GWT: EPL - Matchweek 4

[bluesfan94]

I'm in town now, so I'll actually make a table, even if I'm two weeks ahead. Coming out of the international break, the marquee matchup is the North London Derby on Sunday morning, but we get another London derby when Fulham hosts West Ham.

Home	Away	Time and Date (CT)	Venue
Southampton	Manchester United	Sat., Sept. 14, 6:30 AM	St. Mary's Stadium
Liverpool	Nottingham Forest	Sat., Sept. 14, 9:00 AM	Anfield
Manchester City	Brentford	Sat., Sept. 14, 9:00 AM	The Etihad
Fulham	West Ham United	Sat., Sept. 14, 9:00 AM	Craven Cottage
Crystal Palace	Leicester City	Sat., Sept. 14, 9:00 AM	Selhurst Park
Brighton & Hove Albion	Ipswich Town	Sat., Sept. 14, 9:00 AM	The AmEx
Aston Villa	Everton	Sat., Sept. 14, 11:30 AM	Villa Park
Bournemouth	Chelsea	Sat., Sept. 14, 2:00 PM	Vitality Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur	Arsenal	Sun., Sept. 15, 8:00 AM	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Wolverhampton Wanderers	Newcastle United	Sun., Sept. 15, 10:30 AM	Molineux Stadium

Click to read more...

 

[robertmac43]

It always feels like a momentum killer when this international break comes just 3 weeks into the new season.

 

[Jussi]

Oh great, international break and United with the early game. Because those (and later times too) have gone SO WELL in the last 20 years...

 

[bluesfan94]

Might be without Odegaard, Rice, Jesus, Merino, Tomiyasu, or Calafiori for the NLD.

Fun!

 

[Brunkmeister]

Might be without Odegaard, Rice, Jesus, Merino, Tomiyasu, or Calafiori for the NLD.

Fun!

But we’re the luckiest remember?

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

No team has ever played a big game with 1 injured starter and 1 suspended starter

 

[bluesfan94]

No team has ever played a big game with 1 injured starter and 1 suspended starter

That’s exactly what was said, great reading. Anyway, none of the first choice midfield would be available, the backup 8 is stuck at striker because the 9 wouldn’t be available and we’d be on the third choice LB. So I guess four starters and two backups. Which is meaningful when at least two of those players are world class. It’s a bit different Chelsea where you have 5 average players for each position

 

[maclean]

Odegaard is the team's heart and soul, and yes it's a weak point to be that reliant on a single player, but the ones that could cover are also unavailable. Very curious how we deal with this and f*** the Nations League

 

[spintheblackcircle]

But we’re the luckiest remember?

The healthiest club in the PL last year. They had the 2nd fewest injuries that caused missed games and the had the fewest players lost to injuries.

I don't think that's luck, I'd say they have great physios

 

[luiginb]

Some of it is luck but to their credit they do have a stronger bench on paper this year.

 

[maclean]

Part of me is thinking how cool would it be if they put Nwaneri out there to start, but it's a risk Arteta's not likely to take. Feels more like they'd only put him out there if we were already comfortably ahead, which does not strike me as likely

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Bissouma came off injured playing for Mali.

update:

He's out

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Might be without Odegaard, Rice, Jesus, Merino, Tomiyasu, or Calafiori for the NLD.

Fun!

So predictable, Jesus is fine....and Odegaard with a miraculous recovery so far!

Mikel Arteta refuses to rule Martin Odegaard out of north London derby

The Arsenal midfielder hurt his left ankle while playing for Norway on Monday night.

uk.sports.yahoo.com

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5765134/2024/09/13/arsenal-team-news-jesus-odegaard/

 

[Brunkmeister]

So predictable, Jesus is fine....and Odegaard with a miraculous recovery so far!

Mikel Arteta refuses to rule Martin Odegaard out of north London derby

The Arsenal midfielder hurt his left ankle while playing for Norway on Monday night.

uk.sports.yahoo.com

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5765134/2024/09/13/arsenal-team-news-jesus-odegaard/

It’s just mindgames. Jesus might be on the bench and feature like 20 minutes or something. Norway in hell Ode is in.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Both Gusto and James are out for tomorrow. I think/guess we'll look something like:

Jackson
Sancho - Palmer - Madueke
Enzo - Caicedo
Cucurella - Colwill - Fofana - Disasi?
Sanchez

Is Disasi third-choice at RB, as well as a backup at CB? Or will Maresca put Cucurella on his off side and put Veiga at LB? Typing it out, the latter actually seems kinda more likely to me.

I think Sancho starts. He was at Cobham the last few weeks. Neto played 90 minutes for Portugal over the break (started both games, came off at half in both, rare Roberto Martinez W), and Felix was also abroad.

 

[robertmac43]

Pedro may be out for Brighton this weekend to rest up from his International work.

Ode looking out for Arsenal as well.

 

[Jussi]

Højlund and Shaw not yet fit to play tomorrow but sounds like could be soon. Ugarte palyed full 90 minuted in Uruguay's last game and should be fit to go, though he only returned on Thursday. Malacia is also training on his own already and is actually on his way to returning.

 

[maclean]

It’s just mindgames. Jesus might be on the bench and feature like 20 minutes or something. Norway in hell Ode is in.

Exactly. The sole tactical advantage we have right now is the mystery of how we are going to set up with our whole midfield missing. May as well murky the waters as much as possible, but no one in their right mind should be fooled

 

[Jussi]

Ugarte on the bench not unexpectedly. Eriksen starting, Casemiro on the bench.

 

[Jussi]

Kind of liking that away kit.

Poor from Dalot.

 

[Jussi]

Nice idea with that, Zirkzee had to stretch too much to be able direct the ball anywhere though.

Amad has looked so much better than Garnacho at the start of the season.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

That team in blue isn't playing well

 

[Jussi]

Dalot not having a good game defensively.

And that caps it off.

 

[Sad People]

Man Man U is kinda embarrassing

What happened to Rashford? 2 years ago the dude put up like 30+ goals or something.

 

[Jussi]

ONANA!