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Official Confirmed Arsenal team to face Leicester – Saka and Auba on the bench

We all know that Mikel Arteta has only Rob Holding on his injury list, and with the gruelling schedule lately leading up to our last gasp win against Benfica on Thursday, it is certain that the Arsenal starting XI today will need some fresh legs to buoy up our flagging stars.

There has been much talk about Arteta resting Buyako Saka, but considering he is our best player I think he should at least play for 45 minutes if he is even half fit. Arteta will probably stick with Aubameyang in the hope that he is now full of confidence and carries on scoring against the Foxes.

One thing is sure, he will keep a solid defence as usual, and Luiz and Mari look nailed on with Soares and Tierney on the flanks.

It is definitely going to be a tough game, so I am waiting with bated breath to see who Arteta puts out today.

And here it is…..

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241 Comments

  1. I don’t usually moan at team selections but why does the bench look stronger than the starting 11 WTF
    COYG lol

      1. Not an excuse at all I’m afraid .
        Partey played 20 mins
        Martinelli hasn’t played at all
        They are payed professionals to play football not have a rest every other game
        @Dan Smith can I change my prediction 😂😂

        2. Partey came back from injury so we should be careful with him.
          They are payed professionals but sometimes they get fatigue. Saka played almost every game this season, he is only 19, there are more important games coming, and Saka will also play the Euro in the summer, so he should get some 5-6 games rested on the PL until the end of the season.

    2. Because Arteta might be thinking Rodgers is going to setup a low block, so why waste energy of our attackers. Let them rest for some time. But substitutions need to be done around the hour mark rather than at 80 min provided we are not winning.

    3. Totally with you Dan, a very underwhelming team indeed.
      Leicester’s home form is terrible, they have lost 6 games at home and we put a defensive team there against them! I give up.

      1. Come on now, “defensive team” is Pepe, lacazett,esr and willian classed has defensive? Did we buy party has a playmaker or dm ?
        Eleney is the only player you could argue is slightly defensive, but with cebellos last defensive mistake, would he play..
        Saka needs to be resting a bit surly..

        Truth is we lose to Leicester regardless who plays, but we are a team in transition, and I have faith we can win this, whether we do or not we will see….

  2. Come on willian I know there’s a good player in there mate.
    Pepe if you attack the space behind defenders ESR can pass through or chip over, but don’t come short to receive the ball every time, it slows the pace down !!…

    That’s my team talk… lol

    1. I’m just worried about Pepe, because he usually killed our attacks on the right wing with his slippery touches and ineffective tricks. The rest are experienced players that could hold Leicester off or even win against them

    2. I guess its not about what Martinelli has to do but rather with what Willian can’t do. Arteta seems to think Willian is not capable of a CAM role and would rather be effective on the wings. I expected ESR to be rested and Willian be given CAM role. (ESR and Willian might switch roles during play as well invalidating my thought).

      My best guess is Martinelli might not be getting much game time this season but might be converted to a CF next season after selling Laca.

  4. Willian, Xhaka and Elneny.. thats zero help there for attack..

    Hope they prove me wrong, at least once a season.

  5. Good choice, because the EL starters must be tired. This line-up should be able to win today, if nobody has a brain fart

  6. Seems to be good enough, our bench is stronger than Leicester so we need to make them run rather than allow them to sit back.

  7. More grist for us arteta out millers!!! Possibly the worst arsenal line up I’ve seen in the last 20 odd years … With a better bench can only hope that the score at half time is not beyond changes

        1. I presume he means the worst starting 11 vs the available players for the manager to chose from.

          Not the actual worst 11 Arsenal has fielded. I’m just using logic to come to that conclusion, could definitely be wrong.

      2. Along with likes of rozicky Santi wilshere arteta … who could actually play quality football .. no one in this line up comes close

      3. Chamack scored 11 goals in his first 11 games and Bendtner was ok until Wenger started playing him on the wing.

  8. That’s the definite starting back 4 for me..

    The attack looks more balanced than the usual lineups with 3 left footed players.

    Easy win for Arsenal there.

  9. That looks reasonable to me given the schedule. There will be plenty of tired legs both sides of the pitch. Ideally we get a couple goals early, and usually starters get a rest. If not, come on in the second half.

  10. I was expecting Partey and Martinelli. I will have to start praying we do well, I dont know how to defend Martinelli exclusion from today game

        2. I don’t think so. Martinelli has been injury prone. One game on and off. We all seem to forget that. I think that’s the reason, besides people starting have done well.

