Lol at Spurs

Another new coach, Spurs still Spursy and blow the late 2-0 lead in the Super Cup

Someone needs to tell Zane not to wear that revolting jersey on the Ask Liucci. Once I saw him wearing that crap, I flipped to audio.

Very curious to see what the bench looks like this weekend. We have so many players that good players are going to be left at home.

My predicted XI

Martinelli--Gyokeres--Saka
------Rice---------Odegaard-----
-----------Zubimendi--------------
Calafiori--Gabriel--Saliba--White
----------------Raya---------------

We have 9 spots on the bench: Kepa, , Norgaard, Timber, MLS, Nwaneri, Havertz, Merino, Kiwior, Noni

I could see us leaving Kiwior out for Dowman (who fully deserves to be in the squad), but I think that wouldn't be smart if they want to sell him because it gives the impression he is surplus and teams will want to pay cheaper fees.

That leaves the remaining first team players at home: Zinchenko, Lokonga, Vieira, Nelson, Trossard, Mosquera, Jesus (when fit in a few months), and possibly Max Dowman.

Obviously the first 4 listed there are hopefully going to be moved on in the next 2 weeks. But if you do bring in another player that still leaves 3-4 first team players not making the bench.


Hope we can get off to a really good start this weekend

We really need to offload Nelson, Viera, and Lokanga. Nelson and Viera have had moments but Arteta never trusted them so we need to move them on.

wangus12 said:

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Very curious to see what the bench looks like this weekend. We have so many players that good players are going to be left at home.

My predicted XI

Martinelli--Gyokeres--Saka
------Rice---------Odegaard-----
-----------Zubimendi--------------
Calafiori--Gabriel--Saliba--White
----------------Raya---------------

We have 9 spots on the bench: Kepa, Mosquera, Norgaard, Timber, MLS, Nwaneri, Havertz, Merino, Kiwior

I could see us leaving Kiwior out for Dowman (who fully deserves to be in the squad), but I think that wouldn't be smart if they want to sell him because it gives the impression he is surplus and teams will want to pay cheaper fees.

That leaves the remaining first team players at home: Zinchenko, Lokonga, Vieira, Nelson, Trossard, Jesus (when fit in a few months), and possibly Max Dowman.

Obviously the first 4 listed there are hopefully going to be moved on in the next 2 weeks. But if you do bring in another player that still leaves 3-4 first team players not making the bench.


Hope we can get off to a really good start this weekend

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What I like about this is we only really have 2 new players in the starting 11 which means continuity. ManU could be good with all the new signings but there will be a lot of churn in the line up and hopefully takes time to gel.

I would not be shocked to see Havertz start though going with the continuity argument.

1. I think there is a good chance we start Kai over Gyokeres but I could honestly see it going either way
2. I don't think Dowman makes the bench. Think he is going to train with the 1st team, play primarily with the u21s and get on the field for us in domestic cups unless we end up with injuries or he is just too good in those cup matches.
3. You are missing Madueke. HIGH probability that he makes the bench over one of the backup CBs.
4. I could see Kiwior over Mos purely for retaining value as you suggested

It's insane that we finally have enough depth to have to discuss who makes the bench and who doesn't AND you see guys like OZ, Trossard & Kiwior not making the cut.

chjoak said:

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1. I think there is a good chance we start Kai over Gyokeres but I could honestly see it going either way
2. I don't think Dowman makes the bench. Think he is going to train with the 1st team, play primarily with the u21s and get on the field for us in domestic cups unless we end up with injuries or he is just too good in those cup matches.
3. You are missing Madueke. HIGH probability that he makes the bench over one of the backup CBs.
4. I could see Kiwior over Mos purely for retaining value as you suggested

It's insane that we finally have enough depth to have to discuss who makes the bench and who doesn't AND you see guys like OZ, Trossard & Kiwior not making the cut.

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It will be interesting to see who makes the cut. I honestly want to see how we mange the back line and wingers. Who is going to backup Saka? Still feel we don't know.

Here is my guess.....

------------- Kai -----------------
Marti --------------------- Saka
----- Rice --------- MO ------
------------- Zubi ----------------
Cala - Gabi - Saliba - White
------------ Raya ---------------

Bench - Kepa, Mos, Timber, MLS, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Noni, Vik
Leftout/Injured - Hein, Kiwior, OZ, Sambi, Vieira, Nelson. Trossard, Jesus

I agree with you on Dowman. I still think he's a year early and cup games will be the only appearances he gets. That said, his performances this summer certainly ask the question. It wasn't like it was against the Hong Kong XI. He was impressing against top PL competition.

I would have thought Havertz would start this weekend as well (and won't be surprised if he does) but his little injury over the last week and VG looking solid in his 2 appearances makes me think he starts.

Dang I thought I had Madueke on there

I think we have a 3-man rotation at W with Noni able to play both sides and we have Nwaneri to backup both MO & RW.

chjoak said:

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I think we have a 3-man rotation at W with Noni able to play both sides and we have Nwaneri to backup both MO & RW.

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Probably if we sell Troussard. I am not sold on Noni yet. The Noni signing seemed odd given his play last year.

