This is the biggest game for the club in over half a decade. I’m absolutely buzzing, and absolutely terrified of how I’ll feel if we lose. But I can’t imagine the euphoria I’ll feel if we win.
Both teams seem to lack confidence Both are error prone Both are less than the sum of their parts Spurs are better player for player, especially with a first choice defence. Utd have more big game experience (Bruno, Casemiro, Eriksen) Utd do have a some game changers on their day (Bruno, Amad, Garnacho) but Bruno aside, how often is it their day? Spurs have shown that they can play at a level far higher than Utd can reach when in form - eg 2nd half of Villa at home But both are so dysfunctional and you never know how they will play on any given day - so it’s 50/50 for me. It won’t be easy to watch
Gloucestershire won a brilliant game of proper four-day cricket on Monday. So I'm looking for success number two, too! Who knows how and where the hat-trick will be completed?
What do we think then, something fruity in the starting lineup? He’ll need to manage Sonny’s game time if he wants him on the pitch at the end for any potential pens, but the more physical front 3 of Richy-Solanke-Johnson might not get as much change out of United as they did in other EL games, and we’ve hurt them with pace the last few times we’ve played them. Plus the midfield is a toss up - gamble with Odobert (or even Porro!) at attacking midfield or go more conservative with Sarr and try and press the living daylights out of them early doors, stay resilient, and gamble later in the game if we need to. Personally I think that’s a risk though, we should be looking to get on the front foot early and trying to dominate the ball if we can. Frustrate Bruno and get some miles into Casemiro’s legs so the game opens up a bit. If we let them dictate terms I’ll worry. He’s used Sarr effectively as a ‘closer’ at times so I think Ange will want us coming straight out of the gates and then hopefully be able to bring on Sonny for some experience, and Sarr for the energy, as the game continues. I think he’ll go for: Vic Porro Romero VdV Udogie Odobert Bissouma Bentancur Johnson Solanke Richarlison
Doubt they would have got an answer out of Tobes (RIP) and it makes Arsenal's 22.5/77.5 hard to understand.