I would like to see Martinelli on the left to take care of Hakimi's speed and also exploit the spaces because of his tenacity - he will outsprint Hakimi/whoever covers after a Hakimi run. Calafiori can find ways to get himself involved on his own.
Also Havertz needs to find the spaces, that's our biggest advantage i would say.
Saka beating Nuno won't really happen i think, but he should find joy if he crashes the middle. Let Havertz sometimes drift wide to occupy Nuno while Saka searches for space and combinations with Ødegaard.
I just hope we won't lose because we concede the first goal from them somehow exploiting Mosquera, since he is not very natural on the right, even if he is a really good player. That would be so anticlimactic.
We really need to press them high and nit get beaten by a long ball. But my eye test tells me that Kvara is not that bad in the air, especially if he is defended by Mosquera, nit Timber.
Jesus Christ, it's almost 19 hours to the game and I'm already amped up reading this at work. I need to take a walk to process all this. One of your best analysis pieces, given it's all about 1 game. Let's hope the gaffer reads this along with the other stuff! Come On You Gunners!
"In recent months, and past seasons, the pressure of being nearly-men has seemingly weighed heavily. We should play free of those old handcuffs".
I feel we may finally see our beloved team with the "handbrake off". We have finally turned into men after years of being called children, not good enough, bottle jobs, etc.. . I could not be more proud of this group of players, and regardless of what happens tomorrow my love has grown to unprecedented levels since that fateful day in Paris 20 years ago. I am constantly harassed by friends or acquaintances who seemingly started seeing football a few months ago calling our style of play trash, haram-ball, set-piece fc, etc.. I stay quiet because being a fan for this long I have receipts of our most "nearly-glorious" moments of playing champagne football and always falling short of the objective. My heart has been broken countless times these past two decades, and when the football was "staunchy" at times this year, I decided I was not going to care if in the end we'd finally bring the trophies home.
Gone are the days of sulking players because we failed to reach the UCL, or purposely missing tough away matches, or hearing they're inner child tell them to seek greener pastures. My full respect goes to Wenger but I cannot welcome enough the winnertivity and ruthless mentality of Mikel Arteta. His vision was so immense that it manifested into our most succesful league campaign yet (most wins, no red card, and no penalties conceded) while dealing with the customary hefty injury list that time and time again has been our main excuse for the lack of major honors.
We have assembled a group of beautiful, elegant, disciplined, and humble human beings that have transformed us completely. Every celebration, clearance, training video, defeat, setback, has made us more stronger, disciplined, and cohesive. Everyone at the club (bar a player or two that won't be in the squad next year) has the "next man up" mentality and I am sure that this is the beginning of something extraordinary.
There's a quote from Cristiano Ronaldo that says, "Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable."
This is our fuel, if it means success, happiness, and good times after 20 years of pain and agony.. BRING IT ON!
The highest compliment I can pay you is that at multiple points while reading this I found myself thinking, "God I hope he sent Arteta an early copy of this." This is phenomenal work.
On paper, your point makes sense. Based on recent performances, Gyokeres has shown that his link up has been superior to Havertz. It’s mostly due to rust and underperformance (from his usual lofty standards) in his link up play from Kai, so if that’s the argument for Havertz starting, I believe Gyokeres should be the undisputed starting ST.
PSG are clearly the protagonist in this high drama. Let's see if Arsenal can dull their shine.
Also, you suggested in your last piece you'd like to see Zubi in the RWB role and then it magically happened against Palace - something we've never seen before! It makes me think that it's either you and Arteta are somehow operating on a ridiculously synchronized brain frequency or the gaffer is actually aware of this blog. Whichever it is, I like it!!!
I’m scared
I would like to see Martinelli on the left to take care of Hakimi's speed and also exploit the spaces because of his tenacity - he will outsprint Hakimi/whoever covers after a Hakimi run. Calafiori can find ways to get himself involved on his own.
Also Havertz needs to find the spaces, that's our biggest advantage i would say.
Saka beating Nuno won't really happen i think, but he should find joy if he crashes the middle. Let Havertz sometimes drift wide to occupy Nuno while Saka searches for space and combinations with Ødegaard.
I just hope we won't lose because we concede the first goal from them somehow exploiting Mosquera, since he is not very natural on the right, even if he is a really good player. That would be so anticlimactic.
