PB
@olipb.bsky.social
Write/Talk Arsenal. UFC. Comms. BBC Sport Arsenal contributor.
Read my weekly free substack: https://fresharsenal.substack.com/
Read my weekly free substack: https://fresharsenal.substack.com/
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PB
@olipb.bsky.social
· 15d
Gabriel out for up to 2 months, how Arsenal should manage it
Hincapie, Mosquera or Calafiori? I take a deeper look at the best solutions to Gabriel's absence
fresharsenal.substack.com
🤯Gabriel out for up to 2 months, how Arsenal should manage it
🔸Keep Mosquera on the right
🔸Hincapie & MLS + Calafiori & Hincapie
🔸Cala 'Stones' role or MLS inverting
I detail my preferences & reasons in latest newsletter. Nice, quick & free read!👇
fresharsenal.substack.com/p/gabriel-ou...
🔸Keep Mosquera on the right
🔸Hincapie & MLS + Calafiori & Hincapie
🔸Cala 'Stones' role or MLS inverting
I detail my preferences & reasons in latest newsletter. Nice, quick & free read!👇
fresharsenal.substack.com/p/gabriel-ou...
Saturday is about these two 🪄
Against the backdrop of a mishmash defence and tired midfield, Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka are fresh and capable of moments of magic to get us the points.
Against the backdrop of a mishmash defence and tired midfield, Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka are fresh and capable of moments of magic to get us the points.
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Saturday is about these two 🪄
Against the backdrop of a mishmash defence and tired midfield, Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka are fresh and capable of moments of magic to get us the points.
Against the backdrop of a mishmash defence and tired midfield, Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka are fresh and capable of moments of magic to get us the points.
🙏 to Liverpool for taking points off Sunderland
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
🙏 to Liverpool for taking points off Sunderland
vs. Villa
Raya
Timber Saliba Hincapie Calafiori
Zubi Rice
Saka Eze Leo
Gyokeres
Fingers crossed on Rice, Saliba and Leo
I know Merino is on fire, but we need freshness in front of Rice-Zubi to help them. That would be a completely fresh front 4.
Raya
Timber Saliba Hincapie Calafiori
Zubi Rice
Saka Eze Leo
Gyokeres
Fingers crossed on Rice, Saliba and Leo
I know Merino is on fire, but we need freshness in front of Rice-Zubi to help them. That would be a completely fresh front 4.
December 3, 2025 at 9:38 PM
vs. Villa
Raya
Timber Saliba Hincapie Calafiori
Zubi Rice
Saka Eze Leo
Gyokeres
Fingers crossed on Rice, Saliba and Leo
I know Merino is on fire, but we need freshness in front of Rice-Zubi to help them. That would be a completely fresh front 4.
Raya
Timber Saliba Hincapie Calafiori
Zubi Rice
Saka Eze Leo
Gyokeres
Fingers crossed on Rice, Saliba and Leo
I know Merino is on fire, but we need freshness in front of Rice-Zubi to help them. That would be a completely fresh front 4.
So much to digest from that:
🔹O & White come through strong with 90 mins under their belt
🔹Clean sheet with a much-changed defence, Raya brilliant
🔹Saka, Eze only 30 mins
🔸Rice, Mosq injuries
🔸Rice, Zubi look tired & needed on Sat early kick-off
🔹O & White come through strong with 90 mins under their belt
🔹Clean sheet with a much-changed defence, Raya brilliant
🔹Saka, Eze only 30 mins
🔸Rice, Mosq injuries
🔸Rice, Zubi look tired & needed on Sat early kick-off
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
So much to digest from that:
🔹O & White come through strong with 90 mins under their belt
🔹Clean sheet with a much-changed defence, Raya brilliant
🔹Saka, Eze only 30 mins
🔸Rice, Mosq injuries
🔸Rice, Zubi look tired & needed on Sat early kick-off
🔹O & White come through strong with 90 mins under their belt
🔹Clean sheet with a much-changed defence, Raya brilliant
🔹Saka, Eze only 30 mins
🔸Rice, Mosq injuries
🔸Rice, Zubi look tired & needed on Sat early kick-off
Villa have won 12 of their last 14 games. Next up for injury-depleted Arsenal, Villa (a).
December 3, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Villa have won 12 of their last 14 games. Next up for injury-depleted Arsenal, Villa (a).
