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Confirmed Arsenal team for cup clash with West Brom

The teams are out for today’s Carabao Cup clash at the Hawthorns where Arsenal will take on West Brom for a place in the third round in the competition.

Many will be excited to get a close look at last week’s signings Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard, who are in line for their first starts since joining permanently, although there will be little shocks from the Norwegian as we did enjoy his spell with the club earlier in 2021.

The Gunners will be looking to take this opportunity to break up their terrible form, having lost both of our opening Premier League fixtures thus far, while WBA have started their campaign in the lower division extremely well, winning three and drawing one in the Championship.

We will have to make do without Ben White, Eddie Nketiah and Thomas Partey this evening, but there is more than enough talent in the named squad to get the much-needed victory we require to give us a little confidence boost.

Who are you most keen to see impress from today’s matchup? Scoreline predictions?

Patrick

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121 Comments

  3. Am keen on everyone having good performance.
    That’s a good line up but where is Taveres playing?
    Rb?
    I think it’s back 3

    1. I predict it’s the usual 4-2-3-1 with Kolasinac as the left-sided CB, Tavares as LB and Chambers as RB

    1. Let’s be honest, WBA have put out a load of kids so if we lose this I’m going to retire from public life 🤣

      1. Says it all that we’re taking it far more seriously than the Baggies are!!

        Plus the last time we lost our opening 3 matches of a season across all competitions was back in 1954-55 and the 3rd of those defeats was to West Brom 😳

  7. I didn’t see that coming
    Don’t know what to think
    But give your best and 👍 to Ramsdale on your first game

  10. The best Arsenal signing this season is Granit Xhaka. He has started again this season, playing every game, filling every vacuum. Yet a lot of us wants him out. It’s more than unfair, the way we treat him.

    2. The guy’s first season literally marks the start of the decline of Arsenal.

      Xhaka comes in 2016/17, we end up outside the top 4 for the first time in 20 years. It’s only gone downhill from there (5th, 6th, 5th, 8th, 8th) as he’s become more and more an “integral” part of the team.

      So, yes, I’d rather have a vacuum.

  13. I guess Arteta wants to use Mari for the upcoming EPL game. I wish Martinelli starts instead of Pepe

          1. Elneny and Xhaka midfield. That is called growth? Win or lose that is a nightmare. Insanity!

          2. Mari trained with Man City for three years, so he’d likely familiar with their system’s weaknesses

  14. Ramsdale.
    Kola farewell appearance.
    Tavares on the right
    Brave defensive decisions.
    Otherwise a strong front line with Odegaard at 10.
    Am thinking 5-1 to our team

  16. No Nelson and Balogun… i guess its a hint they are off on loan soon.
    Tavares out of position AND Kolasinac playing ahead of AMN… what does Arteta want from that boy??
    If we dont win this game… all hell will break loose. WBA are playing with a bunch of 9 year olds 😂

  17. Strong team… they don’t wanna lose otherwise Artedu’s careers are dead and buried especially against WBA reserves.

    I’m looking forward to this game and seeing Ramsdale, Tavares, The muppets chef and what Auba turns up today.

    COYG

  20. No excuses tonight, a convincing win against WBA is the only result, anything less, alarm bells will be ringing. Prediction 4-1

  21. Thus the reason why we are fans fully of unjustified comments as if people start watching football. You want your favorite players but when the team loses you are all pointing fingers on manager

  22. It’s clear that one of the manager’s in tonight’s affair is scared sh**less, based on team selections alone…so far, Ramsdale’s been a real breath of fresh air, playing out from the back that is?!?

  25. I know it doesn’t count but how beautiful was that strike from Pepe, extremely difficult technique.

    Guy just needs some solid coaching.

  27. thank f’ing God, a goal at long last…unfortunately, if he keeps that up we’ll almost assuredly sell him in the 11th hour

  28. I’d prefer us to create our own chances….but we’ll take whatever we can get, even opposition mistakes!

  31. We are still making a ton of mistakes in the back third, a better team would have 2-3 goals already minimum.

    Need to iron these out now before the bigger games.

    1. Just seen Elneny’s through ball to Pepe Kit?
      Bugger off?

      3-0 and so good to see Aubameyang back on form.

      So quick to moan about our keeper – he is controlling the defence and we look secure.

      1. Ken1945 I thought I was the only one who noticed how commanding Ramsdale is, let’s hope this continues

  33. The Gunners weren’t confident to make turns in the first ten minutes, hence the excessive backpasses. A lot of misplaced passes as well

    If the players can only turn when the opposition aren’t pressing high up the pitch, they won’t be able to escape from Man City’s high pressing

    1. GAI, city are a billion miles away from WBA second string. Sunday will be a totally different kettle of eels. No comparison.

