Well, by now there is no denying that our two-faced team have hit the point where the success of our season is going to be defined by the next game in the Europa League. Unless we win it, of course, in which case we get two more season defining matches to give ourselves a chance of playing in a season-defining final. I’m drained just thinking about it.
The scary thing is that we have no idea what this team might produce tomorrow evening. Writing a preview is a bit like playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey (be honest – who just thought of Xhaka?)
We could score two early goals and go through comfortably. We could concede two early goals and go out pathetically. We could get a red card – by our own standards we are long overdue one. We could definitely concede a last-minute goal to go crashing out. Or draw 3-3 with a last-minute goal of our own.
There is no result this team is not capable of. Oh joy.
In the pre-match presser in London, before the flight out to Prague, Bernd Leno had this to say
“Once we score one goal, they are under big pressure. This should be our target: to score the first goal and then with a second goal we can almost finish the game because they’ll have to score three goals.”
Well, his plan does rely on us scoring goals. Who knows if that will happen? And I love his assertion that trying to score the first goal should be our target. When he hangs up his gloves, a career in management beckons the astute German. I am also a fan of his follow up plan – to score a second, unanswered goal. Top stuff that man. I am on board for that particular ride!
I am also glad that he seems optimistic that if we do manage to score two then we will not concede three. I hope that indeed comes to pass.
Slavia Prague
Unwelcome news has come out today that Ondrej Kudela has been banned for ten matches for racially abusing Glen Kamara in the previous tie win over Rangers. He maintains his innocence. Regardless, he will not feature tomorrow. Apart from that update I shall point you all in the direction of The Doc’s excellent preview, which cornered the market on details about our opponents tomorrow and which I have nothing to add to – apart from my praise!
And, with the greatest of respect, if we turn up and play at anything like our best level then we will beat whatever team Slavia field. So, I do not want to get too bogged down in what they are up to, and neither should our team or coach. Rather than negating them we should play to our strengths. We need to score, and we are crap at managing games anyway, so best just to play with some freedom and create some chances.
The Arsenal
This is tough to call. El Jefe has a variety of things he could do. Saka and ESR both trained and have travelled with the squad. At the time of writing, I don’t know about Auba or Odegaard. Lacazette got a brace at the weekend, Gabigol got his first goal in a while and played well. Pepe keeps providing tangible moments in games – goals and assists, that are exactly what we will need tomorrow. Willian may play. He is not my favourite player, but he is gradually improving, and his on-field class is such that he might find some form and spark into life at any time. If the boss did not believe this, he would never get a game, although personally I would like to see him on the bench tomorrow.
Left-back is a problem. No two ways around that. Will it be Xhaka again? Or Cedric? Ceballos had his best game in a while at the weekend. He could keep his place. Mari looks solid but Gabriel may partner Holding. Chambers or Hector at right-back? A lot depends on what combinations Arteta sees working on the wings, and I really don’t know what he is going to go for tomorrow.
However, I will take a punt…
Leno
Chambers Holding Mari Cedric
Xhaka Partey
Saka ESR Martinelli
Laca
Key for us will be getting on the front foot, asserting pressure and creating chances. And then, for the Love of God, scoring some of those chances! Laca best have his shooting boots on (he is up to 13 league goals this year, which ain’t half bad). Saka is due one, given the quality of chances he has had in recent games without finding the net. Partey is yet to get off the mark. Now is the time, Thomas! We have a lot of players capable of creating and scoring chances but if we do not show up, or labour around the pitch with sloppy passes then we will go out. And that would be entirely our fault. By conceding a stupid goal in the first leg we have left ourselves with no margin for error here.
We must be up for this. We must outwork them. Pass crisply, track runners and lose our own markers. Our midfield must not look like they are running through a bog. During a blizzard. In blindfolds.
This one is not rocket science – just do your jobs and play a good game of football, lads.
The Holics’ Pound
Having pointed out that any result is possible, I now have to plump for one. However, somewhat surprisingly, I have no hesitation in going for 3-1 to us, available at 14/1 with William Hill, and slightly better if you shop around. Sorry Bernd, but I can’t see us keeping a second clean sheet in a row. However, I do think our firepower will see us over the line in this one.
