Arsenal (A): Build Up

[RichC]

What's your point?

[Nicey]

And what about Walcott or Oxlade?

If you look at there stats .. in their first two games ... everything is coming through Monreal Cazorla and Sanchez, I fancy Gomez to be able to handle Oxlande, has Walcott even played for them yet, just checked he came on a sub in there first game, had two shots and 3 successful passes, then did not get off the bench against Crystal Palace, I'd be surprised if he started

[wiw]

Arsenal don't have any weak links anymore. Solid DM, proper fullbacks, goalscoring striker. Our only hope is frustration and boredom. If Arsenal players aren't up for it and we hit them on the counter or set pieces (Benteke) then we could do something.

Can't see Rodgers adopting a high line press that destroyed them two years ago. Mainly because Wenger will be wise to it now.

Of course they do Every team does. I'd say their major glaring weakness is a mental one. Unfortunately for us last season they played like a wounded animal after we pulled their pants down the season before, so they clearly had a point to prove. I'd say it's swung the other way now though, we're the ones with something to prove and if they're in the mindset that they should be challenging for the title (and i think they are) then the pressure is all on them.

I'd like to see Benteke really try and bully their central defenders and/or run the channels when their fullbacks leave gaps (which they will). He can't do it on his own though, but i'm fully expecting Firmino to start for that reason instead of Ibe. They tend to murder us in midfield there so a diamondy looking formation with Coutinho and Firmino floating about would make sense to try and match them in the middle.

[Nicey]

So Rodges cant use Lucas? Lucas would be ideal in those games, and don't give that he's not mobile, he's a quick passer and intelligent which IMO makes up for any lack of mobility.

Thing is Emre Can is regarded as the future of German football in some camps .. he needs game time if he is to develop, I think there is a large element of he has development ahead of him, a lot and Lucas is a very solid player. I can see why Emre might get the nod ahead of him, equally I can understand why people want Lucas in the team, with him you know what kind of performance you will get, a solid 7 every time.

[SB]

So Rodges cant use Lucas? Lucas would be ideal in those games, and don't give that he's not mobile, he's a quick passer and intelligent which IMO makes up for any lack of mobility.

If we do let him go I'd like to see him replaced with Medel.

[baronvonskidmark]

The big problem for us and our midfield is the fact that Arsenal's midfield interchange so much. Sanchez nominally starts on the left but goes centrally and attacks the box very often so would need to be picked up. On the other side, Ramsay does the same. Ozil drifts around anyway, with Cazorla pulling the strings from deep. So far both Stoke and Bournemouth have found space behind our midfield, so I think Arsenal would pull a 2 man midfield of Henderson and Milner all over the place. Can-Milner-Henderson offers strength, pace and aggression though.

Arsenal can be left exposed on the wings because of the roles Sanchez, Ramsay and Ozil play and if we were able to get some pace going in our transitions, we could end up with a counter attack where we have a double up on their full back, allowing us to either drag the CB out, get a cross in to Benteke, or move into the inside channel. But we need to improve our support play to Benteke and quality on the transition to make this effective though.

[Nicey]

The big problem for us and our midfield is the fact that Arsenal's midfield interchange so much. Sanchez nominally starts on the left but goes centrally and attacks the box very often so would need to be picked up. On the other side, Ramsay does the same. Ozil drifts around anyway, with Cazorla pulling the strings from deep. So far both Stoke and Bournemouth have found space behind our midfield, so I think Arsenal would pull a 2 man midfield of Henderson and Milner all over the place. Can-Milner-Henderson offers strength, pace and aggression though.

Arsenal can be left exposed on the wings because of the roles Sanchez, Ramsay and Ozil play and if we were able to get some pace going in our transitions, we could end up with a counter attack where we have a double up on their full back, allowing us to either drag the CB out, get a cross in to Benteke, or move into the inside channel. But we need to improve our support play to Benteke and quality on the transition to make this effective though.

