Arsenal vs Brentford 12.04.2025 - KO 17:30 GMT

[HCZ_Reborn]

This could be one of those after the Lord Mayor’s show matches. Brentford are certainly dangerous going forward with Mbeumo and Wissa so really it depends who we put out.

I want us to finish as high up the table as possible, but equally I want us to be able to rest players for the match at the Bernabeu next week


Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Partey, Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino, Sterling


Have Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard on the bench in case they are needed

[Mac76]

0-3 Wissa hatter

we need to rest as many players as possible

ofc it would be a good game to play Neto rather than Raya but, oh wait, he's a loanee from Brentford... :doh:

anyway...

Setford
Nicholls Sweet Kucynski Tierney
Jorg
M'Hand Zin
Kabia NBO Sterling

[IBK]

I'm kind of torn about this one. Momentum is important and a win against Brentford would be the best way to go into the RM tie. I think we also need to finish second in the league rather than suffering a late reversal in position with Forest - and show that we can at least maintain our position despite CL obligations - it's important for our players to feel we have what it takes to compete on multiple fronts. I also feel that you can't necessarily legislate against injury...while overplaying is clearly an issue we are coming to the point in the season where resting players for an individual game won't make much difference in this regard.

That said, Areteta's rotation in the Everton game worked for the first RM tie, and I would like to see some sharing of minutes in key positions. I agree that Timber and Martinelli should be rested, but I think Saka should start with a view to coming off after 60 - he needs to try to progress his match sharpness. I also think Partey should not play the whole game - I've heard that he is the most played Arsenal player this season, incredibly. Also happy for Trossard to play in the Odegard role for at least part of this match.

[Marc Overmars]

Will likely be another slog like most league games have been since we bowed out of the title race.

1-1

[Mac76]

Momentum is important and a win against Brentford would be the best way to go into the RM tie.

I think that's proven demonstrably untrue by the fact we got a scrappy draw against Neverton and then went on to wipe out Real


I think we also need to finish second in the league rather than suffering a late reversal in position with Forest - and show that we can at least maintain our position despite CL obligations - it's important for our players to feel we have what it takes to compete on multiple fronts. .

Second would be nice but if we're fourth and win the CL does anyone really care?

a workmanlike draw would be fine


That said, Areteta's rotation in the Everton game worked for the first RM tie

Quite, it was a promising development to see him do that and I'd like a continuation, he must see he CL is a real possibility now and grasp with both hands, but it ain't happening without our key players


I agree that Timber and Martinelli should be rested, but I think Saka should start with a view to coming off after 60 - he needs to try to progress his match sharpness. I also think Partey should not play the whole game - I've heard that he is the most played Arsenal player this season, incredibly. Also happy for Trossard to play in the Odegard role for at least part of this match.

Despite my team selection above (which is obviously something of a slight of fancy) I agree Saka needs some minutes but my preference would be either just the first half or a 25-minute cameo

I don't think Trossard has much to offer in the Ode role and tbh I think we should be trying to Nwaneri in that position, he can't play the way Ode does (which if it means missing out on some of the pointless noodling isn't a bad thing IMO) but for some matches i think it would be a good switch to maybe make us more direct and we should develop the idea of his playing there - or alternatively sometimes having Nwaneri on the left and moving Saka inside - both the FKs the other night were from him coming infield

[HCZ_Reborn]

0-3 Wissa hatter

we need to rest as many players as possible

ofc it would be a good game to play Neto rather than Raya but, oh wait, he's a loanee from Brentford... :doh:

anyway...

Setford
Nicholls Sweet Kucynski Tierney
Jorg
M'Hand Zin
Kabia NBO Sterling

He’s a loanee from Bournemouth.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think Arteta will go with mainly with the Everton lineup.

I think that's ok for now ( though I'd prefer Rice doesn't have to do the whole 90 mins and Martinelli starts).

[HCZ_Reborn]

Our record in games when having played midweek in the UCL is 5 wins and 5 draws

City (A) - 2-2 (after playing Atalanta)

Southampton (H) - 3-1 (after playing PSG)

Liverpool (H) - 2-2 (after playing Shatkah)

Chelsea (A) - 1-1 (after playing Inter)

West Ham (A) - 5-2 (after playing Sporting)

Everton (H) - 0-0 (after playing Monaco)

Wolves (A) - 1-0 (after playing Dynamo Zagreb)

City (H) - 5-1 (after playing Girona)

United (A) - 1-1 (after playing PSV)

Chelsea (H) - 1-0 (after playing PSV)


Given we’ve been drawing games left, right and centre anyway…I’d say if there’s a hangover effect it’s negligible

[HCZ_Reborn]

I think Arteta will go with mainly the Everton lineup.

I think that's ok for now ( though I'd prefer Rice doesn't have to do the whole 90 mins).

Yeah I think I’d want Rice not to start if possible

[Mac76]

He’s a loanee from Bournemouth.

hmm, fair enough, I guess I'm getting mixed up with Raya

[HCZ_Reborn]

I got Chat GPT to predict the lineup for tomorrow

It thinks

Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney, Jorginho, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Trossard, Sterling, Nwaneri

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hate resting players, as ever.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Hate resting players, as ever.