Finally, let me share that I have a friend who has family in the Czech Republic. They are Sparta Prague fans, so, brilliantly, she described Slavia as “the Czech Spurs”. That made me laugh, although perhaps it is somewhat harsh on the Czech team, who, unlike the LWCs, are still in the Europa League this year.
I hope that when the dust settles after Thursday night we are too.
Enjoy the game, wherever you are watching it. TTG recommends from behind a sofa.
Have a good one ‘holics.
Some dates for your diaries and more details on the signatories to the items on auction. Note the blog on ‘Fan Recollections of the FA Cup Final at Wembley 1971’ is now on 10th May.
Excellent blueprint, GSD. Also more insightful than Leno’s I should say. **reminder to dust the back of the couch**
COYRRNBG
That’s what I call a top preview although it understandably underlines the plethora of outcomes that might face us. I was wandering around the lounge with a few minutes to go last week moaning to Mrs TTG who didn’t give a stuff about the likelihood of conceding and then when we did I became very confident we could and would win tomorrow!
Nobody has a scoobies about what this team can or will do including the manager . We have been much better away from home in this competition ( in fact in all competitions) but then I recall the late concession of a 1-0 lead to Atletico a few years ago and the inability of the team to recover when going behind in Madrid. Slavia are nowhere near as good as Atletico but are we as good as that Arsenal team? On alternate days yes but on the other days?
I’m going with GSD’s 3-1 to us and will leap over the sofa if that comes to pass!
That was a fun preview, GSD, and made me chuckle. We have to see which Arsenal turns up, and I am not sure it will be an enjoyable watch, unless we rip it up from the start. Slavia must be confident of putting it across us, having beaten Leicester and Rangers earlier. Our players must understand that the season is on the line and raise their game. COYG.
Nice one, GSD. Captured the uncertainty to a T, if not to a TTG. I would take a 3-1 win and on to the semis in a heartbeat.
Talking of the English Slavia, I notice that the countdown clock is only a matter of days from ticking over to a TTG-esque big number. I hope that one of our esteemed admins stands ready to capture a screenshot of the moment for posterity.
Excellent preview GSD. Although none of us have a Scoobie about the starting 11, I reckon your selection is pretty close to what we’ll see.
It’s really quite simple tomorrow, simpler than it would have been had we won the first leg 1-0.
Turn up.
Have no fear.
Put in a full shift.
Make chances (like last week).
Take those chances (unlike last week).
Defend like Spartans.
Win the damn game.
Good call Ned @5!
Nice one, GSD !
I agree with everything, even though I have no idea what you eventually didn’t decide.
Seriously, I hope we go with Xhaka at LB again – he did ok on Saturday and I do think it is better to have full backs defending and playing out off their natural foot. That would allow Ceballos to continue in midfield with hopefully another high energy performance like Saturday. I would also go with Chambers or Cedric at RB in this one.
Your front four looks good – fingers crossed the manager thinks so too.
Leon’s plan is masterful – I would only advise him to try saving shots in front of the line this time, although I’m sure he’s thought of that too.
I would like to see a strong, physical Arsenal set out to bounce the Czechs around, ensure we don’t draw a blank and leave them with no current interest in the competition.
3-1 good guys 👍🏻
Ned, I’ve been on it for three days – techies are aware.
Sixty-one and never again,
Sixty-one and never again … 🎼🎶🎵🎶
Great preview, thanks GSD.
You’ve summed it up well but
I’m going to be slightly more
optimistic and I hope I don’t get
my fingers bernd with a 3-0 to
The Arsenal.
Your teams looks close too if
Ødegaard is not fit – though my
guess is Hector will start.
COYGs!!!
Trev@9: Good to hear.
Maybe the New York Gooners can arrange a giant 60 dropping from the heights above Times Square? Just a thought …
I’m sticking with my 3-0 philosophy.
Time to show some class.
UTA
Excellent preview GSD! And thanks for the shout-out.