  12. Oh dear what a poor team selection I saw William and that was enough Arteta has lost the plot absolutely clueless I predicted 2-1 Leicester now going for 3-0 with this line up!!

  14. Arteta has had issues with ‘Guendouzi and saliba’ and one thing that’s looks similar among those guys are talent and ego.
    Martinelli has just been officially included into that list.
    Arteta is hot tempered and arrogant…..
    In this game he wont go far with this attitude.

    1. Been on the list for a while mate!

      Clear Arteta struggles to manage most youngsters. Could be his insecurities and ego that is challenged by them.

    1. That eleven looks picked to hold the game until Leicester tire and then bring on the likes of Auba/Martinelli, Saka, Partey to rip them to shreds.

  16. Elneny – Xhaka doesn’t fill me with joy. Let’s hope ESR can add some forward energy two those two defensive-minded players.

    Also, Willian has been unimpressive as a starter and Pepe hot and cold. Unless both bring their best game we are facing an underwhelming effort by Arsenal.

    I’m worried. Prove me wrong please Arteta.

  18. As if Arsenal fans don’t have enough stress to go through, we have the additional stress of Arteta’s non sensical team selections. Would ever our esteemed rivals play without Son or Kane?

  19. Leicester are going to easily go through the defence. Their team has more energy.

    What’s the excuse for Atleast not starting Martinelli. One of a few players who’s willing to go past opposition players.

    I think we’re gonna lose today.

  21. Looks like Arteta has thrown in the towel to me.
    The 9 players on the bench could beat the 11 we have put out today.

  23. Watching them warm up on BT.. Vardy has wings, wonder how many red bulls he’s downed 😄 if he scores, you’ll hear me scream!!
    I do understand why the starting 11 is what it is, although I was hoping to see Gabs – I know there’s protecting him and him easing him back, but this
    really takes the biscuit!!

    I bet Leicester are glad Saka’s benched!!

    It’s a beautiful day… we’re not wearing that horrible blue kit! Now come on boys, give it a go!! COYG

  24. What’s his problem with martinelli? If a player like Willian can get chances even after disappointing so much then why cant martinelli get a chance? I am afraid the saliba situation is going to arise with martinelli

    1. Based on Arteta’s comments, it looks like he thought Willian played well when he came on last game (no comment as I didn’t see it) and wants to strike while the iron is hot to see if that can spur some improved form. He clearly wants willian to turn it around as MA backed his transfer – understandable, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
      On Martinelli it sounds like he’s challenging him to improve and cited squad competition as the reason he’s played less recently (many would rightly question how he could justify that given how many more opportunities Willian has wasted recently but hey ho, see above I guess).
      Just to be clear I’m not against Arteta and want him to have time to succeed, this is one of the issues I think he’s generally gotten wrong, but I could have said that many times about Wenger when he was around, going back to the Invincibles even (and many times it turned out that he was right and I was wrong!), so we’ll see.

  25. People forget this is our 4th match in 10 days. Would you prefer we play the same team so you can moan about our lazy slow passing game or cry when saka gets injured?

  26. I really don’t understand this line up. Willian, Pepe, Xhaka, Elneny. Cedric will be overwhelmed trying to cope with Barnes as he’ll be getting no help from Pepsi. I was confident about a win today before seeing this line up. Definitely not now. Maybe the plan is to repeat the city game plan. Set up a team not to win but to try avoid getting a hiding. The end result is hoping for a narrow loss or possibly a draw. Instead of being brave and actually playing attacking football and taking your chances.

    Okay, maybe Saka if anybody is worthy of a rest but why rest the others. What have they done to deserve a rest. They’ve hardly put in arduous shifts on field. No real desire or cut and thrust to finesse or bulldoze your way to victory. Just indulging in effortless training game tactics of possession with sideways and backward passes being the order of the day. Tierney has been a bit of an injury worry so why doesn’t he deserve a rest as well as Partey ?

    Whatever happens today, we’re not going to see good football but I hope LUCK and loads of it is on our side and we ‘sneak thief’ a win

    I often complain about the bias of pundits and media when they say arsenal are soft but we give them all the ammunition they need with this sort of line up as it says everything about the intent of Arsenal

    1. Very strage, it’s almost like MA is trying to prove a point about certain players with this line-up. Other teams is 3-4 competitions see to rotate less.

