Morning all.
It’s Champions League final day. I don’t know how much I can actually write that’s of any real substance when it comes to a game like this. For the most part, I talked it out on our preview podcast which is available to listen to everywhere for free (down below or here and in all the usual podcast place).
So basically, team news stuff is where we’re at. The big question is right back and at his press conference Mikel Arteta confirmed Jurrien Timber is fit enough to start, and while that’s obviously a bit of a risk considering how long he’s been out, I think it’s one you have to go with from the start if you’re going to take it at all. If it doesn’t work, you’re not losing a sub the way you would if you brought him on later and he broke down.
On the other side, I’d start Riccardo Calafiori at left back and in midfield, to fight fire with fire, my preference would be see Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard start. However, I do recognise that one of those two on the bench is more of a potential game changer than one of Myles Lewis-Skelly or Martin Zubimendi who are also potential starters. I also think my preference isn’t necessarily in line with how the manager thinks but let’s see how it goes.
Up front I reckon it’ll be Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka on the flanks with Kai Havertz starting up top. I’ve said throughout this season that if we had a big game and Mikel Arteta had everyone fit, he’d go with the German from the start, but I also think Viktor Gyokeres could have a big role to play. This is, potentially, a game that could last 120 minutes and his late game energy (and ability from the penalty spot) could be very useful.
Beyond that, what can I say? We know how big this game is. We know what’s at stake. Budapest is full to the brim of Arsenal fans who have come from far and wide to see the team put 2006 to bed and finally lift this trophy. I don’t know what will happen, but I think compared to our last Champions League final, we’re in a much better place than we were back then. That was a team that was at the end of a cycle, fractured, somewhat falling apart.
This time we go into it as Champions. The pressure is off that sense. We have confidence and belief in spades. Winning this would be wonderful but it doesn’t define our season. Whatever happens, we’ve still done the thing we wanted to do for so long, and hopefully that freedom allows us to do what we have to do today.
Right, I have to go do things then go to a Champions League final. Holy cow. We will have live blog coverage for you too, but the post-game stuff on Arseblog News is likely to be a little later than usual. The preview podcast is below, and hopefully I see loads of you today as we do something this club has never done before. Just make a bit of history. You love to see it.
COME ON YOU REDS!
