Arsenal return to action after the winter break with a home clash with Crystal Palace this lunchtime.
Here are the official line-ups.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Subs: Ramsdale, Cedric, Walters, Kiwior, Jorginho, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Richards, Lerma, Hughes, Eze, Schlupp, Mateta
Subs: Johnstone, Tomkins, Adarmola, Riedewald, Ozoh, Ahmada, Ebiowei, Franca, Edouard
I took Rice out of my fantasy team this weekend so I fully expect him to score a hat trick today
We will remember your noble sacrifice for the greater good of the club
Thought Ranmers was going to start.
You’ll have the stats boys all over you for saying that
Haha! So true.
Nothing against Raya personally but it’s like having a ghost on the pitch. Zero tangible energy to his teammates or the crowd.
Totally agree. The ‘stats’ may say Raya is a better GK but never passes the eye test for me. The defence seem more relaxed with Ramsdale in goal too.
“The defence seem more relaxed with Ramsdale in goal too” is a sign that your eye test is not reliable. There is no concrete evidence to that assertion.
No chance. Arteta will never start him. He knows the Raya experiment hadn’t worked but to actually start Ramsdale in a few games would admit as much.
Can’t believe you are still commenting about Raya daily 5 months later…you must be Aaron’s dad
If Martinelli cant start after 2 weeks of break it must mean either he is not 100% fit (unlikely) or Arteta isnt convinced with him. Think he needs to step up his game. He has been poor this season and is probably the one in most danger of being replaced in the coming summer window.
Trossard wasn’t the bright spark too. Hopefully this will help both of them to perform better. I would take a goal from Trossard and two assist after the inevitable change from Gabriel. COYG!
That was almost a perfect prediction!
So sad, that Martinelli distroyed it 😁
Martinelli and Saka’s drop in performance have been a consequence of Arteta’s change in style to a more pragmatic/boring approach.
No way should the club even think about selling Martinelli. He’s been outstanding up to this season and he’s still a young player with a lot to learn….for £6mill he’s an absolute bargain!
Replaced from starting eleven not squad.
Let’s hope the boys get their shooting boots back and we score a hatful of goals.
COYG
Would have started Ramsdale. And also Martinelli for Trossard, but otherwise a good starting XI.
Raya is now firmly in last chance saloon territory for me; I’m getting tired of his botches.
Clean sheet required.
Three points today chaps. Anything less won’t be good enough.
Couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately Arteta has ready prepared excuses for Raya. He’ll never be dropped.
Ah man this actual football is really going to get in the way of the existential angst.
I’m a bit dissapointed that ESR isn’t in the starting line up. From all the noice coming from the Arsenal “camp” he’s been great in training. I think we need him.
Ramsdale should start. He was good against Liverpool and deserve another go but it is as it is.
Why should Smith Rowe stay when there’s Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz, Nelson ahead of him? What a shame.
I would take ESR over Havertz every day of the week.
Just really excited by this team this year. Last season we may not have had a goal scoring striker but the exciting style of play made it so fun to support our team. This year his more pragmatic style of play, coupled with no out and out striker makes us hard to watch sometimes.
Worth thinking about the fact our last few premier league winning teams have always had that goal scoring striker. Smith. Wright. Anelka. Henry. Guaranteed 20+ goals. Without that we will not win another title.
*Meant to say NOT excited by this team.
We should have got Kudus this summer for 35m. Absolute bargain, and we were already talking with Ajax.
Now look at him, scores in basically every game. Can play all across the front 3. He is the killer we need.
Cedric even on the bench is a waste of squad place for a youth player.
It’s pathetic. It’s not like we need to put him in the shop window or something. A youth player would instead of him world be very welcomed.
What had ESR done? He is one of the best goal threats we have…when fit.
Play him or sell him.
2-0 up from headers from corners ! Fully expect Gabriel to be dropped now he’s playing route 1 stuff ?Needs to recycle it change direction knock it back to the centre backs he’s left behind wait a bit knock it back to Rammers light who knocks it to the full backs but only when Gabriel has got back & Zinnys wandered onto the right wing with a different haircut, colour and number on his shirt ! Then & only then should we attack ? Or have I missed a bit ??? 2-0 though C’mon the Gooners !!! Btw has ESR… Read more »