Key occasions
“Arsenal followers will really feel at the very least a slight pull of the heartstrings to see the names of Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi on the opposition teamsheet,” writes Charles Antaki. “Beautiful footballers and, seemingly, charming younger males who didn’t fairly make it; however, sure, the membership was proper to permit them to depart. Patchy type, accidents, and crucially, the emergence of reliably higher gamers did for them. So could they prosper and flourish at Fulham, besides between 2 o’clock and three.30 at present. Say 4 o’clock, simply in case.”
Sure, agreed. Each good and enjoyable gamers – had he stayed match, maybe issues may’ve gone in another way for Smith Rowe – and each able to inflicting aggravation this afternoon.
Electronic mail! “Particularly massive shout out for Lukic amongst Fulham’s ex-Arsenal contingent,” chuckles Mammillaria Hahniana. “Respect.”
He simply goes on and on.
Arsenal, in the meantime, will do a model of what they all the time do. Play will undergo Martin Odegaard they usually’ll intention to get Bukayo Saka on the ball as usually as attainable. His battle with the superb Antonee Robinson needs to be lots of enjoyable to observe.
So the place is the sport for Fulham? My sense is that they’ll attempt to block up the center with Berge and Lukic, depend on their centre-backs to defend the field correctly, and look to get the ball huge rapidly when in possession.
In fact, that’s not the dimensions of it with Arsenal. They’re already with out Gabriel and Benjamin White, information which gained’t have escaped Marco Silva. In midweek, Manchester United’s failure to focus on Zinchenko, not the world’s best defender, was odd within the excessive, but it surely appears inconceivable that whichever of Iwobi and Traoré performs on the left gained’t be ordered to go after Partey, no form of right-back. And it’s additionally doubtless that Jiménez will goal Kiwior, with Lukic introduced in to the stiffen the midfield, partly due to Arsneal’s attacking prowess however partly to permit their gamechangers the liberty to play.
As for Arsenal, they’re with out the injured Zinchenko, so Thomas Partey strikes to full-back with Jorginho coming into midfield, whereas in assault, it’s Leandro Trossard not Gabriel Martinelli.
Marco Silva makes 4 adjustments to the facet which beat Brighton. Out go Castagne, Wilson and Muniz, who’re on the bench, with Kenny Tete, Sasa lukic and Raúl Jiménez coming in; additionally lacking is Reiss Nelson, injured, however unable to play in opposition to is mother or father membership in any case, and his spot goes to Adam Traoré.
Ah, not fairly but – Artetz speaks. He says Zinchenko is injured however his gamers should adapt as is important throughout a season and he’s positive they’ll be advantageous. He is aware of Fulham have good attackers, however he is aware of if you happen to play in England there’ll be climate, you simply should take advantage of out no matter you’re served.
He’s positive his workforce will get nearer to the leaders however they should earn the suitable to win right here, in opposition to a facet with a superb supervisor who’re proficient and constant.
I’ll write these down, then we’ll have a take into consideration what they imply.
Let’s have some groups…
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jiménez. Subs: Benda, Castagne, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Andreas, King, Godo, Wilson, Muniz.
Arsenal (4-3-3-): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard. Subs: Neto, Tierney, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli, Nwaneri.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Manchester)
Preamble
We should’ve all sat there watching our groups, doing our nuts, as yet one more nook hits the primary man, then one other sails past the again put up. How exhausting can or not it’s, we surprise, for professionals, particularly these on the elite stage, to practise exhausting sufficient to get ok?
Effectively, Arsenal are the reply, and although we’ve no thought how a lot work has gone into honing their prowess, we’ve each concept that it was attainable and has been for so long as this sport has existed. In fact, it’s nothing new: George Graham’s champions in 1988-89 and 1990-91 had been masters of the near-post supply, nearly unattainable to defend when executed effectively. However Mikel Arteta’s facet are a extra versatile concoction such that corners for his facet are actually an event: everybody is aware of that one thing is coming, however nobody save his gamers know precisely what– and even then…
Or, put one other means, set-piece proficiency will not be dishonest, neither is it ugly, workmanlike or shameful. Each facet needs to be nice at them, those that aren’t are negligent, and to see issues carried out correctly and creatively, with physicality and intimidation, is a form of magnificence. It truly is that easy.
Given that’s not all Arsenal do and given the shape they’re in, Fulham have an issue this afternoon. However save an accident at dwelling to Wolves they’re in fairly first rate nick too, eighth within the desk with scope to go greater with their final 5 video games that includes victories over Brentford, Palace and Brighton together with a draw at Spurs. They gained’t be petrified of Arsenal and, in Emile Smith Rowe, boast an enterprising younger participant determined to indicate his former membership what they’re lacking. That is going to be good.
Kick-off: 2pm GMT
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