With 2 goals and 2 assists in the last 3 games, it felt like Martinelli was finally regaining his confidence and returning to form, so it is frustrating to read that he hobbled off in training yesterday for Brazil.
It is not yet clear if it was a pre-caution, or a sign of a bigger issue. What we do know is Gabi was feeling discomfort in his right calf, and he had the area strapped during training. He has since had an MRI scan.
I would be surprised if he plays against Peru, and a longer absence will be frustrating for Mikel Arteta having also seen Bukayo Saka pick up a hamstring injury for England.
What I would say is in Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard, with have 3 options who can all play outwide against Bournemouth this weekend.
If either Martinelli or Saka is not fully fit, we need to look long term and give them a week off. Following Bournemouth is Shakhtar at home followed by Liverpool away.
Without being arrogant, we should overcome Bournemouth with a front 3 of Sterling, Havertz and Jesus. Saka and Martinelli can then focus on getting fit for Liverpool.
Humbled Haaland
In Martin Odegaards absence, Erling Haaland has been wearing the captains armband.
Following last nights 5-1 defeat to Austria, the stand in captain refused to answer media questions, highlighting that great goal scorers do not necessarily make great leaders.
Players should always be angry and upset when they lose, but a captain should also be aware of his obligation to face up to defeat. Not to run away, hide and cry. Haaland is clearly not leadership material.
I have always thought that Haaland comes across is arrogant. As aloof. That everyone else is below him. And this might be what has helped him become the greatest goal scorer of his generation.
Maybe he needs to take his own advice and stay a bit more humble. Realise that defeats are part of the game. That you can not expect to win every game. And that when you do not get a positive result, you can not just throw your toys out of your pram, abuse others and hide away from your obligatins.
Guardioladeparting
At the risk of becoming a Manchester City blog for the day, I want to talk about Roy Keane saying England should “go for” Pep Guardiola.
I get where Roy is coming from. England should go out for the best. But it also shows the Irishman is grasping for headlines in the same way as his pal Greame Souness. it is very clickbait of Roy to say England should go for Pep.
What I did not realise, however, is that Pep’s Manchester City contract is expiring at the end of the season, and Pep has been very coy about his future saing recently “I’ve not decided anything, everything can happen. So I don’t know. Let’s see on my future. I still need to reflect and decide what I want to do.”
Considering Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool, and Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold are in the last season of their contract, the English football could look very different in 12 months. And a host of departures could leave the door open for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
Arteta has build a young squad that should stay together for the next 5 or 6 years. But we now just need to win the trophies to keep the players happy. Pep departing could put City into disarray. We are perfectly positioned to take advantage of any drop off in City’s performances over the next half a decade.
Match Officials: Referee: Josh Smith Assistants: Sam Lewis and Alex James Fourth official: Ben Toner Carabao Cup
Emirates Stadium Wednesday 25th September 2024 KO: 19:45 (UK)
Tonight, we look to take on League 1 opposition Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup. After a great, hard working performance on Sunday, Arteta will be looking to rotate most of the squad and may look to give some of the youngsters game time.
One major talking point for tonight’s fixture, is the goalkeeper situation with Raya an injury concern and Neto cup-tied aswell as the injured Tommy Setford, 16- year old Jack Porter will have to step up to the plate. Porter had only played one game in the U-21 squad and it will be a nerve-wrecking but great experience for the youngster.
Hopefully, we can get a good cup run which we haven’t had for the past couple of years but nevertheless, our main focus is the Champions League and Premier League.
It’s always great to see the youth players playing in the first team. Arteta speaks highly of the academy and hopefully, some more can show their quality tonight.
Bolton kicked us off and for the first couple of minutes, we held possession across the backline as Bolton kept a solid shape. Sterling managed to find himself by the byline, however some good defending from the Bolton defender won a goal kick for the away side.
The first chance came from Bolton as a sloppy pass from Calafiori allowed the ball through to McAtee who back heeled the ball to Arfiekd who fired over from close range. As we retained possession, a couple of fouls were given away from the Bolton players as we were able to grab a corner. However, it came to nothing.
Gabriel Jesus then had his effort blocked as Saka headed the ball onto him. Bolton then were able to get a corner of their own which was played out and in as there were a few shouts for a penalty however, the referee waved any complaints away.
We then got the breakthrough goal as a ball across the edge of the area made it’s way to Declan Rice who took a nice touch away from the Bolton defender and whipped his effort into the bottom right corner. Bolton were here to play a physical game it seemed as a few challenges were going in from both sides.
Bolton then won a free kick on the edge of the area as Kiwior barged the Bolton attacker. The ball was whipped in however, was cleared well. Not many attempts on goal from either side as Bolton were happy to let us keep the ball. Some nice skills from Saka allowed him to get away from the defender and slip the ball through to Jesus whose cut back was cut out by a Bolton defender .
