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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
Yeah, solid win for Arsenal and four wins from four to lead the group.
However, it's a little bit of a dilemma as to how we play them away. A lot of fans want to see a heavily rotated, almost second team play them at Eindhoven. But PSV could technically still win the group - and of course whoever does win the group avoids playing two more games against a Champions League drop out before the Cup progresses.
So PSV will come out really fast at home, as it will be a must win. They will not be content with a point which is what they intended at the Emirates.
So I think we should play as strong a team as we did at home and then have a strong bench. If they start the game and press us aggressively I think we should then counter with early first half substitutions to make them more wary of leaving themselves open. We need to secure a point and then the League will be won. Then I really don't care if we play our under 16's against Zurich in the final game!
Next up Southampton which is a difficult game for us (bogie team) but as I think we are so much stronger mentally this year we should take the three points. COYG!
However, it's a little bit of a dilemma as to how we play them away. A lot of fans want to see a heavily rotated, almost second team play them at Eindhoven. But PSV could technically still win the group - and of course whoever does win the group avoids playing two more games against a Champions League drop out before the Cup progresses.
So PSV will come out really fast at home, as it will be a must win. They will not be content with a point which is what they intended at the Emirates.
So I think we should play as strong a team as we did at home and then have a strong bench. If they start the game and press us aggressively I think we should then counter with early first half substitutions to make them more wary of leaving themselves open. We need to secure a point and then the League will be won. Then I really don't care if we play our under 16's against Zurich in the final game!
Next up Southampton which is a difficult game for us (bogie team) but as I think we are so much stronger mentally this year we should take the three points. COYG!
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
Not sure.
I just checked and he signed a new contract in May this year so I presume he, as other young players, might get opportunities in the Carabao Cup and even FA Cup this season.
I think Arteta and Edu are going to face a few difficult decisions about some of the slightly older generation of young players first. Players such as Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, even Albert Sami Lokonga. They are all decent players but the question Arteta has to be asking himself is whether they are Champions League standard, because that is where Arsenal need to be existing. I have a feeling Arteta will sell a few of these players. In his presser Arteta said of Maitland-Niles, who is on loan to Southampton and cannot play on Sunday, that he needs to prove himself this season. Reiss Nelson looked fantastic a few years ago but then just dropped off. The thing is Arteta showed how ruthless he could be when it came to Aubameyang and as he will face the next season from the perspective of being competitive in both the PL and CL period, some decisions will need to be made.
If Arteta clears a few of these players off Arsenals books he can then obviously feature more of the next generation such as Cirjan and Nwaneri who can seriously play above his age already.
Improving the squad this quickly is wonderful, but comes with the downside of raising your own bar and standards within a season.
rucucu16
Rock Star
Bronze Level
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
It should be a comfortable win and the consensus amongst Arsenal fans seem to be 0-3 - a lot believe Gabriel Jesus will be on the score sheet.
I am not quite as confident as that because all these teams in the lower half of the table are very compressed and I think getting scared of being dragged into the relegation zone. Southampton are going to have some fight but I hope they do not pull themselves together against us. I'd honestly be happy for a 0-1 win especially if we control the game with a lot of possession...but 0-3 would be great.
I get the feeling that the team for PSV will be heavily rotated. I do not necessarily agree but the thinking is we play Nottingham Forest after who just beat Liverpool and as above, they will be fighting to rise up the table. So the thinking is rest the team at PSV (win the League in the final game against Zurich) and have a fresh team for Nottingham Forest.
All speculation at this point but this two games a week, though tiring for the players is great for the fans! COYG.
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
Well, that was a disappointment but at least not a loss.
Apart from the first twenty minutes which were great, the rest of the game we were poor. Partey and Saliba looked weak as did Saka and Gabriel Jesus up front - I think all theses games are taking a toll, as much mentally as physically
The one thing that I find really annoying is the way referees are allowing Gabriel Jesus to be fouled. He was pulled down several times this game with no foul being called. He is already the most fouled player in the Premier League, but it begins to look like some referees are just saying he has to put up with it.
Still two points clear and it is a better start to the season than anyone could imagine.
Apart from the first twenty minutes which were great, the rest of the game we were poor. Partey and Saliba looked weak as did Saka and Gabriel Jesus up front - I think all theses games are taking a toll, as much mentally as physically
The one thing that I find really annoying is the way referees are allowing Gabriel Jesus to be fouled. He was pulled down several times this game with no foul being called. He is already the most fouled player in the Premier League, but it begins to look like some referees are just saying he has to put up with it.
Still two points clear and it is a better start to the season than anyone could imagine.
RustyRed83
Legend
Platinum Level
Having a great season so far, but i do think as the season rolls on, they will drop points as they did today against Southampton. With Man City breathing down their necks & unlikely to drop many points, as well as having a bigger and better squad depth, i expect them to overtake Arsenal before Xmas, and pull away from the pack. I do think a top 3 finish is within Arsenal's grasp.
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valeski 28
Legend
Loyaler
Good morning.Arsenal is still on top but I don´t know how long this will last.It seemed that the game was controlled by Arsenal but after Southhampton scored, the match changed.How exciting this Premier League is !
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
Yes, agree completely and will revert to the subject of refereeing later.
Been on the Arsenal forums and vlogs and people are aggrieved about a few things. But first I want to touch on a couple of things I am not sure are being handled well at the club – the first being the fixture pressures.
Arteta - I understand what Arteta is saying about playing this number of games is a prerequisite to competing in Europe. But, this demands a depth of squad and experience which at the moment we do not yet have. Our squad is slim with Alex Zinchenko, Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith-Rowe out injured.
