Just Been to the Arsenal Game

[Reece]

What you say is what you are

[bobbyfallon]

Don't think so mate - not seen it mentioned anywhere.

there is no thread on it so he cant be fit

[Guest]

We need a quick central defender against Arsenal, Hyypia is to slow. Hobbs isn't exactly fast but he is quicker than Hyypia.

I don't want to see Arsenal run all over Hyypia like in last seasons cup games. Wenger knows how to use his team against him. That's why we let in a lot of goals when Hyypia plays against Arsenal.

He will use Walcott's speed against Hyypia the whole game and Hyypia's experience will not make him quicker.

Pace is not the be all and end all. The threat has to be dealt with intelligently. Carra isn't blessed with pace either, him and Sami have been the cornerstone of our defence for so long.

I'd be much more secure if Sami is playing, compared to a rookie like Hobbs.

[AFII]

have to agree with AF11 on the fact that sami should not start the game........

its hard to watch a legend like sami getting the runaround each week it really is. i mean its not his fault he is geeting older and slower than he already was !!!!!

hobbs may not be the answer for the arsenal game but i would have no problem seeing him get some carling cup games to see how he fares out....

most sensible option is areloa in the centre along with carra.....

arsenal do not play long balls so sami is not needed for his pesence in the air.
arsenal do play quick passing, quick running behind/between the lines and this will expose sami somethig awful.

if and when sami starts this game he will be a liability and will give away a penalty

or more likely a red card. The ref will be keen to show that he won't do the same "mistakes" as Clattenburg did. He will be on Arsenals side on Sunday.

[Imy]

Hobbs is not the answer, watching him recently in the reserves he seems to have gotton a wee bit quicker but i would not be very confident in his abilities versus a pacey Arsenal.

Godwin Antwi (who i believe is out on loan) looked a lot faster, had some decent strength/power and played the ball well too, it's a shame Rafa felt he needed some Loan time instead of trying to bring him through the ranks like Richards at Man city.

[AFII]

Have you seen any evidence that Rafa or anyone related to the club feels that Hobbs is ready for the step up? You have already stated he is no Gallas in the speedy defender stakes so surely any benefit in pace would be more than countered by his lack of experience?

Well, he is in the squad for the game tonight.

[tomasjj]

AFII, keep digging, mate.

[Pacman]

Well, he is in the squad for the game tonight.

AFII if he doesn't trust Hobbs to play against Reading in the Carling Cup what makes you think Rafa will play him against Arsenal in the league in Sunday?

Get a grip man.

[JohnDoe]

We need a quick central defender against Arsenal, Hyypia is to slow. Hobbs isn't exactly fast but he is quicker than Hyypia.

I don't want to see Arsenal run all over Hyypia like in last seasons cup games.

So you want to see them doing it to Hobbs? Some of the things you come up with, it's just beyond stupidity.

[AFII]

AFII, keep digging, mate.

I do that all the time

[bobbyfallon]

or more likely a red card. The ref will be keen to show that he won't do the same "mistakes" as Clattenburg did. He will be on Arsenals side on Sunday.

arse will need all the help they can get on sunday cos we are going to ****in whip them 3-0

[dww]

Well, he is in the squad for the game tonight.

Yes against poor oposition, when we have 2 extra substitute spaces - if we get a couple of goals ahead we can give him some much needed experience. I can see what you are saying he is the closest player in the reserves to making the step up, but I think it is a huge assumption to think that he would be able to play in probably our toughest match of the season so far (and arguably due to Arsenals form we won't face a more daunting prospect).

[El Diego]

I'm not sure but they did change their name in 1993 from 'George & Dragon FC'...

You been to George & Dragon as well ****ing take the piss that place do for beer and food.

[AFII]

All I'm saying is that I don't want Hyypia to play against Arsenal. Wenger knows how to use him to his advantage.

Arbeloa will probably play if he is fit. I doubt very much that Rafa will play Hyypia against Arsenal if he has other options. That would mean his third game in eight days. That is one to many for Hyypia these days.

We have started to let in goals right, left and centre since Agger got injured. That's not a coincidence.

[Reece]

All I'm saying is that I don't want Hyypia to play against Arsenal. Wenger knows how to use him to his advantage.

Arbeloa will probably play if he is fit. I doubt very much that Rafa will play Hyypia against Arsenal if he has other options. That would mean his third game in eight days. That is one to many for Hyypia these days.

We have started to let in goals right, left and centre since Agger got injured. That's not a coincidence.

Don't backtrack now - you were clear as day saying that in your opinion, Hobbs would be a better option than Sami against Arsenal.