The Arsenal v Bournemouth, Saturday 3 May, 5.30pm, Emirates Stadium (and on TV somewhere if people can be bothered to watch)

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Originally Posted by IBK

This is not the time to try to avoid injuries

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Even if it's Rice? or Saka (fully fit or not)? or Raya? or Saliba? or MLS? or Partey? or Timber? or even Kiwior?

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Originally Posted by IBK

we need to be as sharp as possible going into next Wednesday's game in Paris.

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Sharpness partly depends on energy levels

and in any case, you people know we do training sessions right? where players practice and discuss tactics for, like, the next game?

Play the kids.

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Originally Posted by HCZ_Reborn

I admire your persistence on this topic but for two reasons I disagree

The defeat on Tuesday makes me want second place more not less, and with respect I simply don’t care about all the reasons given as to why I shouldn’t care. I do care, I do want it….there we are.

Secondly I think in order to get anything next Wednesday (I think the tie is over, but of course I think we should try and do everything to defy that belief) I think we need to treat Bournemouth like a dress rehearsal. I don’t think it’s a case of simply putting Partey back in the team, it’s a case of taking Odegaard out of it and giving the players a chance to play together with the same team we will go with on Wednesday. Being hyper focused on preventing injuries, I think arguably could play on the players minds.

But so this would be my team


Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, MLS, Partey, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Merino, Nwaneri


Get the win, show that this is a purposeful lineup and then worry about resting players

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:gp:...let's get some momentum going :scarf:

But seriously though, we have to take this tie seriously as a bird in hand has always been worth more than two in the bush.

Also in the lineup, I'd probably rest Timber, as he'll need as much rest as possible to prepare for the nightmare that will be Kvara in the next leg :lol:

Saka too, so we might need to bring in Trossard for a half.

Also, if Arteta is truly learning from his mistakes like IBK seems to believe, Nwaneri should get the full 90 mins in this game. I'm pretty sure he won't though.

Nwaneri is a very good young player but sometimes I fear that he might be victim to the expectations we might have of him. And for that reason, and only that reason I can see why Arteta is sparing with his game time. That said albeit due to circumstance, for a player his age he has managed a fair bit of first team action this season (far more than Saka had, had at the same age)

I’m not sure where Arteta sees his future for sure, although the indications are that given he didn’t get a lot of first team game time when Odegaard was injured but he did when Saka was injured that he sees his role as being on the wing.


I think he’s talented enough to do a good job there, I’m not convinced that’s his natural position or where the player indeed sees himself playing.

Nwaneri probably doesn't know whether he's coming or going because while he's being hailed as a wunderkind, he isn't, unlike MLS, getting enough minutes, which is mainly down to Arteta, not starting him in the Palace game was inexplicable and, if people want to talk about building confidence and momentum, that IMO works for individual players much more than a whole side

Team to play Bournemouth: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Subs: Setford, Tierney, Zinchenko, Clarke, Merino, Gower, Nwaneri, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji

Hmmm not too surprising I guess. Though makes me think Merino is not going to be played up front for the rest of the season. Timber being out is a worry too

Merino is better at 9 than Leo but given he's gone full-strength (minus Timber) we have to assume this will be the PSG lineup

Cue 90+ minutes of hoping no-one gets injured..

This makes me think Merino will start on Wednesday tbh

Btw starting Saka is insane, he's clearly not fully fitEvery time I think Arteta's learning he proves he isn't

I was beginning to be hopeful we might turn things around v PSG but if he's going to thrash Saka and other players into the ground as usual we've no chance

How do you become fit then?