So we are just one hour away from the start of our game against Sporting in Lisbon, and we are all impatiently waiting to see the starting X! that Arteta puts out tonight.
We all know the boss is keen to give some of our lesser-used players a chance to shine, but with a sudden glut of injuries and “illnesses” ahead of the game, Arteta may not have qute so many options as he expected.
The fact is that even with all the facts at our disposal, we still have absolutely no idea what the starting line-up will look like when the teams are finally announced, but as the Sporting boss himself agreed, the team will be strong whoever Arteta picks.
Well, I had a stab at predicting the team earlier, and this was my idea…..
Turner
White – Saliba – Holding – Tomiyasu
Elneny – Jorginho – Smith-Rowe
Saka – Martinelli – Nelson
So let’s see if I was anywhere close..
And HERE IS THE OFFICIAL TEAM at last….
Arsenal XI v Sporting:
Turner,
White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko,
Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka,
Nelson, Saka
Martinelli.
Well, I got the front three right!!!
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Well Odeggard, Partey and Gabriel get a rest while we still have a strong line up. I guess at least one of Saka or Martinelli would be on the bench if we didn’t have all our back up injured. Same for Zinchenko and Xhaka.
Suprised tomi didn’t get the start though
Good line up, interesting to see how Kiwior plays…
The big Polish was a little rusty.
Surely the gaffer has to find away for B teamers playing more often in the second phase of the building process.
There’s a bug going through the squad, lots of them not feeling well.
Sporting CP 1 vs 3 Arsenal
COYG 🔴⚪️
Where is our captain
He could be one of the I’ll players.
Not I’ll but ill 😂
The Kiwor selection is pleasing and it will be interesting to see how the front three line up.I hope Nelson plays on the right with Saka on the left, his natural side.
Martinelli used to play CF very well in EL two seasons ago. I think EPL CBs are still too intense to him, but maybe he can handle Sporting CBs physically
If I were Arteta, I would’ve benched Saka and fielded Cozier-Duberry instead. I think Saka needs some rest
I agree absolutely that zaka needs some rest. Arteta could have allowed Viera to play there while allowing ESR to play Viera position.
I would really like to see more of Nelson going forward.
Any link to watch the match 🙏
l find sportshub.stream is one that works well or bt sports also
Thanks Icebox, can you send bt sports link please?
Well BT is for if you use critfree or something but the other is random streams
https://sportshub.stream/event/sроrtіng_аrsеnаl_117370130/
Schoolboy managing from Arteta why risk injury to Saka. Poor man management. Saka will get injured tonight and man city will win the league. Saka can’t play every game he’s human too.
Martinelli is trying dribble too much here and running into traffic..
He is not releasing the ball early
Good Line up
Well done MA for taking this Trophy seriously
Love that Saliba, Martinelli, Saka, White have started.
We need a mixture of first and 2nd team and the further we go the more 1st team players may be needed
A goal up
Great news
Following on my Sky Sports App
Oops
Why oops AdPat?
They equalized as you wrote lol
That’s was poor defending…
Free header..
Kiwior didn’t even jump and attempted to clear
I think it was Martinelli who lost his marker there. Not sure though didn’t see the face clearly
That Sporting’s GK is good actor.
Can win Oscar award
Not so good and not so bad..
Intensity was low
Poor defending on corner..
We need to raise the tempo in 2nd half to kill the tie today itself..
Didn’t create any chances
I think Sporting’s goal happened because of a bad anticipation from Turner
Martinelli and Nelson should interchange their positions frequently in the second half, because Martinelli couldn’t do hold-up play well
Martinelli went for glory and made selfish decision…
Viera was free for just a tap in..
And Martinelli wasted glorious chance
Martinelli missing chances
That’s what happens when you don’t take your chances..
Martinelli had 2 very good chances
And that hurts
Shocking display by Turner. Keeps pushing ball back into central attacking areas instead of round the post. And as for that simply standing , watching, while the corner was headed in unopposed. NOT REMOTELY GOOD ENOUGH!
Hope he is only “ring rusty”, to borrow a phrase!
Otherwise, its “new keeper needed please!”
But I think Martinelli could have easily ended this tie by his own
He had pretty good chances..
Turner did grew into the game
This playing out from back is not working today
It’s 2 all. We are back in it now
Not trying to be negative but Fabio Viera should be bossing this game.It’s portugal, against a struggling primera division side ffs.I’m starting to think we were scammed again.
I think you missed how Martinelli missed few good chances there
True Gabi had two clear chances but Viera needs to step up bigly. He’s been disappointing for a player who according to Edu, was too good to pass for 35 mil. Maybe i’m being too hard on him.
Turner and Viera were both very average. Viera needs to go to the gym, bossed off the ball far too easily.
You are misusing “average,” certainly in Turners case. If THAT was average , I would hate to see him play badly! He was pants, so why not say so! Viera looks like a fourth form boy, in build. FAR TOO FRAIL AND SCRAWNY!
Poor game overall..
All to play for in London now..
Martinelli could have ended this tie by his own..
Had few good chances…
Overall below average performance…
Happy to see Smith Rowe, this lad fit is like a new signing, he could very well plays a huge part on the capture of the big jug.