I kind of do as well, although in many ways that’s reflective of what I think is a lack of squad depth. Or at least has become that way because Arteta very rarely rotates (although that said he’s done it a lot more this season).

[HCZ_Reborn]

Team to face Brentford: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney, Jorginho, Zinchenko, Rice, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Henry-Francis, Odegaard, Saka, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji, Sterling

Fucking hell, Partey at right back

[Mac76]

Not enough rotation for me, why not start Sterling instead of Martinelli ffs

[HCZ_Reborn]

Not enough rotation for me, why not start Sterling instead of Martinelli ffs

Don’t disagree, i think the knock to White in Training means Rice is starting and not best pleased with that

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Rice, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Saka, Odegaard, Timber, Merino, Sterling, Butler-Oyedji, Henry-Francis, Lewis-Skelly

Brentford: Flekken, Ajer, Van Den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa
Subs: Valdimarsson, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Konak, Kayode, Nunes

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Too much rotation, Partey at RB.

:haha:

[HCZ_Reborn]

For the first time in six months, I’m at the game.

First time I’ve been in the upper tier in years

[Marc Overmars]

Hopefully we can pub a win here, after that Forest result 2nd would all but be secured.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Absolute roar from the Emirates crowd when Rice’s name read read out on the loudspeakers

[Mac76]

Not too bad given the changes, those dumb corner routines are really annoying me though

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If we want to win it changes will have to be made tbh

[Mac76]

I def want to see Martinelli subbed for Sterling at HT

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 Partey. What a goal.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-1 Wissa

[Marc Overmars]

FT 1-1

Can this league campaign just end please. Bloody hated it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-1 FT.

Another waste of time. Another pointless endeavour resting players.

[Mac76]

Another good day at the game, few beers, seeing mates, watching a decent match :scarf:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Another good day at the game, few beers, seeing mates, watching a decent match :scarf:

It was in fairness a decent match, it’s very frustrating not to have won as actually we created a fair bit, but Brentford were always a danger on the break.

Defensively we did ok. Just wasteful….Trossard pissing me off with some of the Hollywood passes and Martinelli? Fucking hell he was good first half but just couldn’t do a thing right second half

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

The timing of the subs, immediately after the goal, was silly.

Trossard and Martnelli playing next to each other hardly ever yields anything good.

Liverpool will continue to drop points and take their sweet time winning this league.

A truly poor last 20 or so minutes to undo what was a positive team effort.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I felt the substitutions were more about giving the starters on Wednesday a run out rather than tactical.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I felt the substitutions were more about giving the starters on Wednesday a run out rather than tactical.

I agree that was the rationale, but we lost our rhythm straight after that and normally Arteta delays these things when something not planned for happens(the goal in this instance).

Besides Rice (who was subbed later) I am not sure any of the other subs were needed. Also we ended up playing with 10 men with a Jorginho who was struggling as early as the 30 min mark to keep pace.

Its not like we can win the league, we all know that was long decided in the summer when we failed to buy a striker...but the way we are limping to the finish line, especially in front of the fans, is getting pretty pathetic .

[Letters]

If my maths is right this is proof that Brentford are better than Real Madrid

[HCZ_Reborn]

I was at the game, and I have to say the fans were pretty philosophical. I think if we weren’t still in Europe, I agree they might be more pissed off

[Letters]

I’m simultaneously annoyed and don’t really care, which is quite tricky to pull off.
The title is long since gone and while I still feel it’s unlikely we will win the CL, Tuesday’s result has given us some scope to dream.
Assuming we do end the season potless there’s a big summer coming up.
Next year is Arteta’s last chance to deliver a big trophy

[HCZ_Reborn]

I was mainly a bit annoyed because I think we sold ourselves short, in the sense that I think our play was good enough to merit a win. I paid a fair bit for the ticket but I knew we’d be resting players, just been a stressful week so wanted to do something nice for myself :lol:

Partey, Rice and actually Zinchenko all played quite well I thought

[Mac76]

If my maths is right this is proof that Brentford are better than Real Madrid

:lol:

[Mac76]

I was mainly a bit annoyed because I think we sold ourselves short, in the sense that I think our play was good enough to merit a win. I paid a fair bit for the ticket but I knew we’d be resting players, just been a stressful week so wanted to do something nice for myself :lol:

Partey, Rice and actually Zinchenko all played quite well I thought

I couldn't care less about not winning, I just didn't want us to lose, my only main issue is his playing Martinelli for 90 mins which was plain dumb

Oh and Zin was shite but then he always is, his lack of any kind of football brain really is quite astonishing for someone playing at that level

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don’t think he was shite at all, don’t get me wrong still think we should get rid of him in the summer but actually did ok on the ball made some interceptions, good passes and got forward ok.

Whilst the league is done, I simply can’t put myself in the mindset of not wanting to win every game and especially being disappointed if we take the lead and don’t win (more so at home). Was it important to win? No, is it frustrating not to win yes.

I’m a big supporter of Martinelli as a player, but frankly if he plays on Wednesday like he did in the second half of this game I wouldn’t consider it too much of a big loss him not being available