Arsenal have got themselves in a great position in Europe.
On paper PSV away was arguably the toughest game in our group so we have smartly sorted our business by the time we travel to Holland.
This Tuesday’s fixture is equally meaningless for our opponents. They know that whatever the result, the Gunners have won the group, and they join us in the last 16 as runners up in Group B.
So, this could very well be PSV and Arsenal’s reserves playing in midweek?
If I was Mikel Arteta, anyone he plans on starting against Brighton shouldn’t even be on the plane, leave them at home to rest.
With the hectic Xmas schedule coming up when is it better to give talent a week off?
So Gooners whatever the result, no need to panic.
What’s more important is what happens elsewhere in Europe.
This week we learn who we could face in the next round.
Whoever finishes runners up in their Group (not Man United or Newcastle) will be possible opponents in the draw a week Monday.
Group A
Bayern Munich 13
FC Copenhagen 5
Galatasaray 5
Man United 4
It tells you how poor three teams have been in this group and that 6 points could be enough to qualify for the knockout stages.
That could happen if Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw with each other, which is also the only result that gives Man United a chance of advancing.
Yes, somehow Eric Ten Hag could still reach the last 16 with just 7 points!
To put that into perspective Porto and Shakhtar could be eliminated with 9 points!
Bournemouth just scored three times at Old Trafford, so United’s best hope Is that Bayern Munich rest players, having already won the group.
It’s worth pointing out the German Giants were in that position in their last European fixture, yet Thomas Tuchel chose to still start the likes of Harry Kane. They did play like a team though with nothing at stake.
After a humiliating defeat of their own on Saturday the temptation might be to rest key talent.
It’s embarrassing that one of the biggest institutions in the world is clinging to 4 points, needing favours elsewhere and hoping that their opponents play their reserves, just to get out of a weak group.
If they do, we can’t face them in the next round due to UEFA coefficient rules, but we could face Galatasary or Copenhagen if they make 2nd place.
Group C
Real Madrid 15
Napoli 7
Braga 4
Union Berlin 2
Braga are seeking one of their biggest European results in their history on Tuesday and most Gooners are probably routing for them?
They need to not just beat the Italian Champions but their winning margin in Naples has to be at least two goals.
Napoli are 14 points off the top of Seria A so are beatable and prefer the role of being the underdogs.
Their 2-1 result in Portugal though should be enough to get them over the line.
Group D
Real Sociedad 11
Inter Milan 11
Salzburg 4
Benfica 1
12 points might not be enough to win this Group!
That will be the fate of Inter Milan if they don’t win on Wednesday.
Logically you rather avoid the team top of Seria A, yet Real Sociedad have embraced only their 5th ever campaign at this level.
Who’s the tougher opponents in the next round?
Inter Milan?
Or Real Sociedad playing with zero pressure?
Group E
At Madrid 11
Lazio 10
Feyenoord 6
Celtic 1
A group mostly decided.
Whatever happens we know that Celtic will finish rock bottom and have zero European football after Xmas.
Feyenoord will compete in the Europa League.
Lazio have to win in Spain to finish above At Madrid.
If you had to be picked to play in the last 16 you would rather be the team 10th in Seria A.
Atletico for over a decade have been veterans of how to handle two-legged knockout football.
Group F
Dortmund 10
PSG 7
Newcastle 5
AC Milan 5
Remains the most open group with a game to go.
PSG could win the Group or could yet end up in the Europa League.
Newcastle and Milan could finish anywhere from 2nd, 3rd (Europa League) or rock bottom.
The Toon have looked tired in the last couple of weeks but should by inspired by over 50,000 Geordies.
Eddie Howe knows he has to beat a beatable Milan at Saint James Park and that forces PSG having to win in Germany.
That makes PSG the biggest name in jeopardy of not being in the last 16.
PSG start the night with their destiny in their own hands. That shows how crucial that late penalty in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw in Paris could prove to be.
Group G
Man City 15
Leipzig 9
Young Boys 4
Red Star Belgarde 1
The only group where the top two positions has been finalized.
Man City can’t be caught, only one of two clubs to boast a 100 percent record so far (Real Madrid the other)
So, we know that Leipzig are potential opponents in February.
Currently 4th in the Bundesliga.
Group H
Barcelona 12
Porto 9
S Donetsk 9
Royal Antwerp 0
A straight shoot out in Portugal between Porto and Donetsk. The winner advances to the last 16.
A draw is enough for Porto based on them beating Donetsk 3-1 in September.
Barcelona have realistically won the group, just not mathematically yet.
They can’t be caught by Porto but can by Donetsk as the aggregate score between them and Barca is 2-2.
The next criteria would be goal difference.
The Spanish Champions are 7 goals better off in that regard and welcome to the Nou Camp a side without a point.
Who would you like Arsenal to face in the last 16?
Dan
Any non-English team
Any non English team too👌
Apart from highly experienced teams like Bayern, RMadrid, and AMadrid their coaches are well experienced than Arteta.
We can’t face an English team
IMO, resting many of the most important players for the entire match is not the best plan. It must be based on the individual player. Most players need to maintain their routines and keep their playing form as much as possible and thus in many cases a sporadic complete shutdown may cause more harm than good. I believe the best action may be to allow key players to play half the match and only fully rest those who really need or want it for whatever reason(s).
The lasr group stage game should see us playing Kiwior, Nelson, Eddie and company.
It would be ideal to avoid Napoli and Inter Millan for now
start:
Ramsdale
Cedric Walters Kiwior Susa
Elneny Jorghinio Nwerani
Nelson Eddie Trossard
There are only 5 teams in the champions league that could cause problems for arsenal. Bayern, Real, PSG, Man City and Liverpool. I can see Arsenal in the Simi or Final. Think of Partey, Rice,Odegard in midfield. Hungry or motivated Saka, Martinelli and Jesus. Tomi, Saliba, Mangalles, Zinny. We will have enough to challenge any team in Europe. I have a dream we will be crowned European champions 2024. Do not think it’s blind optimism Mr Dan. I’m saying this because we are not easy to beat. We control games. We are more experienced than 2 or 3 seasons ago. If you ask me I think Liverpool and Man City are more threatening than Real, Bayern and PSG.
Liverpool are not in the CL.
I don’t understand why Arteta chooses to sacrifice the chemistry our front four had last season to accommodate Havertz’s runs from deep. Our boys are not enjoying themselves as much as they did last, and some fans are unfairly criticising Saka, Martinelli, and Ørdegaard. Ørdegaard shouldn’t be playing this deep, and Saka and Martinelli should be receiving more balls around where they can hurt the opponent better. Except Arteta is playing the long game, I don’t like our new setup. Yes, we are winning, but we could be better.
Much as Arteta will want to rest as many of his players as possible, he may still have an eye on winning the game and pocketing the 2million odd quid that comes with winning a CL group game.
So the coach may go for a relatively strong team
If that’s the reason he should be sacked
Most important thing is giving ourselves best chance of beating Brighton
Here’s a question for you Dan
If he does play our strongest team
We win or lose
Do we sack him before or after the brighton game
That’s not what I said
And you appointed his replacement 🤣
PSV game a dead rubber we could do without any more injuries. In fact hope Arteta rotates the whole eleven from last weekend.
Ramsdale
Cedric Walters Kiwior Sousa
Elneny Jorginho ESR
Sagoe Junior Eddie Nelson
Bench: Raya Hein White Gabriel Zinchenko Lewis-Skelly Nwaneri Havertz Cozier-Dubbery Trossard