There is never an ideal time for any team to play Manchester City, whether home or away, but here we are.
Good day one and all…
It’s going to be the battle of the Spanish managers this afternoon as Unai Emery take his Arsenal side to the Etihad to take on compatriot Pep Guardiola’s Mancity. It was another of their countrymen though that outwitted the latter using vintage Rafa-ball midweek.
Before their unexpected 2-1 defeat to Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle the Citizens has been on a rampage, scoring 33 goals to just two in an eight-game winning streak. Following the SJP lack of inspiration Pep will demand a very strong reaction, so we can expect them to fight tooth and nail to not only put that disappointment behind them but to also reduce Liverpool’s lead in the log standings.
Arsenal have a different agenda though as we just want to ensure we stay in the fight for a 4th spot which is up for grabs between ourselves, Chelsea and Manutd – at this point still very much in our own hands.
Games against Mancity haven’t been easy for us in recent history and being down to the bare bones at defense was certainly the last thing needed in preparation for this trip. Mancity have scored 11 goals to one in the last four matches between these two sides, we also lost seven times in our last 11 visits there.
Given that record what Arsenal probably need to do is play from the back and hope to break on the counter but Emery said he will take Mancity on at their own game. To be honest I like it. Pep is not going to let that type of complacency at SJP happen at the Etihad and will pick an ultra-attacking lineup. so we might as well just go for it than to allow them to relentlessly build attacking wave after wave without getting a look in.
Going that route is going to be one enormous task but for the last six weeks all we as fans asked for, begged for, is for the team to get out of their shell and display the type of bravery that saw us going on that amazing unbeaten streak, and if that is something Emery want to go back to I think we should applaud it.
Attacking teams’ defense rarely get tested and if we can get both Aubameyang and Lacazette to run at them who knows, we may just win our first away game against a top-six side following a 20 winless streak.
With almost two thirds of the season done and dusted, it’s time that we put the foot on the accelerator. A must-win for both sides which could either be a thrilling contest or quite a long afternoon for us… but because I respect bravery I will definitely be rooting for the former.
@LaboGoon
Positively Arsenal 
Arsenal Women
Verified account @ArsenalWFC
41s41 seconds ago
AND ANOTHER ONE 🔥
@VivianneMiedema brings the ball down inside the box, shifts it onto her left foot and fires into the back of the net 🎯
🔴 2-0 ⚫️ (60)
#WeAreTheArsenal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsenal Women
Verified account @ArsenalWFC
5m5 minutes ago
Goal for @ManUtdWomen. Green fires into the bottom right corner from 20 yards.
🔴 2-1 ⚫️ (83)
#WeAreTheArsenal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsenal Women
Verified account @ArsenalWFC
1m1 minute ago
FULL-TIME: #AWFC 2-1 @ManUtdWomen
Next stop? Bramall Lane for the #ContiCup final 😉
#WeAreTheArsenal
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m going away for a few days and might have no internet. I’ll do my best to fulfill my duties.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some tragic breakingnews from Flamengo, 10 dead in a fire, no victims, but it took hold in a youth players dorm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Above, no victims identified, but there are at least 10 victims
LikeLiked by 1 person
This a challenge to all those who claim to love AFC. “Arsenal: Who Cares About Continuing The Values Of The Club?” at UniteForVar:
https://uniteforvar.com/?p=1709#comment-385
LikeLiked by 2 people
Carl Jenkinson is 27 today
LikeLiked by 4 people
Are you going anywhere nice, George?
I suppose Anicoll will keep everything shipshape and Bristol fashion in your absence — not that I am scared of him or anything — well just a little bit maybe — or — truth be told, quite a lot really — he can be fierce! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have talked a lot about the injuries at CB and how this has made life difficult for the defence, and which has cost us many points since Xmas.
Another player who has showed a lot of promise, but had injury after injury, has now restarted his career out on loan, and I am referring to Krystian Bielik who is both a CB and a defensive midfielder.
Maybe he will become another youngster to make it into the first team next season. I hope so, because he is well thought of, and all young talent needs a little boost occasionally and CB has a number of possibilities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
seemingly Aubameyang is out of tomorrows game with illness, several of our players have been ill this week, Koscielny missed training midweek with it. Aubameyang has missed a couple of days training.
AMN back in the squad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday Carl.
Jenkinson, Superstar, he’s got more medals than…..most of that lot down the road for starters……
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was really pleased when Jenks was transferred to us, and I think he was going to be OK at right back. Tall, athletic, pacey and had a commanding presence.
It’s a pity that subsequent injuries and the impatience of some fans, at the time, made life difficult for him.
He is potentially a very good player – perhaps a squad player for the moment – but I hope he makes a good career either at Arsenal, or elsewhere, because on top of everything else he is a Gooner through and through.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unai in his press conference said that Matt Guendozi gave up the chance to play for the French U 19 squad for the European Championship last summer, preferring to stay at Arsenal for the pre-season training.
The more I see and hear about that lad the more I like the cut of his gib!
LikeLiked by 1 person
New post is up
LikeLiked by 1 person