We must play a team that can press very high up — their goalkeeper was noticeably tentative even under the ghost press from the elderlies — and can effectively and quickly transition as they also play a high defensive line. This is a match Martinelli should really play. We shouldn’t try one of our over-complicated choreographed tactics but keep it simple, press high and relentless, in the midfield win the duels and release the ball quickly. We did miss a couple of sitters at home but we also didn’t create enough chances. Let’s play on the front foot from the beginning and keep them under pressure.
I like the 3-1 for Arsenal. This can be one of those high scoring European games, maybe even 4-2 for us.
Come on Arsenal!
Nice write up, GSD. I too shall be rearranging the furniture and positioning myself in the manner of the 8 year old CER while watching Doctor Who episodes containing “The Master”, surely by far the scariest of TV villains in the pantheon of TV villainry. Does that make Arsenal The Doctor or The Master? Hmm. A tough one. Over nearly 50 years of watching North London’s Finest ( and only, given the LWC’s are not from London), a little bit from column A and a little bit from column B.
It would be nice to have the John Pertwee version of Arsenal tonight, all nonchalant effortless class and sartorial flourishes, rather than the doyen of evil personified.
COYG.
Apologies to those whose second team might be Barnet. Momentary lapse of reason.
Nice stuff Dino. I couldn’t agree more with it being a season defining game and the who knows what Arsenal will turn up. I will go as far to say that it could be a career defining game for Arteta. It is simply a must progress match.
I would prefer Cedric at left back. Xhaka has howlers in midfield which we can try and manage with a defensive line behind him. Just because he is left footed does not automatically make him a left back, in my opinion. Ceballos did have his best game in ages at the weekend but he is a bit of a Jonah in the Europa. I think Pépé has far more impact coming off the bench and I do think that PEA will start up front in a tie where we should already have one foot in the next round.
Just win the bloody game Arsenal.
Many thanks GSD for an excellent preview. Like others here I believe a win is essential for the progress of the team next season. Slavia did not impress in the first leg last week but the same can be applied to us many times this season. They have shown their resilience by getting this far in the competition and therefore a fully switched fully motivated performance is a must – there can be no excuses. Just win!
Win. TINA.
The whole world is laughing at Tottenham.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/15/dulux-twitter-trolling-tottenham-paint-partnership?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Word is they are going to announce an official lasagne partner tomorrow
You just can’t paint over the cracks.
I wanted to get this in here before the game tonight. I want us to win very badly. I will be really disappointed if we lose. But win or lose, the result of tonight’s game will have no impact on my view of the manager or the project he is driving. I think he has made a very big impact on the club and I want to see him given every chance. I think we have some hugely exciting young players who are going to really come good in the next few years. I think Arteta is the one to guide the team to new heights.
Courage mon braves!
Now come on you Gunners!
Cheers all. I’m glad you enjoyed the preview. I hope you enjoy the match!
Countryman @23. I agree 100%. Well said. Have a drink on me.
Cheers GSD!
Leno, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Xhaka, Ceballos, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Lacazette
Subs: Ryan, Hillson, Bellerin, Gabriel, Willian, Cedric, Nelson, Elneny, Nketiah, Martinelli, Balogun, Azeez
‘Twas a great preview GSD. I’m on the match report – I hope I do it justice. To keep my powder dry I won’t be in the blog tonight but will be reading your contributions with keen interest.
Cheers for the drink Dino – I’m taking my first, light, whisky and water right now and drinking your health.
Well thats an ‘interesting’ selection IMHO.
I’m with Countryman 100%.
it’s a “must win” game in the sense that we lose meaningful interest in the season otherwise, which is important, but that’s all. In EXACTLY the same way that a win tonight will not make this a great Arsenal team, a failure to win tonight will not make this the worst Arsenal team since forever.
If you look back to the beginning of the season you will find that we were all very realistic – including you. Phrases like “transitional season” and “will take at least couple more transfer windows” abounded. All that the past few months have shown is that we were right.
Go out there and WIN.
COYG UTA
I’m still marvelling at the apparent fact we’re playing Xhaka at left back against a side with fast, tricky wingers. Hope I’m not reading too much into it, but I don’t like it.
Will joyfully take a win, but will back Arteta and the project if we lose. COYG. Just win.
