[PL] v Arsenal (A): Build Up

[Muddled]

DATE: Sunday, 14 August 2016
VENUE: Emirates Stadium
KICK OFF: 1600 BST
TV: Sky Sports 1

We've only gone and got through the summer!

What have we learnt from our pre-season journey? Have we jumped to any assumptions as to who is nailed on for a first team spot?

New season optimism starts now!

[kev776]

--------Midge

Clyne -- Lovren--Klavan--Moreno

-----Can---------Hendo

Lallana-----Couts----Mane

----------Firmino

Origi
Ings
Grujic
Milly
Matip.
OAP Goalie

[RedReet]

Thought Mertesaker getting injured for them would be a blessing in disguise for them, but with Gabriel picking up a bad injury now and Koscielny not fit enough (apparently), their defence really should be there for the taking.

If you believe Wenger, 90% of his team aren’t available, but I have a feeling most will make miraculous recoveries. They definitely will be short at the back though, so we need to get at them from the off.

Really fancy our chances for this one.

[RedReet]

--------Midge

Clyne -- Lovren--Klavan--Moreno

-------Can---------Hendo

Lallana-----Couts----Mane

----------Firmino

Origi
Ings
Grujic
Milly
Matip.
OAP Goalie

Coutinho will definitely be left and Mane right. Lallana could possibly play like he did against Barca, part of a midfield 3, but able to push on and easily switch formation between 433 and 4231. Personally, I'd drop Firmino back and play Origi up top.

Aslo think Wijnaldum could start in CM.

[Shaggy]

Absolutely no idea what the team is going to be

[Angryred]

Absolutely no idea what the team is going to be

Not a bad thing to have opposition managers second guessing our line ups from here on in...

[RedReet]

I think 9 of our positions are nailed on, based on pre-season so far. Only possible changes from Barca team are CM and CF (and obviously Moreno for Milner) IMO.

Will be much harder to predict the Arsenal team as I'm find out trying to pick my FF team.

[Irishnev]

--------Midge

Clyne -- Lovren--Klavan--Moreno

-----Can---------Hendo

Lallana-----Couts----Mane

----------Firmino

Origi
Ings
Grujic
Milly
Matip.
OAP Goalie

I'm reasonably optimistic about this season (as I am any season) and I think those will be the 11 that start but it's bad that only 2 of them are 'new' and one of those is considered a back up!

Still weak at LB, CB and CM for me and just plain unlucky with Karius. Klopp and his team having a full preseason makes me more confident as I have full faith in him. Ars will be weaker at the back but they normally start seasons on flying form - a draw would be a good result.

[The_weatherman]

We are away to a big side, albeit with defensive issues, I'd want to test their defence without ceding midfield.

Back four should pick it self, relatively, although Matip could be in contention.

I could see Can - Hendo in midfield with Wijnaldum on the bench and a front four of Lallana, Mane, Coutinho and Firmino but that still leaves Origi, Ings and Sturridge

I do feel we are lacking a Granit Xhaka type though, maybe should have gone for someone like that instead of Wijnaldum.

[redmike65]

I think we'll see a bit of extra insurance in midfield - Lallana effectively played as the one in a 2-1 against Barcelona and that proved effective providing a second high line of pressing behind Coutinho Firmino and Mane

-------------Mignolet
Clyne--Lovren(?)--Klavan---Moreno
---------Can--Hendo
----------Lallana
--Mane----Firmino---Coutinho

Man, Randall, Matip/Lovren, Stewart/Grujic, Wij, Origi, Ings

[Fosterbloke]

Arsenal beat City yesterday, can't discount them at all..


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[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Arsenal beat City yesterday, can't discount them at all..


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Did you see the City side?

It was bizarre.

Caballero
Zabaleta Clichy Kolorov
Delph Fernando Fernandinho Sterling
Noilito Aguero Silva

I don't know what positions they occupied but you'd expect a decent side to beat that.

[Fosterbloke]

Mmm weird indeed!!


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[Alex]

Really? That seems like a strong side to me.

[Muddled]

Their entire back line is made up of full backs!