Gunners To Freeze Out Ostersunds?
Feb 14th, 2018 by 'holic
The Arsenal have today (Wednesday) flown to Ostersund where they were greeted by sub-zero temperatures and deep snow. Welcome to northern Sweden in February. The conditions, plus the fact that the match is being played on an artificial surface, means some sensible precautions have been taken to protect those prone to injury. Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, and Aaron Ramsey have been left at home along with Petr Cech who yields to the cup-tie goalkeeper, David Ospina. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible and and obviously Alexandre Lacazette also missed the trip.
Now we have to wait and see if Arsene Wenger goes with his strongest available team or attempts to leave some of the big guns on the bench for use in emergency only. With the likelihood of a top four berth disappearing fast, Wenger must be tempted to go with a team that ensures safe passage to the last sixteen.
So, in front of Ospina a flat back four of Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Skhodran Mustafi, and Nacho Monreal? Granit Xhaka (or Ainsley Maitland-Niles?) and Mohamed Elneny shielding the back four, with Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan given free reign to roam at will. With goalscoring a potential issue what are the odds against a pairing of Danny Welbeck and Eddie Nketiah up top?
Arsene doesn’t do 4-4-2, I hear you say and you are right, normally he doesn’t. The likelihood is that he will start Alex Iwobi ahead of Nketiah which would restrict our goalscoring potential, possibly? The manager knows he needs to avoid a shock on Thursday night and will have thought about his options long and hard. The other way may be to start Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac as full-backs and Joe Willock or Reiss Nelson for Ozil and leave three key players on the bench. You pays your money, you takes your choice.
I’ll be totally honest with you. You could write down what I know about Ostersunds on a not much more than a postage stamp with a whiteboard marker. Their manager is an Englishman, Graham Potter, the ground holds 8000 supporters so just 1000 Gooners will be in the away end, and they qualified for the last 32 of the competition by matching Atletico Bilbao’s points tall of 11 in Group I (W3 D2 L1). That last fact hints at them being a proper banana skin if not taken one hundred percent seriously.
The ‘holic pound
In their three home games in the group stage Ostersunds defeated Hertha Berlin 1-0, Zorya 2-0, and interestingly drew 2-2 against Bilbao. That’s decent form but I am backing us to knuckle down and pip them 1-2. I’ve had a couple of bob on that at 15/2.
So, time to watch the rest of Madrid against PSG. If you are one of the thousand of ours in Sweden I wish you a wonderful European night out. I’m not sure the old ticker could withstand another shocker of an away performance.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
55 Responses to “Gunners To Freeze Out Ostersunds?”
Evening H
In view of our poor away form,i hear some Bookies have got Ostersunds favs to win tomorrow. !!
Perish the thought.
Given the 2nd leg is next Thursday,3 days before Cup final with City,i think a good positive result away,will not only boost the confidence,but allow Wenger the luxury of resting key players in the return leg.
Wishful thinking maestro. Ostersunds 6/1, The Arsenal 1/2. ?
I just can’t believe it’s come to this. Playing Ostersunds ffs.
Just to prove i know nothing about football,i have just read the full text of Arsene’s press conference,and much to my amazement he stated his preferred position for Welly was as a central striker.
There was me chirping the other day that Wenger preferred him wide left to keep the full back occupied.!!
Anyway it will cheer Cynic up to know that the Boss says Welly is looking very very sharp in training,the best he has looked in a long time.
Terrifying thought.
Interestingly Wenger said he hasn’t taken Jack to Sweden because he was sick before the game against the Neighbors,and didn’t want to risk him.
Which makes me wonder if the lethargy that seemed to permeate through the team at the w/end,might have had something to do with a virus among the playing group.
I know Auba was sick all week and trained alone,perhaps there were a few more that weren’t 100%.
Also Rambo’s minor groin strain is no longer minor,and he is now very doubtful for the Cup Final.
It was said with tongue buried deep in cheek H.
Where’s Lars when we need him?
