Arsenal (A): Build Up

[Fosterbloke]

Could easily start once again and if he does imo should play on right as his pace would be an issue for Monreal.

I disagree, Monreal kept Zaha and Bolasie in his back pocket. Both of them are faster than Ibe.

[RichC]

Monreal has come on a lot, used to be their weak link, I'm not sure he is anymore.

[BigChief]

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.

[Chazza]

Coquelin is still a weak link for me.

They won't win the league without a much better defensive midfielder to protect the centre backs.

Probably a striker light as well.

[RichC]

Coquelin is still a weak link for me.

They won't win the league without a much better defensive midfielder to protect the centre backs.

Probably a striker light as well.

Good season last year but not good enough IMO.

Real pace going at the QE2 will cause them all sorts of issues again this season

[G]

If we start with Can in the holding role it's going to be a big test of where he's at going forward. The pace and movement of their midfield will cause him trouble, he's doesn't look the quickest lad in the world. I wouldn't say he's fully fit yet either which won't help him

[Rowan]

Good season last year but not good enough IMO.

Real pace going at the QE2 will cause them all sorts of issues again this season

Just target Mertesacker. Wenger's dedication to the bloke is nearing Rodgers's level of patience to Lovren. He's proper ****.

[Alex]

Das Mert is a bit of a sore point for most Arsenal fans. They all know he is as slow as a tugboat and hate that Wenger sticks with him. Benteke and Ings could get at him quite easily. Its the rest that are the annoyance.

[Gingawaria]

Coquelin is still a weak link for me.

They won't win the league without a much better defensive midfielder to protect the centre backs.

Probably a striker light as well.

I have a couple of Arsenal supporting mates who rave about Coquelin.

Don't see it myself.

[RedReet]

If we start with Can in the holding role it's going to be a big test of where he's at going forward. The pace and movement of their midfield will cause him trouble, he's doesn't look the quickest lad in the world. I wouldn't say he's fully fit yet either which won't help him

Can?

I would argue he's faster than any of Arsenal's midfield although I haven't watched Coquelin enough exactly how fast he is.

[RichC]

I wonder if Milner would work best in the holding position from the players we seemingly are going to use in midfield, he's tireless with his work rate and seems to offer quite a lot in terms of positioning. If we're not at it their attacking midfielders could drag us all ove the shop if we don't get ourselves organised correctly.

[Fosterbloke]

Cazorla and Sanchez are the two that worry me the most. We do have a lot of pace at full back positions though which is nice.

[frank the tank]

dont think brendan will play two up top for this one to be honest. I think the formation used against Stoke and Bournemouth may have been used as partial prep for the tough away games we will face.

For me, if we start with 2 up front, then we risk losing the midfield battle. They will have so many runners from midfield - including Sanchez on the left dropping deep - that we will struggle. Oxlade / Walcott could really hurt Gomez at left back - and having Can on the left of a midfield 3 isn't really going to counteract that properly because he will leave space for Carzola / Ramsay to bomb on through the centre. For me it is a numbers game in the middle of the pitch and then a case of which midfield can join their teams attack more effectively.

That is why I would play Moreno on the left hand side of midfield. He has the engine to help out defensively and also join the attack. With a midfield 3 of Emre Can, Henderson and Milner also covering loads of ground, for me this gives us the best chance of getting something from the game - but also the best chance of holding onto a lead should we find ourselves winning the game.

With a bench containing Ibe, Origi, Ings and Lallana - who actually looked good in the last 15 mins against Bournemouth (when they tired) - then we also have the players to come on and try to get us something late in the game should we need it.

This could be the game where all the Benteke-doubters change their mind - because his hold up play could enable our midfield to join the attack.

[Fosterbloke]

This could be the game where all the Benteke-doubters change their mind - because his hold up play could enable our midfield to join the attack.

As long as they do actually join! Benteke vs Mertesaker will be intriguing.

[BigChief]

dont think brendan will play two up top for this one to be honest. I think the formation used against Stoke and Bournemouth may have been used as partial prep for the tough away games we will face.

For me, if we start with 2 up front, then we risk losing the midfield battle. They will have so many runners from midfield - including Sanchez on the left dropping deep - that we will struggle. Oxlade / Walcott could really hurt Gomez at left back - and having Can on the left of a midfield 3 isn't really going to counteract that properly because he will leave space for Carzola / Ramsay to bomb on through the centre. For me it is a numbers game in the middle of the pitch and then a case of which midfield can join their teams attack more effectively.

That is why I would play Moreno on the left hand side of midfield. He has the engine to help out defensively and also join the attack. With a midfield 3 of Emre Can, Henderson and Milner also covering loads of ground, for me this gives us the best chance of getting something from the game - but also the best chance of holding onto a lead should we find ourselves winning the game.

With a bench containing Ibe, Origi, Ings and Lallana - who actually looked good in the last 15 mins against Bournemouth (when they tired) - then we also have the players to come on and try to get us something late in the game should we need it.

This could be the game where all the Benteke-doubters change their mind - because his hold up play could enable our midfield to join the attack.

This is a game shouting out for Lucas to start, like you say to shore up our midfield. I have a sneaky feeling he will start. Rodgers won't cut off his nose to spite his face, too big a task at any rate.