here for a reason.
Are we ever 100% sure about the back line, Trev?
Arsenal: Runarsson, Cedric, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Elneny, Xhaka, Nelson, Pepe, Nketiah
Subs: Leno, Hein, Bellerin, Tierney, Gabriel, Saka, Ceballos, Lacazette, Partey, Willian, Aubameyang, Balogun
Presume Smith-Rowe not available?
Thanks bt8 for an excellent preview which has provided everything I now know about tonight’s opposition.
I share with several Drinkers the hope that young Gabriel will be wrapped in cotton wool on the bench and that either Elneny or Xhaka will partner Mustafi at CB with the other providing the old head in a youthful midfield. I would be inclined to save Mustafi for the Old Toilet as well if I didn’t think he needs game time. Like the silver tongued BtM, I would play AMN rather than Saka whom I would also save for OT though I agree that Runarsson should get a bit of experience. Otherwise I’d go with your selection.
Like Cynic, I hope that this Arsenal team can channel the spirit of their forebears and put a team that should be markedly inferior to them to the sword by both racking up a memorable score line and also giving the boss a few selection options for the future with their performances.
Go win Arsenal!
Go win Arsenal
I think this is kosher, he’s an Arsenal based journo
Not sure if this announcement by the club this week was picked up by anyone on here
Ahead of the 2021/2022 season, all members will receive an upgraded My Arsenal Rewards membership card, which will also work as an electronic matchday ticket, a rewards card and a payment card. Barclays will embed innovative payment technology within the card, meaning it can also be used for all online and offline purchases at Emirates Stadium, all club shops and anywhere that accepts Visa as a payment method. The payment service provided by Barclays can be accessed via the Arsenal app for simple and efficient use, subject to Barclays eligibility requirements and T&Cs.
Fans will earn loyalty points based on specific interactions with the club, which they can then redeem for exclusive rewards or money-can’t-buy Arsenal experiences. My Arsenal Rewards will also enable members to earn rewards by spending at several affiliated high street and online brands, including our club partners, which will be announced in the coming months.
Did you not believe my team Countryman?
@TTG I missed that. Jeez just like a branch of fucking Tesco’s.
Confirmation ESR is injured.
Didn’t see it Esso! Memo to self: always refresh before posting!
TV coverage here delayed by an hour but the game will be shown, which dovetails nicely with the Mrs. agreeing to put off our furniture shopping expedition until tomorrow. Come on the Arse kids!
TTG. Well they can get to fuck with that!
Bench:
Leno, Hein, Bellerin, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos, Partey, Willian, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Balogun
Arsenal XI: Runarsson; Cedric, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles; Willock, Elneny, Xhaka (c); Nelson, Pepe, Nketiah.
Subs: Leno, Hein, Bellerin, Tierney, Gabriel, Saka, Ceballos, Partey, Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Balogun
Isn’t Smith Rowe ever fit?
The only challenge is staying awake through the second half of AC Milan v. Sparta Prague. Guess I should set an alarm in case I inadvertently doze off.
Ned, That is a lot of subs. Hope they didn’t go drinking in the Dublin dive bar BtM mentioned above.
You wait all day for the team news and then three buggers come along at the same time. What does that remind me of?
Guys you really need to refresh before posting!
C100 @26, seconded sir.
Didn’t mean to neglect Esso and TTG’s listing of our substitutes. It gives me confidence nobody had a different list. 😉
Who is this Hein fella and why have we got two keepers on the bench anyway?
Esso @32, it is one of the irritating idiosyncracies of the site. Were it not a feature of Dave’s bar, I would have lobbied for automatic refreshing like the arses.
However like a small blemish on a much-loved face, I think it is part of its charm. Very poetic, nichts? I’m currently watching Richard Wagner’s die Walkure. Siegmund and Sieglinde falling for each other as Spring erupts must have got to me.
@30. Forgot we’re playing at home, but double reason to be glad they didn’t go to Dublin. 😉
Cheers bt8, a most informative & entertaining preview.
I suspect any team that gets this far to the group stages is not entirely a walkover and our attacking performances of late do not suggest Dundalk will receive a shellacking.
This is an opportunity for those who are not normally first pick give the manager something to think about for the visit to old toilet on Sunday. The defence as selected looks like they will be providing more than the normal amount of humour for our delectation – Mustafi & Kolasnic as CB, what possibly could go wrong ? I’m going with a 3-1 to the good guys.
Cynic
We had two goalkeepers on the bench last week. We have put subs we have registered for the Europa League down . Hein is a young Estonian goalkeeper who has played for his country but not for us. He was sent off last week in the U23s .
We had a previous Estonian international goalkeeper who played one game ( I think) for the first team. Anyone like to give us his name ?
