Arsenal (A): Build Up

[frank the tank]

6 points out of 6 and although any team in the league would take a 1-0 win at Stoke, this is our real first big test.

I am not sure if it is a good thing or not that they lost to West 'aaam on the opening day of the season. I think if we can keep them quiet for 25mins, and string some possession together ourselves, then the crowd might get on their backs.

If you were Arsenal, then you would be targeting Joe Gomez and Lovren as the 2 people on our team that are likely to make a mistake - because of youth in the case of Gomez and because of ability (or lack of it) in the case of Lovren. I would love to see Sakho back (and Lucas too) but I don't think it will happen. If it was a possibility, then surely they would have at least been on the bench.

To protect the left back, then i would like to see Moreno brought into the team in place of Lallana.

I would start a team of:

-----------------------------------MIGNOLET----------------------------------------

CLYNE----------SKRTEL--------------------------LOVREN------------------GOMEZ


---------MILNER----------------EMRE CAN-----------HENDERSON-----------------


--------------COUTINHO---------------------------------------------------MORENO

---------------------------------------------BENTEKE--------------------------------


I think Milner can help protect the right hand side and with his energy he can fill in the centre as well.

Coutinho can occupy the space behind Benteke slightly to the right hand side. This should enable him to pick up little pockets so that he can run at Mertesaker / Koscielny. When we don't have the ball then he needs to double up on their left back and not leave Clyne exposed. Milner will also be handy for this. On the break, we then have Coutinho, Moreno and Benteke all breaking - with the most further forward of Milner / Can / Hendo joining in as well. If Hendo is injured, then for me Brendan needs to put Lucas straight into the team sitting..... if Lallana is in a midfield 3 then we are dead.

Ibe is a good sub to be able to bring on if we need to inject a bit of pace in the final stages of the game. As would Lallana if we need to bring a tired Coutinho off. I don't think i would start either though....

[redmike65]

Its okay, but I'd go 4-4-2 diamond with Ings to help Benteke. Drop Lallana and Ibe (bench) play Lucas preferably but I'm not holding my breath on that!

Coq was very lucky to get off the pitch without a red card last Sunday - I think Benteke needs to get around him and see if he can be provoked into doing something stupid.

[Fosterbloke]

I reckon Moreno should convert to being a winger. He's brilliantly effervescent, ****ing quick, can spot a pass, and has a decent shot on him.

In saying that, I'd have him at left back to counter Oxlade and put Ings to partner Benteke


------------------Migs

Clyne -- Skrtel -- Lovren -- Moreno

--------------- Can

- Henderson - Coutinho - Milner

----------------- Ings

--------- Benteke

[Chris]

Hate playing away to these cunts. Seems like while Chelsea, Utd and others breeze to wins there we always struggle. Doesnt help that we've had about 30-40 horrific officiating decisions go against us there in the last 10 years or so.

I'm expecting a lot of "Lucas solves everything" posts in this thread, even though we got belted 4-1 there with him last season.

Lets smash these cunts!!!

[baitman]

its now or never for the reintroduction of lucas. brendan really needs to sort out his stubborn streak and do whats best for the team. if he keeps trying to prove he is the tactical genius then its going to cost him his job.

as hendo is most likely going to miss this i would like us to start like this.

lallana only gets a start as firmino has looked a little ponderous, ibe is all over the shop. maybe change for origi for the last 30.


-----------------------------------MIGNOLET----------------------------------------

CLYNE----------SKRTEL--------------------------LOVREN------------------GOMEZ


---------EMRE CAN----------------LUCAS-----------MILNER-----------------


--------------COUTINHO---------------------------------------------------LALLANA

---------------------------------------------BENTEKE--------------------------------

[Nicey]

I think West Ham put down the blue print on how to beat Arsenal at Home, keep it narrow, tight, put someone on Ozil and hit them on the break. For me that would be Lucas on Ozil put on Firmino for Lalana to win the ball higher up the pitch and Hendo if hes ok

[Bender]

I reckon BR will stick to the same side

[meffin]

Ibe surely can't start- he's been crap for 2 games.

[RedReet]

Ibe surely can't start- he's been crap for 2 games.

If Henderson is fit, I'd put Can in for Ibe and play him where Lallana played last night. I'd have Lallana and Coutinho flanking Benteke like they did with some success last year with Sterling. I'd have no strong objections if Rodgers benches Lallana, but we dodn't really have any obvious replacements unless he goes for INgs (don't think Firminho is fit enough yet).

[Bender]

Ibe surely can't start- he's been crap for 2 games.

BR could and would,hope he doesn't as Lallama and Ibe were poor in both our two games.

[BigChief]

Ibe surely can't start- he's been crap for 2 games.

Agreed, what I don't understand is Lallana has been slightly worse but is being picked to play by quite a few on here. Porqouis people?

[G]

I wouldnt play lallana or Ibe they've offered nothing but at the same time I'm not convinced by Can in midfield either so with Hendo possibly out then one of Ibe or lallana is going to play unless he throws Firmino in at the deep end.

[Liverpool]

4 months ago Arsenal away team and formation.

-----------Mignolet
--------Can Toure Sakho
Henderson---------------Moreno
---------Allen--Lucas-
-Markovic------------Coutinho
------------Sterling

Where to begin..

[Exiled_red]

I reckon BR will stick to the same side

I think he probably will as well, I don't see us changing the system (and going to a more solid midfield 3 like many have suggested). At most I see a like for like swap with one of Lallana or Ibe dropping out for one of Moreno or Ings.

[RedReet]

Agreed, what I don't understand is Lallana has been slightly worse but is being picked to play by quite a few on here. Porqouis people?

I hope Ibe does start as he's in my FF team, but I think if it's a choice between the two then Rodgers will go for Lallana for his experience and because he's contributed a lot more defensively over the two games. I also think Ibe might benefit more from a rest and maybe coming off the bench against tiring player as 3 poor games in a row could really knock his confidence.

I don't think there is much in it and neither could complain if dropped.