Arsenal’s first home game of the season takes place this afternoon as we take on Chelsea at the Emirates.
The Gunners are without Ben White who is ‘unwell’, on top of an already busy injury list. Here are the official line-ups.
Arsenal: Leno, Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Sambi, Xhaka, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Martinelli
Subs: Ramsdale, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Kolasinac, Elneny, Balogun, Nelson, Aubameyang.
Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku
Subs: Kepa, Chilwell, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Zouma, Kante, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Werner
White?
Covid. 🙈
This is going to be a long long night
D*mn right it is. Completely outplayed. Their midfielders having all the time they need. I’ve complained about this on another thread but our pressing game is absolutely pointless. It’s a one or two man press for their lives yet nobody closes the passing options, then every time you see Xhaka neither pressing nor marking dangerous players out. That’s why the moment their midfielders bypass our sorry a** attempt at a press you get both their wingbacks with a 2-1 advantage down our flanks. You have to give credit to our players for not giving up on trying to press but… Read more »
White has Covid 19. Bellerin thigh strain.
When the fuck is Gabriel back?
I hope Mari doesn’t get bullied off Lukaku but I am sure he will.
The only good thing about COVID is William being unavailable as a result of it. Arteta has no fucking choice LMAO.
Willian bloody autocorrect
And bullied he got for the first goal, Mari…he bounced off Lukaku to the floor.
Cedric?
He’s playing 😂
I know! Why?
Don’t understand the downvotes. How come he starts against Chelsea after not being selected for ages? Anyway, I still think we can do it. COYG
Martinelli centre forward. Really hope the kid can shine whatever the result.
White has Lukakuitis
Not sure how much difference he can make tonight
This the line up you can’t moan at hopefully comment gets accepted
Plenty to moan about. I’ll just hold it in.
Lacas clearly off reports say he’s still recovering but then he’s pictured in he’s Ferrari around the emirates
Also auba is not happy about that so he’s on the bench so this is the strongest we could of put out to make my point
2-0 already. Same old f*cking bullshit. Commentator got it right on the money; we don’t even press as a unit. It’s either Martinelli, Saka, Pepe bursting their lungs to press but nobody else follows. Then you have bloody Xhaka in no man’s land neither pressing the next man nor marking anybody, aka both their goals. That’s purely on the f*cking manager. FFS I play Sunday league and even I know if you’re not gonna press as a unit effectively then f*cking hold your lines deep. Look at how Kovacic, Jorginho and Havertz are dancing around us.
Now Ben White out. What black cat holding a an Arsenal voodoo doll did Arteta run over?!
No Bellerin in the squad either.
Also, what’s with the whole ‘unwell’ business? Why can’t they just say covid and be done with it? Why all the secrecy… so weird.
Totally agree.
They did say Covid for White.
Will that be at half time or later?
Nevermind – arsenal Twitter specifies covid. the auba laca thing last week was still weird tho. probably didn’t wanna kick off the new season with the news of two covid cases. Still silly imo. Nothing wrong with transparency
It’s a medical confidentiality issue I think. Maybe some time needs to pass, or the player has to officially infrom the club that thier medical information can be discussed/published
The injury gods just tagged in the covid gods is all.
Same shit, different year.
Black cat got firm grips on Arteta’s balls it seems. 2-0 and not even the slightest grip on the game. Have we even got a shot on target yet?
COYG… Just show fight please
May God be with you.
Amen🙏🙏🙏
Say 3 Hail Mari’s and a how’s your father
White
*Cough*
Covid
Wow, their bench is stronger than our starting 11. Despite that, come on you Gunners!
Dang. As if playing Chelsea early in the season wasn’t bad enough. No White, no Bellerin, Odegaard doesn’t even make the bench.
Odegaard doesn’t have a visa so cannot play.
Odegaard is one of those alien European folk, awaiting a UK visa.
He couldn’t get a visa in time otherwise he would have started. White has Covid.
