Sunderland visit Arsenal in the Carabao (EFL) Cup. Last time out Sunderland drew with Ipswich and Arsenal beat Leeds United. Sunderland have a quick turnaround on Tuesday with a huge quarter final clash in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Leon Dajaku was subbed in the 41st minute of the Ipswich game after being clattered by Tractor Boys midfielder Lee Evans. While the tackle was completely fair, the after-effects became too much for Dajaku to continue. The Black Cats are already having to contend with a depleted squad as a number of players remain on the treatment table, something that they didn’t need before they face a Premier League side and before the festive run of games. Full-back Denver Hume took Dajaku’s place at Portman Road as the away side shuffled the pack and put in a great performance. Hume has spent a considerable amount of time out of action with an ankle injury, but the club received the positive news this week that Hume was set to return ahead of schedule. Arsenal have proved to be a stumbling block for their opposition in the Carabao Cup so far, scoring 11 goals in three games, and preserving a trio of clean sheets. Ben White put in a Man of the Match-worthy performance against Leeds United as the North Londoners secured passage to the Quarter-Final in the wake of a 2-0 victory against the Whites, the Gunners thrashed West Bromwich Albion 6-0 and had a comfortable 3-0 win against AFC Wimbledon in the previous rounds. Lee Johnson Speaking about Dajaku, manager Lee Johnson said: “It was a contact injury. I think that he was in a bit of pain, and we’ll have to have a look. “I thought that it was an interesting game for him and his learning. I didn’t think that he started well, I didn’t think that he was physical enough, and then I thought that he grew into the game having a really good 15 minute spell. “Obviously it was bad timing to get the knock when he did.” Speaking about the fitness of his whole squad, the manager added: “At these times, it’s just pray when you’ve got a depleted squad like we’ve got. “It’s a good run with a depleted squad. Seven games unbeaten. We don’t like draws, but if you win the next one, which we’ll endeavour to do, it makes it a good draw away to Ipswich. “We just have to assess the walking wounded. I suppose with Arsenal, maybe they will take a trip through lourds knowing that Arsenal is other side of it.” The 23-year-old managed to get through an hour of football seemingly unscathed, which is a huge source of encouragement to the management team. “He should get a lot of credit for that and so should the physio department” said Johnson. “He trained one week after a long lay out and he certainly looked like he could play a 90, easily.” Mikel Arteta: ‘No it was more a muscular issue, obviously, he’s (Tomiyasu) got a big load on him. He’s played every single minute since he joined us and even this week he’s been a little bit struggling. ‘So we decided to take him off, he wasn’t 100% confident to continue in the game and hopefully he’s not injured.’ Asked why their London Colney training ground was shut on Thursday, Arteta said: ‘Pure precaution because we had some cases in the staff and we wanted to prevent any issues. Match Appointments: Referee: SIMON HOOPER Assistant Referees: Harry Lennard & Derek Eaton Fourth Official: John Brooks Team Line ups Sunderland: Hoffmann, Doyle, Wright, Flanagan, Hume, Neil, Winchester, Pritchard, Gooch, Stewart, Broadhead. Subs: Patterson, Xhemajli, Dyce, Younger, Embleton, O’Brien, Kimpioka. Injured: Willis, Huggins, Cirkin, McGeady, O’Nien, Evans. Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Patey, Xhaka, Odegaarde, Saka, Martinelli, Lacazette. Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Cédric Soares, Tavares, Chambers, Elneny Injured: Tomiyasu, Mari & Lokonga have covid. Betting Odds: Sunderland 14/1 Arsenal 1/7 Draw 6/1 My two pence: A tough game at Portman Road as predicted, they were really fired up with the new manager coming in and a big crowd, a great game of two halves by all accounts. Away to Arsenal is never easy, but we would have to play at the top of our game and hope that Arteta rests a few of his prima donnas to get a result. Then again their academy are pretty damn good too. I’ve got tickets for this one, so it will probably be postponed at the last minute I’m going for a 2-2 penalty shootout win for the lads (red & white specs on) No Stream, but it’s Live on Sky Ha’way the Lads
RTB oted win of course. But odds frankly against us. As I have said before (if played, Covid19?) I would start with the 1st team, then make all the subs at half time for key players. Good for the players to go to the Arse.
