This could be the biggest Monday night in football HISTORY. Too far? Not far enough my friends. Forget about all the dreadful permutations you’ve done in your head this weekend, there is only one we’re in control of… win both of our final two games.
I’m not worried about the jinx here — we have to be honest, it doesn’t get better than Burnley at home with two games to go. They have no form to speak of, they have an interim manager, they are relegated, we have beaten them before.
The only fear we should have is of ourselves. Which Arsenal is going to show up? The team that made West Ham look good or the one that rolled Fulham with some swagger?
My view is we’re going to see a different team this evening because we’ve had 8 days rest. Arsenal have rarely had a break as long as this season. The players have been given 4 days holiday. Feet will have rested, minds rejuvenated, the players will have had time to absorb the moment and prepare for what comes next.
Which team Arteta rolls out is a tough one… does he stick with what has worked. Myles continuing in midfield, Gyokeres as 9, with Eze in the pocket. Or, does he change things up to keep things fresh and bring some players back in that have been on the bench. West Ham really wasn’t very good at all. Arteta had to roll many dice to come up with a finish. Especially pertinent considering how sh*te West Ham were against Newcastle yesterday (RIP Arsenal treble).
The one player we’re wondering about is Zubimendi. He has not been in great form of late and Myles has been exceptional since being given a run. But now he’s had a rest, do we think Arteta might opt to have the more experienced midfielder dialled back into the starting 11? You’d imagine he’s probably getting the nod in the Champions League final as it stands… so it’ll be telling if he plays this evening. I’m also a little bit worried about the player in general. The body language hasn’t been good, nor have the performances in the back half of the season, and I do worry about the homesickness issue he has suffered with his whole life. If he’s benched for a teenager at the crucial moment of the season, it might have me pondering deeper thoughts about where he’ll be next season. One to keep an eye on.
The biggest question we have for the Champions League is who we play at right back. If there is an experiment to be had, it’s someone other than Mosquera who lacks the deftness and concentration as a right back. Some have suggested Hincapie, some have gone as far as to point to Martinelli being an option… we have two chances to test some ideas. Tonight will point the way in my opinion.
My one attacking preference is that we see Eze and Odegaard on the pitch at the same time. Watching those two unlock a deep block is something I’d like to see more of, the only difficulty there is the player most likely to unlock anyone is Trossard at the moment. So at least we have attacking conundrums at the moment.
You don’t want to be an arrogant fool in a moment like this, but it is very clear that goal difference COULD become a factor and if there’s a game to make it a non-factor, then it’s against a Burnley side that has shipped 73 goals this season. This is not a team that can defend, they haven’t got better since the new coach arrived, this is a team that we should be burying.
Also, I know I’ve said this many times… but player mindset is also important here. At this stage of the season, players are dreaming of being on the beach, thinking about their next club… and praying they don’t get injured. If you pick up a hamstring injury this week, you’re not reporting for holidays next week. Small thing, no doubt, but if it reduces sprints by 5%, you really are playing a different side.
On the fan side, we’re all meeting the coach at 5:45. Getting my flares this afternoon without doubt. Then it’s our job to contribute to a monster atmosphere this evening. We do that with many good drinks. If we make the stadium feel incredible, that’ll make the players feel outrageous, and that should guarantee a minimum of 5 goals.
Pretty sure that is how it works.
A few other little tidbits… Dembele walked off the pitch at 26 minutes for PSG. He walked straight down the tunnel, which is normally a very bad sign. How many ‘straight down the tunnel’ 12 day injuries do you know of? EXACTLY (don’t google). This is a sign from the footballing gods, of this, I am sure.
Crystal Palace watch was a little bit reassuring. They had a rough afternoon. The score was 2-2 but that was mostly down to a dreadful day from Kelleher and some awful finishing from a Brentford side that dominated. The big news though was they lost two defenders in Chris Richards and Chadi Riad. Regardless of the mutterings of Glasner, I am having serious doubts that he’s going to roll with any first-teamers 3 days out of a European Cup final. Why would he do something stupid for optics against a Man City side that have put their PR attack dogs out to pressure him into doing exactly that.
Has anyone put pressure on Unai Emery to make sure his Europa League winners are tucked up in bed early so they aren’t hungover for the Man City game? Didn’t think so…
Also, Hand Of Arsenal has revealed that Arsenal are making moves on very young players. Jeremy Monga, who I have most certainly been tracking relentlessly, has an offer from the club.
Loads of Premier League interest in the winger and you can see why. Low center of gravity, direct running, power, and speed… and he’s only 16 years old.
Paul Tierney the ref for this evening… don’t worry though, it’s not like the only gave he’s done for us this season was… the Wolves 2-2 draw.
I have to stop myself here, it’s not going to be about refs this evening!
This is the last home game of the season, if you’re going, soak up the feeling, because these moments are rare in football, and certainly rare in my lifetime. We’ve had one of the best seasons of our lives and we haven’t enjoyed it because we’ve been so close so many times… but this one is feeling like it really could be the one.
I’ll be heading down a little bit later with the AOP gang, so that’ll mean there’s no On The Whistle today. Johnny and Jacob might have to take care of that tomorrow because me and Matt will be flying. Thank you for your patience in the matter, we’ll be back online on Wednesday, but I will have a match report for you tomorrow.
Ok, sending big love to you all today, have a good one. xxx
I’m en route to London and the Emirates as I write this. Comprehensive victory should be the expectation. But a win is good enough. I am relaxed. If we can’t beat Burnley at home when the Title is there for us, we don’t deserve to be Champions. Victory is not optional. We will get the job done.
I'm feeling supremely confident about tonight.
If we can't beat a relegated Burnley at home in the penultimate game of the season, we have no business talking about being champions of anything.
Routine 2-0. COYG.