I see we’ve decided to give the rest of the league a 2-game head start.
Very generous of us
Just like last season when we did the double over them
Make that a 3-game head start after City trounce us next weekend…
To be fair, that Brentford game should not have been played last week, and then on top of that the ref screwed us over too…
Shame AMN ain’t interested in the right back slot, but it looks like it is going to be a tough afternoon!!!
Arteta is a terrible coach. No matter who’s on the team sheet, we’ll play slow, ponderous, calculated football that suits exactly zero of our players. Individuals on this site love to blame individual players on the (Xhaka being the one blamed most consistently) , but of recent Bellerin, Leno have joined that list of scapegoats. If y’all keep blaming individuals for the team underperforming over the last 3 seasons, we’ll be rebuilding every season. I give it a few games until current darlings like Saka, ESR, Martinelli are all being called trash and not deserving of being in our squad.… Read more »
Agreed Arteta is not blame for everything but consistently putting Xhaka in is not only a bad coaching decision but it also shows that he’s not in touch with most Gooners who know he’s just not good enough for even this team.
Xhaka is the very least of our problems. Georginho, Fabinho, Fred, Mactominay, Skipp, Ali, all start for teams that have consistently finished above us and are playing way better than we are. I can bet all my life savings that removing Xhaka from our squad and starting any of the names I mentioned would improve us in absolutely zero ways if we kept playing with the same horrible tactics
Complete agree that he’s the least of our problems but completely disagree that changing him for a more mobile player won’t have an impact especially when teams hit us on the break.
I don’t think Arteta is a bad manager, but he is an unlucky one.
Midfield lynchpin injured in pre-season, both senior strikers out with covid, big defensive signing out with the same thing.
Only 2nd game of the season and already the whole spine of the starting team is unavailable
I swear last season Cedric couldn’t get in Arteta’s team for love nor money, so it seems a bit desperate for him to be starting in a game like this
Both Cedric and Kola could be up for a transfer. Maybe they’re just showing them off in the shopping window as ”available”?
If we are using a competitive game, the first game in 500 odd days in front of the fans, as a shop window for two players who will fetch fuck all in terms of transfer money, God save our season.
Xhaka again? After another average performance where a newly promoted team had the confidence and arrogance to say they targeted Xhaka because he’s so poor, Arteta still puts him in.
For all you deluded Xhaka fans, tell me how even playing AMN in that position could do any worse? Yeah I’ll give you he lacks experience but Kante and co will all be past Xhaka in a blur, at least AMN could catch them.
Couldn’t agree more with you!
Why the hell do some people insist on blaming individual players when it’s clear that we have absolutely shit tactics? Do you honestly believe that removing Xhaka and playing any of Fred, McTominay, Skip, Georginho, Fabinho, would improve us if we keep playing the same tactics? These are players who are starters for Top 4 teams. What exactly do you think they do individually that makes them so much better than Xhaka? We aren’t shit because of Xhaka. We are shit because we have a poor man’s version of Guardiola without the billions to spend on players who fit his… Read more »
Yes I do.
Because was one of our better players against Brentford and remember he played in both matches last season when we did the double over them and also played in the Cup final too.
AMN is not good in midfield. The only thing he does better than Xhaka is his running and even West Brom fans didn’t seen him as a good midfield player. But what do we deluded “Xhaka fans” know anyways
Another great game changing performance from your captain.
Get your lie straight about Xhaka and Brentford.
“Our plan was to close down the middle where they have good players like Granit Xhaka.
Yeah, well done to all those who thumbed me down, your captain did really well today.
A point would be a huge result.
It would but I’d prefer if we can somehow take the handbrake off and play some free flowing attaching football. The horseshoe show needs to stop!
I bet you said that last season when we did the double over them.
You know we beat them three times in a row right?
They don’t look that scary without Kante in midfield and without Werner pace on e wing. Would be so nice to shut all the haters up with a win.
Except they won’t shut up. Holding v Lukaku will hopefully resemble that vintage Holding v Costa. COYG!