If we do start to shift to a more direct style, Noni and Martinelli both make more sense than Trossard.

I'm a bit iffy about him as well but he is younger, faster, more direct and more versatile than Trossard. I don't see us spending that kind of cash and then not giving him a solid opportunity.

wangus12 said:

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If we do start to shift to a more direct style, Noni and Martinelli both make more sense than Trossard.

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That is a big if with Arteta.

True, but it certainly looked liked they made it a focus against Bilbao. They were definitely looking to be quicker in transition and more direct. Goals 2 & 3 came directly from it. Zubimendi especially looks like someone who wants to play the ball forward much faster. Add in Madueke who's best attribute is forward progression (He was ranked in the top 10 across all leagues last year I believe). We also played a double pivot some of the time with Rice and Zubi being flexible and pushing Odegaard higher up the pitch and slightly more central.

My biggest thing is just that we need that flexibility, especially against teams that are going to sit deep on us. Its not a problem with the Top 6 who come out and play against us, but its those damn bottom feeders that play bunker ball that it needs to be employed against

Mosquera's "newness" gives us a natural reason to leave him off the bench for a little bit. And I think Arteta likes Kiwior.

White, Timber, and Saliba are all fantastic to cover the right side.

I guess the question is just Timber's fitness level and whether Arteta thinks he can play big minutes if White or Saliba must come off.



I think Trossard is also easy to leave off right now given the transfer uncertainty.

🚨 Max Dowman (15) has travelled with the Arsenal squad to face Manchester United. ✅

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 16, 2025

It's going to be a real bummer if Eze moves to Spuds. I wish he'd just chill at Palace for a year

Ipswich Town have just agreed to sell Omari Hutchinson for £37.5m.

It’s a higher fee than any sale in the history of Arsenal Football Club.

They’re in the Championship.

We’re the worst club on the planet when it comes to selling.

— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) August 14, 2025

Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Ipswich Town have just agreed to sell Omari Hutchinson for £37.5m.

It’s a higher fee than any sale in the history of Arsenal Football Club.

They’re in the Championship.

We’re the worst club on the planet when it comes to selling.

— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) August 14, 2025

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Yes we know. Do you have to keep reminding us.

TXAggie2011 said:

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It's going to be a real bummer if Eze moves to Spuds. I wish he'd just chill at Palace for a year

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Honestly, I don't care. I get the academy kid coming home angle but to me Eze is nothing more than an offensive Merino and he would ultimately take minutes from Ethan. I think the only way I would make anymore purchases is it Trossard or Kiwior are sold. I think we have the depth all around to be fine without any other moves.

Sell OZ, Vieira, Sambi & Nelson
If Trossard leaves get a right-footed natural W that can play multiple positions (or sit tight with Neaneri/Dowman as the 4th W)
If Kiwior leaves get a traditional LB (Cala as backup LCB)

chjoak said:

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Here is my guess.....

------------- Kai -----------------
Marti --------------------- Saka
----- Rice --------- MO ------
------------- Zubi ----------------
Cala - Gabi - Saliba - White
------------ Raya ---------------

Bench - Kepa, Mos, Timber, MLS, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Noni, Vik
Leftout/Injured - Hein, Kiwior, OZ, Sambi, Vieira, Nelson. Trossard, Jesus

---

Big Vik starts
Trossard over Norgaard on the bench

COYG!!!

OneBlitzer said:

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COYG!!!

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Interesting. Surprised no Noorguard on the bench.

chjoak said:

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TXAggie2011 said:

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It's going to be a real bummer if Eze moves to Spuds. I wish he'd just chill at Palace for a year

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Honestly, I don't care. I get the academy kid coming home angle but to me Eze is nothing more than an offensive Merino and he would ultimately take minutes from Ethan. I think the only way I would make anymore purchases is it Trossard or Kiwior are sold. I think we have the depth all around to be fine without any other moves.

Sell OZ, Vieira, Sambi & Nelson
If Trossard leaves get a right-footed natural W that can play multiple positions (or sit tight with Neaneri/Dowman as the 4th W)
If Kiwior leaves get a traditional LB (Cala as backup LCB)

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He's a good and fun player to watch and I'd just hate to see him at Tottenham, irrespective of Arsenal's squad.

As far as our squad, we'd have a much better idea in a year if Martinelli/Madueke can hold down the left and how much and how well Nwaneri can deputize Rice, or if we do need to make some more substantial changes over there.

AustinScubaAg said:

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OneBlitzer said:

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COYG!!!

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Interesting. Surprised no Noorguard on the bench.

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Pretty attacking looking bench, but I assume with Havertz available for the left 8, Rice and MLS can relieve Zubimendi if needed.

Poor first 10 minutes.

Goal! Calafiori! 1 nil!

Terrible by the united keeper.

I like the tone we've set. Now settle down.

And Calafiori was mad Odegaard took a shot off him leading to the corner…

Rice takes such good corners

Martinelli and Calafiori are basically sharing left winger and left back.

Leaving lots of space in the back but causing some good chaos up field. I'm not sure how sustainable that is against Mbeumo