Starting XI
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over 11 years
Perhaps White or Chambers as DM if we have the numbers in defence to make that work?
Interesting perspective being "gutted" though. What's the reason this cup which comes with a European place and that Man City, Man United and Chelsea are happy to keep winning is beneath us again?
We haven't managed any sort of result at Anfield for a long time, this was a big result and keeps some momentum going.
Legend
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I'd take any trophy at the moment, even one that isnt "high on the priority list" of some fans. I'm pretty sure Arteta will want to win any comp they are still involved in.
Starting XI
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Absolutely. This was made even more important by going out of the FA Cup early. A result here was important. Imaging playing a full kids team and getting humiliated 5-0 at Anfield and being a laughing stock yet again. Could have done without the players having to play so long a man down, but that's as sure as night follows day when Xhaka starts a big game. 
They should be pumped after this reasult and itching to get out there for a NLD knowing that Xhaka won't be there to trigger a collapse with an inevitable second half penalty.
Marquee
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over 16 years
The thing with Xhaka for me is why the fudge do we as a team keep putting him in that position?

In the build up he was leading the press when both KT and Gabriel fly past him
to join deep in Liverpools half.

He’s then tracked Jota that whole way back, which is impressive for someone with limited pass, and finds himself trying to cover for half of his defence. I also think Ramsdale could have made a call and tried to head it, but he came flying out and went back.

I’m not trying to say it’s not a red. But throughout his career he has often seen red trying to cover up his team mates which is often missing from the convo.

On the above Caragher had some good analysis on this at half time.
Legend
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almost 17 years
ajc28
Perhaps White or Chambers as DM if we have the numbers in defence to make that work?
Interesting perspective being "gutted" though. What's the reason this cup which comes with a European place and that Man City, Man United and Chelsea are happy to keep winning is beneath us again?
We haven't managed any sort of result at Anfield for a long time, this was a big result and keeps some momentum going.
I hate the europa league and would rather not be in it at all.
I am gutted because the NLD is infinitely more important than this game was, but we seemingly prioritised them equally, and have now made the NLD so much harder for ourselves. 
Im not gutted that we played well and got a good result, if thats what you think I meant. Im gutted we started so many important players, got injuries and suspensions, and tired out the others. Unless we win the 2nd leg and the final then it was not worth it, and even if we do win it, if it comes at the expense of top four then its not worth it either.
Legend
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Having said that, lets just beat tottenham anyway. Please. 
Also one thing is not in doubt for me right now: Arteta is the real deal. Extend now. Give him all the time. 

Marquee
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over 16 years
Interesting day today, Auba didn’t make the Gabon squad. I hope he’s OK but picking up C19 in Dubai en route and missing games is the worst thing for someone who could be getting in the shop window.

Also confirmed that we have asked to postpone the game at Sp*rs. Given the precedent set by others I’m glad we’re taking this approach. That said I’m half expecting we’ll get shafted by it and told to play on.
Marquee
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NLD delayed. Looks like only 1 COVID case in MØ but as is the precedent this isn’t the only factor now. 

Sounds like we have also formally lodged a bid for Vlahovic after he rejected a deal with Fiorentina. £50-£60m seems to be the figures.

Melo also sounds like it could be on. 

I think if we get Melo on loan it might enable us to secure the left footed Brazilian midfielder we were after but not bring him in until the summer. 

Dream scenario for me is Vlahovic + Melo, Wijnaldum on Loan and this Brazilian kid locked in for next summer.

Also a lot of chat about Auba on loan to Juventus which might get him playing again and in the shop window, and some space to possibly heal wounds.
First Team Squad
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over 15 years
I'll put my hand up and say I'm not across the other postponements, so I'm sure there's a definite consistency issues.

But how ridiculous postponing the game on the back of one COVID case. Injuries are a nature of the game, and the inability to plan for AFCON is Arsenal's own fault.

Watch this decision come to bite the Premier League in the arse in a few months. I reckon a bunch of final day games... title decider? relegation decider? which doesn't get postponed with even more COVID cases.
Legend
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Havent been following the consistency or inconsistency of the postponement decisions to have an opinion but stoked about this postponement, so good for us right now. 
Marquee
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You, good sir, are spot on.

The PL have made a rod for their back by enabling injuries and AFCON factors to consider too.

It’s utter madness that it was never just based on COVID given AFCON and injuries would never be enough on their own.

Within the rules the PL have stated we have done nothing wrong. But the rules are bollox. Problem is to change them now is to unfairly disadvantage some teams and provide an advantage to others.
20 Legend
I'll put my hand up and say I'm not across the other postponements, so I'm sure there's a definite consistency issues.

But how ridiculous postponing the game on the back of one COVID case. Injuries are a nature of the game, and the inability to plan for AFCON is Arsenal's own fault.