      I rate Cedric,i hope everyone doesn’t turn on him if he has a poor game. Playing against Barnes + in a poor looking starting 11 it’s almost like MA is setting up some squad members to fail and protecting others.

  27. Oof. “[Arsenal have lost did of their seven games following a European fixture]” (Leicester have the opposite record) – according to sky sports. I think that highlights a problem

    2. This is why I thought the lineup was wrong. Defense, midfield and attack

      No Holding, Partey, Saka, Martinelli, Aubameyang

      1. Holding injured, and Partey can’t be risked after just coming back from injury and his fitness struggles.
        Auba is usually a passenger when he’s not scoring so I guess he wanted Laca’s engine.
        You of all people know Saka needs rest, Martinelli I agree should’ve gotten a chance but that goal Elneny fumbled and made a stupid run away from layer instead of going towards.
        Eventually we all know he needed to rotate, but the let down as usual com’s from the players themselves.
        They’re full of shit

  29. Elneny, Willian and Xhaka???? Backs against the wall even before the game. Something is missing in how Arteta sees players. Willian and Elneny….I don’t get it.

  30. An odd and foolish line up IMO. You never know in foootball of course but I HAVE BAD FOREBODINGS FOR THE RESULT WITH THIS TEAM.

    2. Mari backed off to cover vardy as he should have. Willian and xhaka are at fault here. Tierney was already up the field.

    1. Plus Xhakas “blind” tackle hoping he gets the ball instead of just staying goal side.

      Poor all around play.

    2. Came downstairs to put the match on then got a notification Teilemans has scored on 6th minute just to realise the game is on BTSports and I only have SKY. Maybe not a bad thing as this may be a horror show by the looks of it.

      Mikel cannot run this show for much longer of we lose here. Getting really embarrassing now!

  43. Lord Denning how can you say that..You should trust the process…
    Maybe we’ll eventually win a championship when we get relegated..
    Arteta needs to find another job..

  44. Takes three minutes and 20 replays to make the call? By definition that means it’s not a clear and obvious error. The way PL uses VAR is a total joke.

    1. Yeah I don’t get it, we all saw the foul outside the box with the first replay, why they need 20 looks is stupid.

    1. Elneny is even better than xhaka, check all the ball touches of xhaka is back pass. xhaka is playing like part of Leicester team

  48. Our next match is vs Burnley on 6 March. Why does MA need to change the winning team? What’s on his mind?

    If he accept any bribe?

  50. Don’t understand the situation with Pepe

    Finally played on the LW, showed real promise and improvement in a few games, doesn’t get played for a while after showing he’s better on the left, now put back at RW 🤷‍♂️

  54. Pointless cross after cross
    If you really want to cross then at least put cross at uncomfortable knee height where it will be difficult for defenders to clear…
    When you don’t have player who can boss the defenders in the air then why the hell we cross..
    Cross at some uncomfortable height…
    In Cricket we talk Corridor of Uncertainty for batsman where batsman doesn’t know whether to play on front foot or back foot
    Just like that ask a question to defenders by crossing where they will hesitate whether to clear by head or foot

      1. Yes and if you look at the height then it was not at all at proper heading
        It was somewhere between chest and stomach
        Luiz had to adjust and bend down to take that

  58. Pepe’s dribbling is on point today, great header by luiz, good to see willian get another assist👌

  61. Exactly why Arteta is always protecting and using these boys other than Saka sparingly.
    Smith Rowe Injured.
    Hope Odegaard uses this chance

    1. Yeah eddie, hope it’s not too serious! Hopefully Odegaard can score one of his patented long range goals 🤞

      1. Exactly, it will either be a second yellow or our right wing may enjoy a ride in the highway. If there was no Iheanacho it would have been double delight for gunners, Rodgers will have to sacrifice Vardy.

  65. Apart from that goal, Leicester City been held at bay and the boys stepped up.
    Hopefully we add more.
    At least the negativiyu on here can boil down a bit till second half resumes

    1. Leicester tried to play exactly same way they played at Emirates but today we are much more effective going forward compared to last match and there we caught Brendon Rodgers on wrong foot..

