Arsenal (N) - Sun 22nd March, 16:30 | League Cup Final | Pre-Match Thread

Match Result Prediction?

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It's a tough one to call, Arsenal look to have all the answers at the moment, but City are no mugs and could spring the right result in this one.

You never know, even big Erl might finally answer his critics ...
 
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Can’t see us winning. We don’t have enough leaders anymore, I think that’s part of the issue with the team. Gundo was not great last year but his leadership is missed, same with Kev.
However I hope to god we give them a spanking as I hate Arsenal and their fans
 
bridgeno1 said:
City are used to playing finals, used to playing at Wembley. We aren't. Regardless of formations and starting XIs that is probably the biggest advantage you have straight off the bat.

But also as much as Timber and Odegaard are big misses, it seems Arteta will start Arrizubalaga on Sunday. Raya is a top keeper. Arrizubalaga is shite.
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We’ve lost a few on the bounce just lately. To me it’s a glorified charity shield trophy, but I’d take it. We have to win one sometime. The leagues been done for weeks so it’s your turn this year.
 
supercity88 said:
That's irrelevant.

Can we beat Arsenal to win the cup? Yes. We're a hard side to beat but we struggle to get the balance right to win games at the moment. We can draw 0-0 and beat them on penalties if that's what it takes.
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I think we can beat them straight up. If we start with the intensity we started the Madrid game with and don't get a red.
 
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bridgeno1 said:
City are used to playing finals, used to playing at Wembley. We aren't. Regardless of formations and starting XIs that is probably the biggest advantage you have straight off the bat.

But also as much as Timber and Odegaard are big misses, it seems Arteta will start Arrizubalaga on Sunday. Raya is a top keeper. Arrizubalaga is shite.
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He isn't shaite. He is the cup keeper. Same with Trafford with us.
 
Khus first name on teamsheet for me. Wish Erl had his calculated aggression these days.

Arse may have one leg of the quadruple in the bag but U cannot see them winning CL. It's up to City to also make sure they get no other trophies.
 
Keeping 11 men on the pitch is paramount.

I think it goes to penalties personally, really hope i'm wrong.

I'd go with

Trafford

Nunes
AK45
Dias
Ait Nouri

O'Rielly
Rodri
Silva

Doku
Haaland
Semenyo

Pace,energy and intensity.

We can bring on Stones, Ake, Kovacic to hopefully see out the game.

Not looking forward to this at all.
 
Ethan23 said:
Keeping 11 men on the pitch is paramount.

I think it goes to penalties personally, really hope i'm wrong.

I'd go with

Trafford

Nunes
AK45
Dias
Ait Nouri

O'Rielly
Rodri
Silva

Doku
Haaland
Semenyo

Pace,energy and intensity.

We can bring on Stones, Ake, Kovacic to hopefully see out the game.

Not looking forward to this at all.
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I thought someone said Bernie was suspended. No?
 
Lovebitesandeveryfing said:
True, but that's true of virtually the entire PL. Starting with the team that's currently top and will probably win it. They're solid, and efficient, they've got two very good players (Saka and Rice) and they've got bullying on set pieces down to a fine art. They're the best of a poorish bunch. And that's been demonstrated painfully last night and the night before.
They may well win on Sunday, but I honestly think we can beat them. We showed fight against Real. That's all I ask on Sunday. It's cost me several hundred pounds to be there but that's my choice, no-one's forcing me. But I walked away from the Palace game with a bitter taste in my mouth.
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Fair play to you going mate. More than I can manage.

Honestly I have spent most of the 90 minutes in most of the games this season (and last, come to think of it), bored stiff. I don't care anymore if we get thrashed to be honest. I just yearn for some fast, direct, attacking football. This passing it around hoping our opponents will tire before we do is tedious beyond belief. And when someone does finally shoot, since they didn't have a shot for 18 months, they put it in row Z most of the time. It's fucking awful.

If there was an award for teams that can break quickly until they get barely into the opponent's half, and then stop and pass it backwards, we'd win it every season.
 
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Ethan23 said:
Keeping 11 men on the pitch is paramount.

I think it goes to penalties personally, really hope i'm wrong.

I'd go with

Trafford

Nunes
AK45
Dias
Ait Nouri

O'Rielly
Rodri
Silva

Doku
Haaland
Semenyo

Pace,energy and intensity.

We can bring on Stones, Ake, Kovacic to hopefully see out the game.

Not looking forward to this at all.
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I think Cherki will start. I expect him and Doku as the wings. Those 2 are our best creative outlets at present.

Haaland will start at striker. ( or at least one of them). As we could start with 2. If Pep is trying to force Semenyo into the team for his goal scoring... But that will be at the expense of the midfield

Rodri will starts in midfield. Which most likely means Nico G won't be starting. As Pep has shown an aversion to starting the 2 together. I was Under the impression Bernardo was suspended. If not, there's a high possibility he starts. The toss up is then Nico O or TJ. Nico brings more athletism and defensive steel and TJ more fluidity on offense. Both are good goal threats. I suspect he'll lean towards Nico. Unless he decides to start 2 strikers :(

Defense should picks itself. But Pep reimagining things and inserting Ake over RAN to be more "solid" defensively wont surprise me. Its the kinda thing he may do. Nunes and Khusa are locks. Dias (most likely) albeit Stones won't surprise me either. As including Ake might make Stones preferable to Dias. But hopefully he just plays the best 3 at the back currently (Khusa, Nunes and RAN) and adds a 4th. My preference is John. But Dias or Ake both work too. Speed at the striker position is a major issue to worry about this game. Dias brings experience, John better passing and height, and Ake decent defending and being left footed.

We'll see how Pep thinks through this one ...My hope is that he doesn't do too much thinking/tweaking..
 
We need a strong midfield against the Goons , Rodri , Gonzalez and O'Reilly would be my choice , the Premier league is evolving and there appears to be an impetus on bigger stronger players and more physicality , there will still be room for a Cherki , Bernardo etc., but its definitely moving towards bigger is better for corners . long throws etc.
Also believe this is the reason for lack of quality this season , the Goons are a crap football team but play a system and style that scrapes them through matches , also explains the Premier leagues poor results against european opposition in the Champs league.
Would never envisage the likes of Barca, Real, PSG , Bayern etc resorting to long throws , and the game is better for this , returning back to Wimbledon style football is not entertaining , unless you enjoy a version of UFC in the six yard box , the Goons fans couldnt give a shit because they are that desperate to win something , entertainment to them is a scrum down or melee involving 20 players resulting in a goal off a players backside or even better an own goal , sad f*ckers.
 
Haven’t beaten them since April 2023, 3 fucking years. That really needs to change, but I don’t have confidence in us at all.
 
Franny 1234 said:
Am i right in saying he played in the FA cup after getting knocked out by Macclesfield ?
Which fixtures does Bernardo have to miss ?
It won't be popular on here but my guess is Rico Lewis will start Sunday.
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Signed after the first leg of the LC semi so ineligible for the next round, which of course is the Final.

Bernardo's ban will be European football, may not be with us
 
Third cup final .over the last 3 yeas third chance to win a trophy this season ( if the league has gone) third time lucky
 
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