Or somewhere in between?
Our boys in red and white are currently scheduled to head Norf, to the wapentake of the Shire Oak in Yorkshire’s West Riding, for Saturday’s game of Association football against Marco Bielsa’s crew bearing the white rose. At this point neither squad is much affected by the latest variant of Covid, Omicron. Whether the match will go forward is up to the PL heads; half of this weekend’s slate of matches have been cancelled already. So this preview might be an exercise in windmill tilting, but that’s just fine.
Dirty, Dirty Leeds
Leeds will be glad of home comforts after being shredded 7-0 at Manchester City on Tuesday. The Whites will thus have had an extra day to rest, but also an extra day to mull over their shortcomings and internalize their failings. With only 9 points from 24 in eight games since we defeated them 2-0 in the Carabao cup at the end of October it’s fair to say that the early season promise shown by Bielsa’s tactics has faded. We are currently 12 places and 13 points above them as they slip uncomfortably towards the relegation zone.
Leeds is also suffering from a fairly severe injury crisis, with just 10 senior players available and an injury/suspension list that is nearly as long. Their dynamo, Kalvin Phillips, has just undergone hamstring surgery that will keep him out until well into the new year. According to Sky Sports, that’s an excellent omen for Arsenal: Leeds has lost 11 of 14 when Phillips is absent. He’ll be replaced by the aging Forshaw. Rodrigo, Cooper, Bamford, Struijk, Shackleton, and James are all scheduled to miss out because of various injuries, with Firpo missing due to a 5-yellow-card suspension. The omens continue to mount: Leeds have only won 3 of 11 when Bamford is out, as well.
If their injury list holds as above, expect them to line up with the remainder of their first team squad plus their usual subs on the pitch, and a crowd of irregulars on the bench. Ex-Arsenal schoolboy Ayling is expected to captain the squad, returning from a long injury layoff, and he will lead a depleted defense with Llorente, and (most likely) Stuart Dallas and Cresswell ahead of Meslier in goal. Forshaw should pair with Klich at the base of midfield, with Raphina, Roberts, and Harrison behind the young Gelhardt up front. That lineup leaves a relatively untested bench of Klaesson, Jenkins, Greenwood, McKinstry, Summerville, Drameh, and Bate, though the rusty Koch’s return from injury will add a bit of experience to the substitutes.
Goalscoring will be a possible problem for Leeds, though Raphina will play an important part, as he leads Leeds in goals this season. However, with Bamford and Rodrigo out the assists might be hard to come by. Gelhardt is a live wire through the middle, having scored his first goal against Chelsea earlier this year. Still, it’s hard to see how they can trouble Arsenal much, especially as the game gets into its latter stages.
The Arsenal
Arsenal are coming off two improving games after two games of frustration, having last taken West Ham to task with a 2-0 win showcasing our strength, beauty, and fluidity across 90 minutes on Wednesday. A Henry-esque goal by Gabi and a lovely nutmeg for a goal from ESR gained us the three points after giving West Ham basically nothing from the game, even before they were drawn down to 10 men.
If we can keep up the pace, the touch, and the vision that we showed Wednesday, Leeds might be scrambling for damage limitation, even though Arsenal’s away form is dismal: 2-1-5, with last away win at Leicester. I expect a team unchanged from West Ham, with ESR starting on the bench waiting to be brought in as Leeds’ legs tire.
Ramsdale
Tomi — White — Gabriel — KT3
Partey — Xhaka
Saka — Mø — Gabi
Laca
That said, I’d love to see a front six of
Partey — Lokonga
Saka — Mø — ESR
Gabi
as Leeds’ defense is threadbare and that group have the power, pace, and vision to rip them to shreds. It would give Laca a rest, too, after two games running. And keeping Xhaka out of the team isn’t necessarily a bad thing, right TTG?
