The pressure is off so I wouldn’t be surprised if we performed but realistically it’s hard to see anything more than a scrappy draw at best. Very little chance that we win this game and I’d imagine a defeat here would begin a spiral into a CL dogfight for the remainder of the season.
Yeah we're winning this one. No pressure, title gone, nothing to play for - this is when we are at out best.
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12-0, hatters for Wood, Gibbs-White, Elanga and Hudson-Odoi
Well for once I hope your jaded cynicism proves to be accurate and that what we saw on Saturday was a reflection of choking when the chance came to assert pressure on Liverpool rather than just a reflection on where the squad is in terms of both injury and fatigue. I have to say though, I don’t think there’s that much wrong with the mentality of the team especially compared to the Wenger days, but we still need wins.Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Was thinking of it more from Arteta's perspective. No reason not to let the team of the leash now. All we have to protect is that top 4 spot so coveted by the money men. Unless we totally collapse (yes, I see your point regarding the exhaustion that may result from the careful lack of planning) we'll get at least 4th spot. So we might as well go out and see what these players can do, in preparation for next season. It's a shame we are still in the CL. That means more games, distractions for no purpose. Well, I suppose the experience is something.
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If there's one thing anyone would never think about him is easing off on anyone, that's been part of the problem, whether it's playing people continuously or never playing them
Bukayo Saka? you play 90 minutes of every game
Ethan Nwaneri? You only get a kick when everyone else is injured
There's a guy called Butler-Odeyeji been on the bench the last few games but not got a kick and guess what? He's a forward and he's also played more competitive football than either Nwaneri or MLS. He needs to be involved tonight, winning, losing or drawing, only in match conditions can you see what someone is really made of
I hope we win, I suppose, but I'm struggling to muster any enthusiasm of this, tbh
Well I would say that it’d be nice to see Rice, Trossard and Odegaard all discover the goalscoring touch, but I don’t think the chances will be there to stick away to begin with.
I’d basically encourage anyone with the ball outside the box to shoot, it’ll most likely be closed down but you never know, it might fly in, with or without a deflection or might be palmed out by Sels.
Id be happy to encourage a direct, route one approach if a) I thought our players capable of it b) that it would work against a deep lying forest who won’t overcommit.
I think you'll be proven right. This team buckles under pressure, and since almost everyone thinks they are losers now, they'll start performing.
It's going to be a tough game, but inexplicably, I can't help but feel we'll get something here and then wonder why we did do so badly against the Hammers, like we've not seen this soap opera for the last 3 years.
Jorginho in for Partey (who is on the bench)
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