Lewis

To rest as many players as possible, that's all. And I think that's absolutely right.

Not great but bad pitch, couple of young players, a few players short on minutes, completely unfamiliar shape. It was always likely to be a tricky game, especially at 0-0.

Key to this formation being effective and not exposed is to minimise turnovers. Keep the ball, push them back, one-on-ones out wide but not so much dribbling through the middle. Far too careless in possession so far.

First 10 minutes were a nice relaxing watch and I really appreciated that.

✅

Could be!

Suspended

Imagine it'll look something like this...

Kepa;
Salmon, Mosquera, Calafiori;
Norgaard;
Trossard, Havertz;
Martinelli, Dowman, Madueke;
Jesus

Perfect bench too.

If there was ever a game for three at the back and 80% possession it's this one. Three-diamond-three for life.

To me the question was never going to be whether Carrick could oversee decent performances and possibly results against City and Arsenal, it was always going to be about games like West Ham.

But they've almost all consistently struggled with creating enough chances and controlling games (space)/not being caught on the break when dominating possession. Because in the modern game it's simply the hardest thing to do.

People massively underestimate how hard it is to dominate possession and effectively break teams down. Every single United side post-SAF have got some great results against top teams by being organised and then using their athleticism and talent in spaces on the break, it's not *that* hard to do.

Teams/players are more tactically astute and physically capable than ever before.

Last season Palace and City had their league games moved to the midweek following the cup final, before the final weekend of the season. There's no CL scheduled for then either, semis are earlier, so even if we're still in that I imagine it'll be the same - 20/21 May.

If this trend continues I do think we'll get changes in the laws to try to 'correct' the direction of travel, and that's absolutely fine. But it'd take years of testing and tweaking even if those running the game were competent. And they aren't.

More and more teams are good at corners because:
1) It's harder than ever to be effective in open play
2) They've belatedly realised that they've wasted years not focusing enough on corners.

Changing the game to the extent people pour like at the top level requires enormous changes in the laws.

If Pochettino does go back he'll have a great chance to finally win a trophy with them, good for him

Igor Three-One-down

🫢

Keine Sorge, die sind bald nicht mehr Premier League

Raya completed more passes to Havertz (7) than to any other player last night.

Yeah I agree, on rewatching I think we were good up to 85 against Chelsea - would've preferred a lot more of the ball and think against 10 there's no excuse not to, but they were in their own third with it.

Arsenal didn't dominate possession after those subs but the game was played further away from the Arsenal goal, it stopped being a backs to the wall effort and Arsenal carried their own threat. Made a massive difference.

Passes completed (final third) before Havertz, Trossard, Calafiori were on the pitch at Brighton:

Brighton 290 (76) - 170 (17) Arsenal

After Havertz, Trossard, Calafiori had all come on:

Brighton 124 (25) - 60 (26) Arsenal

I'm more worried about us than them, we're in the driving seat. And from a very selfish perspective, I've found it mentally/emotionally draining, so I personally am happy there's a break.

Of course, due to the amount of time routinely wasted one league game in six weeks is actually par for Arsenal this season.

One league game in the next six weeks feels strange now but I'm grateful for it. This 2026 run has felt all-consuming, never-ending. Breaking it up for a bit should be good for everyone.

When we're back at it, four of the next five league games are at home, the other at City. I'll take that.

Arsenal need to lean into these "boring"/"time-wasting"/"Set Piece FC" accusations. Let the wider world sneer. Create a siege mentality. Dig in. Be mean. For around two decades they were accused of being too soft, now they are apparently the opposite. Ride the hate-wave.