Arsenal’s fourth game on the road in as many matches post-lockdown and after bit of a hiccup, they will hope to make it two straight wins when they take on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this afternoon in a FA Cup last-eight tie.
Good day one and all.
Following back-to-back defeats at Man City and Brighton since the restart, Mikel Arteta was a relieved man as his side record victory at Southampton midweek. However, this season is still far from salvaged as attention now turns to the FA Cup which could potentially represents our best route into 2020/21’s European club competition.
The Gunners reached the quarter-finals with victories over Leeds United, Bournemouth and Portsmouth. And for all our defensive issues have conceded just one goal, away at the Cherries.
Sheffield United were hardly a side we got excited about when drawn against for this cup clash. We faced them twice already in the Premier League this season; first they beat us 1-0 win at Bramall Lane before a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. So if anything… this is a chance to start righting some wrongs.
The Blades haven’t exactly resumed their campaign in better fashion compared to ours. For all their promise before the covid-19 induced hiatus, Chris Wilder’s side are still goalless and winless since in their three games since the restart (D1, L2); shipping six goals in their last two outings.
Their lack of recent goal scoring ability is certainly something that Mikel will hope to take advantage of.
Team news
With a hectic fixture schedule to contend with in the coming weeks the Gunners is expected to rotate. But we are still without several players as David Luiz is the only one coming back the side after his suspension.
Prediction
With both sides eyeing a top-six league finish, it could likely play a significant part when in terms of team selection. However, the Gunners are still working to overturn recent poor performances and will be eager to build on their win at St Mary’s and reach the semi-finals in a competition that has always been close to their heart. COYG!
— Labo
Positively Arsenal 
FA Cup Semi Final draw
Man Utd v Chelsea
Arsenal v Newcastle or Man City
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with the way things are going in the league and the cups up to 8th place in the league could get EL football
Top 4 get CL
5th spot gets EL
6th spot gets EL as Man City won CC and will finish in CL spot
7th spot could get the FAC spot if the team winning it has already got CL or EL
8th spot could get a place if either Man Utd or Wolves win the EL
I think there is actually a way that even 9th could get EL spot, all again to do with who gets top 4, who wins CL, who wins EL, and the FAC
Arsenal are still in the FAC, win that and we get EL spot, we are 2pts off 7th placed spurs, so all to play for still, but we do have a tough looking fixture list
July 1st: Norwich (H)
July 4th: Wolves (A)
July 7th: Leicester (H)
July 12th: Spurs (A)
July 15th: Liverpool (H)
July 18/19th: City (N
July 26th: Watford (H)
Aston Villa (A) still to be confirmed
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Remember we possibly have to take city out of the equation for European qualification so places could go even further down.
The Villa game will be between the semi final and the Watford game.
Eight games in July with five against teams above us in the league and the other three against sides battling relegation, probably couldn’t get any tougher.
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well if City win the CL and get thrown out, then its still only 4 CL places from the league, with city in top four yes that would mean 5th gets CL, I think. But if 5th is Man Utd and they also win EL, then it remains 4 EPL in the CL next season
anyway its all very confusing, but I really don’t get how some have given up on us getting EL spot from league position, I also don’t get why so many seem to want us to miss out on EL spot, what with all the financial problems Covid has caused. I can understand how having a free run at the league next season could give us a big advantage re fitness and recovery, but would we be able to attract the quality of player we want, to mount a title challenge if we don’t have EL, or the money from EL. After all as so much of our revenue is got from match day income, and it not clear if fans will be allowed in next season, just how much can we actually spend. If we can afford to buy who we want without getting in EL and so have less fixtures, and more importantly no more Thursday/Sunday football, then that would be fine.
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Another win has to be good for all concerned. I must admit though I tend to be thinking about the future rather than the present when watching Arsenal at the moment.
For me Tierney could be the captain we have so badly needed. So stay fit and keep with the cause lad.
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