Morning all.

It’s Southampton at residence as we speak, the second weekend in a row we’ve confronted a newly promoted aspect. After what occurred final weekend, you may be fairly certain Mikel Arteta can have reminded his gamers that even the smallest lapses in focus or self-discipline may be punished at this stage. We left it very late to beat Leicester, and whereas there wasn’t a lot to complain about from an attacking perspective, we conceded two objectives we might have completed higher with.

With regards staff information, it’s notably centered on right-back forward of this one/ Arteta was requested about Jurrien Timber and Ben White, and stated:

We needed to modify coaching for lots of gamers. We’ve completed the identical as we speak due to the load that that they had, so it’s a choice to make this afternoon, whether or not to contain them, sure or no. They’re shut, and Tomiyasu as properly is sort of near being concerned, so excellent news.

Nevertheless, Timber isn’t within the Netherlands squad for the upcoming Interlull, so I don’t anticipate to see him as we speak, and whilst you by no means know with Ben White, he would possibly properly miss out too. Might there be a welcome return for Tomiyasu? Maybe, it’d be good to see him again, but when not the supervisor has some pondering to do relating to right-back.

Within the absence of all different senior choices, I wouldn’t be that stunned to see Thomas Partey play there. I believed Riccardo Calafiori was wonderful there in opposition to PSG, however I’d relatively see him do his stuff from his extra pure place, not least as a result of it feels a bit like he has opened up the left-hand aspect a bit. Arteta can select from Jorginho or Mikel Merino to fill the midfield hole, and it means he can maintain one senior defender on the bench within the form of Jakub Kiwior.

I do know we’ve a few younger gamers who might doubtlessly get the nod, however I believe after what occurred final weekend, and the actual fact we’re going into an Interlull, he’ll play as robust and skilled a staff as he can. That’s why I don’t assume there’ll be a lot change on the prime finish of the pitch both. The type of Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka calls for their inclusion. Gamers like Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus could be champing on the bit to play extra minutes, however I believe their greatest hope is that we get ourselves into a cushty place and so they can attempt to make an affect from the bench.

Immediately additionally sees the return of Aaron Ramsdale after his summer time transfer to the south coast. I’m certain he’ll get an important reception from the Arsenal followers, however he may very well be a busy man this afternoon. Final week Leicester’s Mads Hermansen put in an impressive efficiency that denied us time and time once more, and whereas I’m certain the goodwill from followers in the direction of Ramsdale can be absolute reciprocated, he’ll be a person with one thing to show as we speak after the way in which his Arsenal profession went. We don’t have to go over outdated floor, however he’s going to be particularly fired up as we speak I’m certain.

It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Southampton modify their model in any respect. Enjoying out from the again is admirable, however if you don’t have the gamers to do it as effectively as you’d like at Premier League stage, typically it’s important to adapt. Burnley didn’t actually try this final season and ended up relegated, and we noticed in midweek that even with out Martin Odegaard when Arsenal need to press they will do it in an efficient, coordinated method which places the opposition below actual strain. PSG couldn’t cope, I don’t anticipate Southampton to have the ability to both.

On paper this can be a recreation Arsenal can be anticipated to win, however as we noticed final week, soccer generally is a bit mad, so hopefully that’s a lesson discovered. 2-0 up and comfy, and we had been nail biting till these two late objectives. I do know we don’t at all times do issues the simple approach, however it’d good if as we speak was a kind of days.

Proper, I’ll depart it there for now. Be a part of us later for dwell weblog protection, plus you’ll get the match report, objective clips, response, participant scores and way more over on Arseblog Information.

Come on you reds!

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