Arsenal v Liverpool FC - Milk Cup Semi Final 13th & 20th Jan

[Gethin]

Borderline whether this even goes ahead - at the moment we have 13+2 available from what I can see:
 

Kelleher Adrian (Out: Ali - Covid)

TAA Neco

VVD Gomez Konate (Out: Matip - Covid, Phillips - injured)

Robbo Tsimi

Hendo Milner Ox Fab Curtis (Out: Thiago - injured, Keita - AFCON)

Jota (Out: Bobby - Covid, Origi & Minamino - injured, Mo & Mane - AFCON)

 

The COVID players should be back in time for Shrewsbury as long as they're testing negative.

If it does happen, the game is live on Sky.

[Alonso]

Morton, Gordon and Beck will be added to that lot from the youth team along with probably a couple of others to make up the squad. We’ll get the game on I think and go as strong as possible given we can go less strong v Shrewsbury although there’ll probably not be much chance of loads of rotation given how few players we have available. 

[baz2107]

Bobby and Allison could potentially be back. They weren’t training on Thursday so if their tests were Wednesday they could be out of isolation-whether they are ready to play is a different matter

[Gethin]

6 minutes ago, baz2107 said:

Bobby and Allison could potentially be back.

We might risk Bobby but I think Kelleher would have played these 3 games anyway

[Tommok]

What's Origi's injury and how long is he likely out for? 

It's really annoying he's  been injured just as he was building up some momentum. 

[Hassony]

1 hour ago, Gethin said:

We might risk Bobby but I think Kelleher would have played these 3 games anyway

We can play Alisson up front 

[Cam]

Does Robertson's suspension apply to the FA Cup game? 

[Hassony]

13 minutes ago, Cam said:

Does Robertson's suspension apply to the FA Cup game? 

Robbo is back for the Arsenal game I thought, he misses 3 games already

[Gethin]

11 minutes ago, Hassony said:

Robbo is back for the Arsenal game I thought, he misses 3 games already

Yup. Both Leicester games and Chelsea

[Cam]

1 hour ago, Hassony said:

Robbo is back for the Arsenal game I thought, he misses 3 games already

Sorry, you're right. I had in my head the League Cup didn't count and he played in that game.

[Big Red Machine]

Does afcon count as being not available? 

 

[Cam]

Just now, Big Red Machine said:

Does afcon count as being not available? 

 

Nope, sadly not. 

[growler]

I think we play strong defence and mid, cover players up front and look to keep it level, then 2nd leg go stronger at home. 

[Hassony]

1 minute ago, growler said:

I think we play strong defence and mid, cover players up front and look to keep it level, then 2nd leg go stronger at home. 

We don't have cover players up front 

 

Think it'll be Jota, Ox and Jones up front 

[growler]

Just now, Hassony said:

We don't have cover players up front 

 

Think it'll be Jota, Ox and Jones up front 

I’m thinking the kids may fill in up top. Is the polish kid fit? Musilowski? (Sp)

[Falconhoof]

1 hour ago, growler said:

I’m thinking the kids may fill in up top. Is the polish kid fit? Musilowski? (Sp)

Scored a hattrick for the u18s a few weeks back. 

Hope him and Gordon get a game. 
 

[Cam]

1 hour ago, Hassony said:

We don't have cover players up front 

 

Think it'll be Jota, Ox and Jones up front 

Very probably. Certainly if it was a league game. 

I just wonder if he will protect Jota and use a three of Gordon/Oxlade/Jones.  The latter two need games. I suppose Williams could feature in a front three. 

[Cunny]

be something like this

Kelleher

Williams Konate Gomez Robertson

Jones Ox Morton

Jota Firmino Minamino (if fit)

[Gethin]

They don’t usually put injured players straight back into the starting lineup. If Origi or Minamino are fit you’d more likely see them come on as sub 

[Cam]

I hope we do something mad like play all three rightbacks down the right hand side or both Robertson and Tsimikas.

Perhaps invoke the spirit of Reina in midfield and tell Fabinho this is his chance to live out his boyhood dream of being Pele as centre forward.

Play Gerrard at leftback?

 

[Hassony]

If I was Pep, I would just go for it and play myself, or at least name myself on the bench, you never know if he'll every get this chance again

[Cunny]

 

[muleskinner]

And Sundays you'd think.

[PaulMcC186]

Plenty of tickets on sale now for Shrewsbury if anyone wants to bring their kids/nephews/nieces and never get the chance.

[Raj]

Rumour that the training ground is closed. Gks have all tested positive