Arsenal (A) 24/2/22 Build-Up & Match Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

No injury issues, everyone available again. As such I expect no changes to the starting XI.

Biiiiiiig game.

2021/22: L 0-1 (H)
2020/21: W 2-1 (H), W 2-1 (A)
2019/20: L 0-2 (H), D 1-1 (A)
2018/19: W 3-1 (H), D 1-1 (A)
2011/12: L 0-3 (H), D 1-1 (A)
2010/11: L 0-2 (H), L 0-2 (A)
2009/10: L 1-4 (H), L 0-1 (A)
2004/5: L 0-2 (A, FAC)
2003/4: L 1-3 (H), L 0-3 (A), L 1-5 (A, LC)
1998/9: L 1-2 (H, FAC)
1997/8: L 0-1 (N, FAC)

 

[Sniffer]

On the basis that Neto won't be ready to start, I think it will be the same starting line up as Sunday. At least we have options to change it if things aren't going to plan.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

Moutinho looked off the pace on Sunday. Whether it was injury related I’ve no idea but if it was hopefully four more days recuperation will ensure he’s back to his best.

 

[Sniffer]

Moutinho looked off the pace on Sunday. Whether it was injury related I’ve no idea but if it was hopefully four more days recuperation will ensure he’s back to his best.

From the BBC Live page...

Posted at 14:0514:05

Early Wolves team news - Everybody trained​

Arsenal v Wolves (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

Wolves
Lage on his squad's fitness ahead of Arsenal: "[We've had] another day working with the whole squad. We are very happy to have a lot of competition. We need to understand the players need to recover well and train well. Pedro [Neto] got 10 or 15 minutes. It is better like this because I have more solutions to manage the team."

Posted at 14:2314:23

Wolves training is 'like a jungle'​

Arsenal v Wolves (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

Wolves
Lage on players returning from injury: "We need to understand the injury of each one and when they are fit to play 90 minutes. They want to do more all the time. It is about character. When they have big injuries, they think they are wasting time in their careers because they want to be there all the time. That is why it is so hard for people like Pedro [Neto] to be out for 10 months or Jonny [Otto], who comes back for a month and is out again.
"This is a jungle. Everybody wants to play. I am not saying they try to kick the other guys but there is competition. We train at the level we want to play. When they are ready, they need to fight. We create competition. Four against four, five against five. Joao [Moutinho] wants to win, he has the highest rank. He is 35. The competition is good for me and the players because they will improve and no-one will relax."

 

[lemonjelly]

it's a mustn't lose game for me (if europe is a target).
I expect Lage to be setting us up to win though.
Was quietly impressed with his press conference earlier tbh.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Think it needs to be 3-4-3. 3-5-2 might surrender too much initiative to Arsenals FBs. Shame Neto is unlikely to he fit to start.

I agree with LJ that’s it’s more of a must not lose game. I’d be happy with a draw as I think we can’t get the better of West Ham

 

[Tom Hark]

Two points from the next two games is surely the absolute minimum to keep the European dream alive, but finishing above WHU is probably the more realistic prospect, so I shan't be abandoning all hope if we lose this one. We're good enough to win it, though, and I expect us to go for it rather than park the bus.

 

[YoungWolf]

I think will go 343, Hwang in for Joao/Donck. I'm in the home end, hope I have to sit on my hands!

 

[lemonjelly]

I think will go 343, Hwang in for Joao/Donck. I'm in the home end, hope I have to sit on my hands!

hope you have to pretend to cry when our 5th goes in tbh...

 

[The Bion]

Dear God, I know I don't pray much, principally because I don't believe you exist. BUT, on the off chance you could see your way to letting us beat this absolute shower of pricks with a Neves screamer in the 97th minute, I'd really, *really* appreciate it.

 

[The Bear]

Dear God, I know I don't pray much, principally because I don't believe you exist. BUT, on the off chance you could see your way to letting us beat this absolute shower of pricks with a Neves screamer in the 97th minute, I'd really, *really* appreciate it.

Jimenez header please.

 

[The Bion]

That would also be appropriate

 

[prawnking]

After the Spurs result tonight, seen a few Gooners thinking tomorrow's the game where they pull away... Let's hope Bruno and the boys put a spanner in the works

 

[YoungWolf]

Yeah I’m in a few WhatsApp groups where Arsenal fans are really milking the spurs result, to quite a strange extent too. Really hoping we do these lot over

 

[Jinky]

My Spurs mates have properly thrown their toys out the pram tonight. They really, really dislike little old Wolves being in the mix.

As it happens, I actually dislike Arsenal more than Spurs, and I have everything crossed for a positive result tomorrow. We owe them one for the other week.

 

[jlo]

I think will go 343, Hwang in for Joao/Donck. I'm in the home end, hope I have to sit on my hands!

Any particular place you got your tickets, I dont fancy buying a membership to Arsenal for the privilege urgh.

 

[Tony Towner]

Nobody has said it, but Marcal will play LWB imo

 

[PuntsWolf]

Nobody has said it, but Marcal will play LWB imo

We can dream of Jonny?

 

[Tony Towner]

We can dream of Jonny?

We can, but you'd have thought he's have got the few minutes at the end on Sunday if he was going to play tonight

 

[PuntsWolf]

We can, but you'd have thought he's have got the few minutes at the end on Sunday if he was going to play tonight

Don’t know. Doubt you want a rusty player on for 5 mins in a game your holding on.

Already hard enough coming on as a sub already. At least starting he can work his way into the game.

He’s been training longer than Neto I think?