Obviously Auba isn’t going to be on the bench, and it will be a surprise if he ends up making it to Elland Road at this time of year. Our quality in the last two games without him has been clear, and the holdup play and timliness of passing from our front quartet have been evident in most of our last five goals. We will miss Auba’s smile, but perhaps not his recent laissez-faire play…
The Holics Pound
Arsenal is well thought of to win this, in spite of our away travails; Leeds are at 3/1 to win, and Arsenal is at evens. The best score punt is probably Arsenal 3-0 at 19s, with a nice backup on 3-1 at 16s. ESR or Saka to score can be had at 10-1, so have a nip at those, too.
Word on the street is that Countryman100 won’t be at the game, and it is uncertain that Clock End Rider and 21st Century Gooner will be going, so we may lack man-on-the-street reportage after the game. But enjoy it on whatever Chris-esque flatscreen you’re watching, and share in the remote Gunner experience so many of us have for every game. Something tells me we’re not going to be behind the couch for this one!
First?
An excellent set-up for a game that we have to travel with confidence to play . Dirty Leeds are not anything like the team they once were and have had a tough season even before the injuries started to bite . There is a theory that the Bielsa press drains Leeds of their energy and that they fade as the season wears on . There is another that they are one season wonders who benefited last year because no one knew what to expect . Are they Sheffield United 2.0?
Despite the optimism which is well-founded after our great performance on Wednesday , Elland Road is a real bear pit and Leeds will be desperate to revive their season . It will not be easy to subdue that crowd but we have the players to do so. I think ESR May start instead of Odegaard but otherwise the team will be similar to Wednesday’s . The big challenge is improving our away form . I think we can take this 2-0 but it is unlikely to be easy
Glad you mentioned the rusty Koch. He is likely to play even though he is a bit stiff and he is expected to drop off to keep Laca under control . Expect to see him limp as the game wears on . If he isn’t fully fit I expect him to wear protection .
( that’s enough Koch innuendo Ed)
An excellent preview, scruz. I’m delighted to see that e.e.cummings is wearing off.
I’m less enamoured of the incautious optimism. I have been scarred heavily over the years by recurrent reverses under these circumstances when we have been strong favourites. Whether it’s due to complacency, arrogance or misfortune, the hand of Nemesis lands on our shoulders, the fickle finger of fate slicks us the bird or Don Rogers kicks us in the proverbials.
TTG is correct. This will be a bear pit. Our boys need to learn how to win away under these circumstances. If we can indeed produce a performance like Wednesday’s superb display we will certainly carry the day but that will be some achievement by this young team. I expect a fierce battle in the trenches, a tight game and a one goal margin. Hopefully in favour of the good guys.
COYG
“pessimists, the lot of yer.”
– e.e.
Rusty Koch brings to mind THAT photo of Paul Scholes. Cheers.
3 points, 3 points. My kingdom for three points. I’d even forego some of the free beer.
Cheers, scruz and thanks for the preview.
Great going, Scruz. Your3-0 is achievable but as others say not without a scrap. Playing with the intensity and tempo shown against West Ham has to be the rule not the exception.
Finely written and enjoyable preview scruz.
Complacency is the biggest worry as Leeds
seem to be struggling badly. Hope MA has us
ready to go at them early and get a couple of
goals to make their heads drop.
3-0 would be great.
Villa Burnley called off two hours before kickoff. We’re now the only PL game on today. Fingers crossed .
Great stuff, scruz !
Bielsa’s way of playing – from which he simply will not deviate – does burn players out, and requires a turnover in the squad which has maybe outstripped Dirty Leeds resources. The same was true of Klopp’s Dortmund who won the Bundesliga one year by literally outrunning Bayern München, and almost went down the next. We can but hope that they will similarly run out of steam as the Arsenal phoenix rises to the top again next season.
