As we speak, Arsenal has qualified for the Champions League next round. Sergio Ramos has Sevilla ahead of PSV (2-0). This is great news and might affect how Arteta manages the game this evening. It’ll certainly allow us to take players off early.
It really has been incredible to witness the progression of the side so far this season. The pain I expected us to have when building towards the next phase of development has mostly been visual pain. The football doesn’t feel as fluid, namely, because it’s not.
Mikel Arteta has put the issues down to teams parking buses and taxis. You can’t deny him there, it’s hard playing against top-tier teams like Newcastle, and having to deal with Joelinton dropping in at left back to double up on our wide players.
You also can’t deny that we’re taking a bit of time to develop our attacking game. The football isn’t as BANG-BANG as last season. But it’s also clear that exciting football in the Premier League tends to burn itself out. We’re going to see that happen to Spurs, who lack control, but score a lot of goals and I’m sorry to say it for the Emeryista, we’ll see it there because they’ll get sussed like all Emery teams do. There’s a price to pay for defensive solidity… and that’s a frumpy look to our football right now.
The Champions League game against RC Lens this evening is a revenge tour. We were complacent in the first leg and were taught that Champions League is VERY hard and you can get punished for the smallest of mistakes. That first game was not David Raya’s finest and we exited the away leg as losers.
RC Lens have some good players, but they’re currently in 6th in Ligue 1 and a ways off being PSG levels. We should dispatch of them on our home turf.
Things I’m looking for this evening mainly consist of:
We have a tricky away game against Wolves this weekend we also need to have in the back of our mind. They have had a lot of bad luck this season and eventually that’ll turn. A 3pm on a Saturday is a nice fixture, but if we lose tonight, that game takes on a different kind of relevance.
The line-up is strong.
Nwaneri and MLS get some time on the Champions League bench. That’s massive for them. Clearly, they are treasured by the club. I do worry that we’re at a stage of our development where kids don’t get minutes. But if we want to keep them we can’t not play them. Or they’ll leave.
The plan here is likely to win early, rotate people on 55 rather than 75.
I’m excited.
This is the Match Day blog.
Get stuck in – then join us for a 5:15pm later On The Whistle.
ENJOY THE GAME x
