Arsenal (H) - Sun 19th April, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[rm16]

I think Bournemouth did the thing like us in the Carabao final of letting their defenders pass it around at the back without pressure and they were clueless again. I dont see how they can change their entire playbook in a week, and with another game in there too. We just have to make no mistakes at the back and be patient, chances will come - or just go for it from minute 1 which might be a bit risky. Their best bet is a set piece or something and then defending, they wont care how they do it.

 

[Eaststander1]

This match won't decide anything in itself, but with so few games left it's a match that neither team dare lose.

 

[ArniArason]

Let's just hope that everyone gets to the game on time with the marathon, still can't understand how/why they're on the same day

 

[Eaststander1]

Exactly my belief after he took the piss during the Final.

Well, if they go a man down because of it then it can only help us .... no matter how much attention they give Cherki we need to remain alert, focused and organised .... they are not the sort of team you want to be offering goal starts to, because generally they WILL sit back in depth and defend them !

 

[Blue Hefner]

Let's just hope that everyone gets to the game on time with the marathon, still can't understand how/why they're on the same day

It’s going to be a fucking nightmare, I’m coming from Brooklands

I genuinely cannot believe they have allowed a football match and the marathon on the same day

Ambulance services will be stretched and the Manchester public transport system is shit at the best of times, never mind with 2 huge events on

 

[wolves99]

O

It’s going to be a fucking nightmare, I’m coming from Brooklands

I genuinely cannot believe they have allowed a football match and the marathon on the same day

Ambulance services will be stretched and the Manchester public transport system is shit at the best of times, never mind with 2 huge events on

Normally park at the arndale about 11am on match days? Is this going to be possible with the marathon on

 

[Blue Hefner]

O

Normally park at the arndale about 11am on match days? Is this going to be possible with the marathon on

The route map and details are here. I’ve only scanned it but looks like it doesn’t really affect the city centre https://www.manchestermarathon.co.u...ticipant-Guide-adidas-Manchester-Marathon.pdf

 

[wolves99]

The route map and details are here. I’ve only scanned it but looks like it doesn’t really affect the city centre https://www.manchestermarathon.co.u...ticipant-Guide-adidas-Manchester-Marathon.pdf

Yeah sometimes we come in from Manchester on the Trafford side so going to avoid that one and just come in from near the airport. Cheers.

 

[MCFC1993]

For me the ideal situation midweek for them is a win after ET. Yes it might give them a boost but physically it fucks them and it means a tough semi final with Atletico or Barca which takes more out of them and could cost them further points in the league.

As for the game itself, just got to pile the pressure on them and make sure they suffer so the 3pts are ours.

Agreed, the only bad result on Wednesday is them winning comfortably. Ideal world through after extra time/pens and out in the semis. That said, I'd still laugh if they fuck it up Wednesday.

 

[chickaroon]

Thought it was the accused rapist Thomas Partey (who shouldn't really have even been playing, like Mendy when he was accused) that injured Rodri?

Thought it was the accused rapist Thomas Partey (who shouldn't really have even been playing, like Mendy when he was accused) that injured Rodri?

Havertz elbowed Rodri in the opening minutes.

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

A huge game.

I expect them to play dirty and try to put us off our game, as usual.

We still owe that c**t Havertz for his cheap shot on Rodri last season, so i hope someone gives him a hard hello!

We're coming into form at just the right time though, are at home and are the better team, so i think we'll win comfortably.

3-1 to us.

Agreed mate - these cunts will be out to leave their mark on players like Cherki, Doku and Rodri in the first five minutes, when they know Refs are reluctant to show any cards, to try and get inside our heads and disrupt our flow.

They know they can’t beat us at actually playing football, so they’ll be trying every trick they can think of to put us off our game.

If we can weather that period unscathed, I’ll feel a lot more confident we’ll go on and win it. The last few games we’ve started poorly, they gone on to win comfortably - get to 20 minutes with all our players intact, and any confidence they have will start to wither.

 

[ArniArason]

The route map and details are here. I’ve only scanned it but looks like it doesn’t really affect the city centre https://www.manchestermarathon.co.u...ticipant-Guide-adidas-Manchester-Marathon.pdf

Yes but there are thousands of blues who come from south Manchester where there are lots of major road closures. Plus, those coming off the motorway(s) via Chester road, that's not possible on Sunday. Suprised (not surprised) that the club haven't given cleared message about it on the OS.

 

[ArniArason]

It’s going to be a fucking nightmare, I’m coming from Brooklands

I genuinely cannot believe they have allowed a football match and the marathon on the same day

Ambulance services will be stretched and the Manchester public transport system is shit at the best of times, never mind with 2 huge events on

Yep, you're right in the shit zone there mate. The metro and side roads will be packed

 

[lionheart]

Can somebody post the April results over the past five years, which were shown towards the end of MOTD on Sunday? From memory it said that Arsenal won less than half whereas City won 20 out of 21 or thereabouts.

 

[citytill1die84]

The Etihad has to be absolutely rocking Sunday. We need to make it as hostile as fuck.

They will try absolutely everything to not lose, diving, time wasting, pushing and shoving and we need to keep our calm. Start fast and score early they'll fold. Hopefully.

Come on City. PLEASE.

Team picks itself, hopefully Nico is fine.

 

[Ban-jani]

This match won't decide anything in itself, but with so few games left it's a match that neither team dare lose.

There’s still a long way to go after Sunday but if Arsenal win, it’s almost over, if we win, it’s totally game on. If a draw then Arsenal big favourites but still all to play for.

It won’t decide anything but it’ll set the direction of travel for the last few weeks.

 

[rabby]

I think Bournemouth did the thing like us in the Carabao final of letting their defenders pass it around at the back without pressure and they were clueless again. I dont see how they can change their entire playbook in a week, and with another game in there too. We just have to make no mistakes at the back and be patient, chances will come - or just go for it from minute 1 which might be a bit risky. Their best bet is a set piece or something and then defending, they wont care how they do it.

Oh but they are changing their entire playbook, they'll all be taking the field armed with pencils to help them navigate their way through the onslaught we hopefully subject them to.

 

[Sibierskii]

Has Tevez City gave us his wappy line up yet?

 

[wolves99]

Do the away fans also sit in block 314? Or is it just 313

 

[noseve]

We play Palace at home not away. Arse have to go to Selhurst. But objectively our remaining games are materially harder than Arse's. That may not mean much given they are playing of course.

I didn't actually mention Palace, just acknowledged that somebody else had.
I see the remaining fixtures fairly even, maybe even favouring us.

Taken individually, we'd be favourites for every game now, in my book - but at this time of the season, who knows?

There'll be a lot more clarity after Sunday