Last year Arsenal failed to make it to the European competition, which was a complete failure for the 13-time England champion. In the new championship, we saw a completely different team, which pleased not only with the results, but also with the content. In the English League Cup, the Gunners started very powerfully. The capital knocked out West Bromwich (6:0), Wimbledon (3:0) and Leeds (2:0). In the battle for reaching the semifinals of the tournament, the red-whites left no chances for Sunderland (5:1). In the Premier League tournament, Mikel Arteta’s wards managed to get 11 wins and two draws after 19 rounds, which brought them 35 points and the fourth position in the standings. After the defeat on December 6 to Everton (1:2), the Gunners have issued a streak of four victories in a row. In their last two duels, the Londoners have dealt with Leeds United (4:1) and Norwich (5:0) on the road. Obmameyang and Kolashinac, who has an ankle injury, will not be able to play today. Soares, Tomiyasu and Chambers are in isolation.
The Blazers are ahead of the top three outsiders in the Western Conference, but this figure is unlikely to please anyone. The team is capable of demonstrating the best result and generally deserves a place in the top ten, but injuries and quarantine make their own adjustments. Portland have lost three times in a row and you can imagine the mood with which they are approaching the next confrontation. Recall that the team did not have enough strength in the match with New Orleans (97:111), then Chauncey Billups’ charges were defeated at home arena by Dallas (117:132) and in the previous match they lost to Utah (105:120 ) and again within the native walls. It is very difficult for the “trackers” now, however, it is unlikely that their plans include being left without the playoffs. we are glad that Damian Lillard is in the ranks, who is not easy without support, but the 31-year-old point guard is trying to fix the situation somehow.