Thanks to all for your kind words, and thanks Ned re: the two ties with Northern Ireland clubs making this truly a first meeting with the southerners. Hope I didn’t offend anybody with incorrect or inappropriate Irish terminology. If so it was purely due to my ignorance, not malice. I loved my lone trip to Ireland, about 40 years ago.
Antwerp 1. Tottenham 0- Shame
Our corners haven’t improved then
Pepe with the worst corner of the century
After Willock did well to win it
Pepe and Willock combine well but nobody is on the end of Joe’s great cross
we are wasteful.
nice work to a high pepe header.
Presuming they are Catholics who respect authority so we had best stay on the ref’s good side.
Nelson having a bright start.
Elneny nearly sets up Nelson for our first
Eddie … so close
Nelson and Willock looking dangerous.
Rogers flapping worse than flappy himself but Eddie was quick to it. FITB
WCBD
.
.
.
Willock cannot be denied.
Nicely taken on the rebound by Joe but awful from Pepe who had a simple ball to lay Joe in and just blasted it.
Joe deservd that goal. He’s by far our best midfielder at gtting into the box and supporting the attack and he’s got a nice touch and cool head. He should be getting game time ahead of Ceballos.
My first choice midfield three would be Elneny, Partey and Willock. Energy, Power and attack.
C100. You don’t think Pepe intended to carom it to Willock off the defender like that then? An unbeatable L-shaped pass, completely replicable against United if he is selected. 😉
by = bt8
Didn’t think spillchucker was a problem in that area.
Sorry by/Bt8 (how on earth could you log in?). Clearly the complexities of Arteta ball is beyond me. Outstanding caroom Pepe!
Bath, I do like the sound of an Elneny – Partey – Willock midfield. Just one second half substitution could make them all appear before our very eyes.
@ 55 Bath : I think we’ll eventually arrive at Willock, Partey and Saka energy, power and creativity – unless of course Aouar’s brother reduces his desire to extort in the interim.
Christ on a bike where did that right footed thunderbolt from Pepe come from?
BtM @60, good call there.
Right footed golazo by Pepe? And I thought I had seen it all. Pepe switching sides in the first half seemed to help, not to mention Nketiah coming deep into midfield for link up play.
Auba and Laca really enjoying watching this in the stands. They don’t think they have to play.
Balogun is a big guy. And a breath of fresh air.
Poom TTG
3-0 and on to the toilet we go.
3-0 it is. 😉
Just saw the match stat: we conceded 20 fouls, opposition 0. 😂
Strange match with the strange sight of Pepe scoring a worldie with his right foot.
Joe my MotM.
Result!
Matt Poom played one league game for us, half a league cup game, and won a CL runners-up medal without playing at all, or even being on the bench.
Well, job done, if somewhat labouriously done. Bright performances by Willock and Nelson. Nketiah could have got himself a hat-trick. Perhaps should. Collector’s item in a right-footed Pepe thunderbolt, which is only his fifth recorded career right-footed goal.
Pepe is, as Winston Churchill had it about Russia, a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside of an enigma. Capable of a worldie like the goal tonight, or the two free kicks to win the game that Scruz enjoyed, yet mostly stuttering, one footed, without a trick. Even tonight, until the goal, defending against him looked laughably easy. Stand up, watch the ball and then put your foot in. I can’t work him out.
Countryman @ 72: The thing with Pepe is he doesn’t consistently impose himself on the game but waits for moments to exploit space. Once he is close to the box he is efficient. At Lille his success was based on a pure counter attacking style. He had some of his best moments for us — FA Cup Semi and Final, for instances — when we played that way. He will need to learn to impose himself more.
His Lille goals and assists show that given a little space he can be very effective. A highlight reel https://youtu.be/sk0PvCvHDKw
@70 Matt Poom, Ned. Who knew? International man of mystery.
Mart Poom, innit?
Where is TTG?
I want acknowledgement of my
POOM BOOM 😃
Some great calls in the bar on the starting
XI tonight. Pity about ESR but good
to see Joe W shine
Pangloss, with a varied career he was known as “Exchange & Mart” Poom.
A nice win tonight but it seemed more like a pre-season friendly than a competitive European match. Agree with my learned friends that Joe Willock man of the match, although Runarsson ran him close 😉. Eddie found it difficult to impose himself against a packed defence and Reiss worked hard but with little end result. It was a much needed run out for some of players.
Mart Poom it was chaps ( I was off writing the report) I got taken by a client to Fratton Park once ( he obviously didn’t like us) and we got introduced to some of the players not involved in the game including Poom. A few years later he was at Arsenal. I believe his only game for us was at Fratton Park
I did the report last night . I think Scruz is going to publish it when he has risen in the sunny land of California
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