  34. I guess we only needed to face a championship squad, with 6 first-timers, in order to actually play direct balls from deeper-lying positions…Xhaka has more long ball attempts in 4 minutes than the whole of last season

  39. Mixed feelings
    If West Brom were any better then we would have been it a spot of bother at times
    Elneny assist to Pepe was excellent and
    Auba finish is a massive relief and now it’s 3 🥳🥳🥳

    1. so true SueP…hard to complain from our beggars can’t be choosers position in the footballing world, but what’s actually learned from this saving MA’s bacon expedition, as we rarely, if ever, attack directly against more formidable opponents…if the “process” was to be believed this should have been a far more experimental lineup, with some call-ups in play

      1. At this point TRVL
        I’m grateful that the nerves have held up
        Two bad losses and no goals and precious little confidence can play havoc
        I liked Odegaard and although he’s not everyone‘S favourite, Elneny has been everywhere. Glad that Auba is smiling- it was something I didn’t think I’d see again
        At times it doesn’t matter who the opposition is, it’s the confidence that the goals can bring.

        1. of course, I agree with your sentiments, as I much prefer the smiling, scoring version of Auba, but it still worries me greatly that Arteta was allowed to spend so much, for the supposed long haul, yet his tenure appears so fragile that he felt it necessary to start such a far superior lineup

  40. Im enjoying WBA playing the worlds highest line against our fast attack!

    Terrible tactics by WBA but really enjoying this. I pray all teams play a high line against us

    FYI MA take note…we are a counter attacking team. Your slow, high possession play kills us against better teams.

    1. if any manager in the League bailed us out by choosing this “high line” course of action, they would be the only manager in a more precarious position, employment-wise, than our present manager

  42. Martin Odegard is such a steal at 30milliom, boy can mark can run with the ball and can pass. Before anyone start telling me it’s west brom I know it’s west brom🤣🤣 but let me enjoy the win. Welcome back Aubamayang.

    1. I don’t even know how to respond to this comment without getting myself in hot water, so I will leave it at that

      1. The-Real-Vieira-Lynn-4everAugust I seriously don’t care if it’s only the carabao cup, I will still enjoy the win.

        1. no one is suggesting you shouldn’t enjoy the first-half but both of your comments, considering the specifics of this fixture, were quite a stretch and I’m a big fan of Auba, given the right tactics

        2. Moaners will always be moaners..

          Winning starts in the mind with confidence which is brought about by winning no matter how weak the opposition..

          but as I said moaners will be moaners

          1. I’ll take that with a extra large grain of salt considering the source…maybe it slipped your mind that you went out of your way to slag Auba in an earlier post today…there’s a difference between what you would refer to as “moaners” and those who aren’t so easily amused by shiny objects, like yourself…btw, Auba, the one you so eagerly disrespected, just scored his 3rd

          3. Cheers Reggie…I was taking one for the team today by acting in the capacity of the “voice of reason” on a day, considering our opponents, when Arteta apologists and the like would likely be running rampant while the getting was good

  43. Love all the “if this was a better side”
    or “Arsenal only show up in non
    competitive fixtures” BS that sadly
    POLLUTES this board.

    .Only Arsenal fans, considering the
    horrid start to the season could find
    reasons to dismiss that first half
    domination

    Its OK to not be miserable for a sec

    1. or maybe adopting a more realistic disposition, once in a blue moon, might be OK too

  44. The left overload tactic worked in the first half, because:

    – Arteta fielded six left-footed players from the start

    – Saka’s brilliant close control and dribbles

    – Odegaard’s diagonal passes

    I’m afraid Smith-Rowe won’t start against Man City, since the six left-footed players clicked well today. Unfortunately Xhaka and Elneny are still not confident in tight spaces, so the coaches have to fix that before facing Man City

    1. GAI, Odegaard’s looks so confident, I pray arteta find a formation that will accommodate him and Smith.

      1. Smith-Rowe can still play on the left wing, or both of them in central midfield if we play with 4-3-3

    1. He’s played well and looks confident. In all fairness he hasn’t really had a difficult save to make.

      Hope he keeps a clean sheet and is a genuine challenger for Leno

  56. No offense to Tierney but I think Tavares provides us with more dynamism.. Pretty sure if he was here all our passes would be routed through him hence 150 crosses. I think Tavares favours pass and move and the crossing only on a counter.

    The way he also moves infield to add numbers is also very appreciable, that’s something I don’t think Tierney would do.

    Much needed confidence needed.

    2. Tavares seems more confident in cutting inside currently, as compared to Tierney

      Tierney had better think twice before making wasteful long crosses, because we don’t have good headers in the front line

  57. I know The ManC game is a different kettle of fish, but I’d rather they go into that game with a fighting chance than a team wringing their hands after just a dodgy win tonight
    CO YG

  58. 350 comments vs 112 comments? I also comment more on losses tbh but please people be happy and share your feelings here that Arsenal won so convincingly, lol. It’s about 3 in the night here, I am neck deep in work, yet I am happy that we scored so much!
    And yeah before I forget, Ramsdale seemed to have a good game commanding the defence so I apologise for calling him the grim reaper of relegation in another article.

    1. Not bad like we all thought bro. Actually i must say he js good esp at his age. If he goes on to perform like this in much bigger games he will give Leno tough competition which we all looking for. One thing i like is he non like Leno doesn’t wait for opponent to close in before releasing the ball. Good win and hoping it will make Auba get his mojo back. Pepe together with Saka should just be consistent. Arteta should stop fearing opponents and let them enjoy their play like today.

      1. That’s great to hear bro. If he can give Leno competition then he is a good buy. Now only hoping for scalability of performance, from West Brom to higher-level opponents.

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