Morning. Another little later than normal blog after Thursday’s city drinks were followed up with a Friday session in Loughton.
You know when you are getting old when back to back drink-ups are a struggle. Gone are the days when I would go out 7 nights in 10 days in the lead up to Christmas, whilst still getting up at 5am and working.
Today I will mainly be sitting on my sofa feeling sorry for myself.
So, Brentford away…
For the first time since they joined the Premier League I will not be at Brentford away. It highlights the current ticketing problems and questions need to be asked as to where the away tickets have gone.
Players and club staff have had their allocations increased, as have sponsors, partners and box holders. That results in less tickets available for the “common fan”.
The ticketing issue at the club is not being caused by ticket hoarders, or those that might share 3 memberships between 5 mates. It is due to the club holding too many tickets back for sale to gift to other parties. And who knows what these sponsors and partners do with their tickets?
Aaron Ramsdale will start today, that is a certainity. I hope he makes no saves. And by that it is because I hope we dominate the game to such an extent that Brentford do not have a single shot on goal.
I am sure there will be a few nerves for Ramsdale, and the worry with him is he can become a little overhyped and try and prove too much. He just needs to relax and play his normal game.
The Ramsdale v David Raya argument is a little toxic. It is mainly driven by fans who like to create problems and negativity. They will be the ones trying to heap pressure on whichever man they back, and celebrating mistakes. Meanwhile they will amplify standard goalkeeping work by their chosen man, making out that all saves are David-Seamen v Sheffield United-esque.
Just let them play and let Arteta do his job.
We do have a few injury headaches.
Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber are both probably out until 2024. Rumours circulated that Timber has had a set-back in his rehabilitation, but nothing has been announced by a reliable source.
Emile Smith Rowe is also out injured. Again. Like with Partey, I think his time at Arsenal is running out. Another out is Fabio Vieira following his red card against Burnley.
We then have a few players who are on the cusp of returning – Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Cedric Soares. All might be available. None might be available.
There will also be questions around Gabriel Jesus.
He did play 90 minutes for Brazil on Wednesday morning but, following the late finish of that game and long flight, the decision might be to keep him on the bench to avoid yet another muscle injury.
So how we line up will depend on those late fitness checks, and whether Jesus has recovered from his national team exploits.
Ramsdale, Gabriel, Saliba, Rice, Saka and Martinelli are the guaranteed starters.
Right back will be either Ben White or Takehiro Tomiyasu depending on fitness. That then impact the choice at left back with Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko the options.
Brentford, with the way they look to turn the game into a series of set pieces, is certainly the sort of match I think we would be better off playing Tomi ahead of Zinny. His height and power in the air will be key. But that can only happen if White is fit at right back.
Joining Rice in the middle will again depend on whether Odegaard is fit.
If our captain is ready to start, then it will be a choice between Jorginho and Kai Havertz for the other slot. That will see Rice either player deeper (with Havertz ahead) or higher (with Jorginho deeper). We might also see Zinny play in that advanced left-hand position.
Havertz will replace Odegaard if the Norwegian is still not fit, and that will see Jorginho play deep with Rice more advanced.
Up top could be Eddie Nketiah, could be Leandro Trossard, could be Gebrial Jesus, and could even be Kai Havertz.
Personally, I always prefer Trossard coming off the bench. He thrives in chaos when a game is a little less organised. He is more instinctive in his play than thoughtful, and is fantastic playing off the cusp.
I am going for Eddie to start, with Trossard and Jesus to come on if needed.
If you are going, enjoy the game, make some noise and get behind the lads!
UTA
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 