Arsenal can and should beat Tottenham by Konstantin Mitov
Well lovely Arsenal people, it’s NLD time and how nice would it be to smash them lot after all the stick they were giving us. Truth is, and I’ve often said it, results will sooner or later catch up to performances and their 1-0 wins weren’t great.
Not that we’ve been dropping vintage performances, but we are on the up and even though they did scrape through in the EFL cup, we’re coming in in better shape. Whisper it quietly and I could easily end up with an egg on my face, but I think we will win.
There are a few reasons for that, starting with our defense. Gabriel was immense vs Burnley. Tomiyasu was also amazing and Ramsdale behind them looks commanding to me. Ironically even though we spent 50 million on a CB, I’m mostly worried about Ben Whites defending abilities.
But that brings reason number 2, he, just like the entire team, has a point to prove. We really need this win. If we beat them we are level of points. If we don’t, everything will go back on Arteta’s back. To repair the damage from the terrible start, we need a run of wins and few wins count more than beating Spurs.
We have everyone fit if you think about it. I’m worried that Arteta might drop Xhaka straight into the line up, but whoever starts, I’d like to see us bold. Our performances have been far from vintage, but last season’s home game against them was the best first 45 minutes I’ve seen under Arteta and there’s no reason not to take positives off of that and try to repeat it.
I think that our starting 11 is starting to shape up. Ramsdale, Tierney, Gabriel, White and Tommy basically pick themselves. Partey definitely starts, then here’s a question of whether Xhaka will come in or we’ll put Odegaard next to Thomas to make space for Saka, ESR and Pepe behind Auba.
That’s a squad good enough to beat Spurs right now, but that doesn’t mean we should understimate them. I don’t think Kane wants to be there, but he always scores against us, and Son is a really good player, but enough to scare us at the Emirates? Never in a million years. ..
Come on you gunners!
Konstantin
I’m also worried about Xhaka coming back into the side. I don’t see him coming straight back into the starting eleven for this match anyway.
I think we’ll do just enough to get a win in this one. A 1-0 scoreline I predict.
When it’s NLD’s anything can happen and it’s very hard to predict because both clubs will be playing for the pride.am positive that we’re going to see a more determined and despirate Arsenal side tomorrow. My only worry is Xhaka coming back. Am sure this will be another 3 points bagged. Arsenal all the way
I doubt if there will be a better time to play the old enemy. I remember queuing for hours at Tottenham in 1971, behind the goal that Ray Kennedy scored the title winning goal. Delicious. We won’t get a better chance to beat The Spuds, at home and with a strong fit strong squad. Our enemy is ourselves, self made, not being able to score, profligate with our chances, and we all know that has been a habit pattern for some time at the top level. Lose and we all know what will happen. Draw and doubts will creep in, win and a foundation for the season can be built. Beating Norwich and Burnley means little in the way of the Premiership, they in truth are both poor sides…..the results tell us little except our defence looks quite strong. If we keep our shape and don’t freeze on the day we should come out winners over Tottenham in a tight game, maybe 2-1, but lose and we will definitely have to make some changes…..very quickly.
My dad thought the ‘71 game would be potentially not a good environment for a 14 year old. I got to go to Wembley instead though😊. Happy days
SueP
😉 Happy making day
In the queue alongside me was Ray Davies of the Kinks. He ended up standing next to me and celebrating Ray Kennedy’s goal. When I got my Highbury season ticket, in the upper tier West Stand, Ray Davies had his a few seats away and used to come with who I guess was his girlfriend of the time. He was a real Arsenal supporter.
It will be so nice to see the celebration cycle return to Arsenal. Miss that beautiful Art-Deco Stadium.
Great post Sean – got me feeling very nostalgic!
Brilliant memories
Just gave away your age there, SueP 😉
😱
If Arsenal win we could go 9th.
A draw would leave us around 14th.
If we lose we could drop to 17th.
Arsenal need the win more than Totts.
So I agree that somehow we will take all 3.
they clearly have a better attack … as long as we keep xhaka out i think the midfields are pretty evenly balanced and i think our defence is beginning to look better than theirs … that makes it difficult to predict .. much will depend on the calls of the two managers … i certainly think we have an 11 to beat them but it will be tight and the run of wins against weak opposition while a boost doesnt give much of an indication for this match … one thing for sure a loss will almost certainly mean artetas days are numbered
If Arteta starts Xhaka tomorrow, then I will know he is not the coach to take us forward.
The team can absolutely do without him. Xhaka is the assistant captain, yes I know, but he should captain the 2nd team for the cup games.
I really do not know why I can not see the importance of his game play to us.
We can absolutely do without him in that midfield.
Anyway, my heart goes for a win for us tomorrow. My head goes for a draw.
I do not know which one will be right.
My believe for this current team is quite stronger than the previous ones for the past 5 years.
I just want to see our team and Arteta shine. But he should try to pick the best 11 without bias, rather with merit and performances, and hope they deliver for good results for us.
Let’s see how the season goes.
We all know the old adage “you should not change a winning team”, but we all also know that Arteta loves to tinker and also loves Xhaka.
I’m nervous too, as I am certain Xhaka will start. Perfect game for him to get sent off again!
Arsenal has to win at all costs. I am also worried about Xhaka starting, hope it does not happen. I would prefer Laca to lead the line with Saka and Auba on the wings. My opinion though.
Xhaka can not play tomorrow, he isnt good enough and we dont need him. A win is attainable and a must, momentum has to go on for a few more games.
