From Arsenal.com
Morning all.
The last couple of matches have seen us struggle to make the most of goal scoring opportunities. We’ve still managed to win the games but both should have been more comfortable victories than they were. The game against Chelsea too could have been won by a greater margin had we been more clinical. But, I’m not being overly critical here because we’ve still earned the points by digging in and doing what we’ve needed to do by the end of the game.
Looking around at the other so called top clubs and their results, I don’t think any of them have started this season convincingly and only City match us as far as points go and even they should be two points down on their currently tally.
I feel like I write this every season around this time of the year but the League Cup isn’t a competition which sits high on priority list for many if any Arsenal fans. A trophy is a trophy of course and I’d love Arsenal to be lifting it in February but by using the entire squad and our younger players. Regardless of be an all Premier League club tie this evening, I hope Mikel Arteta fields a heavily rotated Arsenal team. Heavily rotated doesn’t mean weakened, not anymore. Well, other than between the sticks because who out there can match David Raya? I still don’t know how he managed to save that Sunderland penalty. Amazing, simply amazing.
Ipswich kicked off their season with a 2-1 defeat of Sunderland. A 3-1 League Cup win over Leicester City followed before they travelled to Old Trafford where they were thumped 5-2. A 2-0 defeat at home against Liverpool came next before they defeated the ten men of Crystal Palace in the dying seconds of the game at Selhurst Park. I think it’s fair to say that so far, their return to Premier League football has been mixed.
When I think of Arsenal, Ipswich and a domestic cup, I can’t help thinking of the 1978 FA Cup Final. Arsenal were favourites after Ipswich had a pretty poor season but lo and behold, they beat us 1-0. Terry Neil was the manager back then, the late great Bobby Robson was the manager of Ipswich and on the bench was just one named substitute. Those were the days eh… Anyway, that was then..
The last time these two clubs went head to head was in April 2025 at Portland Road when Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners. The home team had a player sent off just after the 30 minute mark. Two goals from Leandro Trossard and one each from Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri secured the victory. We were 2-0 before the sending off I hasten to add.
Talking Tactics by Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke:
O’Neil is a flexible tactician who is prepared to switch formations game by game, but so far his side has exclusively started in a 4-2-3-1.Much will depend on how much they want to rotate, but one of their key strengths is the number of skilful attacking midfielders and wide players at O’Neil’s disposal, while left-back Leif Davis has enjoyed an outstanding start, scoring twice and registering an assist. If the 26-year-old starts, we will need to track his marauding runs, while his precise left foot also deserves respect.
O’Neil’s central midfield unit in Premier League games has been built around the industry of Sasa Lukic and Exequiel Palacios, who are both aggressive in their style. Ex-Burnley man Florentino could come in and do a similar job, but if he starts Marcelino Nunez it will point towards a slightly bolder approach in that department.
I would expect us to have over 55% possession, so the two most dangerous areas we need to watch are Ipswich’s direct attacks on the break (they’ve already had 8 shots from those in four league games) and their threat from high turnovers. Two of their Premier League strikes have come in that manner, so do not be surprised if they press us with a little hostility.
However Ipswich have faced 26 league shots on target, a joint high in the division, leaking 10 goals in four outings. Caught a little open at times, they are not renowned for their compactness or solidity. With all this in mind, I expect a fairly open contest, with plenty of goalmouth action.
There is no doubting Mikel Arteta will want to win this game tonight just as I’m sure we all want Arsenal to win it because regardless of what we think of this competition, losing just isn’t in the mindset of top professional sportsmen and women. This competition though does allow players to get more minutes, players like Mikel Merino, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Ebe Eze, Noni Madueke, Marli Salmon and Max Dowman. Players who I suspect O’Neil would love to have in his squad. Players who played a big part in our Premier League winning season. I’ve no idea who will be between the sticks out of Illan Meslier and Kepa though.
No VAR tonight so it’s all eyes on Peter Bankes..
Catch up in the comments.