I can't see us doing well playing anything other than deep and compact with fabregas long passes over the top to costa and out wide.

 

Afraid to say your right, I don't think I can remember a time when I have not looked forward to a game, this weekend is maybe the first.

does make you wonder

 

Yeah I can see it before me, Dr Moreauinho tying Matic to an operating table and making horrible experiments on him to cripple his footballing abilities.

I think matic's career as a top player is possibly facing an almost existential threat- because there have been no physical injuries it has become one of the most inexplicable cases I've ever seen.

but I think, unfortunately, he has to play. we need him for this game more than any other player in the squad IMO. mikel against the quickness of that midfield as the sole defensive player worries me a lot. ramires as the sole defensive player simply won't work. both of them together... MAY work.

I think the only way we come away with a good result here (and I think a draw would be good) is with matic alongside one of the above. I didn't like that even in home games when we were in form jose was sometimes happy to play on the back foot, but in this case I can't see us doing well playing anything other than deep and compact with fabregas long passes over the top to costa and out wide.

If their is one thing i have learned in the past few games, it's the fact that Fabregas always look average when playing behind the striker. Another thing I have learned is that playing Fabregas next to Matic is a disaster that cost Jose his job. And Guss have learnt from it.

I'd like to see Fabregas and RLC playing in front of the defense and Willian - Hazard - Traore in midfield. I love Traore I've followed him for some time and I think we should give him a chance as much as Arsenal gave a chance to Campbell and he's performing very well.. And in my personal opinion I think Zouma is going to eat Giroud for breakfast I have a lot of confidence in him

Edited January 20, 201610 yr by danyangel

Sanchez and Ozil are both apparently back for this game which will be a huge boost for them.

If both Sanchez and Ozil are back, I'm afraid we are doomed.

 

I'd feel a lot more optimistic if Matic was last years (and Hazard, and Costa, and Fab - although the latter two have shown glimpses).  But I just can't see us being able to cope.  Ivan is done and they'll expose him.  Last week against Everton he was being pulled out of position, and Zouma was coming out to cover for him - Ivan even had the cheek to lay into Zouma at one point.Would happily take a draw 

If their is one thing i have learned in the past few games, it's the fact that Fabregas always look average when playing behind the striker. Another thing I have learned is that playing Fabregas next to Matic is a disaster that cost Jose his job. And Guss have learnt from it.

I don't like him there either. he doesn't have the dribbling ability to play there and it usually is an admission that instead of looking for him to run the game by making 100+ passes we're keeping him there in the hope that at least one of the ten meaningful forward passes he makes creates a goal. 

 

normally I hate that. it isn't the best way to use him and it tells us that we're planning to play entirely reactive football with a player who doesn't suit it. but given the circumstances I still think that is the best option open to us.

Hazard could return, cannot see him starting but at least the bench will have 1 potential game changer

 

expect the same team as usual, as no other injuries I'm aware of, I imagine it will be a cagey affair unless the gooners score early, and/ or go up by 2 as Everton did

which as we saw on Saturday does seem to inspire some kind of reaction in our sluggish team, would like to think Chels will take it to them, certain to be

drama on the pitch, but alas no more Mour winding up Whinger, uncle Guus will be cordial, frank & respectful as always

 

will be just so brilliant if the double can be don eon them, we deserve a break right ?            ;)

Costa missed training again today. Looking very doubtful. I'm not feeling at all optimistic.

It's strange, in a season where anyone seems capable of beating anyone, we look incapable of beating anyone.

Fingers crossed we cause an upset!

Will be tough if Costa is unfit.Will need to be concentrating for 90 minutes.Fingers crossed we perform.....UP THE CHELS!

The one thing that could play into our hands is that Giroud tends to struggle against stronger CB's in aerial duels or has at least whenever he plays us.

On form they should beat us easily, but this has been a crazy season and anything is possible. Giroud, Ozil and Sanchez haven't had the best games against us, let's hope it stays that way. 

This is where i question again, why dont we have enough top class strikers on the field, why isn Traore being tested regularly in matches so we know we will have a solid attack with or without costa? What is the planning behind this? Surely we should be using the 2 is 1, 1 is none mentality regarding strikers.

I have a suspicion Robert Kenedy will play a significant role in this one

Kenedy has got to be given game time, he will really push Bellerin back (who is great going forward)

 

Willian will handle Nacho well, Arsenal have had great success this season cause the fullbacks have joined midfield, we need to push them back. I think we will lose but I hope we dont.

Easy game

Dave zouma terry baba

Rlc fab

Pedro. Willian hazar/Kennedy

Costa/Pato

Although I actually think

Ivan zouma terry Dave

Mikel fab

Willian Oscar. Pedro

Costa

Pedro was quite good last game for a change. If Ivan plays arsenne will put someone fast on the left.

Pedro was good last game? Maybe he had a decent 5min run before he got subbed. But saying he was good proves expectations are very low.

Pedro was good last game? Maybe he had a decent 5min run before he got subbed. But saying he was good proves expectations are very low.

 

I agree. Really hoping Hazard is fit to return but if he doesn't, I would be starting Kenedy ahead of Pedro all day long. We need to try and cause the Arsenal defence problems not have some guy running around with the ball at his feet - usually in the wrong direction!

 

Also give someone the job to give Ozil (if he plays) a hefty kick in the first minute. He's the sort of player that you un-nerve him early he goes missing big-time. I'm looking for a Vinnie Jones on Steve McMahon in the Wimbledon Dipper cup final kind of challenge.

Urggh I woke up from a dream this morning that we were playing Arse in the FA cup and were 2-0 down after eight minutes.

 

I expect a lot of focus will be on Costa for this game, Whinger is sure to mention some of his antics, while blithely ignoring the behaviour of HIS players in the corresponding fixture this season.

 

Having genial Guus in charge will probably take a bit of the sting out of things, but I have to say I'm not looking forward to this game (mind you I could say that about any game at the moment)

 

A dull nil nil draw or we get battered is my sad prediction, lets hope my usual lack of foresight in predictions is strong this weekend.

Edited January 21, 201610 yr by SHELLY

unlikely I know, but a la Keegan 'I would love it if we beat them, love it'...they really think they're going to win the league and it would be great if we can play a part in stopping them...

YES invoke the spirit of Demba Ba against Liverpool. Failing that I will take a draw all day long at the moment.

I say we just start every defensive player we have and play Zouma up top and just fire long balls at him for 90 minutes.

 

Imagine the outrage from the "self appointed class police" if we got a result after such ugly tactics...

Kenedy must start IMO - just getting into the swing of things, think he's a fantastic player and has a thunderous left boot. 

Don't care how messy, negative, or dirty the game is just want to beat the wipes.

Pressure is all on Arsenal, they need to prove they can get the results against the traditional top 4/5 clubs. Normally they have a poor points tally in that mini league table.

Don't think it will be pretty from us, we'll look to soak up some pressure and break quickly.

Be interesting to see if Guus puts Fabregas back in the deeper role from start seeing how he looks much better there compared to the #10 role but will he be too defensively minded to make that selection?