Agree, Holding is probably more comfortable defending against Lukaku than Werner. Aside from that it’s amazing we have spent so much money and the only change to the team is Sambi Lokonga.
Oh boy
Hopefully Pepe can see us through.
Last time Holding played Chelsea as part of an injury torn defence he pocketed Diego Costa and won a big bit of metal. I wonder if he’s googled ‘you’re fucking crazy’ in Flemish too?
We are going to run riot today! COYG!
You misspelled “They” and “COVID” 🙁
:((
Are we seriously the only team with cases? I was expecting a “Ben White injured for season during warmup”. Fkn agent Willian probably invited him for a bbq.
Chelsea are missing Pulisic through covid.
We are missing 4 though. Typical Arsenal.
Runnarson and willian missing is a problem?
😂😂😂Agent Willian😂😂😂😂
👍👍
What can AMN do to get a game? My last notable recollection of Cedric is making a mess of our UEL Semis against Villareal. Is he supposed to get any better at his age? Ainsley is one of our own, something Arteta has failed to recognize for whatever reason.
I like Ainsley, but unfortunately he sees himself as a midfielder only. Even more unfortunately he isn’t very good there, not here or when he’s been on loan. If he just accepted right back as his position and put his all in to make it his, he’d be a fine addition to the starting 11, especially with Bellerin reported to be leaving. Alas, AMN doesn’t see it the same way 🙁
Agreed. Then again when the same person makes Xhaka captain against Brentford, what do you expect? Just don’t get how they don’t feel the pulse of the fans. KT is our captain. A captain he can get behind and one who could be there for a decade. But no, I’m sure the fans will love it if I make the slowest player in the team who wanted to leave captain.
Everyone of them should play for the badge and the fans. Chelsea is beatable.
Was never confident about today.
Woke up this morning thinking we might actually pull off a sursprise.
Seen the starting lineup/bench, and now thinking we’re getting absolutely battered.
I’m already feeling sorry for Mari up against Lukaku
yikes
Looking at both line-ups, this is just sad.
Can the skies make us an offering here, cause I’d bite your hand right off for a draw today.
Well, time to park the bus, sacrifice a lamb or something for good luck, and try and hit them on the counter… we might lack overall quality to match them, but if we dig up some resilience and tactical discipline from somewhere, we actually have some pace on us today to expose them and maybe do some damage.
No fuck that. We need to take the game to them. Use our youth, energy and pace
Uh-huh, cause we’ve got so much creativity going on when we push the opposition back to defend deep, and given that our midfield is just as combative as theirs, and Mari and Holding are excellent at defending large pockets of spaces, that would totally not end up in them thrashing us 4-0!
why, your “let’s chase them around like madmen” strategy seems to be working wonders for us here at the half-time mark…
Fucks sake, what idiots, either press them proper, or don’t press them, this lackadaisical bullshit is just leaving our midfield a state park to stroll through…
They’re passing through 5-6 of our players at will every posession… this is actually looking like a potential 4-0… could’ve been already as a matter of fact.
Cedric is actually our truest right back at the moment as the other one has gone into modelling. This lineup isn’t bad, until getting Partey, Gabriel and White all playing at the same time.
Cedric……….?
White on the bench…….?
What the actual fuck….. 🙄
COYG!!! Just give your all. That’s what we need from you!
We’re being ravaged by covid. I wonder why our games aren’t being postponed. The virus will affect more if they keep up with this shabby-protocols if any at all.
Worst part would be the fans moaning at sub-par performances with this situation
2 first team players out is “ravaged”?
Auba, Lava, Willian, Ben White and Runarsson. I’d say that’s pretty much “ravaged.” Factor in how easily it spreads especially within a contact sport then you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
I’ve got a feeling we’d be reporting more “illnesses” soon. They’re careful to not label it covid because they don’t wanna resort to drastic measures considering we’re just out of a year without fans and it’s hurt their pockets
Yes, we can. COYG!!!