    1. Two comebacks in a week sue I seriously cant remember the last time we did that lol, please god hold 🤞

  69. Pepe is the guy creating all the chances today both pen and free kick for the goal came from him. Good on him.
    Well I predicted a 3-1 win for Arsenal and 3-1 it will be COYG

    1. Chuxzzy1 yes that’s the willian we want to see more of! looks like he just regained a yard of pace from nowhere lol

  71. Despite the fact that we are leading I still hate the way xhaka plays football ball. Must he pass the ball back all the time? Every goal scoring counter attack move is always killed and buried the moment ball goes to him due to his back pass.

    1. Couldn’t agree more Adega. We’ve lost Smith Rowe but Xhaka never gets gets injured. It’s the way he plays the game slow and risk free. Rarely goes in for 50/50 challenges and never chopped down by the bully boys because he is not considered a danger. Someone who knows how to look after himself, wink wink.

    2. God I’m sick of this old chestnut. Get a pencil and a piece of paper and keep track of his passing. When the game is over and every Xhaka pass on second half is backwards ir sideways then you’ll have my full apology.

  72. Leicester tried to play exactly same way they played at Emirates but today we are much more effective going forward compared to last match and there we caught Brendon Rodgers on wrong foot..

    2. We missed couple of sitters that match and they did nothing before the goal so the chance of that happening again was very small.

  73. You all complain too much when it’s not going Arsenal’s way ..
    Support the team rather than find scape goats.

  74. Xhaka, Elneny and Mari couldn’t keep up with Tielemans’ pace and energy, but Willian and Luiz replied well with an excellent set-piece attack

    Pepe surprisingly played very well in the first half, because he made Leicester commited several fouls. If he can play like this in every match, he would force Saka to level up

    It was a great response from our B team, but I hope they don’t fall asleep in the second half. Sometimes we switch off and be complacent when leading

  75. I think we’ve to give the coaches the chance and know that none of the players is a Chelsea or United player. See the impact of Pepe and Willian.

    One of our best first half in the season.

  76. Our football is good to watch today especially after the goal we conceded, I enjoyed the game… and oh! we scored from a set piece too,let’s win this guys.coyg!

  77. Is anyone watching how Soares is having an influence from that side , he is the one allowing for Pepe to be himself.

    Willian has had a mental shift as well.

    Hoping the boys go for the kill now.

  78. Great to see the team not giving up and our negative fans having to bite the bullet.
    What a shame for ESR and congrats to Pepe and Willian.

  79. They receive a lot of stick but credit to Willian and Pepe for their performance today. Both been our best players today

  82. Christ guys. Aside from Leicester’s goal, arsenal have had a fantastic half. Willian has been one of the best, most energetic players on the field. MA tactics have choked Leicester. I don’t understand the need to constantly revert to toxic negativity.

    Great half! COYG

  84. I predicted 1:0 win for Arsenal (At least one pundit predicts Arsenal to beat Leicester City) but now is 2:1. We shall win today. All teams play to win, not to draw. This team is a top 6 caliber, with youthful and emerging players. Just hope that owner spend money to buy 1 or 2 top quality players each year and win title within 5 years. What’s Klopp & Liverpool’s owner do for Liverpool.

      1. Lol bruh it’s depressing, after line up gets released everyday, they’re always Moaning about the selection.
        Soon as we conceded, telling me you were saying?
        I was saying? .well I was saying STFU, support the team as there’s enough time to turn it around.
        Well they turned it around didn’t they?😂😂

        1. Lol I know man 😂 , then they recoil back into there shell, don’t celebrate or comment on the win, wipe it from there mind and complain when the next line up is released 😂

          Great result today man GOYG!! 🥳

          1. Everyone put in a good shift today…can’t believe we’re playing Leicester half field at the KP stadium.
            The scoreline isn’t telling the full game.
            I’m expecting another dose of moaning when we play Burnley.
            Inject it in my veins😂😂

  95. Did benfica game change our mindset or what cos we seems to plat well coming from behind..thumbs up to Pepe and William today👍🏽

  99. So what do we do..

    Do we hand Laca a new deal or sell him as hes the best forward we have to be honest. Or do we take what w evan while hes aging but in good form?

    Nice to see Pepe having a massive I fluence and Willian actually looking like he wants to play. Well done as I though we were beat after 1-0. Humble pie being ate right now

    1. Always liked him but I think that’s an area we need to improve on – his general play is really good and important to how the team plays, but he’s too inconsistent, especially in his finishing.
      We should sell but we need to have a replacement in mind – not sure who that could be right now.

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