If it’s an ankle sprain for Ødegaard there are 3 grades.
Grade 1 is 1-3 weeks
Grade 2 is 3-6 weeks
Grade 3 is 6+ maybe months and surgery if there is ligament damage

The fear with our squad in midfield and attack was a big injury to a critical player, we don’t have the cover in those positions.

Hopefully it’s not a bad one. But for us a host of bad injuries likely just make us a top 4 team not a title challenging team

Surely Nwaneri knows nothing of what a senior NLD is about, he barely knows what senior football is about. The kid is undoubtedly talented but I think it would be hugely negligent of Arteta to throw him in to an away NLD on his first start.

Some of us are old enough to remember Paul Davis’ debut in a NLD. He was a kid and he ran the show.

IMO Arteta needs to give Nwaneri minutes as soon as possible. We don't want another talented player to feel constrained and get impatient.
Saka came on the scene when Pépé wasn't doing it, and shone. Perhaps Nwaneri might too.

Back 5 with Zinchenko left back, Partey and Jorginho and don’t touch the front 3.

The alternatives of playing Nwanieri or pulling Havertz back aren’t great

Isn’t using Davis’ NLD debut performance from 1980 as a reason why Nwaneri would do just the same 44 years later a bit like rolling a 6 on a die and thinking that gives you more chance of rolling another 6 on your next roll?
Nothing would please me more than Nwaneri to make his first senior start, run the game and we win 2-1 at spurs as Davis did - it’s an absolute dream scenario but Arteta will surely turn to experience.
Happy to be proven wrong but I think the most likely change is Havertz dropping in to midfield and any of Jesus, Trossard or even Sterling playing as a striker.

I don’t think there’s any way Arteta goes to a back 5 from the start. Zinchenko may easily come in to midfield but he’s not a wing back, nor is Ben White.
If we ever start with a back 5 I think it would be more likely to see the likes of Saka and Trossard as wing backs.
As far as surprise selections or formations go I think Arteta will only stretch as far as starting Sterling - which with his pace and willingness to be very direct and running in behind Spurs high line would make some sense

International managers should have a duty of care towards players they are essentially loaning from clubs. Saliba has played every minute of the two matches France played, one of I think only two players to do so in the French squad.

Ødegaard picked up an injury before he went on international duty and yet played in both Norway's games.

The number of international games should he halved at least, most are shite anyway. Or play some of them at the end of the season rather than during it.

Amazing how these players who withdraw from international squads with injury or illness are fit for the next PL game.

Who gives a *%^@ about the nations league or whatever.

What a load of absolute bollocks.

Of course Rice and Saka played the full 90 against Ireland. There isn’t even a player in the England squad capable of deputising for Declan and yet you still have people moaning about how he plays. Rest them Carsley you mug. He won’t and I’m just waiting for Saka to limp off later.

There’s simply way too much football. Players will be burnout out by 27 if this keeps up.

I have to be honest I don’t really hold much interest in the champions league this year, there’s more games but I don’t really understand the qualification metric. If somebody could explain it to me it would be useful Don’t get me wrong I’ll be at the PSG game but can see myself offloading quite a few tickets for the midweek games. Also let’s be honest we just don’t have the squad to be successful in the competition.

I was laughing at the squabble about Oasis tickets. The “Dynamic” pricing metric that increases the cost based on demand. I bet the premier league owners would be desperate to introduce that and the kroenkes would probably lap it up. When that happens it’s over for the everyday fan.

Definitely agree on too many games and the poorly timed nature of the internationals.

I'd change it by eliminating the nations league - I have no idea what point it serves. I also think there should be a tiered system for international qualfying, its utterly pointless each year a top tier nation having to play 2 qualifiers against the likes of San Marino or Luxembourg. They should have their own pool to bid to qualify to play the big boys - albeit without obscuring their chance of pulling off a miracle and qualifying for a major tournament. These games add nothing to the football calendar apart from long trips, rubbish pitches and even worse footballers who could be liable to take a swipe at an elite player. Finally, I feel it might be time to call time on the League cup for the prem clubs. Hardly any clubs play their best teams in it. At least start by scrapping the 2 legged semi - pointless. Scrap all cup replays.

The CL is one giant league table this year, albeit one where not everyone plays everyone. You're randomly drawn against 8 clubs made up of 2 clubs from each of the 4 seeded pots. 32 teams in the league table, the top 8 qualify direct for the round of 16 and progress as per the normal CL route, clubs in 9-16 play a 2 legged play off to make it in to the round of 16. The teams in 17 and below drop out - I can't recall whether some go in to the Europa league or not. So its a guaranteed 2 extra games, and if you finish 9-16th in the league its another 2 extra games.

yeah right *%^@ off

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... 82lxlng1po

Book the 2 brighton players then numpties

No they don't. Under FIFA rules a club cannot prevent a player playing for his country. End of. The club can ask for a player not to be called up if he has an injury. The federation can ask for a doctor's advice if they feel the club is spoofing. So you can't just pull a player.

Davis was one of my favourite players. He'd be a superstar today. Agree with you on the underlined bit.

