I’m not sure if this is the perfect game to bounce back from the disappointing result at the weekend or the sort of game we don’t want right now. On the one hand, there’s no pressure on this one and Arsenal have been under plenty of that lately! It’s a chance to show the fans that they can entertain and maybe get a few of those disgruntled ones back on side with a performance full of attacking flair and dynamism.
Looking at it another way, this is too much of a free hit as there is absolutely no consequence to the result, other than maybe a bit of pride, so nothing we will really matter too much and no conclusions can be drawn from a game like that.
I think I’m leaning towards the latter point. I’d rather we’d have a semi-difficult game to really bounce back strongly in and really lay down a marker for the rest of the season. I don’t think we can really do that tonight, given the circumstances. That said, I am looking forward to it and hope we win to become the first team to win all 8 group games of the new Champions League format.
Areas of encouragement
Our Champions League form has been nothing short of astonishing this season, with a perfect record and only two goals conceded, so if that’s not encouraging, I don’t know what is!!
Mikel Arteta will also have a fully fit squad to choose from for the first time this season.
Areas of concern
With Kairat currently bottom of the Champions League on just one point, this would look like a walk in the park for Arsenal where they can just show up and win. I don’t believe such a game in the Champions League exists, as despite their position in the table at present, Kairat performed really well in the qualifying rounds and got here on merit, so we must be mindful not to underestimate them.
They also have absolutely nothing to lose and teams in that situation are often able to play above their level due to the lack of pressure, so Arsenal need to be professional tonight.
What I’d love to see
Goals. Goals, goals, goals. I’d love to see a really comfortable win, with our star attackers getting on the score sheet, taking risks and generally playing at the top of their game.
What I’d hate to see
I’m not sure I can take another sideways, sideways, sideways game from Arsenal, if I’m honest. They need to start really attacking and going for teams, so I’d hate to see us start with the same cautious approach that has proved so costly in recent weeks (in the Premier League).
Lineup and Team News
Despite already being guaranteed a top two finish (and actually pretty much guaranteed the top spot as well) I don’t think Arteta will throw the kids into this one. It’s just not his style and he’ll really want that perfect record of 8 straight wins as well. Plus he’ll want to make sure we get a ‘W’ on the board after the weekend’s painful defeat.
In goal, it must surely be Kepa’s turn to play. I’m be amazed if he started David Raya. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are both nursing knocks and won’t be risked so the defence is going to be a likely bit of a mix and match. Both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are now back from injury so I think the two of them will play at centre back with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back and young Marli Salmon given a go from the start at right back. If Arteta can’t give Salmon a start in this one, then he’ll never start him! Ben White will enter the field at some stage, probably for Calafiori, to share the minutes around a bit. Cristhian Mosquera is another option, but he’s not been long back from injury, so might also make an appearance late on.
Into midfield, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are both suspended so will have to sit out this one. Christian Norgaard should start at the base of midfield with Eberechi Eze and the returning Kai Havertz ahead of him. This would have been a perfect game for Ethan Nwaneri to get some points, but don’t get me started on that one!!!
Up front, the ‘back-up’ wingers will surely be given another chance to shine so Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke will take their places out wide, which just leaves the centre forward position to be filled. Ideally I would have liked to see Havertz start up top, but given our lack of options in midfield, he was needed elsewhere. What I would like to see is someone else started in defence and pushing Lewis-Skelly into the 8 and then Havertz up top, alas I think that’s just a pipedream.
Arteta could do something mad and through in Andre Harriman-Annous for his second start of the season, but I think Viktor Gyokeres is more likely to start with Harriman-Annous appearing later in the game, if things go well.
There should be a chance for some academy players to make an appearance from the bench, although Arteta will also likely have his star men on their as well, just in case things don’t go to plan.
Predicted lineup:
Arrizabalaga
Salmon
Calafiori
Hincapie
Lewis-Skelly
Norgaard
Havertz
Eze
Madueke
Gyokeres
Martinelli
Substitutes:
Raya
Setford
Gabriel
White
Mosquera
Nicholls
Odegaard
Jesus
Trossard
Saka
Harriman-Annous
Ibrahim
PREDICTION
Not counting my chickens just yet, Arsenal will have to put in a performance to take all three points. That said, I expect them to do so and take this one 3-0.