08 Jan 2026 16:35:40
The rumour is Konate is fit despite missing training or Arsenal tonight but no Curtis Jones.
Ekitike will not start.
That's doing the rounds.
08 Jan 2026 17:08:30
But Gomez is back, isn't he? That may be better.
08 Jan 2026 17:54:11
Believe Gomez is available.
Ekitike fitness is a big risk apparently.
08 Jan 2026 18:04:07
No Ekitike then no chance imo. No pace and no way to get up the pitch. This is where i feel for Slot. Diaz not being replaced is proving to be huge and i thought the club would go all in for Semenyo as a result. Big ask for Frimpong as he is our only source of raw pace atm.
An inter milan away win is our only hope but i see Arsenal pinning us in and scoring early. With us wounded, city loosing and under the lights i expect a noisy Emirates.
08 Jan 2026 18:30:58
Ekitike currently ranks (according to recorded top speeds during games) as our second fastest player behind Frimpong who is available. Wirtz and Gakpo are 3rd and 4th, with only Salah and now apparently Konate not available out of the remainder of the squad from the top 10. And that's not counting Rio who is rapid.
The point I'm making is we still have pace available it's just how it is used.
It's a bit of an urban myth IMO that Gakpo is slow, he just might look it because he's quite tall for a winger. His recorded top speeds were higher than Diaz's last season.
08 Jan 2026 18:41:49
Dom has pace to burn too.
08 Jan 2026 19:08:34
We are screwed if that's the case, in terms of ekitike I mean. I think we'll lose anyway but we had a fighting chance with eki.
08 Jan 2026 19:18:04
Westwood666 - Dom's actually got the fastest recorded top speed on the team. I think he clocked a PL record at the time, it was against Wolves in '23, he was tracking back to catch a 1v1 if I remember correctly. Not like he's hitting those numbers every week but thought you'd like to know. He's still pissed his pace is only 79 in FIFA!
08 Jan 2026 19:17:40
I think this game is custom made for Wirtz to pull the strings tonight. I think we win 2-1, MacAllister screamer and Wirtz.
BOOM back in the title race.
08 Jan 2026 19:22:15
How is Macallister playing over Jones. His speciality of late is to hold his head and fall down having being tackled by his shadow.
08 Jan 2026 19:28:26
Wow, huge difference between the two teams, the gunners are big lads and their subs bench is so good,
We should bring in a striker on loan, this is rediculous, playing without a striker,
Callum Wilson is available,
You might laugh, but if we get a beating by Arsenal, and don't score, then we might have to do a loan transfer.
08 Jan 2026 19:31:48
Its different pace. Im referring to pace to clip them on the break. Dom is a powerful marathon runner, Gakpo is quick when he stands his man and needs to get a shot away. Im talking about pace in behind like Manes/ Salahs out in runs. Isak / Hugo ability to spin on the centre halves and get away.
08 Jan 2026 19:58:02
Sorry but Gakpo favourite shot is over the bar,
We are going backwards, no hugo no salah no Isak no striker
No goals
Bring in a striker or we don't win,
Think this is going to be a tough watch.
08 Jan 2026 20:01:28
Fair one chewy and funky. The stats I found were just from this season not previous. I do think there are bigger issues though but hey ho, up the reds!
08 Jan 2026 20:54:27
Redsikh, of late?
09 Jan 2026 00:24:25
You lot are boring everyone to death!
{Ed078's Note - whoever is forcing you to read this thread needs to stop.
09 Jan 2026 09:29:14
Haha ed078. Free the Salmonmonk.