Arsenal (a) pre-match thread (Game given go ahead 1350hrs)

[kaz7]

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is available for Arsenal, having been cup-tied for Sunday's defeat by Manchester City.

Nacho Monreal was forced off with a back injury in the Carabao Cup final and is a doubt for this rearranged league fixture.

Manchester City will be without Fernandinho, who suffered a hamstring strain at Wembley.

Raheem Sterling is unlikely to be risked and Fabian Delph serves the second game of his three-match ban.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "Arsenal is always a hard game. Maybe they have not been consistent this season but they are so strong at home. When I have been there, it is always tough.

"Forget about what you have done and move on to the next one. We won and are happy but we are thinking about tomorrow's game. In May, we are going to think about the season."

 

[ancoats]

Thats how I would approch it. Play one game at a time. you cant gamble on getting the 3 points against chelsea. Just play the game infront of you and go from there. I think Pep has said often thats how he approaches it most of the time.

that's a bluff from pep and what he says in the press is for the media to chew over ??? its now the time of the season to know when and were to rest players to them fresh later in the season. why have points in the bag in the premier league and not use them if you want to be going strong and long in europe and the bonus of going out of the FA cup is now we have a free weekend and can really just think champions league

pep is a master and you think all the hard work done in the premier league is for just building a great title side and record points and goals. that's why pep and city have gone strong early doors knowing champions league needs a fresh push late on and pep can hand pick the games to rest players

 

[Gaylord du Bois]

I must admit I was surprised the team didn't stay in London and train.
Seems strange they flew back but have to go back 4 days later.

Really can't see this happening at all tomorrow which will be good. But really they should decide today not tomorrow.

Is it me or have we become a nation of mard arses?

 

[Metalartin]

Who's missing besides Ferny and Delph?

I take your point that Silva, Sané and Jesus are back(not all 100% but it's great to have them all back) but I think LB and DM are enough to be missing against top opposition for a team that plays out from the back, especially as I'd have put Danilo in either of those positions for the next two games. Arsenal and Chelsea on their day may be asking a little too much defensively for most of players suggested at DM(KDB, Gundogan, Zinchenko).

I think we will see Zinchenko at LB and Danilo at DM and should be fine providing we take our chances and control possession. Pep will probably surprise us all with a back 3 or something though.

 

[Bluep*ss]

 

[Bluep*ss]

I believe that the Ref. is Marriner. I expect the pitch to be perfect - PL Club - So what time does the Ref. have to call the game off?
Outside of the Stadium conditions - ? - roads etc..
No use to anyone to call it off at 5-00pm.

 

[Gordyola]

I must admit I was surprised the team didn't stay in London and train.
Seems strange they flew back but have to go back 4 days later.

Pep doesn’t like the players to be away from their home / family, hence why he stopped the practice of staying in a hotel the night before home games. They came back Sunday evening and trained Monday will travel by rail tomorrow

 

[johnnytapia]

Paddy Power on Talksport ten mins ago, “the odds of the game being postponed are 5 to 1 ON, that’s less than a 25% chance the game is played.” You see very few bookies at the bus stop...

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Paddy Power on Talksport ten mins ago, “the odds of the game being postponed are 5 to 1 ON, that’s less than a 25% chance the game is played.” You see very few bookies at the bus stop...

Think that was recorded this morning. 15/8 now to be postponed.

 

[chaddblue]

Think that was recorded this morning. 15/8 now to be postponed.

No I heard it too. It was a live interview