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Confirmed Arsenal team to take on Leeds at the Emirates today

The teams are out for today’s Super Sunday clash at home to Leeds, where Arsenal will be desperate to overturn their three-game winless run.

We were unable to get the better of the Whites in the reverse fixture back in November, with Nicolas Pepe’s red card the stand out action of the encounter, and that may well be the reason he has been left out of today’s line-up.

Today we come into the tie with a fresh slate, but once again have torrid form to overcome. We should be fresh for the clash with the longest gap between matches since the international break, thanks to our elimination from the FA Cup, and you would imagine the manager will have had sufficient time to prepare.

I hate to admit that the winner of today’s match will temporarily secure tenth spot in the Premier League table, but more importantly, a win would see us move to within six points of the Champions League places (you never know).

While today’s visitors have the better form coming into the clash, you would think that Arsenal will rightly be considered as the favourites to secure a win, and one is most definitely needed.

The Europa League returns to action this week, when we travel to Rome to take on Benfica in the first of two neutral legs, and it remains to be seen if this XI was named with that in mind, but it is a huge boost to have Bernd Leno (and David Luiz…) back available.

Does this line-up give you inclinations as to who will get the nod to start in the Europa come Thursday? What scoreline do you expect having seen the Gunners starting line-up?

Patrick

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243 Comments

    1. Yes Sue. 3 points is a must. I have been unhappy in recent times. My beloved team Arsenal has really hurt me. I just hope they make me happy today

      1. You’re not alone, Skills. It has been painful recently!
        Odegaard to get off the mark to put a smile on all of our faces!!

  6. Interesting line up. Would love to see how Odegaard and ESR play together. Pepe and Laca to come at hour mark to spice things up when Whites have some tired legs. Hope Auba takes the chance and get us an early lead. Just prevent conceding early and end up with 11 men.

  7. The Real Madrid CAMs would likely put in some extra efforts to showcase their high level skills, but we still don’t have a dribbler on the left wing and no good ball holder in the CF position either. Arteta seems to set up a counter-attacking scheme like Mourinho’s and I hope it works

    2. Funny GAI. As for the central forward position. I want Arteta to play Martinelli in that position. He is tall, very good in the air, does not give defenders a breathing space and hungry. He has the energy as well. That will allow Aubameyang to play on the flanks.

        1. Ok. I just want a different option. We play crosses from the left into the box and no one to attack them. Martinelli is good in the air. I just wish this team can raise the bar. We need to go on a consistent run. We should go all out and beat Man city, leicester and Leeds. Or 7 points in those 3 matches should be the minimum. I just wish this team succeed. The disappointment is too much.

          1. Aye your not wrong bud, I’d like to see him given a run as striker also, and yeah hes pretty good in the air (that header in the cup springs to mind) has great pace and makes good runs 👌

      2. I’d also like Arteta to try Martinelli out in the CF position, since Aubameyang and Nketiah don’t cut it there. Martinelli isn’t as tall as Aubameyang, but he’s taller than Lacazette

  9. Weak team defensively will leave big spaces and leeds will take full advantage another example of a clueless manager who does not know his best team after this long in charge and must just pick the team out of a hat!!

  10. Am i the only one who has lost interest in our games due to the fact that result isn’t going our way recently

      1. I think Arteta would not be changing the formation and confuse the players, it could be a 4-2-3-1 with Saka on left, ESR on right and Odegaard through the middle.

          2. So, holding, chambers, Mari all on bench to watch Luiz…

            Suppose Partey injured, not on bench, unless saved for Europa.

            Anyhow, it is no DM on field, only one by nature is Elneny, on bench.

            So we have Rowe & Ogeland who are similar players , 0ss, as ceballos and xhaka are number 8..

            Therefore, adding Luiz as defense leader, no real DM to cover his blows up, not so secured ahead of it.

            Saka Auba Rowe or ogeland?

            Bit confused. Dont we have Martineli
            on bench, what about Pepe & Laca?

            I guess we will see Willian come in at some point and one or 2 strikers if Elneny is not brought in…

            We have great players, but securing and efficient is to play best players in each spot…

            Leeds are coming to press non stop, play high to pound & rush at us…

  17. I assume Holding is being rested for the Benfica game but the centre back pairing makes me very uneasy.It will be interesting to see where ESR plays, could be on the left to support Cedric against the dangerous Raphinha.

    1. Grandad.

      I think Holding’s exclusion is tactical. Luiz and Gab are better passers and it will help us to evade Leeds’ pressing more efficiently by playing quick long balls to the front three, hence the inclusion of Auba, this game would suit his strengths.

