We have been particularly poor away from home against Big 6 teams. Arteta has not really managed to improve our form away from home in terms of points collected but since he took over, we are harder to beat which is a bit of a consolation.
The good news is that Man Utd have been struggling at home in the EPL this season but the bad news is that I feel like they are hitting form, especially Rashford. I like Rashford and I d be delighted if he joined AFC once Auba leaves 😛
I was not happy with our performance in our last EPL game against Leicester and our win yesterday was expected and nothing to brag about except for the positive performances from Runnarsson, Willok and RN.
We are on a good run against Utd (won 2 out of the last 3 games ; have not lost any of the last 4 in the EPL) and I hope it continues but I am going into the game with no confidence because we seem to struggle to create chances and also because Luiz is missing and Leno is not having a great start of the season.
Here is my predicted line-up:
Leno – Mustafi, Gabriel, Tierney – Bellerin, El Neny, Partey, Xhaka, AMN – Laca, Auba
I think Saka, Pepe, Ceba, RN and Eddie will be on the bench to give us options.
Predicted score: Man Utd 3 – 1 Arsenal; Rashford (2), Martial (1) and Tierney (1) for us.
I hope you are more positive than I…Keep safe and healthy everyone and COYG!
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Manure 0 : 2 Arsenal easy win for us this time
This is based on my inate understanding of my feelings and emotions
COYG!
RIP Nobby Stiles.
Now, that’s my one good word quota per year for Manure exhausted. Fergie time winner for the good guys will do fine.
Nice one, RC 👍
3-1? Make it 2-1 – Martial is still suspended! 😀
One of the fixtures I dread every season! I’ve predicted 2-2.. Leicester just ended a 47 year drought, no reason why we can’t, hey?!! Right? Anyone? Haha!! COYG
Hard fought 1-2. Saka on score sheet. COYRRG.
Martial is suspended? Good for us 🙂
So they ll play Rashford Greenwood up front with maybe Cavani or they ll just play Mata behing Rashford.
De Gea – Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw – McTominay, Fred, Fernandes – Mata – Greenwood, Rashford
Bench: Pogba, Cavani…not bad
Six nil to the good guys.
Ziyech reminds me of Ozil so much. The guy s left foot can rip defenses and he just scored a goal…Damn it!
Chelsea has a decent squad too. The EPL is the most competitive league by far.
France has PSG and at times Lyon, Lille, Marseille and Monaco
Germany has Bayern and Dortmund, Leipzig
Italy has Juve and Inter and then Atalanta, Milan, Roma
Spain has Real, Barcelona, Atletico and then Sevilla
EPL has Liverpool, City and then Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton.
Those 7 EPL teams would be top 3 every year in other leagues, easily.
Creating a European League would destroy the EPL’s advantage in terms of appeal for coaches, players and broadcasters. I don’t understand why some EPL clubs would even consider such a merge…For PSG, Juve, Benfica…it would be good but for EPL clubs, it does not make sense
My serious prediction is a draw.
A loss would really start to panic the horses, so I think El Patron’s starting approach will be “don’t lose”.
I expect us to have a back 5 of Bellerin – Mustafi – Gabriel – Tierney – Saka, with Saka joining MF in possession.
I would then like to see Xhaka, Partey and the Ninny in MF.
Auba and Eddie up front.
I wouldn’t be surprised at a 0-0, and my ‘surprise tip’ for out MoTM is Mustafi.
I realise I’ve jinxed Mustafi now and the smart money would be on him conceding a penalty and getting red carded 😀
@Rocky – I agree that El Patron will look to “not lose” this game but I think Man Utd will put us under pressure and that’s why I have AMN starting ahead of Saka and like you, I have El Neny, Partey and Xhaka in the middle of the park.
I d be happy with a draw but if we can snatch a win, we won’t be upset 😛
I think this is a game for Laca and Nketiah to make their mark. We need to play long balls in and then have Auba or Partey unleash wicked shots off deviations from Laca or Nketiah. Maguire and Lindelof always have an error in them.
There is no way our wingers will pass Bissaka or Telles – both of them are in superb form. Rashford and Greenwood will cause us trouble so it s really about us making sure we are strong in the middle of the park and that we control their attacks on the wing.
Bellerin and AMN will be critical and we need Mustafi to not make a mistake.
352 for me today and if we see an opening to snatch a win, bring in Saka, Nketiah, Pepe, Willian, Ceba or whoever else can create a goal.
On attacking phases, I want to see:
– Long balls from Bellerin, Mustafi, Gabriel and AMN;
– Tierney move forward whenever possible;
– El Neny stay back next to Xhaka;
– Auba play behind McTominay and in front of Maguire while;
– Laca should play on the same line as Lindelof;
– Partey would then basically play in between Fernandes and Fred (or Matic).
Let us frustrate these Red Devils and get at least a point there 🙂
Can you imagine Mike Dean not pointing to the spot or brandishing his red card? No, neither can I 😂
Oh bolleaux – please don’t say Dean is refereeing this one!
