Kolasinac at CB today, legit. Willock and Nelson finally buys a start.

Runarsson debut.

Didn't know the team was out already.

Well done for not registering Saliba.

Smith Rowe not even on the bench in the (on paper) easiest game of the season.

This looks more like an EL groupstage XI. Much more interested in the game now.

I know Arteta's been criticized enough the last few days, but when he's playing a fullback he desperately tried to sell this summer at CB, I don't care how far from ready Saliba is - he's making somewhat of a fool of himself.

Oh just realised ESR not on the bench, but why is 2 keepers on it?

Clrnc wrote:

Oh just realised ESR not on the bench, but why is 2 keepers on it?

ESR probably injured himself again in training or something. That's probably why Balogun got included at the last minute.

Nketiah to score at 1.7.

I’ll have me some of that

ESR not fit

Clrnc wrote:

Oh just realised ESR not on the bench, but why is 2 keepers on it?

Isn't it some Europa rule? Noticed it in a few of the line ups last Europa match day.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

I know Arteta's been criticized enough the last few days, but when he's playing a fullback he desperately tried to sell this summer at CB, I don't care how far from ready Saliba is - he's making somewhat of a fool of himself.

If we hadn't signed mari, saliba probably makes the squad as well. Poor stuff 

What’s the deal with Mari?

Injured.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

What’s the deal with Mari?

He suffered a setback. Should’ve been back.

goon wrote:

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

I know Arteta's been criticized enough the last few days, but when he's playing a fullback he desperately tried to sell this summer at CB, I don't care how far from ready Saliba is - he's making somewhat of a fool of himself.

He pretty much admitted that it was a mistake.

Since deciding upon the EL squad Mari, Luiz and Holding have picked up injuries so it wasn’t really all that inevitable that he’d be needed.

The problem was having 100 centre backs to choose from, most of whom are useless or injury prone.

goon wrote:

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

I know Arteta's been criticized enough the last few days, but when he's playing a fullback he desperately tried to sell this summer at CB, I don't care how far from ready Saliba is - he's making somewhat of a fool of himself.

He pretty much admitted that it was a mistake.

Since deciding upon the EL squad Mari, Luiz and Holding have picked up injuries so it wasn’t really all that inevitable that he’d be needed.

I get that no one could have foreseen our defensive injury crisis, but surely the mistake was to not plan on giving him a single minute to begin with? Holding and Luiz are regulars in the league and Mari would have been too if he'd been fit. The EL group stage is for players like Saliba to get a few games in their legs.

Might be late to the party due to initial disbelief but starting to clock that pépé is a second string player for Arteta. Though this could evolve in a blink.

Huge games for Reis Nelson and Pepe tonight.

Prediction: Arsenal 3 - 0 Dundalk (Balogun to come off the bench and score a hat trick).