Good to see both the youngsters getting some minutes yesterday, but they will look at Wednesdays game away to Preston North End as a chance to get a second start.
It is a step up in class from League 1 Bolton in the previous round, and Championship side PNE have a strong home record (not lost since opening day) and are on a 5 game unbeaten run.
It is frustrating many an Arsenal fan that Nwaneri has been limited to just 4 fleeting appearances in the league and he has yet to get CL minutes. With Odegaard out it seemed to be an opportunity for Nwaneri to get game time but that has largely been restricted. Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling should start, so it will be interesting to see where Nwaneri plays, assuming he starts.
MLS has had to come in against Manchester City and Liverpool in his 2 PL appearances while also coming in versus PSG. His managers confidence in him was shown against Shakhtar when he came on ahead of more experienced players. It will be interesting to see if he starts on Wednesday, with Zinchenko another option. There are scenarios where both will start, and given our defensive injuries they could both fill full back roles. Both also have played a lot in midfield, another option.
Other youngsters will hope to be involved, with Tommy Setford hoping for a senior debut with Neto cup-tied. Arteta could, of course, go with Raya who was injured for the Bolton tie, as was Setford leaving Jack Porter starting.
Josh Nichols, Maldini Karucci, Ayden Heaven and others will be hoping to take advantage of the defensive woes, but I am expecting a more experienced XI than the Bolton game. Wouldn't surprise me if William Saliba came back in after missing yesterdays game, while any of Ben White, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard could play.
It would be a shame if Arteta didn't take this opportunity to start MLS and Nwaneri, both will be desperate for more game time - especially after seeing Mikey Moore start a PL game albeit in a shocking defeat for Spurs.
The u21s play tonight, so we may get some idea of which youths could be involved Wednesday.
Nwaneri and MLS... PNE (a)
posted on 28/10/24
Raya
Nichols Saliba Kiwior MLS
Jorgi Merino
Sterling Nwaneri Trossard
Jesus
posted on 28/10/24
Actually would have preferred Sterling sub yesterday instead of Ethan. We almost flicked a switch to attacking after Liverpool equalised, which kinda shows that Arteta is getting his half-time team talks wrong. Sterling is dangerous when teams sit back against us. He is a genuine threat in the penalty area.
posted on 28/10/24
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 3 minutes ago
Setford
Nichols Saliba Kiwior MLS
Jorgi Merino
Sterling Nwaneri Trossard
Jesus
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posted on 28/10/24
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 3 minutes ago
Setford
Nichols Saliba Kiwior MLS
Jorgi Merino
Sterling Nwaneri Trossard
Jesus
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Good side. We have to be resting the players who played Liverpool
posted on 28/10/24
comment by oldboy2002 (U20062)
posted 0 seconds ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 3 minutes ago
Setford
Nichols Saliba Kiwior MLS
Jorgi Merino
Sterling Nwaneri Trossard
Jesus
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good side. We have to be resting the players who played Liverpool
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Why not try zinchenko instead of trossard?
posted on 28/10/24
I dunno why Arteta is reticent to play Zinchenko in CM. I think he is far more creative than Trossard and is more disciplined.
posted on 28/10/24
Arteta’s weakness are showing up this season. His reluctance to go attack when chips are down, he tends to retreat to his safe space. Anyway at least MLS is getting shown faith
posted on 28/10/24
comment by 50 No longer trusting the process (U1147)
posted 12 minutes ago
Arteta’s weakness are showing up this season. His reluctance to go attack when chips are down, he tends to retreat to his safe space. Anyway at least MLS is getting shown faith
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I do think he is negative at times but it was interesting to hear what Saka said after the game yesterday regarding his disappointment in how we played in the second half that would suggest to me it wasn't necessarily the plan to sit back so much. He is definitely too timid though with the subs the last pair of subs should of been on twenty minutes before they got on.
posted on 28/10/24
Hard to criticise him on the subs yesterday when 3 were fitness related. He probably wanted to keep Saka on as long as he could and knew Timber was not likely to last 90.
posted on 28/10/24
comment by oldboy2002 (U20062)
posted 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 3 minutes ago
Setford
Nichols Saliba Kiwior MLS
Jorgi Merino
Sterling Nwaneri Trossard
Jesus
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Good side. We have to be resting the players who played Liverpool
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I reckon Zinchenko will start.