Arsenal XI: Leno, Tierney, Holding, Gabriel, Bellerín, Partey, Elneny, Saka, Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Teams are out:
Leno – Holding, Gabriel, Tierney – Bellerin, El Neny, Partey, Saka – Willian, Laca, Auba
De Gea – WB, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw – McTominay, Fred, Pogba – Fernandes – Greenwood, Rashford
We missed Willian against Leics so good news. Onwards … COYRRG
Hard to get too excited about Willian and Laca in the starting line-up, but we have to trust El Patron.
Some commentators are saying we are in a 433:
Leno – Bello, Holding, Gabs, Tierney – Partey, El Neny, Saka – Willian, Laca, Auba
The weird results continue.
Villa have been looking really good, but lose 3-4 to Saints.
And Everton, who’ve also had an impressive start, look like they’re going to lose to Newcastle (losing 0-2 with just minutes to go).
If we manage to put a series of wins together before X-mas, we may be able to contend for Top 4
Ooh – Everton pulled one back with five more minutes of injury time remaining.
Toon hang for a 2-1 win.
Holding in the lineup? Thought he was out for a few weeks??
Not that I am complaining.
We have the players to get this done.
There is no home field advantage in the covid era.
Put it to them AFC…
I know I have a bit of a downer on William at the moment, but it’s frustrating to see him muscled off the ball so easily (twice already)
Partey 🙂
Not a bad start but we gotta be wary on counters
This is exactly the sort of pressure that has to result in a goal.
We’re dominating but we have to make it count. We saw against Leicester how easy it is to get sucker punched if you don’t take your chances.
Mark my word – Holding will cost us a goal today. He is all over the place,
Gabriel on a yellow and Mike Dean reffing… what could possibly go wrong
Willian looks spent…strange
I think AMN or RN could be brought in for Willian
I am glad we got Partey and Gabriel and am impressed with El Neny so far. AUBA is a worry though today. Totally out of the game
Willian has seen a fair bit of the ball but he’s a turnover machine at the moment
Such a balance, such discipline and all we need is the first goal.
Damn it Willian! Just hit the target…
Laca looking sharp so far.
Elneny and Partey so much more dynamic ( quick of thought AND action) than Dani and X., IMO. But we need the first goal, please Gunners!
Come on Saka…you can do it 🙂
Playing so well… except for that little matter of finding the back of the net
A good half for us but we re missing that crucial goal
Dont know what you guys are talking about. IMO the difference between the Leics game and today so far is … William. just saying
generally, not a fan of players switching between PL sides, though. divided loyalties.
Felt defensive positioning was excellent, and some fluid passing and movement.
Should be up by now.
Mikel get them ready for the second half. Put together 90 minutes of tight futbol!
Arnie
Inclined to agree re Willian. Compared to Pepe in particular, hard work off the ball especially. Even the chance came fast and slightly across. Less speed at contact and…….
If only Saka…as well.
Forget it, get into them immediately and get that goal.
Why no corner from the Aubang corner?
Aubang chance?
I think we need smt more either from Bellerin or Auba. They hold they key to the goal. The rest of the team is doing their part.
Partey-El Neny is not bad at all
In fairness Red, Willian is working really hard off the ball
yes, well in Willian
cannot complain. now steady on
Come on !!!
Why do you bring in Mustafi ever?
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
my MOTM Party, followed by Gabry, Al-nanny and William. Brilliant.
oh my! We did it and we did it convincingly too!
MoTM: El Neny and Gabriel for me
Leno – 6
Bellerin – 6.5 – for getting the PK
Holding – 6
Gabriel – 8
Tierney – 7
Saka – 7
El Neny – 8
Partey – 7
Laca – 7
Willian – 7
Auba – 6.5 – Goal
Thoroughly and utterly deserved. Gabriel, Partey, Elneny, Tierney, couldn’t split them for MOM. Saka much more involved. Holding does a solid job after injury. Laca a workaholic as always.
A pleasing, warm feeling on a Sunday night. Thank you, Gunners.
Arteta – 7
I think we have recruited well in Gabriel and Partey.
They add solidity and quality to the team.
One player that is really amazing me this season is El Neny. Where was this El Neny before?
Bellerin needs to be as incisive on the right as Saka on the left.
Willian and Pepe really need to do more as well on the right side and Auba needs to also find his form again on the left.
Overall a good win, a first at OT since 2006 and the first in 30 attempts against Top 6 teams. Well done Arteta!
Solid performance by Gabriel, Holding and Tierney at the back for honourable first mentions.
Really liked the setup Partey and Elneny really squeezed the play reminiscent of how we beat Chelsea in the cup final after the first twenty minutes. I really like the way Elneny keeps his passing simple and tends to look forward rather than receive ball back to goal.
What was better than the cup final perhaps was that ManUtd sat deep and therefore we didn’t have that over the top outlet yet still managed without a recognised playmaker to create chances. Mainly due to good work on the flanks from Tierney, Bellerin, Saka and Willian. Man of the match was probably Gabriel, closely followed by Elneny and Partey. What I like about both Holding and Gabriel is their dedication to defending, they are big, commanding and unfussy almost knowing they are not stars just have a job to do.
