Arsenal take on Sporting CP at the Emirates this evening, in the second leg of the Round of 16 (1st leg 2-2).
Here are the official line-ups.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Xhaka, Vieira, Martinelli, Nelson, Jesus
Subs: Turner, Hillson, Tierney, White, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Holding, Trossard
Sporting: Adan, Reis, St Juste, Edwards, Ugate, Trincao, Paulinho, Inacio, Diomande, Goncalves, Esgaio
Subs: Israel, Alexandropoulos, Santos, Neto, Rochinha, Issahaku, Tanlongo, Gomes, Cabral, Chermiti, Mateus, Essugo
COYG…!!!
Am I right in thinking this is the first time Xhaka starts as captain since…(you know when)?
That’s a mighty strong line up
What are “subs”?
IMPACTERS.
🫡
That would soon enter into the English language lexicon like “squeaky bum time”, ” parking the bus”, etc.
We talked about this. How has he missed it?!
Is Blogs not reading blogs? 😢
Tierney not starting is very interesting.
Yea if he doesn’t start tonight, when will he ever?
I think Tierney’s competition is Tomi not Ziny. Because Tierney can play as the 3rd stopper but not as the second midfielder.
Look at that bench!
BENCH!
I was in a daze for a few seconds, not knowing what to make of the line up.
When will Tierney get a start?
The front three are playing together for the first time; same with Xhaka, Jorginho and Vieira.
It might take the team some minutes to settle into a rhythm.
I wish the team a good win all the same.
Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson was the front three that dispatched Forest 5-0.
True, but Nelson didn’t start that game. He came in for an injured Saka I think.
Besides, Partey, Xhaka and Ødegaard were behind them.
This is just cruel to Tierney… 🙁
It isn’t really, he just can’t do what Zinchenko does. Is as simple as that but I guess he’ll come at some stage in the match.
We are Poseidon base and basically playing a back three with Zinc drifting into midfield or left wing. KT when he came on, played more towards the midfield
*possession
We are fluid. Something Poseidon might appreciate.
I though he was suggesting using nukes?! 🙂
Poseidon based, sounds like the Sp*rs sinking ship this season.
We do have a great attacking trident
How will you find out if he can do that job or not if you never test him? He’s young, can learn and grow into that role, and was one of the best players for us before Arteta came aboard 😕
That’s true he can’t, but that’s not really the point.
Tierney has started in every cup game this season when he has been available. Nine out of nine, until tonight.
He’ll come at some stage? Let’s hope he is concentrated on the match rather than doing stuff like that.
Unless it is due to the.ecstasy of what is happening on the pitch…
Football at a professional level is cruel.
IMPACTERS!
An injury free qualification with a double from Jesus will do
COYG!!!!
You had to tickle the gods, didn’t you?
You mean DB10 is against us???
So, so glad he’s resting Partey and Saka. So, so happy.
Me too. Just a tad sad about Tierney
A tad surprised there’s no start for Tierney/Turner (What’s Love Got to Do with It?) but five changes from Fulham and we still look incredibly strong.
Wouldn’t be shocked to see Lisbon low block and play for penalties but I sense a relatively comfortable win and certainly don’t foresee another Olympiakos episode.
That did not go to plan. Poor starting line up.
Let’s beat them, folks. COYG!!!
Suddenly we’ve got a very scary bench
When it comes to the next round are there rules about not being drawn against a team in the same league or is there a chance we could get ManUre?
Was definitely expecting Tierney and Turner. Glad Saka and Partey not starting and hope they aren’t needed.
Would feel more confident with Partey and Odegaard in the starting lineup.
A big game for Reiss…
Smith Rowe again not geting a start is a bit disappoining, him basically missing out to both Jesus (he could’ve played left with Martinelli centre) who still isn’t fully fit and Nelson. Don’t get me wrong I love all of those players, but if this isn’t the right time to try and get ESR match fit and ready to contribute in the Premier League then when will it be?
Arteta wants to win this match early enough.
Jorginho, Xhaka, Vieira, Martinelli, Nelson and Jesus, all things considered, is not a cohesive front six at the moment. They weren’t going to win early.
Arsenal didn’t do enough and didn’t turn up for the second half – sporting were the better team and should have won in normal time. Still, it’s less games now to concentrate on…
Picking up two injuries didn’t help,
5 games less to play, and fingers crossed that the Saliba injury insnt anything too serious. Boys can get back on the horse at the weekend. COYG!