We can't take these two to WBA. A struggling Allardyce side is one of the last team we want anywhere near them. Especially with both of them having both recently taken a bloke sized wallop up the shins. I would still take ESR as he's not played much and though he's taken a couple of tackles they weren't the crunchers Mart and Saka took. Wouldn't play him 90 though. Don't know if Partey will be fit to play, but I'd not take him for it either.
This is the type of fixture where I go into it far more concerned about us coming out with all players still healthy, than I am about the scoreline. Arteta has shown that the word "precaution" is not in his vocabulary or he doesn't know what it means. So I can't help but worry for our young guns. Since approaching a fixture likely to be "Get stuck in" crunchfest," Arteta's negligence doesn't bode well for two kids already a little battered, one of whom has played too much already. Finger crossed that either Arteta won't be a fool or the footy fates won't punish the kids when he is. More chance of the latter IMO.
No Saka Or Martinelli For This One
posted on 31/12/20
comment by Serial WUManiser™© -¯\_(γ)_/¯ (U1410)
posted 37 minutes ago
Btw, west brom got a tonking from high intensity Leeds, so it shows that they are also suffering heavily with fatigue over the busy xmas period. Difference being, we're used to 2 games a week.
Play our best XI, set a high intensity game vs WBA and walk away with 3 points looking forwards to 2 weeks rest
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We don't have 2 weeks rest, Arteta (as proven last year) takes the FA Cup very seriously so most of our first team will play Newcastle next Saturday.
In saying that I still think only 2 should be rotated.
Auba for Martinelli. Martinelli needs to be managed and him and Auba in the team (2 low touch number players) don't suit playing against a team that will no doubt park the bus.
Ceballos (or Partey if fit) for Elneny - Elneny looked leggy against Brighton and his sideways passes aren't needed against the lowest of blocks.
posted on 31/12/20
Playing against a typical struggling Big Sam side should be a compulsory part of any young EPL footballer's education.
Any subsequent knocks and niggles are just part of the curriculum.
posted on 31/12/20
comment by Tu Meke - AinsleyForRightBack (U3732)
posted 30 minutes ago
Can't take much from the Leeds game. 3 goals were worldies, 1 a deflection, and the other a bizarre OG.
Think our luck ran out against Chelseaexpecting a very dull game here.
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If he's crazy enough to start them all then whether it comes off in the way the fans would like to see, depends on whether he starts Lacazette with them or not. Not sure if it's that they actually need him, or they're just not comfortable/confident enough yet without him. Just noticed that they all seem to play better with him in there. Auba's not a focal point for them in the same way I don't think. Laczette they all seem kinda "Ah cool Dad's here now he can do the worrying and we can just play"
I want Lacazette starting anyway though, looks like he might be done with his goal woes just as Auba's caught up with him. And technically on the pitch, is the far better fit for the 2 or 3 young attackers
posted on 31/12/20
When one of them gets injured, don't say you weren't warned.
posted on 31/12/20
Yeh I doubt a manager, who's job is on the line, will drop his most dynamic and inform players, on the small probability that they might just get injured.
posted on 31/12/20
comment by Gillespie Rd. (U18361)
posted 3 minutes ago
Playing against a typical struggling Big Sam side should be a compulsory part of any young EPL footballer's education.
Any subsequent knocks and niggles are just part of the curriculum.
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Yeah but that's a part to be embarked upon, fully fit. Not close to return from a long lay off, fatigued or already beat up from the previous game. It's not just about the side we're playing. Factor in the already fatigued players and that's the recipe for trouble part.
Simple thing, Saka definitely has a nice tasty bruise on the leg that got kicked accidentally last game. So it's already tender and as a result, a little weaker. So now the tackle that would have just bruised his shin if it wasn't already carrying a knock. Could/will now fracture his shin BECAUSE he's already taken a knock.
posted on 31/12/20
comment by Serial WUManiser™© -¯\_(γ)_/¯ (U1410)
posted 13 minutes ago
Yeh I doubt a manager, who's job is on the line, will drop his most dynamic and inform players, on the small probability that they might just get injured.
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I don't think he thinks he can't get a result with the other players, using the changed tactics though. If he starts all 3 again, that's just a middle finger to the older players who dared kick up a fuss. He'll bring em back soon enough, he's just giving them all their spanking cos they got him chewed out HARD
posted on 31/12/20
comment by WB2 (Emery'll Get Me Killed) (U8276)
posted 5 minutes ago
When one of them gets injured, don't say you weren't warned.
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So what if we inevitably end up losing a player or two against West Brom?
We're almost halfway through the season and already 13 points off the pace.
It's all hands on deck moving forward.
posted on 31/12/20
comment by Gillespie Rd. (U18361)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by WB2 (Emery'll Get Me Killed) (U8276)
posted 5 minutes ago
When one of them gets injured, don't say you weren't warned.
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So what if we inevitably end up losing a player or two against West Brom?
We're almost halfway through the season and already 13 points off the pace.
It's all hands on deck moving forward.
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So you'd be happy with 3 points but no Saka or Martinelli for months. I'm not saying it'll definitely happen, just that in this match case, a collection of other circumstances and a team roster with others who can get the result, say we don't have to risk that outcome. You lot are talking like we can't possibly win the game without them.
Our results have been about Arteta's previous tactical choices being that bad. Not ESR Saka and Martinelli all being just that hot sh !t good. They're the answer to future questions, not the ones being asked this season or next for that matter.
posted on 31/12/20
comment by WB2 (Emery'll Get Me Killed) (U8276)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by Gillespie Rd. (U18361)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by WB2 (Emery'll Get Me Killed) (U8276)
posted 5 minutes ago
When one of them gets injured, don't say you weren't warned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So what if we inevitably end up losing a player or two against West Brom?
We're almost halfway through the season and already 13 points off the pace.
It's all hands on deck moving forward.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So you'd be happy with 3 points but no Saka or Martinelli for months. I'm not saying it'll definitely happen, just that in this match case, a collection of other circumstances and a team roster with others who can get the result, say we don't have to risk that outcome. You lot are talking like we can't possibly win the game without them.
Our results have been about Arteta's previous tactical choices being that bad. Not ESR Saka and Martinelli all being just that hot sh !t good. They're the answer to future questions, not the ones being asked this season or next for that matter.
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We've been throwing everything at the wall for the past 2 months and we've finally found something that resembles a working unit over the past 2 games.
The kids in attack are quite happy to run their socks off, Lacazette is playing with a smile on his face, and both Rob Holding and Mari seem to have come to a very good understanding.
I'd be perfectly happy to ride this out and see how many more results we could grind out with the current lineup. We're hardly out of the woods yet.