My instincts say that Mesut and Mkhi shouldn’t even have gone on the plane. My recollection of a recent trip to Nottingham makes me realise that it’s just as well they did. Strong team I think. Ideal opportunity to see what AMN can do in DM role. Please.
This is Xhaka’s level. He’ll play well tomorrow night. Elneny too. They both shone against that team I can’t remember the name of in an earlier round (Boreyerballsoff or some such thing – not me, the team).
Enjoy, Holics. We need a win.
Lots of wisdom there, Sweeper. Always enjoyed.
Thnks BTM
Hope her Nelliness is keeping well in these turbulent times at the Arse.
I see Pool are giving Porto a football lesson tonight.
Every possibility we could have 4 EPL teams in the last 8 of CL.
Has that ever happened before. ??
Ned’s Monks to advise.
6/1 could be the bet of the night, just not for me, Clive. ?
Evening BtM. ?
Depressing to see the EPL teams showing such maturity at the top table over the past couple of nights.
But have to accept that we just don’t have the quality in our squad or our current Management to join them.
Given the quality of teams still in the Europa league,i will be very surprised if we can win our way into CL via this Comp.
I think more pain and heartache to come for the Club before we are strong enough to earn our place back among the elite.
Good evening, gents.
Another great preview from one of my favourite wordsmith. Thanks, ‘H.
Watching Liverpool dismantle Porto and remembering the character displayed by that shower down the road yesterday, brings into focus just how far away from the very top we are.
It hurts.
Let’s hope that whatever selection is put out will do us proud. Here’s to a resounding 3-0 to the Arse.
COYG
A team with our away form who have lost to Forest, Swansea, Bournemouth, Cologne , Stoke and played poorly all season away from home, can’t afford to rest players in a game that is actually more vital than the Carabao Cup Final. Its in freezing temperatures on an artificial pitch and much will depend on how match- fit Ostersunds are.
The game is worth a lot more money and is a way back to the big time which we won’t reach any other way.
I suspect we may get a 1-1 draw which still leaves some work to be done on Thursday week.
Tonight’s results convince further that the Premier League is much stronger than all but La Liga and the quality there may not stretch too far down.
If only you could combine our home form with Liverpool’s away form, Citeh would still have a task on their hands. Next week’s games may show that Chelsea and United are nowhere near the quality of the other English sides when playing in Europe.
Fine preview Guvna.
The team selection will be a challenge. Do we risk all the top men who remain fit or keep them on the bench until needed? If they need to come on late to salvage a result it’ll be a challenge for the hamstrings unless they warm up carefully.
However as TTG observes, this competition is potentially more important than the League Cup so we should have no compunction in playing our top players in the second leg if our selection tomorrow fails to ensure safe passage as seems likely given our away form this season.
I would give a few of our young prospects a chance to shine.
I can see it in my crystal bollox … a draw or worse in an Ostersunds snow storm, followed by a second leg played in an old-fashioned London pea-souper fog, and the lottery is won by the Pottermen. Meanwhile the neighbours march on to the CL final.
Wake up Chris ffs!
I fail to see how leaving key players at home constitutes taking the match seriously.
Not at all sure I would want to play on Potter’s field for that matter … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potter%27s_field
Thanks for the preview Guvnor.
Our away form makes a trip to
the shops look fraught with fear
and trepidation so who knows
how the frozen north will turn out.
Time to show character, roll up
the thermal sleeves and grind
out a 2-0 win.
Osp,
Calum, Mus, Nacho
Hector, Xhaka, Elneny, AMN
Ozil, Mkhi, Danny
OsakaMatt@the previous drinks: Ostersunds will not be our most northerly fixture. We played Rosenborg of Trondheim in 2004 in a Champions League group match. The Norwegian team’s Lerkendal Stadion is a little to the north of Ostersund’s Jämtkraft Arena.
I just can’t believe it’s come to this. Playing Ostersunds ffs
That post reminded me of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDJsCE01LYI
thanks Ned – masterly management
of monks to unearth that
geographical gen ?
@14
Bloody hell mate, chin up,
shoulders squared, it won’t
come to that !
Though this week’s CL games
are a bitter cup to drain I must
admit.
