The big stage is a different ball game!
So we beat Sunderland to get into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and things are looking rosy! So far so good🙏🏼
Yet I can’t help but feel that had this team and Eddie Nketiah in particular been on the big stage, they wouldn’t have performed as well as they did!
No disrespect to the competition or the opponents but it’s not exactly the FA Cup or the Premier League. Yet if we go on to win it then it’s another trophy for the cabinet!
Yes it’s all well and good performing well against Sunderland and for Nketiah to get a hat-trick, but the question is, can he do it against the big guns on the biggest stage?
I struggle to see that he can but that is ultimately where the question lies.
So far we have seen him in the cup and not the league. Is this because Mikel Arteta doesn’t feel he can prove himself on the big stage? Sure seems like it, and that’s probably why he hasn’t started against the big guns or any team in the league this season, although we have seen him in a sub appearance or two.
And barring injuries to all senior and first team strikers, he probably won’t be seen in the line up again until the next cup game.
So our reward for thumping Sunderland is a tie with Liverpool whom we haven’t fared well against in recent years.
It will be interesting to see if Nketiah especially can step up to the plate against Liverpool or if he will be in their shadows.
I for one hope he really steps up and shines because, let’s be honest, that is our potential future and will do wonders to help Arsenal try and persuade him to stay!
Here’s hoping hey Gooners!?
Shenel Osman
@sh3n3l_
THE JUST ARSENAL SHOW – Dan Smith has a rant over Arteta and ‘Players Welfare”
At home against Liverpool Yes he can.
Away at Anfield I doubt Arteta would start him.
Have to hope there is only one semi.
More immediately would Arteta start Leno Cedric Holding Tavares Elneny Lokonga Nketiah Pepe Balogun against Norwich? If he trusts them he will. But I think of those Arteta only trusts Tavares in a PL game so I expect Arteta will revert to Ramsdale Tomi White Gabriel Tierney
Partey Xhaka Odegaard ESR/Martinelli/Saka Lacazette. Lakonga probably start from the bench and if we have a big lead Nketia might come on then..
Maitland Niles, Chambers, Mari and Kolasinac continue to be water carriers.
Definitely an “A” squad and a “C” squad.
We will need to field our strongest team available in both legs if we have any thoughts of getting to the final.
Nketiah, Pepe & Balogun can’t cut it against better teams.
No disrespect to Sunderland but that’s their limit.