Is this worth a little thread of its own, given that Arsenal are supposed to be challenging for the title and it'll be an indication of how Amorim is working out his system and preferred team etc.? Plus, I'm bored and not very busy at work. Injuries and inconvenient suspensions mean it won't actually be his preferred team, but a version of using substitutes. Shaw injured again, so no LWB. Yoro not yet ready, so no right centre half. Mazaroui will fill in there, so no RWB either. No Mainoo or Martinez as both suspended. Will be cobbled together a bit, possibly back three of Mazaroui, de Ligt and Maguire. Midfield four of Ugarte, Casemiro, Dalot and Amad Front three of Fernandes, Hojlund and Mount maybe? Then there's Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Zirkzee can also play across the front. Not a disaster, but not ideal. I'd say a draw a good result tonight.
Good play so far, good movement and possession, no panicking (so far) positive signs whatever the result
Interesting starting lineup. I thought we would learn more about the starting 11, but it looks like Amorim is still giving all the players a chance. I very much prefer a system where any player can come in and get the job done.
In open play I thought the team gave a decent account of themselves despite some changes to the line up - it was the two set pieces that caused the problem, but they have for so many other sides too, so no big deal.
I'd hope our coaches come up with a way of dealing with that before the cup game. It's all Arsenal have though, so if they do we should compete better. They certainly won't win the league when all they've got is a tricky corner routine, there needs to be more than that. It was, bar that, not too bad. He's still making plenty substitutions and giving everyone a run, Maguire was especially good and comfortable in his spell, and good to see Yoro playing as he'll be needed. I don't think Malacia is yet up to it on the left though, and this side is now becoming and issue and a weakness. Hats off to Rashford for literally gifting Arsenal a corner from which they scored. Bravo sir! Was he not watching or something when he was sat on the bench? It was patently obvious to anyone with even half a brain that gifting them corners caused us problems, and he did just that.
