...and why the early kick off? It's a conspiracy.

It’s an early kick off because the game is live on telly. BT Sport to be precise.

He does go on a bit about what he doesn't forget. Arsenal making a perfectly legitimate application to have a game postponed sticks in the memory and causes deep resentment. The 'other stuff' somehow just doesn't register.

I hope Arteta keeps getting under his skin!

A point wouldn't be a disaster at all.

I think this will be a tough game.

Honestly I would mix it up and bring in Lokonga, Emile Smith Rowe and Pépé but I bet we don’t. The concern is around disrupting the front 3 would be why we won’t change it.


I don’t think a point would be bad but it wouldn’t be good. 6 points thought from the 3 fixtures this week would be superb and any of us would have took that at the start of the week.

I’ve been to villa park before and it’s a tough place to go. I still have nightmares about a nil nil league cup semi there once when we had David Hillier in midfield and we went out on away goals.

Remember that time when we were 2-0 at half time. Then a parachutist got it horribly wrong (he ended up losing a leg). The second half was delayed and we then lost 2-3.

Is that the same game. I thought it ended 2 all at home.

If I recall Dennis Bergkamp put on an absolute masterclass in football in the first half but somehow we drew.

Think this was it. Absolute masterclass

https://youtu.be/rRIpKzrd5Y8

I went to the return leg we drew and it was a shocker

I agree, tough game, especially if we are a bit leggy.

I think rotation is a must at some point with a number of players probably in the red zone of a possible hamstring pull or groin strain, or worse.

Unfortunately, we don't have a CF who can bang in a couple of goals out of nothing if we aren't playing well so if we are off the pace and not right at it both mentally and physically it could be a long afternoon.

There's also this:



Really don't get the controversy surrounding Arteta's comments. All managers complain about these things, it's about protecting your team and putting some pressure on the PL.

No Ramsdale

Leno and Smith-Rowe starts, Ramsdale and Martinelli not in the squad

So martinelli isn’t in the squad at all. Aside from Emile Smith Rowe he hasn’t freshened it up. I’m really surprised he hasn’t given Pépé a run here.

Tomiyasu isn’t in the squad either and I wonder if we will see him again this season.

This is going to be tough. Don’t fancy this at all.

Feels like we need to find a way to get 4 points from these next 2 away games. Villa and palace are tough. Of it was Man U or Spurs playing these games I’d be hoping and half expecting dropped points

I think Arteta hinted Tomiyasu was close for this game but likely wouldn’t be risked. I think he’ll be back after the international break

It's a tribute to Ramsdale that it's a massive miss and that I'm feeling even more nervous now that Leno is playing.
Shouldn't really because Leno is a good keeper but Ramsdale is a massive player and character in this team so big loss.
Yes I was one of the many that didn't want him signed as could not see his quality and those 2 relegation really hung over him but he has turned me completely round.
Hope he is back after international break.
Come on Arsenal.
Let's do this!!

It was this one at Villa. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/ ... a-12313181

And we did go from 2-0 (including a Dennis masterclass) to 2-3.

looks like Martinelli and Trent Arnold ran themselves into to ground on Wednesday.

It's still a strong team, I have confidence in Leno to perform at a high level and Smith-Rowe say no more. Bench is a little weaker but we're in decent shape.
Villa will obviously be tough opposition, Gerrard looks on his way to the top as a manager and Coutinho has added some top quality for them.
Would take a point.

Martinelli has been sick.

Ramsdale has a muscle injury - out for a few weeks.

I think we win today.

Arteta has confirmed Ramsdale out “for a few weeks”. That’s a bummer.

I was at that game. Won’t forget the noise when ‘Santa’ hit the ground. Poor sod.

I am a bit concerned.

ESL & Tierney are better together than Martinelli & Tierney

EDIT - in my opinion, of course

Come on Arsenal!

Something that I guess that you’ll never forget.

Nice build up and opportunity. Over the bar by Emile Smith Rowe.

Good positive start.

Nearly an own goal there, great save from Martinez

Damn. Brilliant save by Martinez.

Yes a decent start, we look bright and switched on.

We look like a class outfit.

We are looking dangerous.

Oh so close. Great from Saka and Ødegaard.

Well done indeed Ben White. Shut the door nicely.

We are in total control so far, Villa struggling to beat our press

I’m hoping “for a few weeks” is code for “out for the international break”.

Cédric doing well again

Well done Cédric

Well collected by Leno

He is indeed. Credit to him.