Have to agree on that!
Of course, but Kane can also handle our CBs easily with his strength, aerial ability and skills. Fortunately, Nuno would likely park the bus against us, so we can dominate the ball possession
I think SJ is right in his assessment of Xhaka’s re-inclusion to the first XI. If Arteta does put him back in the side then will definitely show up his lack of coaching and overall team management. The team has been doing ok without Xhaka and has a different dynamic to it, more reactibe, more forward progressing. Xhaka’s inclusion would negate that. Xhaka is a player that can do good things when he’s got time to think. His positioning, reading of the game, industry and judgement can be great at times but, only when he’s allowed the time. In an often frenetic game, not just the NLD’s he reverts to type and shows a lack of industry and judgement and becomes negative in everything. Passing, reading of the game, tackling.,…..you name it, he’s doing it, all too badly. Lacazette I know he’s been out of sorts which has been compounded by Arteta not picking him too often. But when Laca does play he uses all his qualities to their potential and couples it with a good determined shift. But Arteta doesn’t see that determined effort in Laca but somehow see’s it in Xhaka. What’s next, is he going to start opting for chambers over Tomiyashu. Is his stubbornness and necessity of trying to prove a point of showing us that he can pick a bunch of deadbeats and make them into a galactio?
I don’t wish Arteta any ill will and hope he can deliver for us, and don’t even mind affording him the time to do it. But he has to realise that, whatever designs he has in his strategy to make arsenal great again, it can’t involve polishing old brass and hoping for it to show up as gold!
I’m hoping for a good win tomorrow, not a spectacular scoreline, happy with a one nil. But moreso I’m looking for a performance. Tottenham were made into a robust and dirty, niggly and tenacious side under Mourinho which is why Nunez can’t get the best out of them as he like his team’s to play with flair and not so much grit, as did Wenger. So tomorrow, arsenal can’t be gentlemanly about their task. They have to match Spurs for their grit and tenacity and also not be afraid to be equally niglly and to pick up a yellow card or four. Keeping Kane and Son quiet shouldn’t be a grueling a task as it sounds and roughing them both up and disrupting their individual games will go some way to doing that. Plus, I hope Lucas Moura isn’t playing!
One Nil to the Arsenal!
Worry area is our strickers, but other area we are good to go, ARS 2-0 SPUR
Just after one good Euro game most were singing his praises and picking on Mikel for trying to transfer him out. Some folks have short memories. I prefer the Partey /Sambi partnership but if Mikel thinks differently, then so be it, he knows best what is best for us all. If Xhaka does start, hope he keeps it plain and simple and no rash play. I’m more worried if Leno starts, were are doomed! One clean sheet against a League 1 side does not make him a world class GK. Trust Mikel to make a wise decision.
Why put the ‘thug’, hothead, snail paced Xhaka in the team and disturb the rhythm we are building. We have slightly increased the pace of our football and it makes some difference. Xhaka is too slow of body and mind to participate in EPL paced football. Playing for Switzerland at the slow pace of international football suits Xhaka, but the high intensity, thunderous paced Premier League makes Xhaka a liability. Playing Xhaka could cost Arteta his job.
Because he knows it will be a physical game and wants our own enforcer there (to get another red) Sean. Two of Arteta’s ongoing failings are continuous unnecessary tinkerings, which extend to changing winning sides, and his irrational team selections.
It scares me that he may even start Xhaka AND Leno. That’s possible and that I am even thinking it can happen is one of the main reasons I still despair of Arteta.
Just off topic. Chelski just lost, Manure just lost, only
Pool to go and our records safe for another season.
Love this post!
Spurs form is down, but as my spurs supporting friend said, we shouldn’t underestimate them. One thing we lack that they possess is efficiency. They can sit back all day and sneak in a goal and while we can have all possession as GAI says, we can do nothing if the plan is just to send the ball to KT and have it aimlessly cross in the box without cutting in or something. Similarly, just pass behind to Pepe and expect him to beat two players and score a worldie. The best would be to improve our movement in front of the goal and play more through Ode, ESR or if he plays, Xhaka. Because like it or not he sometimes does have good through balls in him. It’s just that our forwards are so dumb in their movements, even the best one Auba can’t seem to do it properly now. How I wish we had someone with the intelligence and positioning of CR7, sigh.
Anyway, best of luck boys! COYG!!
Mikel Arteta should stick to our 4-1-2-3 system with Partey holding the midfield for Rowe and Odergaard in the advance and deep controlling role.
Subs: Niles, Lokonga
Yes the back 4 picks themselves out: Tomi, White, Gabriel and Tierney.
Subs: Kolasinac, Tavares
In the attack, Pepe should play from the left while Saka moves to the right, with Auba thru the middle.
Subs: Laca, Nketiah
Goalie: Ramsdale
Sub: Leno
Attacking Reserves: Martinelli, Folarin
Midfield Reserves: nil
Defence Reserves: nil
We should be in the market for placement of Xhaka, Elneny, Chambers, Cedric, Holding and Mari…as they all either lack pace or strength.
Heartening to see virtually 100% Gooner agreement against woeful Xhaka being picked. If only MA shared our correct dislike of this “mysteriously liked by managers” hotheaded snail.
I also fear that MA may well recallhim and think it would be a grave AND costly mistke, IF he does so. I PRAY HE DOES NOT.
Actually, I still find it INCREDIBLE that this harmful player is still, even now after all these damaging years, still employed by our club.
One of lifes unfathomable mysteries to me! Sigh!!!!