Morning.
It’s the ultimate sport earlier than the Interlull as we speak as we tackle West Ham at residence. It may be an odd factor to say, however I put as we speak’s opposition in the identical bracket as final weekend’s. Not that the Hammers are an intensely bodily facet who’re given free rein to bludgeon their manner by way of video games, however as a result of our current document in opposition to them is poor.
Like Newcastle away, West Ham at residence has change into one thing of a bogey fixture for us. Final season we misplaced 1-0 with a efficiency that was actually poor, and the season earlier than we have been crushed 2-0 on a day after we simply couldn’t discover a approach to convert considered one of our 30 makes an attempt on objective. It was, when Might got here round, a type of ‘what if’ video games as we misplaced out on the title by a single level.
So, very similar to at St James’ Park final Sunday, there’s one thing to place proper as we speak, and we all know this supervisor makes use of each little factor to inspire his gamers. There must be a way of unfinished enterprise. Requested about that current document in opposition to West Ham, Arteta mentioned:
There are at all times moments when you have got dropped factors, and that’s actually been a type of. At residence we all know the shape that we’d like and the quantity of video games that we now have to win to succeed in the goal that we now have, and once more, tomorrow goes to be a key match for us.
Having ‘rested’ the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Eberechi Eze in midweek, I count on all of them to start out as we speak. I feel we’ll see Eze ostensibly on the left, however given licence to roam into central areas, and I’m curious to see how he and Martin Odegaard function in tandem. These two haven’t began a sport collectively but, and after what the captain produced in opposition to Olympiacos, together with what we all know the previous Crystal Palace man can carry, it’s doubtlessly an thrilling improvement for this crew.
On the again Arteta sounded assured sufficient on Gabriel’s availability after going off on Wednesday, saying ‘We weren’t too involved about him’. That’s excellent news for us, not a lot for West Ham who’ve conceded eight targets from corners this season, and that’s a weak point any crew would look to take advantage of – not least an Arsenal facet whose prowess and proficiency from set-pieces is second to none. Gabriel is a key a part of that, so hopefully he’ll be out there later.
At present provides us an opportunity to go high of the desk too. It doesn’t imply that a lot at this early stage, however with Liverpool away at Chelsea afterward after a troublesome week, it’d nonetheless put a bit of little bit of stress on if we will take three factors. There’s a protracted, lengthy approach to go on this title race, however having put one thing of a marker down final week with a troublesome win away from residence, Arsenal want to make sure there aren’t any slip ups as we speak. Video games like this have value us prior to now, and if that is the season we’re going to go all the way in which, it’s important to be ruthless with these residence fixtures. Let’s hope that’s the case.
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There are a few landmarks as we speak. This will probably be Arteta’s three hundredth sport in cost, and Saka’s two hundredth Premier League look. Fingers crossed these are milestones they’ll have a good time afterward, and the Spaniard spoke about Saka, accidents, and the way far he has come since enjoying at left-back in his first sport as supervisor. Value a learn right here.
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Proper, I’ll depart it there for now. As ever we’ll have dwell weblog protection of the sport for you, and all of the post-match stuff – together with participant rankings and response – on Arseblog Information. There’s additionally a preview podcast on Patreon if you happen to want one thing to take heed to.
For now, have a superb Sunday Saturday , and are available on you Gunners!
