Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard have all made the trip to the North West ahead of today’s clash with Manchester United.
While it remains to be seen whether they are fit to start the match, the fact they were pictured getting off the team bus and are part of the travelling squad is positive.
On Friday, manager Mikel Arteta claimed all three were being assessed before yesterday’s final training session.
The Gunners will definitely be without Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny at Old Trafford. The pair are out for ‘weeks’ and ‘months’ respectively.
It is expected that Sambi Lokonga will anchor midfield after impressing in Wednesday’s win over Villa.
Good news
COYG
Zinchenko travelling just to join in the goal celebrations?
Let’s not forget that Ramsdale has previous of travelling to games injured too. I hope not but maybe it’s an Arteta triple bluff. Arteta declares them unfit but then orchestrates pictures of them getting off the bus to make EtH think he’s being sly so he prepares his team for a Zinchenko LB performance. But in fact they are injured after all. I dunno. I would imagine Ramsdale and Odegaard start and Zinchenko is on the bench. I’m really nervous about this one. Something in my waters is telling me that this is going to be tough and might not… Read more »
Makes perfect sense to me and won’t be the first time Arteta surprises the opponent. I must also confess that I love when he does that and hence, won’t be surprised to see Zinchenko get minutes today.
I hear ya, not been as nervous and obsessed as this for a while. It’s the price of doing well, I’m anxiety covered with skin.
I think it will be tricky with everyone fit. If we are short because of injuries, I can’t see it being easier.
I think we can get something from the game, but I certainly don’t underestimate Utd. In their place, we’d go all out to prove a point – beating the unbeaten league leaders etc.- and so will they.
He only declared Partey and Mo unfit, not the rest. He said they were being assessed. Being assessed is not same as being unfit.
We need every man we can get for those
Which goal if I may ask…….
Like the one he got involved in at the Fulham game, and the steward thought he was a pitch invader 🤣🤣
All six of them.
Haha- alone, on his knees, hands on head in disbelief!? COYG!!!
Haha- alone, on his knees, hands on head in disbelief!? COYG!!!
Come on lads, we believe.
Zinchenko is a big win, will be interesting to see if he’s put in at midfield or lokonga is given another go. Guess he’s wrong footed to play on the right side anyway. Great news about Ode, he’s been on another level of late.
Yes, if they all actually play – but we don’t know that yet. I think we’ll see something of some/all the three (hopefully) but for how long over the 90 minutes or so I’m not sure. We’ll know soon.
Please, no more fucking injuries already.
If any club deserves a break from that shit, it’s us.
COYG
At least they are travelling – whether that means any/all play, and for how long, remains to be seen.
We’ll need the strongest available team today as Utd will throw everything at us, probably including their new signings who’ll want to impress the home crowd.
Great news. Hopefully they will all start. I just have a feeling the ref and VAR will be very weak today and screw us over. Hopefully I am wrong, but ManU are always lucky with the ref calls, specially at Sh*Trafford.
They have to take there chances
Nice to hear that with two key central midfielders out for “weeks and months” that we didn’t bother to sign anybody to replace them.
Absolutely, unbelievably incompetent.
Mate, if we were relying on Douglas Luis to “save our season” after a couple of injuries I’d say we had much bigger problems.
We have 3 players in the DM position. 2 are out & now it’s rightfully over to Lakonga to fill in. Just because Luis would’ve been a new name doesn’t mean he’s better than what we’ve already got.
There’s something about this arsenal team that makes me more optimistic than nervous going into old trafford. Despite TP and ME’s injuries, we’ve never had a more solid and cohesive defensive and attacking unit going into old trafford. I’m actually somewhat bullish about our chances to take all 3 points. And let’s not forget that irrespective of the result today, we’re still top of the league!
COYG!!!
We are a much better side than United but I’m expecting that yet again we’ll find a way to go to Old Traffford and lose. Just like we did last season.
I get the fear fats but as a cynic meself you are really on another level with negativity. I always enjoy reading your comments. You give me a better perspective on my day. My heart is yearning for the 3 points though my head is conflicted. Really miss Partey.
Just how fat are you anyway?
He’s actually super skinny.
Not 100% sold on the Lokonga performance last week. First half was good. He seemed to put himself in positions that looked like hiding in the second half though
A draw would be a decent result, all things considered.
A draw today, and then go and beat Everton and Brentford, and we’ll be top of the league going into the North London Derby on October 1st.
Hopefully if Odegaard can’t go ESR is able to play a good 70 minutes or more. Might be first game time for Viera. Assume Arteta will stick with Tierney at LB and use Zinchenko only if an emergency (if he is able to play).
If we manage to win this one then we really have turned a corner. You always get a feeling the team come to Old Trafford a bit scared of the opponent, no matter how shitty they’ve been.
We really need Ödegaard today, he can rest for Everton if need be but now we need our captain.