I cannot express how much relief I felt when that Saka goal went over the line
This had all the ingredients for a late sucker-punch
Sitters missed by Merino and Saka
Tired midfield getting stretched
Extra injuries and all change in defence
Brentford set-piece threat
😅
This had all the ingredients for a late sucker-punch
Sitters missed by Merino and Saka
Tired midfield getting stretched
Extra injuries and all change in defence
Brentford set-piece threat
😅
December 3, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I cannot express how much relief I felt when that Saka goal went over the line
This had all the ingredients for a late sucker-punch
Sitters missed by Merino and Saka
Tired midfield getting stretched
Extra injuries and all change in defence
Brentford set-piece threat
😅
This had all the ingredients for a late sucker-punch
Sitters missed by Merino and Saka
Tired midfield getting stretched
Extra injuries and all change in defence
Brentford set-piece threat
😅
Hincapie and Timber are wide CBs or FBs. We're now having to play without an out and out CB and a brand new pairing, again.
Let's hope Saliba is back for Saturday.
Let's hope Saliba is back for Saturday.
Our three out and out CBs all injured. What is going on man.
December 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Hincapie and Timber are wide CBs or FBs. We're now having to play without an out and out CB and a brand new pairing, again.
Let's hope Saliba is back for Saturday.
Let's hope Saliba is back for Saturday.
Our three out and out CBs all injured. What is going on man.
December 3, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Our three out and out CBs all injured. What is going on man.
Fabulous work from the fresh right-hand side of Madueke and White, the latter grabbing a brilliant assist for Merino who heads in decisively again!
December 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Fabulous work from the fresh right-hand side of Madueke and White, the latter grabbing a brilliant assist for Merino who heads in decisively again!
Our greatest bench of all time?
Would like to have seen one of Eze/Saka on the wings, and Gyokeres start but otherwise happy with the XI.
Not convinced Odegaard/Merino pair gives us enough central force.
Important Martinelli and Madueke perform, big opportunity for them.
Would like to have seen one of Eze/Saka on the wings, and Gyokeres start but otherwise happy with the XI.
Not convinced Odegaard/Merino pair gives us enough central force.
Important Martinelli and Madueke perform, big opportunity for them.
December 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Our greatest bench of all time?
Would like to have seen one of Eze/Saka on the wings, and Gyokeres start but otherwise happy with the XI.
Not convinced Odegaard/Merino pair gives us enough central force.
Important Martinelli and Madueke perform, big opportunity for them.
Would like to have seen one of Eze/Saka on the wings, and Gyokeres start but otherwise happy with the XI.
Not convinced Odegaard/Merino pair gives us enough central force.
Important Martinelli and Madueke perform, big opportunity for them.
Bournemouth are quietly on a terrible run. Down to 14th. Chelsea & Man Utd next.
December 2, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Bournemouth are quietly on a terrible run. Down to 14th. Chelsea & Man Utd next.
Seeing far too much complacency for tomorrow's game. So much change already at heart of our defence.
I'd keep changes to Odegaard & Gyokeres + Saliba & Leo (when fit) to come in over the next two, then use Brugge & Wolves games as chance to significantly reduce load on likes of Timber, Saka, Rice.
I'd keep changes to Odegaard & Gyokeres + Saliba & Leo (when fit) to come in over the next two, then use Brugge & Wolves games as chance to significantly reduce load on likes of Timber, Saka, Rice.
December 2, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Seeing far too much complacency for tomorrow's game. So much change already at heart of our defence.
I'd keep changes to Odegaard & Gyokeres + Saliba & Leo (when fit) to come in over the next two, then use Brugge & Wolves games as chance to significantly reduce load on likes of Timber, Saka, Rice.
I'd keep changes to Odegaard & Gyokeres + Saliba & Leo (when fit) to come in over the next two, then use Brugge & Wolves games as chance to significantly reduce load on likes of Timber, Saka, Rice.
When you look at the lack of relief available to Zubimendi and Rice and the quality at LB in Calafiori, Hincapie, (Timber) + couple that with the struggles MLS has at LB (1vs1, defensive awareness), surely it is worth giving MLS some midfield time?
December 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
When you look at the lack of relief available to Zubimendi and Rice and the quality at LB in Calafiori, Hincapie, (Timber) + couple that with the struggles MLS has at LB (1vs1, defensive awareness), surely it is worth giving MLS some midfield time?
Rice, Timber, Zubimendi and Calafiori are the only Arsenal outfielders that have not been injured this season. We are only 13 games in.
November 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Rice, Timber, Zubimendi and Calafiori are the only Arsenal outfielders that have not been injured this season. We are only 13 games in.
Timber has stopped Gyokeres scoring a last kick winner.
Like the Sunderland draw, Arsenal inches away of winning at the death.
