Arsenal take on Norwich today at Carrow Road, looking for three festive points.
Here are the official line-ups.
Norwich: Gunn, Aarons, Kabak, Gibson, Williams, McLean, Gilmour, Dowell, Sargent, Placheta, Pukki
Subs: McGovern, Byram, Cantwell, Sorenson, Tzolis, Lees-Melou, Mumba, Giannoulis, Idah
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Lacazette
Subs: Leno, Tavares, Mari, Elneny, Patino, Lokonga, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nketiah
This was one of the benefits of signing Ben white remember – his versatility. Think he’ll do a solid job at RB, probably similar stylistically to Tomi who will be missed. COYG!
Yes, especially as we’re without Cedric, Chambers, and AMN.
Luckily Tavares can play on the right as well.
Easily enough to beat Norwich. But my cynical Arsenal brain isn’t taking anything for granted. One day I will trust again. Until that day….
COYFG!!!!!
I’m with you. I’m not trusting yet. Be a massive 3 points today. Get in the front foot and stay on the front foot.
P.s if silly bollox Xhaka don’t make that rash uncalled for challenge at 3 nil up I recon Tommy don’t get injured.
He’s not injured. He has Covid
I bet Xhaka give him it.
I remember at some point last season having four RBs in the squad. Now we have none. Was bound to happen.
Cedric, AMN and Chambers are still here, but I think we’ve moved on from that level. Only Bellerin left from last year?
Benjamin at White-back
So both Tomi and Brandon Flowers missing?
Interesting that Arteta’s not saving any of the usual starters for the Wolves game. You have to think ESR starts Tuesday, and maybe Pepe as well.
Also, no Cedric. Covid?
Yep confirmed Covid for Cedric, Tomiyasu, AMN.
This could be a problem for the Man City game next week. Let’s see what White can do at right-back.
Maybe we’re trying to avoid the Wolves game on our own.
I wouldn’t worry too much about expending all our efforts on the City game. I’d rather make sure of the 3 points from games around that.
Agree. Just beat the teams you would be expected to beat. That’s everyone except City and Liverpool.
Totally agree. But it would have been nice to have a go at them at home with our first 11.
Yeah, Tomi more worrying not being in for Wolves, although he was getting over a muscle injury anyway so might be a blessing in disguise.
I’d like the Wolves game postponed ideally for whatever reason as they’re not playing today
Was expecting some form of light rotation, considering we have Wolves on Tuesday and they are not playing this weekend. They are going to be fresher than us that day.
Well that’s where Norwich will concentrate their attack, on our right back position.
That’s if we let Norwich attack.
4 right-back’s unavailable. This seems to happen a lot at Arsenal.
Tomiyasu injured, Chambers covid, AMN ill, presumably Cedric has an issue because he’s not even on the bench.
patino makes the bench. Nice.
Would be great to kill the game off i the first half and give him a runout against a prem opposition!
White at right back?
Have played there before for brighton didnt he!?
No Aubameyang in the squad is not even news anymore.
Which hasn’t stopped Arsenal Twitter using the Christmas photo with Auba and Arteta sitting next to each other.
If they are expecting lots of direct balls into the box Holding will do a great job. But Partey and White need to communicate to ensure Holding doesn’t get exposed down his channel.
I had hoped Pepe will get another chance to impress after Sunderland,; would be ideal time to give Saka a breather.
Auba still missing; he might as well be released to leave for AFCON.
ESR on the bench again is interesting.
Could see Norwich attempting to overload our right side as much as possible to make Saka defend more.
I’m wondering if we would have been better off going with a back 3 for this match given the shortage at RB.
Of course that just pushes the problem up to RM instead…
Ends up being a back three in possession anyway.
On a side note it’s a pity Vieira won’t be there in person ‘down the road’ considering all the damage he’s done at their place over the years.
Makes sense to go all out in this game (as far as possible) considering the Wolves game may not even happen.
COYG!!!
Cedric , tomiyasu and niles out with covid
We are at Carrow Road today, so come on! Where are you! Let’s be ‘aving you!
Is the match going to be broadcast outside the UK?
Sky i guess
Honestly I’d give Tomi a rest for this, injured or not. Bring him out for Wolves – he could make all the difference, so fingers crossed.
Xhaka, again, yep that’s great.
We all agree he has his shortfalls, but he is clearly the best partner for Partey we have in the squad. They both complement each other well and he is the only one Partey seems to thrive when playing next to. I would imagine that is b/c teams concentrate on Partey when he is partnering one of the others, but that may also tell us that teams consider Xhaka pretty decent if they cannot game plan against Partey when he is in there with him.
Norwich are missing their first choice goalkeeper.
That’s Krul.
It’s a sign of the tims.
Charlie Patino on the bench ready for his Prem debut?? Would be amazing after the joyous success of Smith Rowe last year!
Get Gabriel off for Mari ASAP !! Time to wrap some key players in cotton wool