If being 6th in a 6 horse race,
losing tamely in a NLD
and watching teams that we
know we can beat progress in
the CL doesn’t send searing
bolts of anger and shame up
the backsides of every single
person at The Arse then all is
indeed lost.
But it’s not time now for the
gnashing of teeth and wailing
of professional mourners. Just
like in Galaxy Quest we can
still prevail.
Galaxy Quest? Isn’t that the Europa League’s new revamp?
Morning All
I don’t know what to think about tonight’s game, what with the weather, the pitch and the players available. It isn’t going to be an easy watch tonight and I suspect a glass or two of Red will be needed to calm the nerves.
It really is depressing to see our rivals in the PL playing so well in the “Big Cup” and looking at the teams left in Ropey Cup, I can’t see us even making the semis but of course all will depend on the draw. Our away form doesn’t give me any confidence of a long run in this competition.
I read that Ostersunds are well organised at the back, dangerous on corners and play on the break. Let’s get out of Sweden with at least a score draw and leave us with a straight forward task next Thursday.
I fancy a 1-1 score line, we will probably need Nacho to get the goal!
Good luck to all our brave fans making the trip.
COYR
I think the PL is the best European league and at our best we could beat anyone left in it if we can hold our own with the top English clubs, which on our day we can. Atletico might be tactically a bit astute for us
But we must commit fully tonight , and going forward , to do this
This week has hurt Gooners because it rubs in the decline in the club’s status. I hope it hurts the Board and owner similarly
Hey GH!
AMN to step out of the freezer, please.
In other news there is this headline:
Sulaiman Al Fahim: Ex-Portsmouth owner jailed for stealing £5m from wife to buy club
Did someone say there is dirty money in football?
Ospina
Bellerin Mustafi Chambers Monreal
Iwobi Elneny Maitland Niles Mkhi
Ozil
Welbeck
It’s time to see what AMN can really do.
Great opportunity for the lad to make that position his.
Kudos to AW for fielding a relatively strong side. Let’s see what they’re about.
UTA
Finally, we can see AMN in midfield
When did AMN last play in midfield with Danny upfront?
I think Southampton in the 4th round of the FA Cup last year.
We won 5-0.
Danny, true to his reputation, misses a chance he should have buried.
The stadium and the surface look ok. They are very well organised defensively and we are passing the ball around slowly as usual.
COYG.
Monreal scores – unreal. 0-1!!!!
Might we play Nacho upfront?
Might we play Nacho up front ?
So good I said it twice ?
Nachoooooo
How many goals does he have this season, and is he in danger of overtaking Ramsey et al?
OG – 0-2.
Back to our style of defending-Ospina just keeps it out.
Even by Europa League standards, our passing is terrible and we keep giving the ball away.
This season has drained me of confidence. For half an hour we looked so in control it was embarrassing but once they gained some confidence they are causing us problems. We will face a lot of nervy moments if they get the next goal. We are still too easy to play against when a team get on the front foot.
Good goal by Ozil 0-3.
yeeeaaah
bring on the draw
Why doesn’t AW field a couple of youngsters now.
Finally, Nketiah on for Welbeck
Nelson on for Mkhi for the final 7 mins.
Stupid by Bellerin, concedes penalty after taking a wild swing but saved by Ospina.
Clean sheet and a comfortable night out.
Hats off to our away support for braving the elements and cheering the team on.
Solid game. No fuss and took care of business professionally.
Maitland Niles, on account of his display tonight, should have another turn in that position. He exhibited calmness, pace and confidence. Just need to see him do it against Premier League opposition.
Cech sitting at home going “FFS, even I could have saved that penalty”
I think the most fun comment so far, or Freudian slip, is James Olley in the report of this evenings’s match:
“Wenger replaced Wenger with Nketiah for the final eight minutes.”
Now, that’s an image to ponder…
Job done
Good win for Arsenal. No doubt the media will do their best to turn a positive into a negative. Hopefully our own supporters, former players , etc won’t follow suit. Up the Gunners!
Woohoo! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>