Arsenal Vs. Man City (League Cup Final) 430pm BST 22 March: Page 4 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Arsenal Vs. Man City (League Cup Final) 430pm BST 22 March

Coombs

I think it'll be Kepa if it was promised. Can't go back on your word.

Qwiss

Don Pacifico Kepa has a big CV but is he actually that good of a goal keeper? Hasn't really impressed in the minutes he's had this season. I wouldn't be overly worried about him moving.

Coombs if that was the deal Arteta will keep it. It'd be terrible management no to. Why would anyone else trust your word after that? I'm just not sure it will have been the deal. I guess we'll see.

Dom

I've been watching too many medieval TV shows and have gotten chivalry-pilled, so if I was Arteta I'd start Kepa and then secretly beg my defenders and midfield not to let Man City have: a corner, a shot on goal, a cross, a long throw-in, free kick near the box, a long diagonal into the box and a shot from 40 yards out.

banduan

If it was promised for sure Kepa would start, but I highly doubt he would've made that promise.

Mikel always goes with his gut IMO. He's not necessarily the most rational coach, so I wouldn't be surprised if Kepa does start.

Sicario2

Just checked the data and we’ve won 12 out of last 14 visits to Wembley (one includes a 1-1 draw with Spurs in the league when Auba missed a pen, I was there, in the Spurs end!!!) which is mad.

From memory out last 10 visits:

2015 beat Chelsea (charity shield, was there)
2017 beat City (fa cup, was there)
2017 beat Chelsea (fa cup)
2017 beat Chelsea (charity shield)
2018 lost to City (league cup)
2019 drew to Spurs (premier league, was there)
2020 beat city (fa cup)
2020 beat Chelsea (fa cup)
2020 beat Liverpool (charity shield)
2023 beat City (charity shield)

Test of the day, when was the last time City won a cup final (outside of charity shield)?

RocktheCasbah

Arteta has never lost there apparently, player or manager...

daredevil

RocktheCasbah

We're seemingly way too favourited for this game so there's only one outcome.

Tam

Don Pacifico As an aside, you often talk about players as if they're chess pieces and not human beings. I think Arteta is smart enough to know that's an incredibly short-sighted way to view things. And frankly, in any line of work you should be considering the real-world impact of your choices/actions on those you manage. They don't always have to agree with your decision but they have to respect it.

There are examples to the contrary over the years where players have looked deserving of a spot and someone with poorer form has continued to play in front of them. Arteta had little concern in making those decisions.

Don Pacifico

Tam I think that's your interpretation of the situation but I don't think it's reflective of the likely thinking that was connected to the decisions made.

Qwiss again, I'm not saying I rate Kepa highly. But I also don't think there's any guarantee we'd get anyone much better if went back into the market.

Burnwinter

Klaus Is this really a concern in the grand scheme of things though?

I mean, is the reserve keeper who's been getting the guernsey up till now also playing in the final a concern?

I'd say if Arteta promised Kepa he would play, he should play; if he promised Raya, Raya should play; and if Arteta made no promises to either then he can do what he wants, but it's a litmus test of the romance of fraternity versus the romance of victory.

I'd like to feel people at the club keep to the spirit of their promises most of the time. If you say you're all about living your values, live them.

RocktheCasbah

daredevil indeed! 😱

Sicario2

HomeSteak

Arteta in return said nothing. Did not confirm who will start, also said no new injuries and that both Timber and Odegaard might make it, we will see how they train tomorrow.

QuincyAbeyie

HomeSteak Arteta in return said nothing.

That's how I like it.

MistaT

“If I speak….”

lorddulaarsenal

TambourineMan same here. Adding to my lay position on us at 1.1 - we lose a game and city beat us the odds will fly out

Lukazan

I just hope whatever happens Sunday doesn't affect our stride for the rest of the season (things that can't be helped anyway i.e injuries to key players). It absolutely shouldn't do. This cup is a nice to have, a piece of the quad puzzle (RIP Flobs) but nothing more.

awooga83

Lukazan this is my sense as well. The actual game is pretty much 50/50 for me and anything can happen and that's okay as long as we give a reasonable account. But there is the risk that if we lose the external pressure becomes oh the quad is dead actually can they even win a trophy and how would we deal with that scenario. We should be able to compartmentalise it but the team has looked lacking some self belief in similar moments so hopefully if that scenario came to pass we have the confidence as a team to navigate it.

samthegooner

I just really despise City. I can deal with our other rivals because, for the most part, I have some respect for them, their fans and their history. I have none of that with City. I believe that all of their success was the result of cheating, and along with Chelsea, they ruined the transfer market with their financial doping.

With that in mind, I always want to beat them (or more accurately, do not want to lose to them). I usually don't really value the League Cup but the fact that its against City, and that there are potentially historic outcomes to this season if we can keep winning, has made it a must win for me. I don't want to think of the psychological ramifications of losing it even if I do think the squad is mentally strong enough where it won't affect them much.

Let's lay down a serious marker for the next two months on Sunday. The tidal wave starts at Wembley.

Sicario2

samthegooner I agree with this. I think we will want it more and that will be the difference. Look at last year’s final between Newcastle and Liverpool as a prime example. The latter were chomping at the bit and basically blew away Liverpool who had a demoralising exit in the CL a few days before. Sounds familiar?

Gunner89

Don Pacifico

Oh no kepa might leave? terrible that...

« Previous Page Next Page »