Arsenal (H) - Sun 22nd Sept, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[paulchapo]

Surprised that we are starting Doku and Savinho as neither really track back too willingly. I thought that Grealish would have been in.

It's a bold move and typical Pep. It will either be a great success or a big mistake. We'll soon know.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Foden not starting is a bit strange in my opinion. Him and de bruyne are arguably our two most creative players and both not in the side - one through injury.

 

[axlgod]

Come On City!!!

 

[Damien10]

Yeah, it’s no biggie, I’m quite happy with my view whilst you’re happy with yours.

That’s fine, I would be a lot more confident if Kova was in place for Gundo. As I believe his recovery is so much better and as with any wingers tasked to beat players, at times we will loose it.

Anyway we are all wanting the same thing. 3 points City. Come on!

 

[abu13]

Bit surprised not to see Foden and Kovacic starting.

Agree with Foden, although Kova didnt really do that well against the Arse last season so maybe better to go with Gundo.

 

[Don Karleone]

More gutted that Kev can't play

 

[Gray]

Foden must still have some issues.

 

[Damien10]

Foden must still have some issues.

The issue being he hasn’t played much.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Quite surprised at that starting 11.

Looks like a “we’ll score more than you” type team rather than the usual “control” type team Pep goes for.

The 2 wingers can be incredible but will also both lose the ball a few times opening us to counters.

Happy to see Walker in re Martinelli’s pace.

I’m going 3-2 to us.

I think the reason we've gone for Doku and Savinho is to cause chaos because they'd mark Grealish and Bernado a lot easier who are both far more predictable in the way they play.

Sometimes it's not about keeping the ball for fear of losing it, it's about having pace and trickery. Arsenal shut up shop last season so I think well open their shop and ransack it, well I hope we do, obviously.

 

[waspish]

Foden not starting is a bit strange in my opinion. Him and de bruyne are arguably our two most creative players and both not in the side - one through injury.

With foden playing 74 games last season pep is playing it right with him easing him in its a long long season with the possibility of another 70 games

 

[handsofstone]

Man this is a hella risky lineup

We lack a lot of physicality there, probably why he's brought in Walker for Rico to make up for it

Sure Pep knows what he's doing but having Gundogan over Kovacic and no Foden are strange moves

 

[Phil1]

That’s fine, I would be a lot more confident if Kova was in place for Gundo. As I believe his recovery is so much better and as with any wingers tasked to beat players, at times we will loose it.

Anyway we are all wanting the same thing. 3 points City. Come on!

Your first paragraph is pretty much all I was saying with my initial post.
There’s a worry we will be caught on the counter when we invariably lose possession high up at some point.
If we don’t lose possession and the two wingers do what we all know what they are capable of then we could score 4 or 5.
Fine lines.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

With foden playing 74 games last season pep is playing it right with him easing him in its a long long season with the possibility of another 70 games

Surely he was eased in against inter Milan with 45 minutes. I think he’s too important to leave out for a game like this

Obviously pep is usually right, but if foden is fit and ready I think you have to play him.

 

[Phil1]

More gutted that Kev can't play

Not if it was the Kev midweek before he came off..
On the flip side I’m well aware that proper Kev is a huge miss.

 

[Gabriel]

Well, with that side we're certainly going to go for it today. Tally-ho!

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I think walker is pretty lucky to be starting. Rico Lewis has been excellent and walker looked really rusty last game.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

4 - 1 - 4 - 1 Formation?

Ederson

Gvardiol
Akanji
Dias
Walker

Rodders

Sav
Bernie
Gundo
Doku

Beast

Gundo to drop in to to assist Rodri when out of possession.

Confident Doku and Sav can pin Arsenal full backs in, leaving Bernie and The beast against their 2 Centre halves.

Sunday afternoon masterclass!!!

Come city!!!!!!

 

[Dave El Magico]

It's a bold move and typical Pep. It will either be a great success or a big mistake. We'll soon know.

I agree mate. I have had concerns about previous lineups and Pep has had it right. So in him I trust! Just hope that Gundo gets back up to speed too.

 

[jimharri]

Man this is a hella risky lineup

We lack a lot of physicality there, probably why he's brought in Walker for Rico to make up for it

Sure Pep knows what he's doing but having Gundogan over Kovacic and no Foden are strange moves

Foden is a mystery. He played the second half against Inter and, with Kev missing, you'd have thought he'd be in the team today. Has he picked up an injury in training that the club has kept shtum about?

 

[deano ou812]

Your first paragraph is pretty much all I was saying with my initial post.
There’s a worry we will be caught on the counter when we invariably lose possession high up at some point.
If we don’t lose possession and the two wingers do what we all know what they are capable of then we could score 4 or 5.
Fine lines.

Yeah score 4-5 early doors then get doku and savinho off ;-)