NFL
By: Ty Reeves
After a very needed 6-0 win over West Brom in the Carabao Cup, Arsenal seemed to hit a turning point in the season. Aubameyang got off the mark with a hat trick while Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe, and Alex Lacazette all grabbed a goal. Now even though the win was convincing and needed ahead of the Manchester City game tomorrow, are the Gunners really going to step up their game? Or is this another glimmer of what could be for Arsenal?
London is now Blue
In their last Premier League match, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates to Chelsea in the first London derby of the year. The performance was subpar from the Gunners as throughout the game it looked like it was boys versus men. Lukaku bagged his first Premier League goal of the season while Reece James scored his second career Premier League Goal.
The match was another performance that Arsenal fans are becoming accustomed to seeing. It seems as though the players aren’t on the same page, and there’s no fluidity to the game going forward. In the game, both of the goals they conceded were from our left side. Arsenal has a tendency to get Kieran Tierney involved in the attack. But against Chelsea, it definitely cost the team. It wasn’t just the left side, however.
The entire effort of the defense was poor. Pablo Mari is not good enough to be the starting central defender for the Gunners. Mari was bullied by Lukaku all day long. And the first goal was a clear view of that as Mari was thrown to the ground by Lukaku on his way to an easy tap-in.
The only bright spots from the game were Emile Smith-Rowe and Sambi Lokonga. Smith-Rowe just does what he does. He’s aggressive going forward and has a work ethic like no other. Lokonga on the other hand showed flashes of what he can become. He’s calm on the ball and is always looking to progress up the field, which is something Arsenal needs to improve on from the midfield. Once Thomas Partey returns from injury I’m sure we will see more from Lokonga.
What’s happening before Manchester City
On a good note for the Gunners, Manchester City was not able to secure the signing of striker Harry Kane from Tottenham. However, City is coming off a 5-0 win against Norwich last weekend.
As the transfer window comes to a close, Arsenal is still looking to offload some players. The club’s most recent departure was midfielder Lucas Torreria who joined Italian club Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy.
Lucas Torreira will be in Italy today in order to comple his medical and sign as new Fiorentina player. He turned down Eintracht bid. 🛩🇺🇾 #AFC
Arsenal receive €1.5m loan fee. There’s no bid from Watford for Elneny – talks on but no agreement yet with Fenerbahçe for Kolasinac.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2021
Willian is also on the verge of leaving the club as talks with Brazilian club Corinthians are advancing. Arsenal would prefer to sell the Brazilian, but it seems as though the Gunners will have to take the loss and either release him or pay a portion of his salary. Hector Bellerin also seems to be on his way out, as rumors surrounding the defender say he’s trying to force a move.
Willian is moving closer to a move to Corinthians and their board want to complete a deal.
However, it won’t happen unless Arsenal can subsidise the wages. Or Willian himself agrees to a pay cut.
[@thirfernandes] pic.twitter.com/oiRPFHLWp5
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) August 27, 2021
Martin Odegaard played in Arsenal’s win against West Brom, so the midfielder should be available to face Manchester City. The same goes for Lacazette, who missed Arsenal’s first two games due to Covid-19.
Defender Ben White, who also signed with Covid-19, is now back in training. White’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the game Saturday.
The Journey to the Etihad
Arsenal head to City to take on their empty stadium. Had to throw shade. But in all seriousness, if there’s any game Arsenal should be prepared for, it’s this one. Everyone knows Mikel Arteta was Pep’s number two at City, and Arsenal and City share some similar traits on the field.
However, City is winning, the Gunners are not. As always I’ll give my preferred lineup and my tactical view of the game.
Leno will start in between the sticks, even though Ramsdale was impressive in his first start. Because of Arsenal’s defensive lulls, I think three central defenders are necessary against City. Pablo Mari isn’t good enough to start against City. So I’d go with Holding, Ben White (if he’s available) and slide Tierney into the back 3.
I’d start Saka as one of the wingbacks and Nuno Tavares who had an impressive game against West Brom. In the middle, It’d have to stay with Lokonga who’s been solid. However, I’d start Odegaard in a more holding position. He’d add more creativity in the deeper part of the midfield.
On one wing I’d start Smith-Rowe while on the other I’d start Pepe who is starting to hit his stride. And of course, after scoring three goals, Aubameyang would lead the line for me.
Arsenal enters the game with 0 points so to say a draw is the minimum is very true. The Gunners play Manchester City at 7:30 a.m. est.
