JoeAgain please accept my apologies that there have been very few posts recently. There has been a lot going on both on and off the pitch. I won’t linger too much on the matches that I’ve missed due to there being so many. But stand out wins against Liverpool and most recently a thumping of Forest mean that we remain top of the Premier League, albeit by a mere two points.
But tonight our focus returns to European football. After a pretty weak performance in Eindhoven last week we have it all to do tonight to secure top spot. Securing top in the UEL has become increasingly more important over recent seasons, sending teams straight into the round of 16 and avoiding the initial drop outs from the Champions League. This year that group includes Barcelona, Ajax and Juventus. Along with initially swerving these, it’s two less games to be played in what is becoming an increasingly punishing schedule.
The plan was clearly to get the job done last week, finish top and rest players ahead of our massive Sunday match against Chelsea. But things don’t always go to plan so now Arteta has a choice to make. Do we go full strength and try to get it done early? or do we play a weakened team and hope they have enough o get the job done? My feeling is the former, especially considering everyone apart from ESR trained yesterday meaning the manager has most of the squad at his disposal.
Tonight is a huge game for us. Topping the group means we can focus on our remaining two Premier League games and go into the break knowing we’re safely through to the round of 16. For clarity we need to win tonight to ensure top spot, unless our new friends in Bodo do us a favour. See you there.
COYG!
-Joe