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 
Correct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope I am wrong but struggling to feel optimistic about our chances up there, especially with our injuries, and little defensive issues, to make matters worse, now hearing Xhaka is not playing? Injured? I would imagine City are pretty much injury free and even if they are not, no problem with a squad that has been financed by a rich state.
My optimism for this club, misplaced or not goes more into the mid to long term, still believe this is and always was going to be a very tough season, with our best chance maybe in Europe, if we can get to,the latter stages with so,etching resembling a full squad, so doing well in games like today I would view as a delightful bonus rather that something to be realistically expected. We just are not run in the same way as city nor have they experienced our recent turmoil, far from it.
With Spurs getting their 3rd last ditch win in a row and enjoying a seemingly unending lucky streak, even by their standards, City will know they need to win this, and respond from their defeat at Newcastle.
To counter this negativity, at home at least, we tend to do well against the better teams , they might want to pretend they are at home. Also, at least City allow you to play, and they have been known to take their foot off the gas when three up.
Sorry, and will be delighted to be proved wrong and as we all know, anything can happen in a one off
LikeLiked by 1 person
seemingly out are Xhaka, AMN, Sokratis, Mkhitaryan, Bellerin, Welbeck, but we should not expect any sympathy from the media after all its not like we have an injury crisis like spurs and have 2 players out.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Or Liverpool who have been known to have to struggle through games without Matip
LikeLiked by 2 people
Odds against us whether we try tighten up defence and counter, take it to them and get numbers forward in attack, or something in between.
I favour the sitting back route, with full backs not forward too much, as think that offers best, though not particularly good, chance of a result.
Memories faded now but that win there a few years back, best away result in years in league, was built on lot of defending I think.
Remember Coquelin having a stormer, including being in right place in our box for clearances, and Cazorla being even better, easing immense pressure with pure skill in own half. 1st was very rare pen in these games? 2nd Giroud header from Cazorla free kick. Then in final minutes we had earned right to have some real fun, with chance to maybe get a third on break when they were desperate, and Rosicky I think showing some wonderful skill late on.
Point is, I think it was built largely on a lot of defending with numbers back and a good structure in place.
Anyway, whatever we do it’s a real fingers crossed job, and in the event of it not going well a keep your head job.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, Coquelin, never knew why they lost faith in him. Went from a player we couldn’t do without to one who hardly ever played, then one who was just sold. Perhaps, like the team in general in the latter Wenger years, he needed Cazorla to play to his best, I really need to get over Cazorla, he’s gone!
LikeLiked by 2 people
mandy that was the thing, it was Coquelin with Cazorla that was a great middle two, but no one else could do what Cazorla did, even yet we don’t have anyone with his skillset
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all know everything is against us but sometimes thats just when we pull something special out the bag. We have special players who on any given day can beat anyone so today lets enjoy the day COYG.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lcfc 0-1 utd, only 23 minutes gone, but as things stand, utd have moved up above AFC into 5th.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ed, Mandy
Where the heck do you find another Cazorla,ey. One of only players who even reminds me of him is Isco (pretty sure they had a year or two together at malaga) but there’s no saying he’d be able to cut it from deep midfield position.
Suppose if you can’t find another Cazorla anywhere the nearest thing is anyone who is, as the modern term goes, press resistant.
Not seen huge amount of him but looks like Ndombele is that type. Not two footed but brave and skilful when pressed, and strong I think.
In prem, hate to credit him but Dembele was good at it. Good touch and very strong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Caz is unique, wenger did well to get him when we did, if there is another out there now, I would say it would be incredibly hard to get him, think that was Svens dept, let’s see what his replacement can do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://pbs.twimg.com/ad_img/1092082951393816576/Lys9YkTW?format=jpg&name=orig
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best footballers are on the bench!
*facepalm*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I reiterate, I don’t think this team, and possibly even our ex manager recovered from that day against ludogorets, Wenger had seen far too many such injuries at this club but said this was the worst. Certain players suffered his loss, the aforementioned Coq, would also suggest Ozil, the forwards, as well as the defence, sounds like the whole team! Wenger believed in attack being the best form of defence to a degree, losing Caz certainly blunted our attack , probably making us more vulnerable to counters, with the defence having much more to do.
Really miss those 2-3 goal blitzes from his day, which would kill the opposition no matter what weaknesses, real, or perceived at the back,something we generally find difficult to replicate for now.
If there is a Cazorla out there, and assuming, hoping Emery would him, hope we move heaven and earth
LikeLiked by 1 person
So some people have done themselves no favours in writing elsewhere that Suarez is a replacement for Ozil.
His half season success at Villarreal came as a right sided “interior”, as the continentals say, so he is the replacement for the temporary and also injured Miki.
He won’t be leading his country’s attack to a WC victory lol!
Please. I hope no one embarrasses themselves with such conjecture here, after all this is a football blog!
I appreciate this is now controversial but people who are football fans enjoy watching good football and good footballers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting team sheet, looks like one to hold back a little, and have the cavalry in reserve. Big creative responsibility on Iwobi, though guess Torreira is more of a b2b these days .
