Arsenal (A) Build up

[SB]

Yep, though if we lose im sure this place will be full of "we cant get 4th now" type stuff. But hopefully we can get some early momentum and pile the pressure on them early on. Their fans are ready to snap.

Wonder if Spearing will come in, I know he's absolutely loathed on here but he was excellent in the same fixture last season and Adam defensively worries me away from home.

I love the lad mate and was calling for his inclusion last year on numerous occasions. I think he may come in for Lucas if anything. Adam will be there for dead ball situations IMO.

[The_weatherman]

Barring injuries I expect to see this team. Since it's Arsenal I'd keep Carroll but otherwise I'd be tempted to bench him in favour of Aquilani. Or maybe put Meireles on the right with Kuyt upfront with Suarez.

Reina
Johnson Agger Carragher Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll

[SB]

I'd like to see Aqua in some capacity this match.

[cannotmakeit]

Reina
Johnson Agger Carragher Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Aquilani Carroll

[Exiled_red]

Barring injuries I expect to see this team. Since it's Arsenal I'd keep Carroll but otherwise I'd be tempted to bench him in favour of Aquilani. Or maybe put Meireles on the right with Kuyt upfront with Suarez.

Reina
Johnson Agger Carragher Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll

If Johnson is injured, replace him with Kelly

[Exiled_red]

I'd like to see Aqua in some capacity this match.

I doubt it will happen though.

[SB]

Reina
Johnson Agger Carragher Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Aquilani Carroll

NO SUAREZ

I doubt it will happen though.

Even off the bench I'll be happy

[RedReet]

Yep, though if we lose im sure this place will be full of "we cant get 4th now" type stuff. But hopefully we can get some early momentum and pile the pressure on them early on. Their fans are ready to snap.

Wonder if Spearing will come in, I know he's absolutely loathed on here but he was excellent in the same fixture last season and Adam defensively worries me away from home.

I'd be tempted to draft him in for Adam too. Nothing against Adam, he did well on Saturday, but Lucas and Spearing proved themselves againt the big boys last year and we know it's a pairing that can bring success.

Under the circumstances, I think this is the perfect game for us. We notoriously lift our game against better opposition, and although Arsenal still have a big reputation, it’s a seriously weakened team. If we had of picked up 3 points on Saturday, I think we’d have been happy to and probably got a draw against Arsenal. Now I think we’ll go for the win and see no reason why we won’t take the three points. Carroll will have a point to prove and I can’t see Arsenal’s ****ty defence coping with him. Kuyt will also issue a reminder as to why he should be undroppable, especially in these type of games.

4 points form 2 games will help soften the blow from Saturday.

[paulc]

i'm going to it

[danperkins]

If ever there was a game to lay down a marker it's this one, a win against one of the big guns (no pun intended) could really set us on our way. Arsenal are a quality side and it's going to be a close game regardless of their decimated squad.

For me Adam is a must at least until Stevie gets back fit, Adam is the only one creative enough to try and make things happens long decisive passes/through balls etc and not just play the easy option (he faded big time in second half though) hopefully fitness will improve, i can't see Lucas having as bad a game as he did against Sunderland, his short passing was way off and to be fair to the lad who was brilliant last season, he just looked knackered, not alone either.

Excited about this game could be a turning point.

[cannotmakeit]

NO SUAREZ



Even off the bench I'll be happy

Well, he has had a long summer. On the bench obviously

[The_weatherman]

I'd be tempted to draft him in for Adam too. Nothing against Adam, he did well on Saturday, but Lucas and Spearing proved themselves againt the big boys last year and we know it's a pairing that can bring success.

Under the circumstances, I think this is the perfect game for us. We notoriously lift our game against better opposition, and although Arsenal still have a big reputation, it’s a seriously weakened team. If we had of picked up 3 points on Saturday, I think we’d have been happy to and probably got a draw against Arsenal. Now I think we’ll go for the win and see no reason why we won’t take the three points. Carroll will have a point to prove and I can’t see Arsenal’s ****ty defence coping with him. Kuyt will also issue a reminder as to why he should be undroppable, especially in these type of games.

4 points form 2 games will help soften the blow from Saturday.

I'm a bit worried though that our last result will have put too much pressure on us to win the next game, lose and we have one point.

[Kenneth]

Same for arsenal though.

[Zapater]

The thing which worries me about Adam in a double pivot is his lack or better to say no defensive capacity. He made some pretty bad fouls which you wouldn't expect any central midfielder (barring maybe Cattermole because he's an idiot) to be making. In a 3 man midfield I wouldn't mind so much even if it was for another midfielder whom didn't offer much i.e. Aquilani, Henderson or Meireles but then there'd be bodies in packing it. Not that comfortable this way especially towards the end of the second half when he's tiring. Think it's leaving Lucas with an awful lot to do.

With all that being said, the team I'd send out would probably be the same as the one which can'tmakeit has stated. Would really like to see some of Aquilani though. Oh, and what's wrong with Maxi? He would've been a very welcome answer off the bench against Sunderland. Is he not fit? The game was screaming out for a player like him to think about more and make it more kind of our kind of game once things started spiralling out of control.

I know it's never going to happen but I also wouldn't mind not having Carroll playing because I'm afraid when things aren't going our way his sheer presence leads to the quality of our football deteriorating. It happened a few times last season and the last 15 mins or so of last week was shocking. It's like kicking it long is our only plan of attack. Thank christ Woy's time at Anfield didn't co-inside with his.

[PTP]

i think we will see Kelly replace flannagan and kuyt replacing henderson.

I also agree somewhat with Zapater re Carroll

I think i'd like to see this team start....

------------------------reina-------------------

kelly----------carra-------------agger--------------enrique

-----------------lucas-------------adam----------------

kuyt-----------------aqua/meireles---------------downing

-----------------------suarez-----------------


Question marks to be honest over lucas and adam -

Also though, i think we'd have a great plan b with Carroll on the bench....you could say that we are starting the game with the 'footballers' but if it's not working, or needs a change then i'd like to carroll coming off the bench as a battering ram to rough things up a bit and create space for suarez.

However i think we will see carroll start in place of aqua/meireles and it'll revert to a more 4-4-2.