Quick play out from the back transitioned the ball out to Saka who played it into Nwaneri who switched the ball to Declan Rice. Rice then played the ball out to Sterling who crossed in to Jesus who tried an overhead kick which was deflected out for a corner which came to nothing. Again, we attacked as an intricate ball played from Jorginho to Saka, was well-weighted as Saka crossed into Jesus who flicked the ball just over the bar.
Some nice passages of play from Bolton allowed themselves to the work the ball down the left-hand side as they won a corner. The ball was swung in and partially cleared by Porter as the ball rebounded back out to a Bolton player who volleyed it back in to McAtee who volleyed over. Calafiori was then booked after appearing to pull back a Bolton player.
Bolton played the ball quickly and the cross was blocked out for a corner. Again, the ball was swung in and cleared by an Arsenal head. A nice ball through to McAtee who finished past Porter, however, the referee blew for offside. A nice ball through to Sterling in behind who whipped the ball across the box into Nwaneri who tapped home, to grab his first professional goal.
Sterling again found himself on the byline and some good defending won us a corner, however, the referee controversially gave a goal kick for Bolton. As we continued to apply more pressure, Rice played the ball to Sterling whose curling effort was equally matched by the Bolton keeper.
Another ball through the Bolton backline made its way to Jesus who shrugged off the defender but fired wide. 3 minutes were then added. Sterling then went down appearing to hold his groin, however he was able to continue. Our last opportunity of the half came through a corner, as Rice’s ball was swung in and flicked on by Kiwior however, it went over everyone and the referee blew the half-time whistle.
Half time views:
A strong and well-managed first half from the senior and youth players. Two good goals from Rice and Nwaneri puts us on the front foot going into the second half.
The first 20 minutes were scrappy from both sides however, after that period we began to show our attacking prowess and comfort ability on the ball.
No changes are specifically needed for a tactical sense however, maybe taking off Saka would lift any risks. Hopefully we can keep this intensity going in the second half.
No changes were made by Arteta and we kicked off the second half. Our first chance came as Nichols overlapped Saka who played the ball through to Nichols who chipped the ball into the box and the ball was headed out for a corner. The corner was swung in by Rice and beat out by the keeper as we then were able to recycle the ball and maintain possession.
As we looked for a breakthrough, Saka played the ball to Rice whose cross was easily claimed. However, a loose ball was pounced on by Declan Rice who played the ball through to Nwaneri whose effort snuck under the keeper and into the net for Arsenal’s third and his second of the night.
Saka then took on Williams at left-back and fired a deflected effort into the side netting winning us a corner. The corner was swung in a cleared by Bolton who broke away as Collins went through on goal, went past Porter and tucked away.
A nice run from Calafiori with the ball, as he played the ball across to Nwaneri who then worked the ball out to Saka whose effort was fired into the side netting. Lewis Skelly then went down requiring medical attention however, he got back on his feet.
A few moments later, Lewis-Skelly then went down again as Arteta brought on two subs with Lewis-Skelly being replaced by Gabriel and Rice being replaced by Havertz. We then go our 4th goal of the night as some good trickery from Saka as he sat down the Bolton defender and fired the ball at the keeper as the ball rebounded out to Sterling who poked home to get his first goal in Arsenal colours.
Another shot, this time from Calafiori who hit over with his weaker foot. We then made another two subs with Saka being replaced by Martinelli and Calafiori being replaced by Maldini Kacurri. Bolton also made a sub of their own with George Johnston replacing Chris Forino. Jesus then chipped a ball into the box which was met by Kiwior however, he couldn’t direct his header.
A moment later, another great ball over the Bolton defence from Jorginho was met by Sterling who tried to play the ball across to Havertz however, his misplaced touch was tapped over the bar by the keeper.
We played a short corner, which was then clipped in by Jorginho wining us another corner. The ball was swung in and punched away to Jorginho who brought down and played the ball off to Jesus whose quick feet allowed him to glide past the Bolton players. He then played the ball off to Sterling who fired an effort at the keeper who parried the ball out to Havertz who reacted quickest and poked home past the goalkeeper to put us 5 up.
Bolton then made two subs as McAtee and Collins were replaced by Adeboyejo and Charles. We then made another sub as Sterling , who played very well , was replaced by youngster Ismeal Kabia. A nice bit of play from Kiwior as he backheeled the ball back to Martinelli whose ball into Havertz was slightly taken with a heavy touch causing a scramble in the box as Bolton were able to clear.
A few moments later, Jesus swung a ball in which was headed behind for an Arsenal corner. The ball was crossed in and again cleared by Santos who had played quite well in the Bolton defence. As both teams looked to settle for the score line 4 minutes were added as Bolton looked to create one last chance leaving them exposed as we won the ball back through Martinelli who won a corner.
Nothing came from it, and Bolton had a goal kick. As the rain began to pour down, Bolton had their last chance with a corner. Jack Porter claimed the ball and the referee blew the final whistle.
Full time views:
A very complete performance, with alot of the youth team players stepping up. No player had a bad game and we were able to control the majority of the game apart from the Bolton goal.