Very much agree with C100 re Arteta but I’d qualify what Pangloss says . Given the economic pressures of pandemic football when the Kroenkes own you the fact is that if you don’t have European football you struggle to sign really top players or keep your best existing ones . As revenue is less you may be tempted to sell your best players and even if players would join you the amount available for purchasing players is less. So it’s a hugely pivotal game in the history of the club .
Arteta’s job is going to be much harder without European football . Whether we could hack Champions League football if we qualified is another matter entirely
Playing Xhaka rather than Cedric at left-back will give ESR and Pepe some room to work some magic high and wide on the left. Hopefully, that will keep their wingers otherwise engaged well away from Xhaka.
Feel sorry for Martinelli that he does not start after his performance against Sheffield Utd. His pace and directness might have helped us get the game off to a fast start. I might have had him in for Pepe.
Also, I echo C100’s words @23.
TTG@33: ‘Hugely pivotal game in the history of the club’ might be overegging the pudding a bit, but undoubtedly it is an important one. A club of our stature needs to be playing European football every season.
Ned,
I take your point and would qualify that as ‘ recent’ history . The Cup Final and Baku were similarly important but the difficulty in reviving the club with diminishing resources is a real challenge for Arteta if he is retained as manager . I’m sure that he will be and should be . I also think our optimism post the Community Shield victory was pretty high and we have undershot that
I share the worries of Esso
Fingers crossed.
ESR!!!!
We seem to be allowing them a lot of time to pass it around at the back. A bit more pressure might not go a miss??
ESR!!!
Bummer!
That is being checked by VAR and replay not being shown. The goal is chalked off by VAR. No goal.
Bugger
Ya beauty!
Get in Pepe 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
Pepe!!! Is that off side?
Goal stands. 0-1.
Penalty as Saka is fouled in their box.
ESR is on fire.
Surely a red?
Laca!!!!
0-2.
Pepe !!! Laca!!!
Can’t relax just yet as this Prague team has a reputation of not giving up.
Saka!!!! You beauty. 0-3.
If I remember correctly, Rangers were two up at HT in Prague, but now we are three up!
Saka !!!
Well I think this game is already won 😉
BLM x3
Playing Xhaka at the back, psychologically, is clearly an act of genius. All the forwards have evidently taken a look over their shoulders and thought fuck that, we need to score loads….
Heh @57!
ATG@55. Are you sure? Are you new to watching The Arsenal???
The Czechs are bring bounced.
GOOOOAAAALLLSSSS!!!
Why is Xhaka dribbling near our box? Concentrate guys.
Their player is trying to get Chambers sent off, the diver.
Half time Arsenal lead by 3-0..
Great half of football Arsenal
Playing Xhaka at left back could be part of his development. If he plays that far back then the nearer he gets to his own goal line, he won’t actually be able to play backwards???
Impressive first half. Let’s see if we can just manage the second half with none of the normal dramas.
Been wrong about Xhaka at left back so far. Looked well comfortable there and Pepe in front of him has been a decent combination as well.
Great half lads. Now don’t let up. Keep your feet on their throats.
Happy, happy, happy. Just chucking
the sofa out😄
feet well off ground GSD😄
but you’re right of course.
ESR great tonight
Xhaka’s popularity seems to be on the rise I see.
🧐
bt8 @ 70
I’m not so sure. Playing Xhaka at left back is like having a horrible painting in your lounge for ages until you move it into the shed. It is still just as bad but at least it is out of the way.
Steve T @65, ha, ha.
They have been sent out with a kick up their back side, looks like. They are really swarming all over in our half.
Can’t accuse them of not going
for it. Keeping it calm but giving
the ball away a bit
Penalty, not given, when Laca was fouled.
Holding lucky to escape yellow after lunging in.
Elneny on for ESR. Great game for Emile.
Seen those given for Laca.
No need for Dani to do that.
Defensive sub Mo for ESR
Elneny coming on as we turn the screw…
Agree OM. Dani no need to jump on the floor. Not a classy move.
Laca!!!!!!
Great pass by Pepe and a lovely shot by Laca. 0-4.
Martinelli on for Laca and Cedric for Partey and Nketiah also on.
4-0 well done Pepe, Laca.
Good team effort 2nd half.
Pepe providing goals and assists. Again.