Further, playing Europa League is more difficult than playing Champions League concerning how they affect the next Premier League matches. CL games are played Tuesday and Wednesday with the next PL game on a Saturday or Sunday. EL games are played Thursday with the next PL game on Sunday. Which means all those in the CL have 3 to 4 days rest before facing their next league games. Those in the EL have two days rest.
In short, I believe Arteta needs to be a bit more forgiving regards the schedule. Not just for the players but regarding what he says in public. Insisting the players learn to deal is not that constructive. Many fans are very clued into stats and performance and they can see the toll the schedule is taking. Regarding the top six clubs, none have been consistent. But, that said, like the team, Arteta is a young manager and he needs to grow into the role and be a bit more magnanimous. I am not sure his rotations have been handled as well as they could and even his substitutions have been odd at times.
Gabriel Jesus - Jesus is world class but not a classic center forward. He excels at hold up play, disrupting defenses and bringing others into play. What Jesus is not is 25+ goals a season player. Those familiar with Jesus’ game have said we still need a pure number 9 striker, a classic goal poacher in the mold of Olivier Giroud. Far too much pressure is being placed on Jesus to produce.
Especially because it would appear some referees have an agenda against Jesus and the team at times. When I noted Gabriel Jesus is the most fouled player in the Premier League, that is not opinion but the actual stat to date. In fact against Man United he was fouled more times in one game than any other striker across the top European leagues. But, that would be without half the fouls being called and yesterday was a blatant example of such referee bias
Referees - Yesterday’s game was shocking in terms of suspect officiating and some have argued there should be process where a team can lodge an official complaint against match officials with the PGMOL, and they in turn made to explain their decisions. The match result, naturally, cannot be changed but subsequently there could be a grading of referees, and if that grading slipped below a certain level, such referees be consigned to Championship level games.
Regarding Arsenal, over the last few decades Arsenal were renowned for playing elegant football and for whatever reason some refs would appear to resent it and allow other teams to ‘kick them off the park’. Many Arsenal fans feel that attitude has emerged again this season and highlight the treatment of Jesus etc.
Yesterday there were three legitimate instances where penalties should have been called then reviewed under VAR. Caleta-Car wrapped his hands around Jesus and pulled him to the ground, the ref allowed it, so of course he did it again later. Saka was given a yellow card for simulation after he had been tripped. Then we had Lyanco, a known dirty player given a pass to foul the entire game, elbow Jesus in the back and then attempt to head butt Eddie Nketiah.
Here’s a reminder of what Jesus has had to put up with this season - this also should have been a straight red but wasn’t. It is outrageous.
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rucucu16
Rock Star
Bronze Level
Tie at 1 at St Mary's Stadium. The first 20 minutes of the game were played well, then the players felt tired after coming from a very long string of games low staff turnover. The good thing is that the top of the tournament is still preserved
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
Ethan Nwaneri was the 15 year old that Arteta subbed on against Bretford, as the youngest player ever introduced to the premier league. For that some pundits criticized Arteta without them having a clue how long he had been playing above his age group, such is his talent.
Confirmation of this being he has been selected for the England under 17s team along with Lewis-Skelly who is only 16, for a series of three games for qualification to the under 17 World Cup in 2023.
Nwaneri has also been featured off the bench a number of times for the Arsenal under 21s.
Confirmation of this being he has been selected for the England under 17s team along with Lewis-Skelly who is only 16, for a series of three games for qualification to the under 17 World Cup in 2023.
Nwaneri has also been featured off the bench a number of times for the Arsenal under 21s.
rucucu16
Rock Star
Bronze Level
Oh my God! what a great team that was. it was beautiful to see them play
rucucu16
Rock Star
Bronze Level
The truth is that I did not know him, I hope he has a great future and gives us many joys.
As for the transfer market, I read that Evan N'Dicka from Eintracht Frankfurt (who has a contract until June 2023) is being considered, as well as Mijailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk and Yeremy Pino, a player from Villarreal. What do you think of these signings, if they materialize?
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
I listened to Arteta's press conference and I believe we are going to play a relatively strong team.
Apparently Ruud Van Nistelrooy has conceded we will win the group, but Arteta wants that done this week. I don't blame him.
The problem is whether or not Arsenal are just in a slump or whether they are genuinely fatigued. Gabriel Jesus seemed in very high spirits this week saying that the players felt good...so we'll see.
I think the factor which is really sinking home (sort of ridiculous when everyone knew it would happen) is having to face the World Cup in the middle of the regular season. I don't believe this will be considered again.
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DS3
Legend
Loyaler
From what I have been hearing Mudryk a the player that Arsenal would like, but....
Mudryk famously says if Arsenal want him he could not say no, but, his price has been inflating which is fair as he is in good form.
No one is sure whether Arsenal will commit to spending in the January window (they did not last year) because they are attempting to be fiscally responsible. However, that means we really need Zinchenko, Elneny and Smith-Rowe as first team players back in the squad. Zinchenko is said to be back before the World Cup break, Elneny is training again and Smith Rowe is said to be recuperating well. If we suffer no more injuries and all three are back going into the New Year then we should be okay.
But that still leaves us short in terms of a pure striker and another strong midfielder and back up to Partey. The problem with the next summer transfer window is any player who had a good World Cup will be more expensive and this will drive the transfer market overall.
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DS3
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Really poor game.
The team oddly mixed up and the mentality not there. It looked like we went there expecting PSV to roll over. But it was at their ground where they score fore fun and enjoy a loud and supportive home crowd. Never got started.
The team oddly mixed up and the mentality not there. It looked like we went there expecting PSV to roll over. But it was at their ground where they score fore fun and enjoy a loud and supportive home crowd. Never got started.