Europa League | Sporting vs Arsenal | Thursday, stupid o'clock (17:45) - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Europa League | Sporting vs Arsenal | Thursday, stupid o'clock (17:45)

goon

Well, it's back.

I have to say I know it's all about the league, but I do want to win this too. The only thing better than going into next season as CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND would be going into next season as champions of England and Europe (sort of).

That being said, I wouldn't risk anyone I don't have to. I'd go with as much rotation as injuries will allow.

Assuming Eddie and Trossard are not available:

Turner

Tomi - Holding - Kiwor - Tierney

Jorginho

Vieira ----- Xhaka

Nelson - Gabi - ESR

Hopefully at least one of them is available to give Gabi a break though. I also wonder if Jesus could sneak onto the bench for this one.

Anyway, I'd take a draw here but hopefully we can sneak a win.

I am Arsenal Till I Die

Just started another thread simultaneously 😂

Edit - Deleted that.

I am Arsenal Till I Die

Hopefully one of the last few times we have to play on a Thursday for a very very long time. I know Sporting aren't pushovers but I would prefer to see as few first teamers playing here as possible. Team I would like to see -

------------Turner-------------

Tomi---Holding---Kiwior---Tierney

----------------Jorgi----------------

---------Vieira---------Xhaka-------

Reiss--------Eddie/Leo--------ESR-----

We're definitely light up top. Can see Saka and Martinelli featuring for sure (probably even starting) as neither ESR nor Reiss will be fit enough to play the full 90. Also, not sure if Mikel trusts Kiwior yet - might have to start Gabriel.

No injuries please.

QuincyAbeyie

I am Arsenal Till I Die ------------Turner-------------

Tomi---Holding---Kiwior---Tierney

----------------Jorgi----------------

---------Vieira---------Xhaka-------

Reiss--------Eddie/Leo--------ESR-----

We probably won't see this many backups, but I'd go with this one.

Qwiss

Was chatting with a Sporting fan the other day. He says they're poor this season and it'll be easy for us as long as we take it seriously. Said the only thing is Sporting have nothing else left to play for so if we are complacent they could catch us out.

Not sure I'd start Kiwior but then I don't know enough about him. Be interesting to see what Arteta does with him. I'd definitely give Saka a rest. Hopefully Eddie or Leo will be fit.

goon

We signed him for £20m, I think he has to start games like this.

KingslandBarge

Kiwior's had to contend with some of the best in Serie A. No worries about him but agree we look very light up top. Martinelli may have to play, whilst a change of formation could be neat. I'd be ok with a draw.

JazzG

Hopefully we can rotate but also need to respect the opponent and be wary as this is an away game. It won't be easy to go out there, they've beaten Tottenham and Frankfurt this season so they ain't no mugs.

HomeSteak

Turner
Tomi- Holding-Kiwor-Tierney
Jorginho -Xhaka
Vieira
Nelson - Eddie - ESR

Let Saka, Martinelli, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko etc, stay at home and sleep in. I hate the EL with everything I have, don't care if we go out thursday with no return game. Fuck that shit.
We need to be fresh for the run in.

Claudius

Would bring Kiwior off the bench. He hasn’t played, so big risk to deploy him

Don Pacifico

Claudius Got to play him at some point though. No domestic cup games to give him a chilled run-out.

Don Pacifico

Really hoping Eddie is fit for this one as fielding both ESR and Nelson from the start feels like a risk. I'm also not sure how much rotation we'll see generally - the lineup we field will be a big indication of where we're now placing Europa in importance. My sense is that Arteta will go for a pretty strong lineup with some sensible rotation (eg. Jorginho in for Partey but a max of two changes to our back four) with the hope of getting a good result in the first leg so that we don't have too much pressure on the second leg. I'd go for:

Turner
Tomiyasu - Saliba - Kiwior - Tierney
Jorginho
Odegaard - Xhaka
Saka - Martinelli (or Nketiah if fit) - Nelson

Clrnc

Doubt we will see Kiwior as this is an away match. We will probably see something like this.

Turner
Tomi Holding Gabriel Tierney
Jorginho Xhaka Vieira
Nelson Nketiah Martinelli

I don't think ESR is that match fit yet, Eddie and Trossard injured so probably something like this. Not even sure if Jorginho will be fit

Big Willie

Clrnc Turner
Tomi Holding Gabriel Tierney
Jorginho Xhaka Vieira
Nelson Nketiah Martinelli

I don't think ESR is that match fit yet, Eddie and Trossard injured so probably something like this. Not even sure if Jorginho will be fit

Who's this other Eddie that's injured if Nketiah is starting @Clrnc ?

I am Arsenal Till I Die

Jorginho is fit. Before the Bournemouth match, Arteta had said he recovered.

In terms of rotation - I think Turner, Tomi, Holding, Tierney, Jorginho, Vieira, and one of ESR/Reiss will definitely start. Any other changes will be a bonus.

Qwiss

I think Arteta will play one of Saka or Odegaard. He rarely leaves the attack with one of them (or Jesus when fit)

Big Willie

Fucking hell @goon I thought we'd agree that all matchday threads are @Pepe LeFrits's responsibility. Luckily this is just the EL and not a League game.

goon

Big Willie we've lost the last two I started, both against City. Need to test the waters and get back to winning ways before the game at the Etihad.

Gurgen

Rest everyone. It would be nice to win this shit cup but at the end of the day it's still a shit cup.

Burnwinter

QuincyAbeyie I'd like to see this too, but I reckon it'd lead to Arteta bringing plenty of subs off the bench. That too is fine, of course. We have five subs in every comp this season.

What are people's thoughts on travelling versus playing in the Europa? I reckon the logistical hassle of a Thursday night tie in Portugal might be up there with the difficulty of actually playing the 70–90 minutes.

Doubt it will do many of our first teamers harm to be wheeled out as subs, anyway. To me the issue seems more that they will all travel.

Claudius

The Trossard and Nketiah injuries are unfortunate, because this would be a good time to rest Saka. Martinelli can play because he will rest during international break.