Arsenal (A) - Sun 21st Sept, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[noseve]

Erl is very important for us defending corners and Arsenal are the best at scoring from corners.

If we could afford to leave a player close to the half-line when the opposition takes corners, Doku would be a good option.

But think about which players make them so - I'd like to see Gabriel do anything from the halfway line?

Also, how many coaches would honestly trust a single defender against Erl?

Doku - despite his latest streak - wouldn't offer the same fear factor.

 

[Blue and true]

Optimism has risen tenfold for this. We've looked very good the last two games; cohesive, assured backline, and quicker, more fluid football.

Unchanged team and we have a great chance.

 

[TonyBookEnd]

I'm more interested in the performance, rather than the result, to gauge where we are.
We got a bit bullied last year and I hope we give it back and prove who we really are. But, as other posters have intimated, I feel we are a bit behind Arsenal at the moment, particularly in Central Midfield areas.

 

[noseve]

Is Ryan Nouri back for this game? Do we know when Marmoush is due back?

Ait-Nouri shouldn't replace O'Reilly, even if he is fit. RAN has a total lack of any natural defensive instinct. His first natural step is towards the ball, ignoring his runner - by then he's already taken himself out of the equation.

We should give that back 4 a chance to cement themselves, in my opinion. Still need another natural, at LB, but NOR makes a pretty good fist of it pro-tem.

He spent a lot of last season being one of the standouts, only to keep being benched. Let him have a run.

 

[noseve]

Optimism has risen tenfold for this

That's only natural, but this crowd are a genuine step up.

As long as we don't get embarrassed, this'll still have been a really good week

 

[paulchapo]

Joy of fucking joys.

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

We need to rest players as we have a tough away game at Huddersfield mid-week. ;-)

 

[Gabriel]

Seeing our bench against Napoli I don’t agree.

You thought the bench last night was strong?

 

[citymad]

Not for this game obviosly but at some stage I'd like to see...

........................Donnar.......................
Khusonov Stones Gvardiol O'Reilly
.........................Rodri........................
Nunes ......Foden Doku .......AitNouri
......................Haaland.....................

Our defence is suddenly looking more solid. This is without Ake and Dias.

 

[Gabriel]

Is Ryan Nouri back for this game? Do we know when Marmoush is due back?

Probably no on both counts. Stones is reportedly training today, so his addition may be the only change.

 

[alexmcity]

A possible surprise: Stones next to Rodri with Foden replacing Bernie on the right.

This set-up would look too defensive but would allow Reijnders to attack the box more often together with Doku and Foden and we'll be more solid defensively.

Donna

Khusa
Dias
Gvardiol

O'Reilly
Stones
Rodri

Foden
Reijnders
Doku

Haaland

 

[alexmcity]

Arsenal are starting to resemble more Chelsea 04-06 than Pep's teams. These days Arteta is more Mourinho than Pep.

 

[David Silva #21]

It’s time we put those arrogant losers in their place.

 

[Goater101]

Not for this game obviosly but at some stage I'd like to see...

........................Donnar.......................
Khusonov Stones Gvardiol O'Reilly
.........................Rodri........................
Nunes ......Foden Doku .......AitNouri
......................Haaland.....................

Bloody el. You do realise we’ve got Pep in charge not Jose Mourinho

 

[citizen_maine]

It's only a game...

Imagine waking up hungry in Gaza.

JJ

At least there'd be a bucket of chicken and fishing rod

 

[noseve]

Joy of fucking joys.

Seriously, you have to wonder what conversation took place before that appointment was made?

 

[69FACUPfinal]

Joy of fucking joys.

Ffs. Twatwell does us every time. I'm still not over that blatantly corrupt fix away at Brighton ( May 21), when thank god we had already won the league, cos that game and reffing performance was as bent as feck.

As for last seasons cup final, well words fail me.

Still, every cloud and all that, Palace winning meant Dips didn't win Charity Shield so no Quad for them.

When will we ever get a fair reffing performance? Twatwell will give Arseolona every decision and we'll likely see Donna having to face his first penalty.

The fact they have had two days rest is annoying me big time too. #corruptandfixedimo.

 

[blueparrot]

A possible surprise: Stones next to Rodri with Foden replacing Bernie on the right.

This set-up would look too defensive but would allow Reijnders to attack the box more often together with Doku and Foden and we'll be more solid defensively.

Donna

Khusa
Dias
Gvardiol

O'Reilly
Stones
Rodri

Foden
Reijnders
Doku

Haaland

Don't think so this will be the season Foden steps up as our main central attacking midfielder and takes KDBs place. Don't expect the shifting to the wings to be a thing this season.

 

[bridgeno1]

Joy of fucking joys.

He hasn't reffed an Arsenal game since the debacle at St James' Park 2 years ago.

One of those ref appointments where both sets of fans are equally fearful.

 

[supercity88]

Arsenal tend to struggle when teams sit in and play on the counter. There have been a number of games at home that they haven't won despite being overwhelming favourites for.

Go toe-to-toe with them or look to dominate possession and we'll get beaten. But look to be more defence-balanced and play on the counter, getting Doku up with Haaland and Foden in behind and we might just do something.