My bad – didn’t see White in starting lineup immediate assumed he was only the bench without checking – that’ll teach me.
If the lad is ill, I wish him a speedy recovery.
This is the best line up available at the moment considering all injuries and illnesses. I only wish that captains armband was on Tierney instead of Xaka. I’m hoping for the best result for Arsenal but I’m being realistic as well. As long as we’re not gutless we can get a good result.
The headline says Martinelli starts up front but it could be Pepe at #9 and Martinelli on the left.
This is not going to be an enjoyable game to watch.
I still will though, obviously
Had to say “Xhaka, Saka” out loud when I read that for some reason
The line up look so weak. But the game will end up 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Bellerin not in the bench, does that mean he’s off, kolasinac in, I’m confused
Put your entire life savings on Lukaku to score today. Regardless of the result. It’s an inevitable as the sun rising
Lol there you go. Took 15 mins. Hope you are all rich now
Not to be a Debbie downer but I think we might get mauled today
Expecting to lose this one,the gap of quality is too big today, but hope there’s a match all the way and not 0-3 after halftime and first goal before 10. But I fear that
Oh, so attackers aren’t allowed to hold back their opponents inside the box…
Or is that just ‘Arsenal attackers’?
If Kroenke believes that signing bang average players for more than they are worth is ambition he will find out exactly how stupiid he is come 6:00pm tonight.
And Arsenal are already 1-0 down.
I would rather have a player like Lukaku for 97 million than the rubbish he has signed any day.
Ben White for 50 million.
What a joke…
These players are bang average. It’s obvious even against Brentford, it’s undeniable against Chelsea and proper quality squads. 2-0. Fuck me.
For once its not the kroenkes fault. They have backed Arteta and Edu with the funds..how its spent and then coached is 100% on those 2.
And the funny thing is, Chelsea aren’t even trying. This is literally a training match for them. How low can we sink?
Can see Arteta and Edu were on Arseblog at HT with the downvotes. Get a room, you guys!
I’d have a fairly good go at spending 100m more randomly than arsenal but they’d still beat me. Arteta is not ready for this level of club
This could end up 5 or 6 or nil.
We are an absolute shambles at the back yet again.
Another very, VERY long season ahead.
Heartless so far.
Our goalkeeper wearing our away kit at a home game really fucking sums up what a fucking shambles we are.
The fans need to do their bit now. Let Arteta and the players have it both barrels
Arsenal will not even score in the firs 3 games…
That’s me dons. I can’t watch anymore. Have a good day folks 👍🏻
*done
Woeful. Yes it’s not all Arteta’s fault blah, blah, blah BUT let’s be realistic, the owners aren’t going to sack themselves are they?
We have an inexperienced manager who is still learning and won’t be able to attract the top class talent we need, especially when we’re not in Europe.
We need a proven experience manager who will attract the striker, right back, another centre back and much more that we need and fast.
As much as I agree about proven experienced manager, I’ll say that such manager will come to a meeting and say: I want at least 5 top players and the next season also, otherwise I we have nothing to talk about.
We look like a club that doesn’t know what we want and what we need.
This is disgusting!
I’ll never forgive myself for wanting Wenger to go.
At least we played some lovely football with him.
Now we dont play anything at all.
Simply put: disgusting and embarrassing…
And we get beaten 6-0, 8-2, 5-0 on a regular basis. Time to move on. His best was past him and his final season we were as boring as we are now. Come off it. I’d argue that this boring football is a continuation of how boring we were in his final season. Like we never stopped playing that style since he left
Wenger got destroyed 6-0 against Chelsea.
We used to get shafted by the big teams in Wneger’s final years, too. Arteta is average, but don’t make it look like Wenger was tearing it up
I don’t deny that, but, I repeat, at least we played football under Wenger. The difference in today’s Arsenal is we are getting beaten and outplayed by bottom table teams. Did you forget what happened seven days ago?
We had identity under him. What do we got now???