I do, for me the first round of this competition offers an intriguing glimpse into the future, a peak at what we might have to look forward to. I have a love hate relationship with these games, I always end up going if it is at home but it is not without a mental battle. It starts a few weeks earlier when the draw is made by me telling myself that I am definitely not going, its an unimportant cup and there is no need to bother, besides it will be on telly so I can watch it in the comfort of my home.
This thought process runs round my head for a few days until I realise that the game is not on telly and my desire to watch it rises. By the time the game arrives I am in full scale mental torture about missing it and inevitably end up late on kicking myself into gear, not having organised a ticket I buy one on line at the, by now, higher price and make my way to the ground.
I am rarely disappointed though the youngsters always give their all, Nketiah scoring his pair to save the day come to mind of which there are of course many more.
The insight into the future is what it is all about and tonight should be no different,
The future
—————Leno
Bellerin, Saliba, Gabriel Tierney
——–Partey, Aouar
———Smith-Rowe
—-Pepe, Nketiah, Saka
Tonight
———-Runarsson
Soares, Saliba, Luiz, Kolasinac
—Elneny, AMN
——–Willock
Pepe, Nketiah, Saka
What do you think?
Authors on Arsenal Arsenal
Club News- Katie McCabe's rocket named WSL Goal of the Season
- Success Stories: Thierry
- When will our Premier League fixtures be released?
- Watch the 10 best saves from our 22/23 season
- Catley: 'It feels like a family here at Arsenal'
- Steph Catley signs new contract
- Choose our men's Goal of the Season for 2022/23
- Sousa heading to Portugal for England U18s trip
- Loan watch: Balogun nets in final game for Reims
- Under-18s | The season in review
Recent Comments
RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… allezkev on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… fred1266 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… fred1266 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… allezkev on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… allezkev on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… Aaron on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… RC78 on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f… ≫ ¿Un vaso 2/3 lleno… on Our season: A Glass 2/3 f…
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
I have just realised that is the first time I have written a pre-match well a pre-match of a sort.
your line up is probably correct but arteta will want his 2nd string to get used to his system so AMN will play as a left wing back with elneny and willock in the middle
Isn’t Soares injured? plus I think he will keep to back 3 and use wing backs.
I am not sure we should push Runnarsson in straight away either (but I think he will play)
Nice one, LB… I’ve just read Cedric is out with a ‘tight calf’…other than that, your line up is looking pretty juicy! I’m not going to lie, I was hoping to see Matteo and Mesut..hmm…..
Can’t wait to see that man mountain Saliba and hope Runarsson is between the sticks – just so I can do the ‘thunder clap’ in my living room 😂
Wonder if Brenda will go strong… and by that I mean will we see Jamie bloody Vardy?! 🙈
Well, let’s hope it’s a good ‘un and we go through – you know I just love Anfield 😩😳🤯 COYG
Baruch
You are probably right about AMN playing at LB but I would really like to see him have a go in midfield.
Thanks LB, I’m also ambivalent about this competition, but my basic standpoint is that I want any arsenal side to beat any other in any competition … even if it’s the under 12’s. The totts under 18’s best is a few days ago … I wasn’t happy 😂
I hope you’re right that Saliba will start tonight, it will be worth watching just for that.
Brendan Rogers is not impressive when he talks but he must be a decent manager (maybe not at the highest level) and he seemed to know how to beat the old arsenal.
I think we should brace ourselves for some high press, high energy, high line football from both teams …. I won’t be surprised if there are 5 goals or more.
More than 5 goals would be just fine with me Rasp.
Me too LB, let’s hope we gat at least 3. Do you remember when Reading went 4 nil up and then we came back to beat them 7:5 with Theo scoring a hat-trick. He can’t even make the bench for Everton now.
Poor Theo, I would imagine it is the same with Iwobi.
Nothing ambivalent about me….I can walk straight if I need to.
Every time a team of whatever age or gender turns out in the red and white (or alternative) I’m keen and want a massive win.
Love your ” future” team LB, ( with Martinelli to burst on as a sub).
Think Mikel might stick with three at back, with hopefully, Luiz sweeping up if Vardy breaks the line. COYG.
Thanks for the pre-match LB!
I think we will play
Leno – AMN, Saliba, Luiz, Kola, Saka – Pepe, El Neny, Willok, RN – Nketiah
Until then – take everyone and COYG!
Does anyone know if our game is being televised? I can’t find it on Sky or BT Sport.
Rasp
It is here, costs a tenner but it is legit not streaming.
https://carabaocup.live/
Can’t believe I forgot Martinelli
No Ozil or Guendouzi
Thanks LB
Thank you LB,
Looks like Mikel cares.
Would have put out under 21’s myself and or put everyone in the shop window who needs to be moved and keep them in shape.
Maybe we will get some transfer news this week.
Not a riot of goals so far … unlike the Newcastle game.
Bit stodgy so far.
Best moment from Saka, not a lot to get excited about.
Thought this would be the kinda game I expect pepe to lead the charge
Solid, more than competent performance. Dynamic passing from back four. Denied a penalty. Best defensive performance ever from Kolasinac but Luiz MOM. Good performances from Nelson, Willock and Maitland-Niles.Saka more creative than weekend.Eddie his usual hard- working self plus last minute goal. Very content myself.
PS
Wish Pepe had a right foot. Very young fullback not overawed at all by him. Need more!
A few new words are up.
Thanks LB, I didn’t get to see the game but kept updated on various sites and your account reflects the impression I got.
It is interesting that you picked up on Arteta’s delight at the result. That’s two rather attritional games in a row. We weren’t the best team against wham but still we found a way to win … by not losing! I know that sounds daft, but what I mean is I think it is the resilience of our play that delights MA. He quite rightly identified the culture as one aspect he wanted to change. In the past we would have crumbled when under pressure … or, even worse, got sloppy after we scored and concede straight away.
It will be an interesting game against pool. They are already pinging the ball around very accurately so I doubt we will have so much possession … but Mikel has shown he has a solid game plan for that scenario.
Thoughts of … a new era AKB 😂