Really hoping that Ødegaard's injury is not as bad as first feared. Best scenario he shakes it off and plays on sunday and at worst he misses only a couple of weeks.
I don't think we truly realise how much of a magnificent player this boy is and that he is our main creative hub and no one in our squad can replicate what he does.
I would like Arteta to show some faith in Nwaneri but for a game of this sundays magnitude I would be amazed if he is risked.
I hate these poxy *%^@*** internationals. *%^@ off!!!!
My worry is defeats in the next 2 games could see us 8 points behind city and liverpool if they carry on winning.
Has anyone seen Liverpools first 10 games?? Apart from utd who they brushed aside they are all winnable.
8 points behind....Would it be over after 5 games title wise?

And that’s exactly it for all these Arsenal decisions, you can, if you’re determined to, defend the decision on a technical aspect of the law but Arsenal fans will rightly question why this wasn’t applied elsewhere in the game, or any other game that weekend or on likely hundreds of occasions through the season.
If the ref truly had ‘no choice’ then this must be an un-arguable black and white decision that the refs should punish every single time without failure or complaint. If they don’t then they are using their judgement and game management which means Rice was unfairly singled out.

Just cannot have it both ways. Same with Tomiyasu, same with Martinelli, same with so many Arsenal examples

We're going to be in our all black kit for the NLD. Deemed to be too much white in our home kit this season even if we wore red shorts and socks. I can't remember the last time I saw Arsenal play Spurs in our away kit. Spurs will have to do the same when they come to the Emirates later this season

Yes there are rules but I think we all know clubs don't just send players off and hope that an independent doctor sends them back to their club with no influence from the club.

If Pep wants to pull a player he can, he has a word with the right people and the International manager/body confirm that they can leave, you don't even need to go as far as the doctor.

If the National team demand they be there then yes I'm sure they hold power and can make sure it happens, but its not in their interest to make enemies of club managers. It is all a game.

Ødegaard had a knock v Brighton, if Arteta wanted him pulled out and Ødegaard agreed then we could have made it happen. Just tell the independent Doc that you're injured, you're in pain when you run and need to stay at home. How much can a doc 100% confirm one way or another if a player says they aren't fit

He can't. He cannot overrule a doctor who says the player is fine and the player wants to go.


[/quote]Ødegaard had a knock v Brighton, if Arteta wanted him pulled out and Ødegaard agreed then we could have made it happen. Just tell the independent Doc that you're injured, you're in pain when you run and need to stay at home. How much can a doc 100% confirm one way or another if a player says they aren't fit[/quote]

All this presupposes Odegard wanted to not play for Norway. I am presuming Odegard wanted to play and said he was fit to play. There is nothing Arteta can, or should do , to stop him.

Quite right.

Internationals aren't the problem. Our problem is that we went into the season with no cover for him unless Arteta trusts one of the kids, which I seriously doubt. You can take a chance with a young player like we did with Saka but that can't be your only option if you are seriously hoping to win anything. No matter how promising a player like Nwaneri is you don't actually know until they have a had a proper run of games.

Vieira being loaned out as well as letting Emile Smith Rowe go is a real head-scratcher.

I think it would be a massive pity to mess with what Havertz is doing. He's a confidence player who is on the crest of a wave of good form. Work around that.

I don't think we mentioned this one the other week. We didn't even get a free kick for this and no action was taken against Charlie Adam retrospectively

That simply doesn't happen to Liverpool or City or any other big club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo5nwI2ZuuQ

https://a2.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=% ... 16%2D9.jpg

Bowen and Madueke both on the bench and available to play right wing. No need to keep flogging Saka in these meaningless games.

Makes zero sense.

This is Finland we are playing not prime Brazil.

If anything we should play all the back-up players and give them minutes, it's a time to experiment not flog to death your key players.

The trouble is at the end of this farcical Nations Cup tournament is the dangling carrot of a trophy and I am sure Carsley wants the job full-time.

I mean what has Carsley learnt tonight about Rice or Saka. Absolutely fuck-all that he didn't already know.

Looks like a bad injury for Ake tonight whilst playing for the Dutch. Kinda from Villa also linked off in the England game.

Once everyone else is fit and suspension free and if Ødegaard is out for a period of games then what is the line up?

Talent and skill wise Ødegaard’s best replacement is Saka.

Sounds like they’re saying a minimum of 3 weeks for Ødegaard. Probably fair to rule him out until the next international break. With the type of injury it was highly unlikely to be less than that so in a way that’s a bonus. It’s just a pig that it’s landed at the start of 3 incredibly difficult games. Rather than the run of games after City.

The timing of Ødegaard's injury is unfortunate but by contrast we were very lucky with injuries last season and it is asking a bit much to get that two years running. At least we have 5 left backs so we are covered there.

We will see what Arteta does at the weekend. I wouldn't be surprised to see Trossard in Ødegaard's position. I still think we should be good enough to beat the Spuds.

Doesn’t get a job at Real Madrid because of Brexit

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foo ... 10427.html

Those sunny uplands are taking a long time to turn up.

