Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal have a clean bill of health going into tomorrow’s game against Bournemouth, and while that’s obviously a positive, it also gives the Arsenal boss some thinking to do when it comes to selecting his squad.
With 25 to choose from, and only 20 possible inclusions, there is careful consideration needed, not least because this update means summer signing Jurrien Timber is available after two appearances for the U21s.
Speaking at his press conference this afternoon, Arteta said, “Everybody is fit and available so now it’s the headache to make the right selection.”
Asked whether or not Timber would be able to find the right rhythm with just three games to go, and high stakes games too, the Spaniard said, “We’re not going to know that until we throw him in there. It’s tricky because there’s only three games to go.
“It means eight months of football, he’s played only 150 minutes of football with the under-21s.
“It’s a question that has to be resolved only by throwing on the pitch and see what happens, and we have to try to nail that decision as to when.”
It remains to be seen if he will be involved, but Arteta has welcomed his return for the boost it gives the squad.
“It increases the quality of the training sessions for sure,” he said.
“You see how commanding he is, his leadership, his quality and the rest they have to lift it up.
“They start to demand more from each other and they look at each other and they say, ‘I better be good because I want to keep playing!’ and this is all very positive for the squad.”
Keep Tomi on the left, Zinchenko and Kiwior on the bench. Trossard over Martinelli based on form. Don’t play Partey more than 60 min. 👍
All about Trossard now. Freddie Ljungberg 01/02 vibes.
Hein, Elneny, Cedric are the obvious three not to make the match day squad…
…then it’s got to be two from Timber, ESR, Nelson, Nketiah and maybe Vieira. A couple of those are going to be gutted if they’re left out of the next three games entirely…
A good problem to have as it means we have a fit squad full of hungry, talented players.
Great, very different to last season when we were missing players. Fingers crossed for our matches. Sp**s look odd on to beat City, very very strong…said no-one.
Just sucks that we lost that game to Villa a couple of weeks ago! Having this fully-fit squad with 3 games left and us being in control of our own destiny would have been the best possible thing. Just struggling to see where Manch115ter City drops points now.
I was hoping (I guess I still am) that Spurs would somehow surprise a City team that is occasionally quite obviously vulnerable to the long ball played in behind. Now, I think that even if they get a goal or two against City–which I doubt–City will score five (not counting the three they score on corners). They are an undisciplined team with no midfield. De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, will eat them up.
Spuds tend to play better when the pressure is off, which it will be by the time they play city, plus they tend to play better at home than away!!!
I hate Unai Emeryry more than Spurs right now. That rat b#stard deliberately played a week team against ManC.
I would rather see spuds 🥔 finish 4th
Don’t worry. Unai has proven not to do well in Champions League competitions. He’ll be out of the competition before 4th round of games in the qualifiers 😁
Great to finally have a full squad at the point of the season where we only have 3 games left, all spaced a week apart, and will probably use 2-3 subs at most in each of them (discounting the famous Arseblog “not long enough to rate” showings)
I shall toast a pint of Murphy’s to that. Thanks for your stupid law, it’s as bitter as the bloody beer 🍻
Alannis…
“It’s like the Arse squad fully fit, when the season is done”
It’s like a Ben… White… in your keeper’s chardonnay
It’s like hoping and praying, for Sp*rs to win games…
And isn’t it moronic… don’t you think?
At this point of the journey, I don’t think it’s that much of a headache. Just go for tried and tested, no point in gambling. Most likely the same 11 that started against spurs with the exception of the left wing being a tough call.
If any of the two Gabriel was starting on that left wing and doing what Leo is doing it wouldn’t be a tough call. Just saying
I hope Elneny gets a final farewell cameo at either Bournemouth or Everton, assuming we’re in control of those games
100%. He might not have ever been the flashiest, most brilliant player on the pitch, but he’s also never been anywhere near the worst. Nailed on 7 out of 10, every match. He’s been the consummate professional for us.
Can’t see Miki changing an unbeaten side, under Ariola Bournemouth have picked up a hefty amount of points since October, unlike Brighton they don’t look like a side with their flipflops on, obviously 3 points the most important result but another clean sheet with goals scored is what’s needed, man c are not likely to lose any of their games but could drop 2 points, Fulham on their day maybe, Spuds not being spurzy at home ? Can’t see it tbh but they have history of results at home against them, it was a strange feeling last night watching the… Read more »