For me, there were many standout performances such as Sterling and Saka. However, I would give the MOTM to Nwaneri , not just for his goals but for his all round performance.
Hopefully, we can build on this as we look to face Leicester again at home on Saturday.
Every time I see fans use our lack of League Cups as a stick to beat us with I laugh. I really do not care that we have not won it since 1993. It merely shows that in that time we have had bigger fish to fry.
During the peak Arsene Wenger years, from 1996 to 2006, the League Cup was looked at with disdain by top clubs.
As the Champions League extended, teams became less bother by England’s 3rd most prestigious trophy and basically “put out the kids”. In reality, with smaller squads back then, these kids were also sides back up players. Their second XI.
From 1997 to 2005, neither Arsenal or Manchester United won the League Cup. This despite them sharing every league title except for 2004/05. The competition become one for the mid-table teams. Leicester City, Chelsea. Tottenham, Liverpool, Blackburn and Middlesbrough.
Then Roman Abramovich turned up with his dirty money and Chelsea suddenly had two squads. No longer was their “2nd XI” mainly prospects. They won two out of 3 League Cups in a period under Jose Mourinho where they also won the league twice. And then the competition returned to being dominated by “also rans”.
In a 7-year period from 2007 to 2013, no team won the Premier League and League Cup in the same year. It quickly became a runners-up prize.
Arsenal missed out during this period, losing to Birmingham City in the final. This time coincided with our toughest period where financial restraints meant that our first XI was now filled with kids, and our 2nd XI was basically filled with teenagers. We were struggling to compete against sides who were gaining greater strength in depth.
From 2014, Manchester City showed their dominance and have won 6 League Cups in 8. They were Chelsea on steroids, and their 2nd XI was filled with regular internationals. £50m players. That enabled them to navigate those early stages of the competition.
At the same time, those clubs in the middle of the Premier League followed top sides lead and begun putting out weaker XIs. Your Tottenham’s Aston Villa’s and Everton’s deciding that their Premier League survival was more important than winning a trophy. The result was Manchester City’s path to the final became even easier as their 2nd XI was vastly superior to the 2nd XI of their opponents.
In last couple of years, the League Cup has once again become the trophy of the also rans, with Liverpool winning it twice and Manchester United once.
Now I do agree that Mikel Arteta needs to get more trophies on the board. One FA Cup in 4 seasons is not particularly impressive. But I can handle that if he lands us the big one. And I would happily sacrifice another decade of League Cup success if it meant us winning the Premier League just once.
So tonight we face Bolton, and off the back of 3 tough away games in a row, I expect Arteta to rest and rotate his troops.
With Neto cup tied having played for Bournemouth, 3rd choice Tommy Setford is in line for his first start.
The 18-year-old is highly rated having joined in the summer from Ajax. He will likely be in a straight-out battle with Karl Hein next season to be backup to David Raya. Although I also would not be surprised if the Neto deal is made permanent and that battle happens in a further season or two.
The defence is a bit of a headache for Arteta.
Jakub Kiwor will obviously start, but who is alongside him in the back 4 is anyone guess.
I am sure Arteta would have liked to have rested both William Saliba and Gabriel, the pair having played every minute so far this season. But with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney out, and Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori doubtful, he might have to play at least one. I would probably go for Saliba for the balance.
I expect young Myles Lewis-Skelly to come in at left back. The League Cup could be a great tournament for him to show that he is ready to be a factor in Arteta’s thinking moving forward. Right back is more awkward.
Over the summer, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Reuell Walters and Cedric Soares all moved on. The next in line in the youth team is 18-year-old Josh Nichols. He is the only realistic choice unless either Timber or White recovers. The youngsters inclusion will be another reason why I would expect Saliba to start.
Moving into midfield, Jorginho is a shoe in, and I would expect him to captain the team.
I expect Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri to both get their first starts. they will be joined by Gabriel Martinelli. Some might be surprised by my inclusion of the Brazilian, but my thinking is simple.
With Leandro Trossard suspended tonight, he gets an enforced mid-week rest. The result is Martinelli plays tonight, and then Trossard starts against Leicester City on Saturday. I expect Arteta to continue rotating the pair midweek and weekends (and we might start to see similar with Sterling and Saka).
the one remaining midfield spot is up for grabs, and it could depend on how Arteta plans to line up against Leicester City.
Thomas Partey is another to have played every Premier League minute this season, but is due a break. That will either happen tonight or on Saturday.
Arteta might choose to go with only Declan Rice in midfield at home to Leicester, then play Kai Havertz in behind Gabriel Jesus. The result will be Partey drops to the bench for the Premier League match, and Rice does not play tonight. However, if Arteta decides to go with Rice and Partey, then I expect to see the Englishman start tonight. He has played the least minutes following his suspension against Tottenham.
Another option would be Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand. However he played 70 minutes against Stoke City for the U21s on Monday.
My bet is we will go for Partey, for at least the first half. And then maybe bring on Declan Rice for the second.
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 