Match Day Thread Arsenal Vs Southampton 11/12/21 15:00

There are big stakes on this game. My username and avatar…

Although I have no idea how Arsenal have done recently, but it’s meaningless as Saints will demolish them off the back of mauling poor Brighton to death.

Lincoln again won’t be at the game as he will be slowly erecting his Ralph out flag in the front garden whilst @Saintmagic repeatedly calls us ****e, whilst shaking his can of Stella at the radio.

injuries… keepers?

Line ups… Willy filling the hole

Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Adam Nunn, Neil Davies. Fourth official: Anthony Taylor. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.

 

Saturday 11th December 2021 15:00 KO

Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Adam Nunn, Neil Davies. Fourth official: Anthony Taylor. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.

 

I think with our suspensions and injuries, I’d perhaps controversially take this opportunity to rest Tino too. Presumably/hopefully Stephens is fit enough to come in and partner Lyanco, otherwise Simeu presumably suddenly finds his way straight into the team (otherwise imagine he’ll be our CB on the bench). I would prefer to have KWP and Perraud as more defensively solid full backs alongside a bit of a patchwork back line as Willy will be straight in too. Diallo will be in for Romeu and the rest you’d imagine will be the same as against Brighton.

 

This could end up as anything. We could lose badly or win. No idea what's going to happen. Team I would put out:

Willy
Tino Stephens Lyanco KWP
Diallo JWP
Elyounoussi Smallbone Redmond
Broja

Change to a 4-2-3-1.

 

My line up
Big Willy
KWP-Stephens-Lyanco-Perraud
Redders-Diallo-JWP-Tella
Adams-Broja
Time to give Tino a break as he looks knackered last weekend

 

I don’t drink Stella

3-0, at least, to Arsenal

 

First half 0-3 to Saints.

Full time 4-3 to Arsenal.

 

Watching them against Everton may be no indication but this is a game to go for points wise. I think partnerships at the back are key and so I wouldn't be surprised to see Bednarek and stephens in the middle. I thought Lyanco was great against Brighton tho. I really hope Tino drops to the bench for this as his confidence was immense at the start of the season but has dropped rapidly since the Villa game. He needs a break. KWP on the R and Perraud left.

We are in a pickle in the middle as Odegaard will punish us if we give the ball away in front of goal and Diallo is very likely to do that repeatedly. I'd be tempted to give smallbone a game with JWP enforcing.

Up front I wouldn't change anything from last week Tella, Redmond, Adams and Broja all played well together, hopefully we can do better than one goal. Armstrong on by 60' please Ralph.

 

2-0 home win.

 

I'm not expecting anything but I'll be disappointed if we lost badly. Arsenal are bang average at best and if we had a fully available squad I'd back us to maybe get a point.

 

Agree NZ about Tino. Obvious he needs pulling out for a break. He is looking tired after about 60 mins and is starting to make errors. Hopefully RH can see this too, but RH does.seem to be inflexible, at times, with his tactics and formations. Particularly unusual in this situation as he has competent alternatives to chose from.

 

You prefer this...

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.....

 

Again you have saved me the effort of posting my team DL...

 

Yes to this.

 

Stats say Arsenal
Absentees say Arsenal
Heart says COYS let’s smash & grab
Head says, similar to Liverpool

 

Can we have a bloody penalty, free-kick in Prowse-territory, own goal (in our favour), Arsenal red card...? Feels like we've had hardly any 'luck' this season.

I know Antonio got a red for West Ham, and Trossaud went off injured for Brighton, but both of those were late in the game.

 

Sensible lineup. Like it.

 

Great Minds (& fools) eh?

 

Due to injuries and suspensions there seems to only really be two decisions to make for this one :

- Tino or Perraud. I like most think Tino looks knackered and his performances are dropping. If he starts then Ralph simply has to sub him around the hour

- Does Tella start. I am not sure what has happened to Djenepo so the choice seems to be Tella or Ely

So I’d expect most people’s proposed teams to be very similar to the one above as Tella hasn’t done anything to suggest he should be dropped

 

Given the personal shortage I expect Willy Smallbone to get asked to perform. Could be a tale of two Willys.