Watch this decision come to bite the Premier League in the arse in a few months. I reckon a bunch of final day games... title decider? relegation decider? which doesn't get postponed with even more COVID cases.
Starting XI
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over 11 years
It's interesting how different the narrative is for different teams. Leicester have had I believe 5 games postponed. Wolves had a game against us postponed earlier this season. Liverpool had the game against us postponed last week and were then found to not even have any cases ("false positives" I think was the excuse given) and were miraculously able to field a team just 3 days later against a League One opposition and a full strength team minus AFCON players for the postponement 7 days later. They similarly should have been able to plan for the AFCON as it didn't come up as a surprise that Salah and Mane would be missing. No outrage or anyone even giving a fudge at all. Don't think anyone other than fans of the two teams involved even noticed.

Think we're the last of the "big 6" to request a postponement this season, but in using the precedent already set by many other teams in the league there's suddenly universal outrage when it's us. Must mean we're relevant again.

I mean, I wanted the game played too. Felt it was a good time to play them with Son out and we probably now end up playing them when they are in form and full strength. Just wondering why the outrage has only come out for us and where it was for other postponements, particularly the bullshark Liverpool pulled last week.
Legend
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almost 17 years
I think Liverpool did get quite a bit of stick about their one but doesn't detract from your observations at all ajc, i completely agree. It's all very very silly how this has been done. I can understand complaints, when we applied we only had one player out with Covid. But you play to the whistle as they say, an that's essentially what we did. 
I feel it's a little bit of karma after our start to the season though. We were badly affected by Covid on the day the season started and this wasn't an option at that point. 
Damn I didn't realise Son was out. Still, it would be wonderful to have Partey and Tomiyasu in particular back when we do play them. 
Marquee
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over 16 years
Sounds like it could be pretty nasty. Hope he recovers quickly
Legend
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over 16 years
needs to so we can sell him for some decent $$$$
Marquee
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over 16 years
How the press and rival fans expected Arsenal to line up for the North London Derby
Arsenal.jpg 50.05 KB
Legend
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surprised Wenger or Henry didnt get a mention.
Marquee
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over 16 years
Kolasinac gone. Released early to sign on a free with Marseille. Thus ends our most expensive LB, whose true value for money came off the pitch fighting off thugs.

Good luck lad.
Legend
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Ghana crashed out of AFCON this morn. 
Partey on his way back then, you little beauty!
Marquee
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what a treat if he makes it back in time for Liverpool. Even if he makes it back for Burnley it’ll mean he didn’t miss a PL fixture!
paulm
Ghana crashed out of AFCON this morn. 
Partey on his way back then, you little beauty!
 
Marquee
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over 16 years
Laca
Martinelli ESR Saka
Odegaard Lokonga
KT Gabriel White Tomiyasu
Ramsdale

Swap Partey (who is on the bench) for Lokonga and that’s arguably our strongest 11 at the moment assuming MØ goes OK a bit deeper.

COYG!
Legend
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Yeah Partey for Lakonga, who would logically sit deeper than Odegaard. Add a new striker tot hat mix and we look really solid.
Marquee
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Looking at the line ups, id say that our defence is stronger than their attack, but the same could be said for their defence and our attack, plus their midfield is considerably stronger than ours. uphill battle! Hope we havent spent it all in the first leg. 
Legend
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will be a tight game,
1-0 to the winner
Legend
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fudge!
that was ugly
Marquee
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🎶 it’s just like playing FIFA 🎶 
theprof
fudge!
that was ugly
 
Marquee
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We really need to get Partey on - do we back Martinelli through the middle to try?
Martinelli
ESR Odegaard Saka
Partey Lokonga
Legend
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over 16 years
ahhhh dammit!
that's got to be game.
Jota the difference in this game.
tight call, but the marking on Jota has been shoddy all night.
Legend
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and there's the obligatory red card for us
Legend
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almost 17 years
This tie has been a disaster for us. We've played quite well overall but it's been really bad for our top 4 hopes.
No Partey for Burnley now, Xhaka should hopefully be a one match suspension so he's back? He can partner Lokonga. 
Odegaard and Smith-Rowe are not midfielders. 
Marquee
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Fark. After such a strong start!! but yea our lack of midfield showed. 
Losing the match is rough, but Partey getting a red is just the joke we didnt need!
Starting XI
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over 11 years
Out of all the cups and 6th in the league. Things suddenly looking quite bleak again. 
Legend
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almost 17 years
Partey's red was exponentially sillier than Xhaka's, just for the record
Starting XI
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over 11 years
It was. But he literally flew half way around the world on the morning of the game. He was never going to be up to speed to play and shouldn't have been put on the pitch. 
Legend
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Agreed. We really should've saved him for Burnley.
Still, Xhaka and Lokonga should be enough in midfield for that one now. It's a huge must-win for us. 
Starting XI
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over 11 years
Mercifully I think Xhaka is still out since the Spurs game didn't happen isn't he?
Legend
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yeah Xhaka was a two game thing.
Legend
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almost 17 years
FFS.
We'll have zero bite in midfield against a physical team. We will miss him badly in this one, with no Partey as well. 
Lokonga was ok this morn but he struggles against physicality. Same with Odegaard. 
Starting XI
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At home against bottom of the table would like to think we'll have enough. Word is Burnley have appealed Xhaka's ban though in the hope he can be made available.

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