      That said, Gabriel is my fear as he gives me the Mustafi vibes. I wish him good luck!

  19. Plenty of creativity in there, it means we are going for it i presume. Will be interesting because it looks like an attacking line up. Surprised lacca is on bench but we will see if Auba can kick on.

  21. I wonder the excuse arteta will give at the end of the game after losing or drawing this match with pairing of red card/penalty specialist luiz&calamity/confused gabriel

  22. If you liked attacking football, you would love this line-up, it’s cool!

    A lot of creative players like we used to have. Remember Ramsey on the wings? I predict a free flowing liquid football…Now COYG!!!

  23. Unbalanced line up with his predictable favorites but some creativity there at least … looking forward to see if smith Rowe ostergard ceballos can bring some dynamism to the middle … goals could be an issue though unless aube 2020 makes a come back … can’t see a nil nil that’s for sure

  29. This is the real reason arsenal lose matches, two vital goal scoring chances just wasted away by Smith Rowe and Bellerin.

    1. Later in the match after this good start we will go back to our usual slow mode and backward sideways passing

  38. Odegaard’s little ball through to Auba….thats what we’ve been missing!

    Auba didn’t read it but regardless thats what we’ve been looking for, Carzorla like!

    1. Auba didn’t read because he doesn’t have any habits of those balls…
      He might not expected..
      Might have expected another sideway pass

  39. Disclaimer- Not a criticism on Xhaka, but you have Ronaldinho playing No look balls forward but Xhaka plays no look balls backward😂😂

        1. Video part is consistent and fine, particular officals are the problem. You can’t generalise and say all the refs are bad

  41. How is that not a penalty is beyond me, Saka has his man beat and he tumbles him over!! Biased VAR again, all depends who the ref is behind the screen

  46. Does feel like we’re not getting the rub of the green at the moment. I didn’t think it was a penalty actually, but I’d say the same about probably half the penalties that have been given this season. Leicester alone have been been given several penalties just like that – all of a sudden, it’s not a penalty.
    It’s not VAR, it’s the ref

  52. Cabellos looking good today… Odegaard few nice we passes and lay offs. We wont sign both in the summer unfortunatly

      1. Haha 😂, aye lovely wee assist from ceballos there 👌, just so glad to see a dominant first half display from us 🤘

        1. Yeah, been a long time since we played like this. Lets play like this and finish the season on a high please, Mikel?
          COYG!

    1. Honestly, that was what could have been against wolves. But I’m glad. 3 goals in the first half is a good one.

      1. Exactly my thoughts if we had taken our chances before all the madness we wouldve been strolling. Nice half for Arsenal

  59. We should sign a pre-contract for Odegaard, you can see he’s what we’ve been missing!

    More he plays the more RM will charge. Anyone know his release fee?

    1. A highly inaccurate article(in my opinion), states it as 350m euros. But I think it is very difficult to get the guy, as Zizou would be pressured to get him back. On the off chance we do have a shot at him, I think 40-45 m pounds atleast.

    2. lol @ PJ. I agree with you. Just sign him. When you have creative attackers, you will dominate teams. I enjoy Odegaard game so far. He is tidy on the ball. 3 points against leeds, Leicester and Manchester City. Wow. We can do it. COYG.

      1. No GAI. He is a player that can play all the the positions including goal keeping. Saka has the intelligence to do that. lol

  61. Complacency will be my worry from now onwards. Teams had the tendency to come out of the game with a draw in the past.

    Please add more and keep a clean sheet Arsenal.

  62. Not saying he’s had a bad game but barely noticed ESR in the half.

    Nice to see Bellerin going forward, getting in advanced positions finally.

    1. Same. But he did set Xhaka up for the assist with a lovely one touch, same for the third goal where he held off the defender and set up Ceballos. I think our overall midfield play is so surprisingly good that we cant see him as much.

  64. Saka and Odegaard link up be looking mouth watering….oh Arsenal thanks for the birthday gift.
    It’s my birthday!!! 3 points in the bag, couldn’t have asked for the day to end in a more better way than this😁

      1. Jesus I didnt even realise its valentines day!! I’ll not be winning any boyfriend of the year awards lol 🤦‍♂️

      1. Sid, yes I love your suggestion but I want 6 more!!!
        I’m not done typing this and Auba already added one more

  65. Been a looonng time since we went into second half of a game so comfortable. Saka giving Leeds nightmares that will stay with them for a while. Much better from our midfield is virtually every aspect today as well.

  67. 3 shots on target and 3 goals.. the kind of ruthlessness we need..

    Sit deep, Leeds will come out hard. We can hit them on the counter.

