Good result on Saturday, but we cannot rest on our laurels. The run of games we have coming up will determine our ambition for the second half of the season - relegation battle, top 7 (and potential European place) or the more likely mid-table mire.
Since Brighton and Hove Albion returned to the top flight we have had an horrendous record at the Amex - two 2-1 defeats with a 1-1 draw. In fact we have beaten them just once home or away since their return - a 2-0 in the very first game between the two.
The question on every Arsenal fans lips is 'will Arteta keep faith in the kids?'. Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli were all very good against Chelsea, but with the former arguably being over-played and the latter two just returning from long lay-offs, there are question marks over them being starters in every game over the busy Christmas period.
Captain Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang should be available, but Gabriel is definitely out self-isolating. Don't know if David Luiz and Willian are over their feelings of unwellness.
Personally I would go with the same XI - fitness willing. Obviously the midfield pair is not ideal, and there are lots of reasons to bring Ainsley Maitland-Niles in at right back.
After tomorrows game we have West Brom (a), Crystal Palace (h), Newcastle (h) and Southampton (a). We need a strong run, and should be looking at between 11 and 15 points from these 5 games. If we can achieve that then any talk of a relegation battle will be dead and we can go into the second half of the season building for the future.
Brighton and Hove Albion away.
posted on 28/12/20
Bellerin has a few nice passes in his locker, but that's it really. AMN came in at RB, did a good job, and was immediately dropped again.
Ainsley has so many better qualities at RB over bellerin, it isnt even funny.
posted on 28/12/20
The only change I would make is Auba in for Martinelli, just because I don't want Martinelli to be overplayed so quickly.
posted on 28/12/20
comment by Arsenal Legend Pochettino (U18355)
posted 4 hours, 22 minutes ago
Would be a massive lol if we sold AMN after deciding to keep him over Emi in the Summer.
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It doesn't look good. Arteta's track record shows he likes to go dumber with each big decision. Have said already if that moves happens, it's proof Arteta needs the boot. We just don't need a manager that feckin THICK!
posted on 28/12/20
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 hours, 4 minutes ago
Kind of hope AMN is sold, and goes on to prove himself. 4 starts and about 25 minutes in sub appearances this season - I just don't see what is wrong with him in Artetas eyes. Probably his laid back persona.
Also expect Reiss Nelson to go on loan, maybe even Joe Willock too. They need games, although I would expect them both to leave permanently in the summer anyway.
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Know what you mean. I don't want to see him go but I feel sick for him that Arteta is blatantly psing his career away right in front of him. So if he goes I want him to be outstanding so he can tell Arteta to go feck himself. If we have to lose him then I damned sure want Arteta to get the biggest feck you ever off a player. Plus as I've said already, ultimately get sacked over the club's losing the player. If not immediately then down the line due to AMN taking La Liga by storm. Hope we keep him but nothing but good wishes for him if Arteta continues to be a dumb
posted on 28/12/20
comment by Serial WUManiser™© -¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (U1410)
posted 3 hours, 40 minutes ago
Aye. J99 keeps on talking about Arteta's judgement of players. I agree with him. You have to question his judgement when he kept on persisting with Willian for almost half a season and ESR walks in with the best creative midfield performance in our season after a single game.
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REALLY?
No defender of Willian here because he has been totally useless. But it wasn't at all hard for ESR to put in the best creative MF performance of the season. Becasue as far as PL games go, his has been the ONLY creative MF performance this season.
Nobody esle has been allowed to play in the MF that far forward and nobody else has been allowed to play in the middle of the opposition 3rd, with themselves and the rest of the attack especially but team generally, given complete and utter freedom to run wherever they liked and actually BE creative
Great performance but it was only so good because the players were allowed the freedom to make it so.
posted on 28/12/20
Apparently Willian and luiz won’t be involved because they’ve only trained once, so at least Willian won’t be picked!
posted on 29/12/20
It's seldom but I really agree with J99 about the estimation on Bellerin. Allthough Bellerin had a really good game against Chelsea I feel the versatile AMN is a better fit. Bellerin's positioning is absolute appalling at times. Always has a severe mistake in him. Can't cross a simple ball to save his life. Lost a bit of his pace. Miss the running at defenders in earlier years of his career.
posted on 29/12/20
I wonder if Guendouzi will be watching the game today and reminiscing
posted on 29/12/20
comment by V - Fighters not Victims (U7971)
posted 3 hours, 50 minutes ago
I wonder if Guendouzi will be watching the game today and reminiscing
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All the Arsenal players should make fun of the Brighton ones wages, in solidarity with the youngster. Manager can't bench the whole team and that's an everyone or noone situation
posted on 29/12/20
Thankfully most of our players have more class than that