Yes yes yes. Love a match day thread. Ha'way the Lads, safe travels to the 5.5k going down. Hopefully it all goes ahead and it's a great performance that does us proud. It's a free hit for us, hope he protects the players that need a rest and plays those that needs minutes, he shouldn't deviate from his plan imo. HTL.
I want full strength team for an hour or so. Give them a crack at the Arse(nal). Saying that I dont want Wright at full back, only in a back 3. Good pitch, hopefully better officiating. Let's have a good go at it.
Great thread mate. It is a cup quarter final! Chelsea was a cup quarter final. These games are where memories are made and atmospheres becomes legend. We will do our bit in terms of atmosphere. I fancy the lads to put on a hell of a show as well. I am optimistic our lads will be more at it than them and that might carry us far into the game. I know people argue it is a free hit, and fair enough, but I want us to keep our club in the big media. Imagine a win at Arsenal and the impact on players thinking about coming in. I am a dreamer and cup runs are huge for me. Haway lad, lets guve it a right big go.
cheers again RTB... a lot depends which arsenal turn up, the ones who seem to struggle with the basics at times or the team that played the other night against leeds. as the lads have said it is a free hit anyway, no one expects us to win or even come close to a draw so a damn good chance for the lads to face good opposition from the premier and see how they do, as long as they give them a game the result is whatever it is.
To be honest, not sure in a back four. I just think he'll get ripped to **** by pace (Saka, Martinelli).
If Arsenal play a strong team we are in trouble, I hope the lads do themselves proud and we don't pick up any injuries
He probably will do, but so will Winchester or whoever plays at RB. This is a free hit. No blame or anything on the lads who play imo.
2 - 1 win to the lads. Hold our own in the 1st half and go in with a deserved 1 nil lead. Hold our own again in the 2nd half, and get a second in the 63rd minute. Get pegged back a bit, and concede late on. Nervy last 10 minutes, but the lads defend heroically and hold on for the win. Halom and Hughes with the goals.
I finish work for 2 and a half weeks on Tuesday. Going straight down to the shop to get the beers in ready for the game.
It’d be nice to give them a fright, but in the end I think we will end up losing. Happy if we play well and avoid getting gubbed! Bart
Didn't try for tickets for this game as my Sister was flying in from Canada for Xmas on the morning of the game. Safe to say that's all gone to **** now...... Well, will have a few beers and cheer the lads on
HA'WAY THE LADS MACKEMS ATTACKEM Well due to circumstances, I missed most of the match against Ipswich, caught the last 20 minutes or so. I thought I was working my last night shift Tuesday before the Christmas break. But it turns out we have an extra off for it. Whoopie. So I'll settle down with a few beers on my first night off to watch it. Hopefully we just give a good account of ourselves and don't pick up any more injuries. I'm not expecting us to win although voted it on pennas. That said, many years ago, a lad I worked with offered me a ticket for Wrexham v Arsenal. I think his brother was something to do with Wrexham. Anyway, fearing an annihilation I turned it down https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrexham_A.F.C._2–1_Arsenal_F.C. The London Borough of Islington is a London borough in Inner London. The borough includes a significant area to the south which forms part of central London. Islington has an estimated population of 215,667. Islington is one of the most restaurant-dense areas in the UK and home to Europe's third longest escalator - as well as the decomposing bones of lots of famous people, including Douglas Adams and Jeremy Beadle. Beadle thought he had a massive cock, but on the other hand,,,,, Islington is the 14th most deprived borough in England; it has the second highest rate of child poverty, with almost half of its young people living below the breadline, and a third of its working-age residents do not work.8 Jun 2011. Famous people born in Islington include. Martin and Gary kemp , musicians/actors. And band mates including Tony Hadley from their poncey 80's group Spandau ballet. Leona Lewis , actress. Kenneth Connor, carry on films. Joe Swash, annoying ginger bellend. Linda Robson, birds of a feather and (you learn something new) she was young Marsha in the lift snogging on the likely lads . Eddie Kidd, bike lunatic and film stuntman, better version of Evil Knievel.
