Morning.
It’s another tough one this evening as we visit Brighton, and the team news from Mikel Arteta was positive regarding Declan Rice. He said the midfielder was feeling ‘much better’ after coming off against Chelsea, and I fully expect him and Martin Zubimendi to start tonight.
I know there’s been a lot talk about them in recent weeks, they’ve both played a lot and both look as if the minutes have been catching up with them, but for a tough away fixture, I find it hard to see the manager changing either of them. The only other option to play deep is Christian Norgaard, who has yet to start a Premier League game, so unless there’s no other choice due to injury, I can’t see that changing at this point of the season with the stakes so high.
Arteta also made it clear he views Rice and Zubimendi as a partnership, saying:
We always talk about these relationships and chemistry. There is one, and it’s very strong off the field as well. That makes what happens on the field very, very special.
And on the idea of ‘resting’ them, he continued:
You have to understand which games are more fitted for them and other players as well. That’s what we have to do – understand how they’re feeling, because there are moments when you feel that it’s the right moment to go, and others when you say I’m in a great moment and I want to continue to play.
I think he’ll ask them to dig in tonight, against a Brighton midfield that might be full of experience, but perhaps lack something in legs. Both Pascal Gros (34) and James Milner (40) have started their last two games, and while I expect them to add another body in there for tonight, that must be a consideration. Arteta said ‘Wait and see’ over Martin Odegaard, but I don’t expect him to be available, so once again it’s likely to be Eberechi Eze in that third midfield slot. After tonight, you can basically give Rice and Zubi a full week off as neither of them should be anywhere near the team for the FA Cup game.
Elsewhere, I wonder if he might shake up the left side a bit. Riccardo Calafiori could easily come in for Piero Hincapie, who has played a lot of late and done well, but the Italian might just add a little spark to the way we play. Hincapie is a bit more up and down the line, Calafiori likes to roam more, and that might cause Brighton some problems. I also wouldn’t be at all surprised if we saw a change further forward. Leandro Trossard has found it difficult to deliver goals and assists of late, so there’s potentially a start for Gabriel Martinelli out there or, if the manager wants to play a bit of a wildcard, Noni Madueke’s left foot could give the team a slightly different attacking dynamic.
I suspect it’s too much to ask for Kai Havertz to start, and I can’t see Gabriel Jesus getting the nod over Viktor Gyokeres who, hopefully, can find a goal or two against one of his former clubs. Unquestionably there will be focus on set-pieces, and there’s a part of me that would love to see us win this one convincingly with four goals all coming from corners, but I don’t really care how we win it once we take all three points back to North London.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, Mr Double-Standards who thinks Declan Rice tapping the ball is worthy of a red card while his player booting the ball away to delay the restart is not a booking at all, has been talking in his press conference about how long it takes Arsenal to take corners. Arteta was asked about it in his presser and, as you’d expect, provided no ammunition, but you can be sure he was well aware of what was said. It’s routine stuff from an opposition manager: make something public pre-game in the hope the referees crack down on it. An Alex Ferguson special, but when your team is near the bottom of the table when it comes to ‘ball in play’ minutes there’s an element of people in glass houses throwing stones.
Both of last season’s games against Brighton were heavily influenced by absurd officiating decisions. The Rice sending off at home, and the ludicrous penalty awarded against William Saliba away. We made up for the former with a 2-1 win in December, and hopefully we can do the same tonight, making the officials and the opposition manager an irrelevance in the process. We’re playing at the same time as Man City host Nottingham Forest, and fingers crossed come the end of the night the lead at the top remains, at least, 5 points.
As ever you can join us for live blog coverage, as well as the report, player ratings, reaction, and all the rest on Arseblog News. There’s a preview podcast on Patreon to listen to in the meantime as well, which is primarily focused on Mikel Arteta’s comments about how the game has changed in relation to all the set-piece discourse.
For now, have a good one, and come on you reds!