I would stick Benteke on Monreal .. or at least have him setting up on the left side more times than not, just to keep them honest down that side

[Fierce]

So Rodges cant use Lucas? Lucas would be ideal in those games, and don't give that he's not mobile, he's a quick passer and intelligent which IMO makes up for any lack of mobility.

What's your point?

That Lucas would be ideal in those games because he's a quick passer and intelligent that in his opinion, makes up for any lack of mobility?







False9 - THEIR

[Nicey]

That Lucas would be ideal in those games because he's a quick passer and intelligent that in his opinion, makes up for any lack of mobility?







False9 - THEIR

Fierce ..... GO **** YOURSELF UPSIDE DOWN ON A CHRISTMAS TREE YOUR MOTHER WAS AS HAMSTER AND YOUR FATHER SMELLS OF ELDER BERRIES I FART IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION

[baronvonskidmark]

I would stick Benteke on Monreal .. or at least have him setting up on the left side more times than not, just to keep them honest down that side

Agreed.

An interesting facet of this game will be Coquelin. His tackling will be under the microscope after last week, so if Henderson doesn't make it and Rodgers will not play Lucas, there is an argument for going with Can-Milner-Firmino rather than Can-Milner-Lallana. Firmino offers workrate, skill and, judging by his body frame at least, seems stronger than Lallana. His skill on the ball could see Coquelin get an early(ish) yellow, which would reduce their aggression in midfield. We know what Lallana will give us - and that it would not be enough - so perhaps throwing Wenger a curveball and playing Firmino might be an interesting idea. This is not to suggest planning for Coquelin to get a yellow card per se, but playing someone skilful near him might make him think twice about charging in thereby affording us the opportunity to play a bit more and take the sting out of things at points in the game.

Also, Firmino could take it turns with Milner to be the runner from midfield, thereby hopefully not sapping his energy as much as if he were playing up and down the flanks.

[Nicey]

Playing Firmino as 1 of the 2 in midfield would throw everybody for a curveball, although I think he did actually start out as a Defensive midfielder, I suspect Hendo will be good to go for this game, at least for 60 minutes .. if Hendo is not around I would rather see Can in there and Lucas holding

[Alex]

Can we not do big font swearing please. Things like that dont get filtered in Worksafe.

[Fierce]

Fierce ..... GO **** YOURSELF UPSIDE DOWN ON A CHRISTMAS TREE YOUR MOTHER WAS AS HAMSTER AND YOUR FATHER SMELLS OF ELDER BERRIES I FART IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION

A hamster. Elderberries

Empty headed animal

[baronvonskidmark]

Playing Firmino as 1 of the 2 in midfield would throw everybody for a curveball, although I think he did actually start out as a Defensive midfielder, I suspect Hendo will be good to go for this game, at least for 60 minutes .. if Hendo is not around I would rather see Can in there and Lucas holding

If we were to go with it, Firmino would need to be played as part of a 3, lining up as Can-Milner-Firmino (probably with Milner as the left(er) CM, having the legs to negate the space between Gomez and Lovren, with Firmino right CM and Can behind).

If we go as a 2 with just Firmino and Milner, it won't work. I agree that Can-Milner-Henderson would be the best bet, if the captain can make it, or Lucas-Can-Milner if he doesn't. Unfortunately we all know that it is unlikely that Rodgers will play Lucas - more likely Lallana who would offer us relatively nothing

[Chazza]

Arsenal have issued the following travel advice for Liverpool fans attending Monday’s Barclays Premier League fixture between the teams at the Emirates.

Please note that road works outside Highbury and Islington Station are likely to cause additional congestion at Highbury Corner.

We therefore recommend that you consider an alternative route to the Emirates Stadium and/or allow additional time for your journey.

Please also note there are road closures to support these works; Highbury Station Road (between Holloway Road and Swan Yard) will be closed, as well as Highbury Crescent (between Highbury Place and Higbury Terrace).