Gutting.
Like the Sunderland draw, Arsenal inches away of winning at the death.
Gutting.
November 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Timber has stopped Gyokeres scoring a last kick winner.
Like the Sunderland draw, Arsenal inches away of winning at the death.
Gutting.
Like the Sunderland draw, Arsenal inches away of winning at the death.
Gutting.
How on earth was there only 4 added minutes in that second half?
November 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
How on earth was there only 4 added minutes in that second half?
Ref will be desperate to even it up, so those on a yellow have to be extremely careful.
Might be worth removing 1 or 2 on a yellow, Odegaard for Zubimendi?
Good game state to have Gyokeres and Jesus back on the bench.
Might be worth removing 1 or 2 on a yellow, Odegaard for Zubimendi?
Good game state to have Gyokeres and Jesus back on the bench.
November 30, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Ref will be desperate to even it up, so those on a yellow have to be extremely careful.
Might be worth removing 1 or 2 on a yellow, Odegaard for Zubimendi?
Good game state to have Gyokeres and Jesus back on the bench.
Might be worth removing 1 or 2 on a yellow, Odegaard for Zubimendi?
Good game state to have Gyokeres and Jesus back on the bench.
To have the best CB partnership in Europe out, so we have to play a duo who have had one game together to date, sums up our luck.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
November 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
To have the best CB partnership in Europe out, so we have to play a duo who have had one game together to date, sums up our luck.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
To have the best CB partnership in Europe out, so we have to play a duo who have had one game together to date, sums up our luck.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
November 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
To have the best CB partnership in Europe out, so we have to play a duo who have had one game together to date, sums up our luck.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
But we still have lots of quality. Great to see Jesus and Gyokeres back on the bench.
They'll play together centrally at times, and Eze minutes from the left but
Eze & Havertz
Odegaard & Gyokeres
Pairings in the #10 and #9 could be so good, compliment each other really well
Eze & Havertz
Odegaard & Gyokeres
Pairings in the #10 and #9 could be so good, compliment each other really well
November 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
They'll play together centrally at times, and Eze minutes from the left but
Eze & Havertz
Odegaard & Gyokeres
Pairings in the #10 and #9 could be so good, compliment each other really well
Eze & Havertz
Odegaard & Gyokeres
Pairings in the #10 and #9 could be so good, compliment each other really well
Next 6, Sunday is huge.
Between Brugge / Wolves games, there big chances to rotate. Need to get some on the fringes up to speed.
Between Brugge / Wolves games, there big chances to rotate. Need to get some on the fringes up to speed.
November 26, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Next 6, Sunday is huge.
Between Brugge / Wolves games, there big chances to rotate. Need to get some on the fringes up to speed.
Between Brugge / Wolves games, there big chances to rotate. Need to get some on the fringes up to speed.
xG
Arsenal 2.72 - 0.69 Bayern
Big chances
Arsenal 7-1 Bayern
Massively deserved Arsenal win, fantastic performance, particularly second half.
Arsenal 2.72 - 0.69 Bayern
Big chances
Arsenal 7-1 Bayern
Massively deserved Arsenal win, fantastic performance, particularly second half.
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
xG
Arsenal 2.72 - 0.69 Bayern
Big chances
Arsenal 7-1 Bayern
Massively deserved Arsenal win, fantastic performance, particularly second half.
Arsenal 2.72 - 0.69 Bayern
Big chances
Arsenal 7-1 Bayern
Massively deserved Arsenal win, fantastic performance, particularly second half.
Last season we run Saka into the ground til 90 mins, ultimately degrading his overall performances and increasing his injury risk.
This year we have game changers on the bench.
All this with all three of our strikers still out injured btw.
This year we have game changers on the bench.
All this with all three of our strikers still out injured btw.
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Last season we run Saka into the ground til 90 mins, ultimately degrading his overall performances and increasing his injury risk.
This year we have game changers on the bench.
All this with all three of our strikers still out injured btw.
This year we have game changers on the bench.
All this with all three of our strikers still out injured btw.
Inter Milan have lost in 90+3, meaning Arsenal are 3pts clear at the top of the table! It means top 8 is basically done, should allow for more heavy rotation in Brugge and a full rotation against Kairat.
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Inter Milan have lost in 90+3, meaning Arsenal are 3pts clear at the top of the table! It means top 8 is basically done, should allow for more heavy rotation in Brugge and a full rotation against Kairat.
Bayern were good first half, but this second half from Arsenal has been sensational.
November 26, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Bayern were good first half, but this second half from Arsenal has been sensational.