Arsenal (A) - Sun Oct 8th, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[TrentGrisham]

Ederson
Walker Dias Stones(Akanji) Gvardiol
Lewis Nunes
Bernardo Foden Grealish
Haaland

First impact subs ; Doku ,Alvarez

I like this but Akanji for Walker and dare I say... Alvarez for Haaland.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Nunes
Bernardo Silva
Foden
Grealish
Haaland

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Bernardo
Foden
Haaland

are definite starters.

Stones/Akanji depends on fitness.
Gvardiol/Ake is likely to be Ake, but not 100% sure.
Kovacic/Nunes as the 6, unless Pep goes rogue…
Rico was superb as an 8 tonight. Would Pep trust him at Arsenal? I’d hope so.

Then does Alvarez start? If so, for who?

I‘d go

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Stones
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Lewis
Bernardo
Foden
Alvarez
Haaland

 

[RayCTID]

Arsenal does have the better midfield than RB Leipzig (they were missing Dani Olmo) and although Rico Lewis was good it might be a step too far for him for this one. It is a tricky one with Stones in throwing back into first team action but with Rodri serving the game last of his ban then it is needs must. As for the rest of the defence keep the same line up including Gvardiol.

 

[Blue-Ghana]

Doku needs to play this game on the right to target Zinchenko.

 

[TrentGrisham]

Doku needs to play this game on the right to target Zinchenko.

I've thought about this as well and agree. I rate Zinchenko but his lack of pace is arguably his biggest deficiency as a player. Although, Doku has looked far better on the left than right for us which is odd because he almost always played on the right for Rennes.

I don't envy Pep having to make these decisions. It will only be tougher once KDB returns to the mix.

 

[Kinkys Left Foot]

No Saka or Martinelli weakens them similar to no Rodders for us. Isnt there a query on Trossard as well? I hope its us that can exploit the drop in quality and pace that will affect them. Who comes in for their wide men if those 3 are out? Nelson & Smith Rowe?

 

[FantasyIreland]

Ederson
Stones Dias Akanji Gvardiol
Kova Nunes
Bernardo Alvarez Foden
Haaland

 

[Blue-Ghana]

No Saka or Martinelli weakens them similar to no Rodders for us. Isnt there a query on Trossard as well? I hope its us that can exploit the drop in quality and pace that will affect them. Who comes in for their wide men if those 3 are out? Nelson & Smith Rowe?

Both will play I think , Arteta is just playing mind games

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Doku needs to play this game on the right to target Zinchenko.

YES, YES, YES.
Zinchenko would shit the bed against Doku.

 

[mancboy]

Seems Saka has a light Hamstring tweak and may play on Sunday.

#whoknew

he could be risking months out for the sake of one game, thats incredibly short term thinking

 

[waspish]

Saka will Play Sunday for around 65/70mins then limp of miss England games then have 2 weeks rest!

 

[Craig]

Same team as this evening but Kovacic for Rodri. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Would you not start Alvarez?

 

[Craig]

I've thought about this as well and agree. I rate Zinchenko but his lack of pace is arguably his biggest deficiency as a player. Although, Doku has looked far better on the left than right for us which is odd because he almost always played on the right for Rennes.

I don't envy Pep having to make these decisions. It will only be tougher once KDB returns to the mix.

That could be an option and then Bernado could play in midfield to help i assume Kovacic.

 

[urban genie]

Eddie
walker
stones(if ready) /dias
Dias / Gvadiol
Ake

Bernardo
Lewis/kovacic

Foden
Alvarez
Haaland
Grealish/Doku

 

[skillman]

Bernie being available gives me such security.

And their high line will be brilliant for Doku - whether that’s late on against tired legs (Ben White loses his rag easily) or from the start to run them ragged.

 

[bluemoon32]

My Gooner workmate says he hopes Haaland plays instead of Alvarez.
Bet he wouldn't have said that last season ha

 

[ojeme]

Here’s what Pep told me:

*Too risky to start Stones though he will get some minutes from the bench.
*No need to go the 3-2-4-1 route with Rodri’s unavailability. A more traditional set up will be favoured
*I wouldn’t trust the Nunes-Kova duo against Arsenal so Bernie needs to be our emergency option in the middle
*Doku to target Zinchenko as someone here mentioned earlier but he can swap sides with the guy on the other side as the game wears on

Ederson
Walker Dias Gvardiol Akanji
Kovacic Bernardo
Doku Alvarez Foden
Haaland
​

 

[blue cigar]

Jesus, how do you pick this team! Julien or foden, Ake or gvardiol, jack or Jeremy...I suspect we look to keep the game quiet then take them in the second half with impact subs, target zinchenko and let erling bully their centre Half's, we turn up in these games

 

[The Black Shed]

Would you not start Alvarez?

Because imo, depending how the game pans out, if City need an injection of real quality as evident last night, we can bring him on. We don't really have an alternative if he starts and things need shaking up. Attacking wise. Grealish is ok at the moment, just ok. He manages to retain the ball to our benefit, but that's it, there's zero thrust/creativity/invention/taking your man on from him. He keeps the ball and that's what Pep wants. So he keeps his starting place for me.