  68. Those negative fans, where u at? I know they will complain if we line up the world best IX.

    Shout out to Bellerin. I’ve been criticising him the whole season but today, he’s my MOTM in the first half.

  69. Bravo Gunners! Aubameyang, Smith-Rowe and Odegaard were always swapping their positions, which made Leeds’ defenders confused

    Luiz played great in his best position as the right CB and communicated well with Magalhaes. Leeds’ players were obviously trying to irritate Saka, so hopefully Saka won’t lose his temper in the second half

      1. Yup, I have never seen him lose his cool. But he’s a youngblood, so he must be warned about Leeds players’ dirty tactics

  70. Ceballos, odeggard, ESR, Saka are all players that play the same football. That gives you fluid football. Luiz, xhaka, Gabriel long passing gives us more options.

  71. Omg we turned up in the first half of a match 😆

    Great 45… well done Pierre and Hector!! Saka picked up where he left off – brilliant!!

    1. If only we had taken our chances vs wolves. I would love to see us taking Liverpool out the top 4

      only 6 pts behind😍😍

    2. Sue, are you up for a horror second half? Not me obviously, but we have been a one half team most times😂😂

        1. Wow today Arsenal have made me speechless! The only thing missing is Highbury Hero’s positive posts…
          Just dont be Newcastle all those years ago 😂😂

  72. Never seen them move the ball this well..odegaard looks very lively.. infectious confidence, great to watch finally.

  74. Bellerin!!! Hmm!!!Leno and his defence??? Hmm!!!
    Great first half performance and well done Mikel for choosing this attacking team and giving our defenders a break…. don’t mess it up in the second half lads 👍👍

  75. I can clearly see own goals are refs are ruining our season. I can still say we give MA the needed support cos I see good things in this squad.

    Waiting patiently for Partey and Tesco!

  77. People fail to see Smith Rowes impact.
    That guy is a baller. His one touch football is what makes the midfield play tick.
    That first goal was all him for me, not even Xhaka or Auba. That flick to Xhaka kept the ball flowing. Some other midfielder might have just controlled the ball and moved backwards.

    Very good 1st half.. better than the wolves game. This is how that game would have played out if only we took our chances.
    We need more goals to boost our goal difference.
    COYG

  78. One player who impressed me this half is Luiz. His laser like passes are always welcome and he seems to be the best partner for Gabriel, as they both can communicate well with each other. Also his pennywise dribble to set up Aubameyang for a chance was vintage Luiz. I just hope he gets his long shot prowess back! Go on David. You are the only 🤡 here. Entertain us!

    1. I think arteta asked him to stop doing the back flip. Love to see it but it sure is playing with fire given our injury curse.
      RVP broken bone while celebrating comes in mind.

      1. Yeah, forgot our curse. But Auba seems to be someone who has managed to avoid it most of the time though, so here’s to hoping.

  82. Finally some on the front foot, forward thinking attacking football…this is what can be achieved when you take the handbrakes off and give your best players have a chance to be your best players…time to keep their feet firmly pressed on the pedal in the second half and try to fill up the net even more…Marts better be the first sub to come off the bench

  84. Open games are David’s best friend it seems. Played well against Leicester, played well against Leeds. Maybe him to CDM might be a decent backup rotation? With a support midfielder like Mo.

    1. Lets add in some dirty tactics. We have been the victims of those for a long time. A Keown type taunt from Luiz would be great, though he would be sent off knowing his luck😂😂

  86. Pépé need to understand by seeing Saka that you don’t need trickery every now and then..
    Sheer pace and strength can make you good winger

    1. Jesus, do you guys realize there’s a game against Benfica and that Mattinelli would benefit more from playing full time?

      I’m expecting, Martinelli, Laca, Pepe on Thursday.
      We’re winning today, calm tf down and don’t whine about William coming on

  96. I have a feeling there must be a “playing time” clause in Willians contract for when he’s fit and available.

    Can’t think of any other reason to play Willian over others. Maybe Willian has a good game but it’s still not building for the future.

      1. Why would I jump on the bandwagon like the rest of you lol, we get it you dont like willian…. insightful stuff.

  100. Maybe Mart would play in the Europa? It is a little strange but I think there is a reason. He might also come on late so lets wait.

    1. That’s what common sense would show Sid, people just like over thinking stuff and whining.
      There’s a game on Thursday where Laca, Martinelli and co would need their chance

      2. Yeah I think so too. I would like him to play CF as I think we might lose Balogun and Mart was killing it at that position initially. That said I kind of understand people, because whenever Willian comes on our intensity does drop a bit.

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