We really need to press them high and nit get beaten by a long ball. But my eye test tells me that Kvara is not that bad in the air, especially if he is defended by Mosquera, nit Timber.
There's an argument for that. Partnerships of Cala+Tross+MLS have just been really good.
Kvara's decent in the air, yep, not high volume if I remember correctly.
My worry is about early cards for Mosquera/MLS.
Jesus Christ, it's almost 19 hours to the game and I'm already amped up reading this at work. I need to take a walk to process all this. One of your best analysis pieces, given it's all about 1 game. Let's hope the gaffer reads this along with the other stuff! Come On You Gunners!
😳
This statement could not ring more true:
"In recent months, and past seasons, the pressure of being nearly-men has seemingly weighed heavily. We should play free of those old handcuffs".
I feel we may finally see our beloved team with the "handbrake off". We have finally turned into men after years of being called children, not good enough, bottle jobs, etc.. . I could not be more proud of this group of players, and regardless of what happens tomorrow my love has grown to unprecedented levels since that fateful day in Paris 20 years ago. I am constantly harassed by friends or acquaintances who seemingly started seeing football a few months ago calling our style of play trash, haram-ball, set-piece fc, etc.. I stay quiet because being a fan for this long I have receipts of our most "nearly-glorious" moments of playing champagne football and always falling short of the objective. My heart has been broken countless times these past two decades, and when the football was "staunchy" at times this year, I decided I was not going to care if in the end we'd finally bring the trophies home.
Gone are the days of sulking players because we failed to reach the UCL, or purposely missing tough away matches, or hearing they're inner child tell them to seek greener pastures. My full respect goes to Wenger but I cannot welcome enough the winnertivity and ruthless mentality of Mikel Arteta. His vision was so immense that it manifested into our most succesful league campaign yet (most wins, no red card, and no penalties conceded) while dealing with the customary hefty injury list that time and time again has been our main excuse for the lack of major honors.
We have assembled a group of beautiful, elegant, disciplined, and humble human beings that have transformed us completely. Every celebration, clearance, training video, defeat, setback, has made us more stronger, disciplined, and cohesive. Everyone at the club (bar a player or two that won't be in the squad next year) has the "next man up" mentality and I am sure that this is the beginning of something extraordinary.
There's a quote from Cristiano Ronaldo that says, "Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable."
This is our fuel, if it means success, happiness, and good times after 20 years of pain and agony.. BRING IT ON!
Thank you for holding my hand Billy <3
What a lovely comment.
The highest compliment I can pay you is that at multiple points while reading this I found myself thinking, "God I hope he sent Arteta an early copy of this." This is phenomenal work.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I feel more confident after reading this ♥️
Thank you Billy.
Good, good. We shall see
I’ve a differing view on Gyok vs Kai.
On paper, your point makes sense. Based on recent performances, Gyokeres has shown that his link up has been superior to Havertz. It’s mostly due to rust and underperformance (from his usual lofty standards) in his link up play from Kai, so if that’s the argument for Havertz starting, I believe Gyokeres should be the undisputed starting ST.
Top notch analysis! Good job team!
Thank you so much for this, Billy. I have a feeling that this scoring report is gonna be flashing in my mind during the game.
I’ve never been more pumped to watch Arsenal than after reading this
God this made me so nervous but so hopeful. Thank you as always, Billy. One more match.
We got this. 👊
Fantastic piece as always. COYG
❤️
Thanks Billy, great piece as always. Keep believing and COME ON YOU GUNNERS ... I think the "finishers" will get us over the line.
I could see this feeling very similar to the Bayern group stage game we had. Finishers did that one
Fantastic read Billy! I'm just surprised at how relaxed I am about it 😂 Let's foggin' go!
I'm more excited than nervous, for sure.
PSG are clearly the protagonist in this high drama. Let's see if Arsenal can dull their shine.
Also, you suggested in your last piece you'd like to see Zubi in the RWB role and then it magically happened against Palace - something we've never seen before! It makes me think that it's either you and Arteta are somehow operating on a ridiculously synchronized brain frequency or the gaffer is actually aware of this blog. Whichever it is, I like it!!!
heh, heh, heh
You Sir are a legend and the team that helped put this together 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
❤️