Can only say, Best of British to them
LikeLiked by 2 people
CITY XI | Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva (C), De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero SUBS | Muric, Danilo, Stones, Delph, Sané, Mahrez, Jesus
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsenal Women
Verified account @ArsenalWFC
2m2 minutes ago
HALF-TIME: @CrawleyWaspsLFC 0-2 #AWFC
So far, so good 😎 #WeAreTheArsenal
LikeLiked by 1 person
with utd’s win over lcfc we are now down to 6th, a draw or better will see us back in 5th, win by 5 or more goals will see us back up to 4th
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cazorla was a better footballer then Fabregas.
Not an opinion but a fact.
Always played ahead of Fabregas for the Marquis.
In the 2014 WC he had lost his most favoured AM after Xavi and Iniesta status, to D.Silva. The only game Spain won in 2014 was when Cazorla started ahead of Silva.
Silva. Who is just like Ozil. Only not as good. (Please refer to the 2014 WC!).
Yet I don’t hear the City fans exposing themselves as cunning linguists or biting their own noses off when discussing their chief playmaker who also can’t last a full PL season.
So Suarez has come to play like a second playmaker which is how teams like City and Arsenal play.
Unless the genius plan is to have the inexperienced unproven Suarez as the chief playmaker (Cazorla and Ozil arrived with huge reputations!). Which is so stupid I hope that it is a highly unlikely decision/choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Was hoping Jenkinson would’ve won himself an opportunity providing the overlap for Laca’s second last week where the veteran RB simply doesn’t have the legs for it.
Not sure how attacking the less mobile veteran can be at RWB but maybe that’s the point! ? We shall see.
COYG.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers to LG. A strong bench… especially in midfield.
LikeLiked by 1 person
self inflicted, losing the ball on edge of our own area and we are one down a minute in
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mirrors the Home game and league cup final with the early goal for City.
But the early equaliser makes the difference with firepower on the bench to come!
LikeLiked by 1 person
koscielnlyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy 1-1 with a stooping header on the flick on at a corner
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Koscielny, yep. Having world class players on the pitch even whe semi-retired it makes a difference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goals in cup finals, away to Munchen and City amongst others.
Good record from set pieces for the skipper over the years. Great player. Great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have Arsenal survived the opening burst from City?
If they can get to half time par or better it wil be interesting.
City will probably have another burst/salvo before half time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsenal Women
Verified account @ArsenalWFC
13m13 minutes ago
FULL-TIME: @CrawleyWaspsLFC 0-4 #AWFC
An early strike from Little and a hat-trick from 16-year-old Grant seals our place in the fifth round of the @SSEWomensFACup 🏆
#WeAreTheArsenal 🔴
LikeLiked by 1 person
grrr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
fuck it, city lead again, once more we can’t see out the last few minutes of a first half, poor defending again
LikeLiked by 1 person
What happens to this team approaching HT?
Whatever happens,in this game, our defending seems to be substandard to rivals, understatement.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HT: Man City 2-1 Arsenal
self inflicted first minute opener, losing the ball cheaply on edge of our own area and city took the lead,
Kos with a stooping header to make it 1-1, and we had some promising moments after that, but with only a few minutes of the first half left our old failing of not seeing out the half bit us once more and city took the lead again, very open at the back for that goal.
will need much more from the team in the second half if we are to get a win here today,
LikeLiked by 1 person
7th time so far this season that we have conceded a goal in the 44th minute or later in the first half
Cardiff Fulham Palace Bournemouth Southampton Liverpool City
LikeLike
Legendary flick on from Monreal to set up the goal.
Dissapointing from the veteran RB on the second for me, I do not think that is harsh as he is a veteran heh!
Good thing Ozil wasn’t on the pitch to switch off or give the ball away on the first or second goals.
COYG!
LikeLike
Leno has made a couple of good saves so far in the second half
LikeLike
oh brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
shit poor defending again, iwobi with a half arsed challenge not good enough, then couple of defenders get drawn to the ball and its 3-1, as ball hits aguero six yards out and bobbles in
LikeLike
Oh well
LikeLiked by 1 person
A chance, a chance perchance a half chance at goal?
Looks like Suarez and Ramsey are coming on.
LikeLike
Handball, but again completely self inflicted
LikeLike
Mesut being held back for the big games, like against Cardiff?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Eds, Sterling waltzing past the veteran on each occasion, to be fair he is the best English player at the moment!
LikeLike
Suarez on for his debut, Ramsey on too,
LikeLike
The reason Ozil came deep when Xhaka wasn’t in CM I recent games is because there’s not enough creativity in CM. top new CMs but that’s not their game at least not yet for the rookie.
LikeLike
Leno with another good save
LikeLike
mustafi down with a neck or head injury
LikeLike
Mesut fails to track back or makes a mistake that leads to a goal, dropped.
I don’t call out individual players , but it seems others immune to Ozils fate . There may be reasons, maybe good reasons, but sometimes hard to substantiate from the outside
LikeLiked by 1 person