PS we need Rashford, unfortunately don’t think he will leave United, so second best bet may have to be Kane.
Poor old Woy, he’s not happy!
Gabriel MOTM for me, very closely followed by Partey, Ninny and Tierney. Honourable mentions for Holding, Bellerin and Saka. The others did their parts.
What a lovely feeling to win, and know that we deserved it.
Another big step on the Arsenal Arteta recovery.
The critics can’t use the ‘no away wins against big six for 26 games’ against us any more. That’s a big achievement for Mikel.
RC
Only thing, I believe is not possible…..Bellerin matching Tierney going forward in attack. Except with these ” rampaging charges” through the right middle, looking for quick one twos. In fact in that, reminds me a bit of Lee Dixon on occasions going forward.
What Mikel has done is improved his defensive positioning/timing, eradicated much of the diving in, to justify his selection at present.
Good old Mike Dean. Always said he was……
Aubang the only Arse player to convert a penalty at Old Trafford in Premier League era.
Previous two, Van Persie and Gilberto missed.
LBG
That’s an amazing stat.
Three penalties in 28 years (55 or 56 league games).
Partey > Pogba
Gabriel > Maguire
Elneny > McTominay
Arteta > Ole
Says it all really. Fantastic performance made to look like a stroll in the park thanks to the way the manager set us up and the players executed. Dare I say easy…..
Credit where credit is due LBG, you have been saying that the pairing of Partey and Elneny would bring us better results — and so it has proved.
Great result, great feeling.
Thanks LB, much appreciated.
Will the weekend be spoiled if Totteringham go top. Of course not, will stop Moaninho moaning……for a week anyway, and we all know it will be oh so brief.
I think Arteta is getting close to his starting XI as well, which is good news and he also has some tough decisions to make…
Leno – ?, Luiz, Gabriel – Bellerin, El Neny, Partey, ? – Willian, ?, ?
So who do we play in the last positions:
Saka on the left and Auba in the middle ?
Auba on the lest and Laca in the middle ?
Or do you sacrifice Holding as a RCB and you put Tierney as a LCB and play Saka as your wing back so you can play Auba and Laca upfront?
I think tonight’s performance cemented Gabriel, El Neny and Partey ‘s place in the starting XI. It is gonna be hard now for Mustafi, Xhaka, Ceballos to break into the first squad, at least in the EPL…
Dare I say it we are starting to see the spine of a good team. But where potentially that falls down is at centre forward. I’m not sure either Laca or PEA are great for that final up top role. Laca probably best suited as he is happy back to goal, the better passer although that’s not a tough competition and puts in a shift but I think that’s why Arteta has played a couple of games with a false 9 to try and stop Laca and PEA having to be deep.
The thing that intrigued me is Saka and Willians roles, probably more Saka as he is effectively the free man, he drops to a left wing back position when Tierney has to join the central two but when we have possession he can drift inside or out with PEA occupying that left wing space and Tierney overlapping and pushing up. He is young so has a lot of learning to do at this level, but has raw ingredients to be very effective and could become the key to unlocking those stubborn defences.
Does anyone else love watching Tierney? He is very very good. Simple but effective passes, committed defender and seems to have a decent engine that allows him to get up and down all day. Most importantly he rarely seems to be in the wrong place.
What I found interesting in Arteta’s comments was something along the lines of “I think we interpreted what we needed to do well”. He then explained that United have two/three midfield formations diamond/square/flat and they had clearly planned a shape for all eventualities but it was up to players to realise what shape United were using and deliver their roles. Something he was obviously delighted about.
Have no idea if this is true but inferred from that conversation is a very different attitude to preparation, I think one of the other players mentioned how Arteta has a plan for every opponent and has done the research, Emery also did a lot of research but seemed to put the players in the video room to watch it with him. I think from what is being said that Arteta does his research in isolation and then drills the players on the pitch without having to show them endless videos.
Also while the interviewer was lauding the signings of Partey and Gabriel’s performances Arteta was quick to say and Mo a nice touch and clearly a manager who likes the player.
Having rewatched yesterday, including MOTD, would comment on RC’s request.
IMO, so dont need Rashford, but I would take Grealish anyday!
14 years in the making that was – and I’m loving it!! Our hoodoo has finally been put to the sword! What a performance… so many to choose from for motm… Elneny just pipped it for me! Been so impressed with him. And what about Gabriel and Partey – 2 beasts!!! Top-notch signings…
Gabriel > 27m… Maguire > 80m 😂😂😂😂
Another fantastic weekend in the PL… Villa next weekend – bring it on…
Ooh to.. Ooh to be…Ooh to be a gooner 😍
Sorry RC! It was GiE, I see, not you!
Our future for goals is Martinelli, Nketiah and Saka, with additions in midfield from Smith-Rowe.
Plus, we have the best defence in the league – 7 goals…. happy days 🙂
PS
Kane and Son are divers worthy of both Totteringham and Moaninho’s great traditions!🤬
PPS
Classic Keown ” The referee doesnt understand the game!” So true about so many referees…..and even better from Crouch, ” so good to see the referee go over and use the monitor…and get the decision wrong!” 🤣
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