Arsenal Build-up

[Craig_H]

I think we've played like champions-elect away from home so far this season, I really do, and I think we'll win on Sunday.

We've played with a swagger, and with resolve and belief. I'd fancy us to beat anyone away from home at the moment although we'd struggle to beat The Royal Oak at Anfield.

I think the team picks itself:

Reina

Arbeloa
Carra
Agger or Sami
Dossena (is Aurelio still out?)

Mascherano
Alonso

Kuyt
Gerrard
Riera

Keane

I'm praying Kuyt doesn't start in a lone striking role. Gerrard really needs to push on, forget trying to run the game, and support Keane. If RK becomes isolated we'll be in trouble. And will Riera please, for the love of God, hug that touchline. It can't be a coincidence that his form has largely tailed off since he's suddenly started drifting miles inside.

Please god no, anything but Dossena

Thank god Walcott is injured.

And i dont really like Keane OR Kuyt up front on their own. So there.

[Shaggy]

Me neither but I can guarantee we won't be playing 4-4-2.

And Insua won't play either. Not a chance.

There's a squeak Arbeloa could play at LB with Carra on the other side, but I think he'll go as I predicted.

[Craig_H]

I'd go with Babel and Keane up front and Dirky Kuyty on the right.

Mascher and Alonso will have to fight amongst themselves for a place alongside Gerrard.

[SB]

I'd go with Babel and Keane up front and Dirky Kuyty on the right.

Mascher and Alonso will have to fight amongst themselves for a place alongside Gerrard.

I totally agree. If we go to the arse and play a 4 5 1 with keane up front on his own we are doomed IMO. Masher hasn't been that good lately so I'd have Stevie and Xabi in the middle and play 2 strikers. Gotta happen if we want the 3 points and not just the draw.

[Shaggy]

4-2-3-1 is not 4-5-1.

[dww]

Hmmmmmm. I think 4-2-3-1 is clearly related to 4-5-1 but the difference in emphasis versus a flat 5 is worth noting I guess (and equal cases can be made for it's relationship to 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 depending on what you want to say).

I actually think that for the best sides 4-4-2 is actually a defensive tactic in as much that it is often used when it is accepted that you may have little possession and therefore that two disconnected targets is better than one and the separation from midfield is less of an issue. The front two being used to occupy a defense that might otherwise hurt you on the counter.

The important thing for me is that the attacking four all contribute in making a goal threat. too often I think all of the midfield have been too far away from our central striker.

Matching Arsenal in a 4-4-2 would be a mistake IMO as it would likely lead to a very open game like the Arsenal - United one, in which we would be more likely to loose.

[dww]

I've posted an interesting (I think anyway) related article here.

[wiw]

Spot on mate, that's exactly what i'd do. Keane and Babel up front, Kuyt on the right.

But what of Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard?

Who would you have leading the line of the two? It's a nice idea but it will never happen. Mascher/Gerrard/Alonso must play imo, Arsenal's midfield is there to be overrun. Riera left, Kuyt right and Keane up front for me, bring Babel on after 60

[the rev leeroy brown]

reina

arbeloa
agger ( dear god let him play this time - sami plays we'll get ****ed )
carra
aurelio ( heard he's training again - if not dossena )

babel
alonso
masher
riera

gerard
keane

kyut on bench ( i know rafa will play him over babel ) cause i'd like to see babel get in behind the arse early on when they attacking more freely. end of the game ( last 10 mins or so ) they'll be more likely to defend deeper giving babel no chance,

[Big Dave]

I think we've played like champions-elect away from home so far this season, I really do, and I think we'll win on Sunday.

We've played with a swagger, and with resolve and belief. I'd fancy us to beat anyone away from home at the moment although we'd struggle to beat The Royal Oak at Anfield.

I think the team picks itself:

Reina

Arbeloa
Carra
Agger or Sami
Dossena (is Aurelio still out?)

Mascherano
Alonso

Kuyt
Gerrard
Riera

Keane

I'm praying Kuyt doesn't start in a lone striking role. Gerrard really needs to push on, forget trying to run the game, and support Keane. If RK becomes isolated we'll be in trouble. And will Riera please, for the love of God, hug that touchline. It can't be a coincidence that his form has largely tailed off since he's suddenly started drifting miles inside.

the defense picks itself if aurellio is still out

carra hyypia agger arbeloa

no way should we risk that left back liability

pretty sure we'll play 4231 with kuyt on the right and riera the left.

my problem is that i think keane will play and as a lone striker he's ineffective

4-2-3-1 for me too. Only problem is that neither Keane nor Kuyt are effective enough as the lone striker. I really think that the only option we have in the absence of Torres is to play Babel up top, but he seems to be on Rafa's naughty list at the moment

[Jas]

Just read this on NewsNow, they are looking for a bit of inspiration!!!!!http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...it-to-emirates

[G]

Lads the team is not an issue.

Merson has tipped us to lose so we're guaranteed to win.

Thank you ****wit Merse

[SB]

4-2-3-1 is not 4-5-1.

Whichever way you look at though shaggy, it means playing a lone striker. Now if that is torres I'm happy but if it's keane I'm not. I think until torres returns we should play 4 4 2 with keane and Babel up front

[pezzzer]

arseanal are v****e, we will piss this

[JohnDoe]

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Dossena*
Alonso Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Babel**

* No other choice
** Why not?