Good morning from Islington, and we tackle Brentford at dwelling as we speak.
After two successive defeats, and with Man Metropolis arising on Wednesday, we very a lot have to get again on monitor this afternoon. The actual fact we play earlier than Metropolis tackle Aston Villa tomorrow permits us to place a bit of stress on if we take all three factors, however make no mistake, we’re going to should work laborious and be very near our greatest to do it.
Though we beat Brentford pretty comfortably within the first recreation this season, I feel it’s honest to say they had been under par that day. It’s not that we weren’t good, we had been, however a aspect that has hammered Man United, crushed Man Metropolis and Liverpool, and drawn with Sp*rs and Chelsea had been nowhere close to their degree. They’re unbeaten within the Premier League since October (World Cup break however), so we should always count on them to be powerful to interrupt down as we speak.
From our perspective, the loss towards Everton may have stung, no query, and the response to it’s one thing Mikel Arteta addressed in his press convention, saying:
Actually optimistic. We sat collectively, mentioned the sport and what occurred. The opponent performed their half and you need to congratulate Everton for what they did on the day. It’s true that there have been issues we didn’t do like in different video games and that’s the explanation you lose soccer matches. There’s at all times a possibility to bounce again, present the character that we have now and the way a lot we would like what we’re combating for.
At dwelling, with a 3pm kick off, in entrance of a raucous dwelling crowd, can be an excellent option to get again on monitor. Will probably be fascinating too to see if he makes modifications for this one. On the one hand, there have to be the temptation to select the strongest doable group to construct confidence and get the win; on the opposite, the looming prospect of Metropolis and the necessity to flesh out the competitiveness of this squad must also be a consideration.
As I wrote earlier within the week, we have now to grow to be a group that’s greater than 12/13 gamers, and the flexibility to make assured modifications – versus rotating/resting – goes to be vital. For instance, Ben White (who I really like) hasn’t been at his greatest within the final couple of video games, so do you give Takehiro Tomiyasu a begin at proper again? Perhaps herald Kieran Tierney at left-back to maintain him concerned and to provide Brentford one thing totally different to consider on the left? Leandro Trossard beginning would remind Gabriel Martinelli that he’s obtained competitors in that place after a few video games the place he too struggled to seek out his greatest type.
Which isn’t criticism of any of these gamers, however we are able to’t decide the identical group for each single recreation. It will get predictable. Neither is it taking something with no consideration towards excellent opposition, merely utilizing our squad to the utmost. So, I’m curious to see what the supervisor does a bit afterward, and whether or not we see this group reply. We’ve accomplished it earlier than this season, so there ought to be confidence that we are able to do it once more.
Arteta says:
The response of the group has been very good this week and tomorrow we’re going to place in a fantastic efficiency in entrance of our crowd to attempt to win the sport.
Let’s hope so.
Proper, I very badly want some espresso that isn’t lodge room espresso, and probably some breakfast too. See a few of you pre/post-game, I hope. There’s a preview podcast here you probably have time this morning too.
Come on you reds!
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