Been thinking of all the options open to Arteta for the starting 11 v Spurs. A lot of games we’ll roll out broadly the same tactics but Spurs away requires some thinking because of how obscure they play with 2 inverted full backs in No.8 positions, how they press and crucially how high they leave that back line. There are a lot of options and the tactics could decide how we play

Back 5 almost certainly is Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber.
After that Partey, Saka and Havertz definitely play. So 3 places up for decisions.

The question is the midfield make up and whether we stick with 2 8’s or go with a double pivot or Partey and Jorginho. The later maybe means we press less intensely, possibly draw spurs out (not that they’ll need much encouragement) and look to counter them over their high back line. Without Rice and Ødegaard who both cover huge ground in midfield I’d see this as a genuine tactic.

So then you need someone to play the attacking midfield role and proper pace and runners in behind.

Havertz/Trossard/Saka in the 10, I favour Trossard the least in this role and I think Arteta will keep Saka wide where he gets the ball in more 1v1 positions because Son doesn’t track back and Udogie can be slack with his positioning.
If he’s match fit I don’t mind the idea of starting Sterling. If Havertz drops in to midfield we may struggle with the physicality of their CB against anyone else, so we could play a class 9 and give their CB no one to mark - or entice their CB to press ridiculously high and expose h to em for even more runs in behind.
It’s a proper head scratcher for Arteta

The physicality of their centre backs is one thing, but there is also the stupidity of Romero. Jesus could be the one to draw him into stupid tackles and the Brazil/Argentina element could further favour us.

Yep I like that thinking. I think Spurs defenders individually and collectively are over rated, on paper the defenders do seem good players but they conceded 60 goals last year.

Also swing those corners in on top of their GK, he’s de gea-like, makes great saves but is terrible on crosses and sticks to his line

Pires has made a comparison between Saka and Doku, and the reason he cited for preferring Doku is he’s more consistent! Bobby, loved you as a player but that’s a terrible opinion and you’ve literally picked the attribute that Saka is probably further ahead of Doku on than anything!

He won’t play Trossard or saka as 10 at white hart lane. I’d be staggered if he started Nwanieri. He will do one of 2 things ..

1) most likely that he simply plays a usual back 4 and uses Jorginho to hold, Partey left or right 8 even though he’s never played much there and drops Havertz back to the other midfield slot and plays Jesus. Midfield is very one paced and you have the risk of Jesus over playing.

2) less likely but a possibility is that he doesn’t want to play Havertz in midfield as he wants to be direct like we were there last year where Havertz was our out ball and we played on the break a bit so he plays our usual defensive 3 but with another 2 starting of Timber, Zinchenko and Calafiori (if fit) as well as left sided defenders and those 2 invert into midfield at the right moments in possession in a 5. Basically a back 5 without wingbacks, Jorginho and Partey and our usual front 3 which doesn’t need to change. I think this is quite possible more likely than folks think. He did this against Brighton when rice went off to get more control.

EXCLUSIVE: Mikel Arteta agrees new three-year contract as Arsenal manager. 42yo Spaniard was into final 12 months of previous deal but any uncertainty now removed - fresh terms run until 2027. Huge boost for #AFC before north London derby

Yeah good news

I think Jorginho is an underrated footballer but I do agree with those who worry that a Partey/Jorginho combination in CM is too one-paced.

Partey concerns me, he's not the dynamic player he once was and his inability to track back could leave us wide open.

Not sure what the answer is but I wonder if Arteta might be tempted to give Sterling a start (if fit enough), with Martinelli on the other side (two pacy outlets on the break) and Saka dropping into the left 8 role to add some pace, energy and creativity to the midfield.

It would be a big ask with no time on the training pitch to fine tune his role but Saka is intelligent enough to adapt.

I think Arteta is too cautious to risk Nwaneri.

Whatever the tactics, we are entering a run of games which we simply cannot afford to lose.

That looks interesting but I serious doubt Arteta will move Saka.

I agree with Top Gun that I don't think he'd do it at WHL but I don't see what is wrong with playing Trossard at 10, with Havertz playing that hybrid role. Trossard is much better player closer to goal. His link-up play in those tight areas is good, and he's tended to combine well with Martinelli on the few occasions they have shared the stage, and of course he's got that knack in the box. He's just not very good dropping back into mid-field.

If Jorginho starts, and he think he has to, he could be very important - his strengths of an experienced cool head in a game like this will be crucial, plus he has a great ability for the lofted ball over a high back line - again crucial against spurs. The worry for Jorginho is the intensity of Spurs press, he can’t get caught on the ball and needs to not let the pace of the game overwhelm him as I think it did in the Bayern game last year.

Because we’ll lack a bit of intensity in midfield it wouldn’t surprise me to see Arteta maybe back off our press a bit and go a bit more direct a bit quicker. I also think this is where the pace of Sterling could be a nice surprise from the start.

Particularly given Jorginho's lack of game time this season, and the tendency of Partey to tire in the second half. But they to start, surely. Some pundits have suggested moving Timber into midfield to give us more legs. But I think the experience and passing ability of Partey and Jorginho fit the bill here.

Raya

White Saliba, Gabriel, Timber

Partey Jorginho

Trossard

Saka Havertz Sterling

Give Spurs something to worry about with that high line of theirs.