Arsenal (A) - Sun 2nd Feb, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Really_here]

Worth mentioning that Michael Oliver has been taken off the game due to death threats from the Arsenal fans.

disgraceful

 

[Really_here]

I think we'll play Stones on Sunday. Khusanov looked alright on Saturday after the first 5/10 minutes but it could hurt him long-term if there's a repeat of that, Pep effectively said himself he shouldn't have played but there weren't any other options.

After Sunday we've got 9-10 days until our next stiff opposition so hopefully we can manage Stones' minutes within that. To be fair I'd be putting him, De Bruyne, Dias and Haaland under house arrest for the Orient game ready for Bayern or Real.

I don't think playing Stones again is an unacceptable risk, if he feels OK and Pep thinks he's part of our best line up for the game then he should play. He might get injured, he might not but unless he's not 100% for then not playing him is nuts.

 

[David Silva #21]

View attachment 144907

Playing Khusanov in a big game again could damage his confidence. He is not ready to play against big teams. I think Pep will use him in easy games this season.

 

[super_city_si]

This Sunday will be a statement which states the death of Manchester City football club has been over exaggerated.

Have a feeling we're going to have a dominant win and the tarquins fire drill starts early.

I'll wait till I see the lineup first. Peps had some dodgy ideas this season. Midfield is still a problem.

 

[super_city_si]

disgraceful

Been replaced by Alan Davies*

*****

 

[CTID1988]

Been replaced by Alan Davies*

*****

I quite liked Jonathan Creek

 

[Legal Alien]

Wrap Stones up in cotton wool. We’ve got bigger games on the horizon, we need to start looking after the defenders coming back from injury.

This game is as big, maybe bigger, than every other coming up, seeing they're second and only six points ahead, so if Stones is available he has to play.

I'm worried about the RB position so we need to play as strong as a defence as possible imo.

If we can win this it will give us a huge confidence boost for the month ahead.

I think we will, so i'm going 3-2 to us, with Haaland, Marmoush & Savinho scoring.

 

[robbieh]

I think playing Khusanov as a RB is the way to introduce him into the team in the same way we have done with Gvardiol. He'll be way better defensively than Nuñes and Lewis.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

This Sunday will be a statement which states the death of Manchester City football club has been over exaggerated.

Have a feeling we're going to have a dominant win and the tarquins fire drill starts early.

You know, I've just got this feeling that you may be right. And we will be in effect handing the title to Dipperpool. Sigh… Ah well, we can only look after our own business. Others should look after theirs.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Gooner here. Expecting a very tough match, slight uncertainty in so far as we have no idea what City side will turn up. If the one that played against Spurs turns up you're in trouble, the one that turned up against Ipswich with Foden creating mayhem turns up and we're in trouble.

Suspect it may be a draw. Expecting Arsenal to be less defensive than they usually are against City and play on the front foot more.

Raya was injured for the Girona game last night and his replacement Neto was atrocious so we hope Raya is back. Got a feeling the key players will be Gvardiol for City and Nwaneri for Arsenal.

I don't honestly think Ipswich told us a lot about City's convalescence. It brought back a feelgood factor which was a pleasant change. Chelsea was more significant. That said, we went behind against both Chelsea and Bruges with rather stupid goals, even if we showed the character to come back. If Nunes is around in defence, anything could happen, and none of it would be good.
Saka still out for your people, I think? That's quite a loss. If Ødegaard is ticking for you, it could be a difficult afternoon for us.

 

[bridgeno1]

I don't honestly think Ipswich told us a lot about City's convalescence. It brought back a feelgood factor which was a pleasant change. Chelsea was more significant. That said, we went behind against both Chelsea and Bruges with rather stupid goals, even if we showed the character to come back. If Nunes is around in defence, anything could happen, and none of it would be good.
Saka still out for your people, I think? That's quite a loss. If Ødegaard is ticking for you, it could be a difficult afternoon for us.

Yeah Saka is out till mid March. Like I said in my earlier post I think Gvardiol and Nwaneri will be key. City haven't played against Nwaneri before and he's only 17 but he's really coming along and he's a very dangerous Saka-esque player that Gvardiol will be up against. If Nwaneri can occupy Gvardiol then less chance of Gvardiol making those marauding runs forward where he's so dangerous.

Re the other players - they know each other so well and we can expect Haaland and Gabriel to be in a super physical battle, probably Rice and Kovacic trying to grab midfield territory, not sure what form KDB is in currently.

Marmoush is the wild card- we've not played against him and he looked very lively against Chelsea so assuming Haaland gets no space or time it could provide a chance for Marmoush.

I did see a post earlier that the young Uzbek lad should start for City. I think that would be a seriously bad idea so early in his City career, particularly up against Martinelli or Trossard etc. Best leave him for easier fixtures until he's up to speed.

 

[mosssideblue]

Playing Khusanov in a big game again could damage his confidence. He is not ready to play against big teams. I think Pep will use him in easy games this season.

I think not playing him after his debut would harm his confidence more

 

[foggy1974]

When we won 3-1 at the Emirates 2 seasons ago despite Taylor giving a penalty we've never seen given before or after, Pep played more of a back 5 with Bernardo playing left wingback. If Dias is back after the Leyton Orient game then it's worth the risk of playing Johnny Stones. Playing 5 at the back would give Nunes more cover

Ederson
Stones Akanji Gvardiol
Nunes Bernardo
Kovacic Foden
Savinho Marmoush
Haaland

Play similar to Chelsea home game with Foden & Marmoush playing off Erling

 

[David Silva #21]

I think not playing him after his debut would harm his confidence more

Against Chelsea we were short of players. Pep had no choice but to play Khusanov.
Now we have 4 ready defenders.
I think Pep has not bought Khusanov and Reis for this season. He will use them more in coming years.

 

[mosssideblue]

Against Chelsea we were short of players. Pep had no choice but to play Khusanov.
Now we have 4 ready defenders.
I think Pep has not bought Khusanov and Reis for this season. He will use them more in coming years.

That’s not what you said though

 

[lasereyes]

Ederson
Nunes
Stokes
Akanji
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Bernardo
Savio
Kdb
Marmoush
Haaland

Ben would fit well into our central defence with his current injury woes

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

You know what, I actually fancy our chances against these cockney slags.

We’ve shown some real grit in recent games. Could’ve easily crumbled against Chelsea and Brugge but we grew some bollocks and showed them who’s boss.

 

[mosssideblue]

You know what, I actually fancy our chances against these cockney slags.

We’ve shown some real grit in recent games. Could’ve easily crumbled against Chelsea and Brugge but we grew some bollocks and showed them who’s boss.

Me too. We have momentum and confidence will be growing

 

[bridgeno1]

The fat gets chewed here;

 

[makinghistory]

Really fancy us for this. More confidence after the Brugge and Chelsea games. Players coming back. Marmoush looks the business. The pressure and expectations will be on Arsenal which will also help us.