What’s the saying?
Expect the worst and anything else is a bonus.
That about sums it up for me, as I can’t muster any confidence whatsoever for this game.
I’m very tempted to predict a four or even five goal defeat, but just as I’ve invariably been wrong over the last few months so I think I’d be wrong in expecting that sort of loss.
I’m not predicting, but just as Tottenham took a tonking which I don’t think many expected yesterday, so it proves that anything can happen.
That said, Arsenal have a tremendous defensive record, so it’s difficult to see how we’re going to put many past them, but the same can’t be said for our back line recently, as we’ve been shocking for a good while now. Lille created plenty of chances midweek and it was only Martinez’ sterling efforts between the sticks that prevented them getting a victory.
I just don’t see the same happening today.
Talking of the defence, squad news is that Longlet and Cash have both trained and will be reviewed before the game. How much do we need those two back? I’ll bet someone at the club is kicking themselves that we never got another right back in when we had the chance. Just as many of us foresaw, that proved to be one of the worst team decisions I can ever remember at the Villa.
As for the rest of the squad, the usual suspects are out and even worse, Douglas Luiz serves the first match of his two game suspension.
Arsenal only have Jurrien Timber out. Lucky them and I’m not quite sure what that says about our training, but I’m sure something isn’t right. Us fans have had concerns about the intensity of our training for a good while, yet it still seems to be an ongoing problem.
Whatever, I think things are quite easily summed up here and it’s pretty daunting.
Arsenal have won eleven of their last twelve games and they’ve scored at least two goals in every one of those wins. To encourage us even more (!), they’ve only conceded four goals in those eleven victories.
That’s worrying.
Hence my low expectations.
The only question really, is will Unai decide this is a dead loss and rest at least some of the players?
I strongly expect the answer to that is “not a chance”.
I just don’t think that’s how he rolls and any player not starting will be because of fitness issues or niggles, in my opinion.
So fingers crossed, it’s not too bad a result/display and UTV!
Gulp!
OK, I’m gonna be ultra optimistic and predict a win. My reasoning: Arse are due a stinker after a very good run of form, and City have piled on the pressure yesterday. They were clearly trying to claw back the goal difference; their shots on goal total was staggering. Anyway, I think Arse will wobble now – do they really have the bottle to stay at the top? Assuming the Villa put a shift in, I think we could cause an upset here…
BFR has a point. The longer the odds go on, the bigger the chance their run will stutter, but yep, a very daunting game. Park the bus time!!!!!!!
I totally disagree with parking the bus. We can’t defend to save our lives, let alone a result.
Attack is the best form of defence for this one, I reckon.
Emery doesn’t believe in the low block approach – hence only one ever 0-0 draw in his premiership history.
Love the optimism but sorry lads not even a chance here. What we do need to do is try and keep the GD under control.
Decided not to watch today – that’s the level of enthusiasm I have for this game.
If we play our usual way with a high line and the two ploddosaurus CB’s with a turning speed of the titanic, we will get crushed. Because Emery won’t deviate from this at short notice, I fear the worst. I’ve predicted 5-0 and hopefully we can keep the score line down because goal difference could matter in the chase for 4th. I hope Emery doesn’t have to play Konsa at RB against Martinelli and even if Cash isn’t 100%, I would rather play Kesler so Carlos can be benched.
Not so optimistic then, Holte. Newcastle went man to man against Spurs yesterday, changing the way they normally play to neutralise Tottenham’s fluidity. Is that something Unai should be considering?
Yet if we sit back, I think they’ll cane us even more.
We might as well try and win it, imo. Nick a goal and then make them come at us.
Not that I’m expecting that to happen, but you never know.
Newcastle were excellent yesterday. They kept a high tempo throughout and didn’t give Spurs a second in possession. I think our injuries have impacted our season big time. You have to feel for Emery who despite everything, never whinges about it.
Unfortunately for us I think it’s time to decide whether to prioritise going for 4th or silverware. I don’t think we can cope with both.
Full strength then, but Cash and Lenglet obviously not quite ready;
Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, McGinn, Diaby, Zaniolo, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Cash, Kesler-Hayden, Moreno, Chambers, Lenglet, Iroegbunam, Bailey, Duran
Pool lose and it looks like their season could be imploding.
That’ll be interesting at work tomorrow.
We need to do a Palace.
I see Sky have loaded up with ex Arsenal pundits with Toure and Merson plus Redknapp who wants Spurs to finish 4th. I know Merse played for Villa but make no mistake it’s Arsenal he wants to win today!
Well I am very pessimistic about today. When I see Zaniola and Tilesman in the starting eleven I have no hope. I just don’t see the point of Zaniola. Can tackle but can lose the ball consistently. Tilesman just can’t put in a physical presence, his attempt at a tackle is a foul.
Fully expecting a heavy defeat today. The only bright side is that Utd and Spurs dropping points this weekend means no material difference in points has occurred, and with one less to play this is good news.
No Luis or Kemara but otherwise the same team that played Arsenal at Villa Park.
Those are 2 big misses!!!
I like what I’m seeing from us so far…
Hey…so far so good. I See us sneaking a goal. Our front players and attacking midfielders need to track back faster though…
What odds we get caught out playing it round at the back?
I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re a bunch of fannies.
The fact that our players constantly get clattered by various teams can’t just be a coincidence.
We need to look for equally good players, just bigger and more physical, imo. Apart from McGinn, who do we have who can get stuck in and dish it out?
That said, 0-0 at HT? That’s a great result up to now.
Bloody hell Badger! This has been a good 45 minutes especially with so many 1st teamers out!
I see your point but this is the club that ripped the heart put of Citeh like no-one before!
Keep the bloody faith lads!!!!
What did we all ask for? Not to be spanked and have a massive GD difference. Come on Villa! Ollie nearly snatched one…let’s FK up the Gooners!!!!!
We have had a lot of last gasp defending first half and Carlos looks like he’s ate his two weetabix this morning.
We have got the ball forward quickly on a few occasions and Zaniolo has done well so far. Rogers too has had a good first half.
You can’t help but feel that if we go 1-0 down it could be an avalanche of goals for the Arse!
14 shots for Arse. I think they said that’s the highest or second highest all season in a first half.
We’re living a charmed life, atm.
Your right Badger, we seem a bit light up front, but we are winning a lot of ball up there, not doing too good at holding onto it though. Rodgers is starting to scare them.
Loving this Rogers kid, Gerry. I’ve said it a few times, but I think he’s going to be real quality. Not sure who spotted him, but top work, imo.
As an aside, mystic Badger (the missus) said before the game that we’ll win this.
Hmm.
I’ve got a soft spot for Chesty too! He needs to learn when to release the ball faster though…
Bum bum, I think we’ve done reasonably well, tbh and certainly better than I expected.
It’s like I said. Expect the worst……..etc.
Hit the post again and not even a replay!
Fucking Sky 🙁