Arsenal v Atletico: protests in Spain, TV censorship, and 3 starting XIs.

 

 

By Tony Attwood

• Arsenal v Atletico Madrid and the need to win every game
• Arsenal prepare for the Champions League: is the club improving?
• Arsenal in the Champions League tomorrow: so far it is looking rather fine

Since Arsenal are playing a Spanish club tonight, I thought I might mention that over the weekend, players in the Spanish league staged a protest against league matches being played in America, following an initiative from the Spanish Footballers’ Association.   As the referee blew for the matches to begin, they stood completely still for 15 seconds, refusing to start the game.  Their trade union stated that the gesture was a symbolic response to “La Liga’s lack of transparency, dialogue and consistency.”  Personally, I’d agree; games at home should be played at home.

The league itself has said they would like to have “a useful and constructive dialogue” about the matter, but the clubs’ and players’ view appears to be that there is no dialogue to be had – they don’t want their matches moved away from their club’s supporters.

In response, La Liga instructed the TV companies not to show the 15-second strikes. DAZN, for example, showed the outside of the stadium while other broadcasters showed a graphic concerning peace in the Middle East.

However, their commentators seemed to have minds of their own, which was a refreshing change.  They mentioned what was going on, and certainly DAZN’s English-language broadcast showed the players standing still.  The League has warned against consequences if the idea of overseas matches is pursued.  And as a very personal point, I’d go along with this; I support Arsenal because I was born and brought up in the area where they play.  Of course, no one is left in the club from the early days of my support, and the club has moved grounds – but only by a short distance.  The underground station is still called “Arsenal” and is still utterly relevant.  Just picking up and moving things isn’t on.

However La Liga don’t see it like this and talk not about football but about “markets” – which insults the historic nature of many fans’ support. 

But there can be a backlash.  Reports say, “La Liga was essentially calling the shots,” but La Liga is owned by Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional, not by La Liga Group International, and the clubs have the power.  I hope they use it in keeping with the view of the majority.  It will be interesting to see who wins this one.

But now, back to tonight’s game.  Sports Mole points out that, “while Atletico have scored in all of their 11 competitive games this season… they are yet to pick up a single win away from home, losing two and drawing three of their five contests on the road.”

On a different matter, they also note that “Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will both miss the matchday four fixture against Slavia Prague if they are booked.”    This, of course, could be a factor in the selection of the lineup and could offer a place in the team for any of Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli.

For the opposition, it is also noted that in the last game for Atletico, Nico Gonzalez had to leave the game near the end of the first half with a head injury, although the club has said he could well be in the lineup for tonight’s game.   We might also see their manager’s son Giuliano Simeone play, although commentators suggest other options are available.

Which brings us to the websites’ predicted line ups.  Sports Mole go with

Raya;

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly

Eze, Zubimendi, Rice

Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

The Standard however has a bit of a variation… 

Raya;

Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori;

Eze, Zubimendi, Rice;

Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Football Lineups, whom I am not sure we have quoted before, gives us the same approach as the Standard has   While Sporting News has Merino playing and moves some of the players to different positions.  

Raya

Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori

Zubimendi, Rice, Merino

Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres

The next three games are against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove and fianlly Burnley, and all three look very winnable, and I suspect we may see one or two other players appear in the team in those games, especially if there is even the slightest hint of a knock or strain to any of the first-choice players.

The game tonight is on Amazon Prime TV, which, I am informed, a growing number of public houses in England now have as part of their package.  Although not all, so do take care where you go.