Talking of rising to the top, TTG can hold his head high after his cocktacular punning @3 😏
Cynic @6 – 😆
In La Liga, Ligue Un and the Bundesliga, vaccination rates among players are 90-95%, compared to the PL’s 75%. Is that gap explained by a resistance to vaccination that is greater in the PL because of the depth of its cultural diversity compared to the other top European leagues?
Or simply that PL players are thick selfish idiots?
Echoing Trev’s congratulations @11 to TTG@3. That has to be hard to do.
Excellent preview Scruz!
I am with Bath: the stage is perfectly set up for a classic-contemporary Arsenal misfiring performance in the most inexplicable manners. The facts that Leeds got a drubbing last match and half of their first eleven are injured somehow make that eventuality likelier.
Let us just hope that Arsenal channel their generous holiday spirit to worthier causes than gifting points to struggling teams.
One good thing about playing against Bielsa’s teams is there is no uncertainty about what is coming: the fervid man-marking, incessant pressing, and rapid transitions into attack when duels are won in the midfield. This is a match where Xhaka and Partey would have to play like the leaders that Mikel say they are.
About the starting eleven, I wonder if ESR will start today ahead of Gabi even though I would rather Gabi playing down the middle against a team where the defense doesn’t stay on a bank of four and so direct runs through the middle can be profitable. Laca however was superb against West Ham …
Let’s just win this!
C100@16: 👍
Cheers Bill!
SAme team as Wednesday
amsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Lacazette
Subs: Leno, Holding, Chambers, Tavares, Cedric, Elneny, Pepe, Smith Rowe
Cheers Esso!
Sam I Lokonga not in squad because he tested positive for Covid according to @Arsenal
Cheers scruz. I expect no less than 8-0 in the only fixture of the day but I’ll content myself with any injury-free win.
Pubbing this one, which sounds like a risk despite the pass etc. but I’ll stay responsible. Come on You Gunners!
Cheers Scruz for a most optimistic preview. This is The Arsenal who have shown of late to be of kind disposition to the needy. Our boys need reminding that this is Dirty Leeds, the scars run deep to those of us of a certain vintage, and a good shellacking is a must.
Nice to see the settled team – let’s have a great away day!
COYR
Graeme Souness is a miserable git (eom)
Re: Dr. F @15 I fear you are correct. Overconfidence or complacency in a fixture such as this can be our downfall. Expect the rusty Koch to be all oiled up and ready for action. 😱
Booo – Faustus is a doomer, Faustus is a doomer, La La La La. 🎶🎶🎶
COYG
we’re all over them in the first few minutes.
lovely from laca and gabi again.
Fox in the box? Gabi is a fucking gorilla (GITB)
Brilliant finish from Gabi
This is our game when we don’t sit back after scoring one
Gabi on fire
meslier keeping this relatively close.
Enjoyed watching the goal celebrations and the anger of the peasants behind the goal. Leeds fans really do have slabs of red meat for brains.
Good win in the end, though I hope Tomi injury
is not serious as we will miss him.
ESR is good at wrapping up😀
Bloody marvellous win. Loving our young guns. So exciting watching this team.
The first half was about as good as it can get in an away match. Managed the game out well in the second apart from Ben White’s rush of blood. A very big win for this exciting young team.
Onwards and Upwards.
Our young guns are a joy to watch. Hope for the best for Tomi, he has been excellent
I am determined to share C100’s enthusiasm because although this team is a work in progress we have a club moving in the right direction with huge potential, a rapidly developing coach with a very clear idea of how to direct the side and perhaps most importantly there appears to be a joy about following Arsenal this season that hasn’t been there for years . I’m so sorry not to be there enjoying the atmosphere among a group of really positive fans with AFTV conspicuous by their absence .
We still have a tall order to qualify for the Champions League next season but our youngsters are all improving by the game and we may have a chance to bring in some new talent in the window. Everyone knows where I think we radically need to improve but I’m determined to be positive and believe in the side . If we can win the next three games we can enter 2022 in rude health
>>>>>>>