And if Haaland had scored the goal that Laca just did then people would be gushing about it. That control, slide and finish was top, top quality.
Looks like they have finally thrown in the towel.
What the fuck was Gabi just carded for?
Absolutely right, GSD, about Laca. Add his determination, effort and desire, he is a really good professional.
Martinelli almost s gets a fifth.
Gabi should have scored. Absolutely devastating player.
Balogun on for Pepe, who had a great game scoring and assisting.
Fair play to Xhaka. He was good at LB and when Partey goes off he slots into midfield and just keeps on going.
Balogun on!
Can we replay their celebration at the final whistle last week on the big screen please
Holding and Marí are a very solid centre back pair
Well done Arsenal
That is how we should be playing with creativity, skill and finishing. Never in doubt and Prague were given a lesson. No one missed Auba.
Oh, ye of little faith. The Leno plan worked to perfection.
Job done.
How nice to watch us play without me feeling the need to chew the carpet.
I was worried about that selection against a side with a decent RWB but everyone did their jobs superbly.
I do love ESR and Saka.
We now have a reunion with Unai. Nice.
not quite perfect Ned, I predicted
3-0 😁
Well in Matt.
TTG @93 heh! Yes please.
TTG @94 agreed. First choices for me.
purely coincidental I must admit
but I’ll take the ton
39% possession but almost total control of the game . I loved seeing their lads blowing in the last ten minutes . Did Leno have a serious save to make?
Good game management tonight
Chris Sutton can go and fuck himself.
In his report for the BBC Matthew Henry sums it up: “Had they lost, (Arsenal’s) campaign would have effectively been over. Instead they breathed life into its final two months.”
I’ll take some of that. Drink on the bar for all who’s here.
Mentioned in that article: “Arsenal have scored 3+ goals in four consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since December 1932.” Who knew?
6 shots, 4 on target, 4 goals.
Fairly clinical you’d have to say.
On we go to Villarreal and UE.
And: “ With four goals to his name, Bukayo Saka is now Arsenal’s joint-top teenage scorer in major European competition, level with Charlie George and Ray Kennedy.”
Legend.
Goodebening, OM. Or morning if that’s any closer to it. 🙂
Our away League form is excellent . Since Christmas we’ve lost to Wolves ( down to nine after outplaying them) and Villa ( flukey first minute goal which they then defended) away.
We’ve beaten Southampton , Brighton , Leicester , WBA , Sheffield United and drawn at West Ham . But we’ve only played well at home three times this season – Chelsea , Leeds and S***s .
That will be key in the semi – we’ve drawn against Slavia and lost to Olympiacos but won easily away at both grounds . We are away first and we need a strong offensive performance because we are vulnerable at home . But we are a much better team than them at our best
TTG@11: Arsenal have scored 3 or more goals in 4 consecutive away matches across all competitions for the first time since 1932. Proves your point.
Lots of good performances today. Let us continue to play with this directness and positive intent.
bt8@107: We actually scored three or more goals in five consecutive away games in 1932-33, beating Blackburn 3-2, Liverpool 3-2, Wolves 7-1, lost 5-3 to Villa and then beat Portsmouth 3-1 before the sequence ended with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield.
1932-33 was when we really knew how to put the ball in the net: nine in the home game against Sheffield United, eight against both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, the seven against Wolves mentioned above, six against Sunderland and five against Villa.
The 32/33 team sounds very watchable indeed, Ned.
A few days ago I made the error of assuming that Santi Cazorla was still playing for Villarreal but it turns out the 36 year old Santi is plying his trade in Qatar so I guess we’ll have to make do with Unai Emery’s familiar face in the semifinal.
Morning Bt8
That’s good really as I’d feel little bit
bad if we beat Santi in a semi final
but won’t care at all if it’s UE.
Odd how consistent UE is in this
competition. On the bright side we
certainly know he can lose in it.
A belated well-in for the ton, OM. Nonchalantly done.
The first leg against Villarreal is away so we’ll need to build up a big lead to defend at home given our home and away form.
I believe meeting Villareal will also bring another familiar face once of our parish, Francis Coquelin, a whole hearted midfield scrapper who once seemed a possible long-term answer to our midfield softness.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>