We start the fifth installment of the Arsenal Master League series with an away tie at Fulham. It’s the twelfth league fixture, but in terms of my games played, its game week thirteen. The lineup I have selected is; Alisson (GK), Kolasinac (LB), Mustafi (CB), Fosu-Mensah (CB), Toure (RB), Tielemans (CM), Goretzka (CM), Ozil (CAM), Balde (LW), Williams (RW), Lacazette (ST) sticking with my tried and tested 4-3-3 formation. Below are the highlights.
Despite the changes made I actually managed a 3-1 win this week, although when Fulham brought it back to 2-1 it was an awkward 10 minutes until Kolasinac buried a third. Everton managed to score two this week, running out 2-0 winners away to Wolves, so they remain top with the Gunners still sitting a point behind, but five points clear of third placed Man Utd. I’ll post a screenshot of the league table after the next league fixture. First up though is the fifth Europa League tie; Real Sociedad at the Emirates. As always I’ll be simulating this game, but here’s the lineup I chose. Ospina (GK), Kolasinac (LB), Mustafi (CB), Holding (CB), Bellerin (RB), Xhaka (CM), Goretzka (CM), Asensio (CAM), Bergwijn (LW), Mkhitaryan (RW), Aubameyang (ST). The match ended 2-0 to the Gunners. This puts me six points clear at the top of the group with one game remaining, so the group is won.
Next up is Swansea at home in the league. As most of my best XI were rested for the Europa League I have went with what I believe just now to be my strongest lineup, minus Goretzka and possibly Kolasinac. That is Alisson (GK), Lukaku (LB), Ajer (CB), Koulibaly (CB), Toure (RB), Tolisso (CM), Tielemans (CM), Ozil (CAM), Balde (LW), Williams (RW), Poulsen (ST). Below are the highlights.
Not the best of games by any means, but I tend to lose to Swansea almost every time I play them, so a win and a clean sheet are both more than welcome! Even when I went a goal up Swansea stuck to their defensive mentality and hit route one balls. the last five minutes of the game I basically just passed the ball around in defence with no press from the opposition. They seemed as happy to lose by a goal as I did to win. In other news Everton went absolutely goal crazy, winning 4-1 at home to Burnley. This means after thirteen league games the table is as follows.
The November team of the month only sees three Arsenal players make the XI, but it’s the front three, so a good tip of the hat to our attacking football. Poulsen also keeps his 100% record of getting in the TOTM.
The third and final game of the episode is an away league tie against Newcastle. They currently sit 11th in the league as you can see in the screen grab above. 4 wins, 7 draws and only 2 losses is a great return for the squad they have, so this should be a tough fixture. Speaking of loses, I currently have none… could this be another Invincible season?! I have probably jinxed it now. My lineup for the Toon game is; Alisson (GK), Kolasinac (LB), Ajer (CB), Koulibaly (CB), Toure (RB), Tolisso (CM), Goretzka (CM), Ozil (CAM), Balde (LW), Williams (RW), Poulsen (ST). A quick look at the Newcastle 4-4-1-1 formation and I can see why they haven’t lost many. Below are the highlights.
A disappointing 2-2 draw, but there was good news coming from London as Chelsea beat Everton 2-0. This means we are back top of the league on goal difference. Plus, the unbeaten run continues. It’s worrying that the team continues to lose goals despite dominating games so heavily, but it’s working for us so far. That’ll do me for episode five. I’ll be back soon as ever with episode six as we close in on that crazy holiday pile up of fixtures, with games against Spurs, Everton, Man Utd and Man City all in thirteen days. In the meantime hit me up in the comments or tweet me @VizualDze.
VdZe