It was great to watch an Arsenal XI put together a really strong performance at Sheffield United on Sunday. The overall effort was superb, and the 3 points were desperately needed. Congrats to Alexandre Lacazette for scoring two goals, and also, a big pat on the back goes to Gabriel Martinelli who netted his first Arsenal goal in many a moon.
Yes, Sunday’s win at Sheffield was big, but the Gunners face an even more important task on Thursday with a trip to the Czech Republic and a 2nd leg quarterfinal Europa League match with Slavia Prague in the Sinobo Stadium.
After last week’s 1-1 first leg draw at Emirates Stadium with Slavia Prague, the Gunners need to score at least one goal more than their hosts to secure a place in the semifinals against either Dinamo Zagreb or Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
The Gunners have not failed to reach a European competition since the 1995-1996 season.
Meanwhile, Arteta injury woes continue to mount. Here’s his latest list from the medical staff…
David Luiz – Knee (Should return in a few weeks)
Kieran Tierney – Knee (Will probably miss the rest of this season)
Emile Smith Rowe – Ankle (Will probably miss the Slavia Prague match)
Martin Odegaard – Ankle (Will probably miss the Slavia Prague match)
Bukayo Saka – Thigh (Will certainly miss the Slavia Prague match)
Gabriel Martinelli – Ankle (Says he is ready to play v Slavia Prague)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Flu (Could be ready to play v Slavia Prague)
Arsenal should be able to put away Slavia Prague with ease, unless they revert back to the type of lazy and uninspiring performance we have saw v Liverpool. If this squad shows up to play with the same spirit and purpose they showed on Sunday, then GAME, SET, MATCH!
With that said, here is my predicted starting XI v Slavia Prague…
[4-2-3-1]
Lacazette
Aubameyang, Ceballos, Martinelli (or Pepe)
Xhaka, Partey
Cedric, Gabriel, Holding, Bellerin
Leno
Predicted final score…
Slavia Prague 1 – ARSENAL 3 [Gunners win 4-2 on aggregate]
COYG!
Gunner1953
Arsenal Women will host Manchester United at Emirates Stadium in a WSL clash on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta reports Ben White could be ready and available to play on Saturday at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Football London is reporting Arsenal is keen on a move for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
Football Insider reports the Gunners will have no interest in selling Martin Zubimendi in January.
Mikel Arteta on signing a new contract, “We are all very much aligned. Whenever the time is right, we will get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about. We have the same ambition and the same will. Whenever we have the time, we will get that sorted.”
Thank u that good. I also think of the same result. That 3-1 win to arsernal F.C.