Arsenal (A) - Wed 15th Feb, 19:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[flook]

strong team, happy to see Ake back, hopefully space in his pocket again for Saka

 

[kanovic]

Wish it was laporte over ake honestly

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Tomiyasu picked over White for Arsenal, so perhaps a change in approach for them with their fullbacks playing wider.

 

[MCFC1993]

No reason Bernardo can't do what Zinchenko did for 5 years. Hes better on the ball, more aggressive, faster thinker.

Dropping Laporte is a bigger question mark, losing a key passer but he's obviously wary or Saka's pace.

 

[ctwrd]

Would have gone with a flat back four.
More unnecessary tinkering from Pep.
Fearing the worst.
Hope I’m wrong.

Except it’s not tinkering is it as he is keeping the shape.
If he had gone with the 4 it would have been tinkering and would be accused of it if we didn’t get success.
Tedious.

 

[Goater=Legend]

Fear we will get done on the wings, it worked against Villa because their players came inward.

Hope were up for it tonight!

 

[FantasyIreland]

strong team, happy to see Ake back, hopefully space in his pocket again for Saka

I'm happy to see Ake back to,not so happy to see Laporte on the bench.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Just play the team that started the last match Pep.

WTF !!
It's a cup final for all our opponents home or away !!

Admire your faith.

 

[stonerblue]

Bold from Pep but pleased with the personnel . Hope we are ok in the wide areas defensively. We have to boss it and play in the final third.

The 4 in midfield is a no-brainer for me. All the experience,nous,energy and attacking intent we need. They were there Sunday and we were solid and dangerous

 

[Chris B]

Scoop from the BBC here!



Ake playing on the right of defence! Mahrez central, but Gundogan wide! Amazing!!!!

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Kind of pissed Laporte isn’t playing.

 

[vmsuhail]

What kind of lineup is that? Expect Arsenal to dominate the game .

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

credibility check.

Are you trying to put @kaz7out of a job? I hope you gave her redundancy money.

 

[pudge]

Oh joy, we'll have to wait until the 89th minute for a sub and a change of shape. It's gonna be that kinda game, is it?

 

[Love_Each_Day]

Not sure Dias is the right choice for the middle centre back, gave Liverpool some easy 1v1s with Ederson due to leaving his position too early. Needs to read the game and only commit himself as last resort.

 

[IrishBlueSince92]

Kind of pissed Laporte isn’t playing.

He was brilliant on Sunday I thought

 

[Don Karleone]

Wish it was laporte over ake honestly

Wish it was Laporte AND Ake personally. Still a strong team though.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Except it’s not tinkering is it as he is keeping the shape.
If he had gone with the 4 it would have been tinkering and would be accused of it if we didn’t get success.
Tedious.

A flat back 4 isn't tinkering,it's the complete opposite.
Bernardo as a full back,against one of the most in form wingers in the game, is very much tinkering.

 

[bluetonium]

Either one of those nights where we bemoan Pep's tactics, or praise them.

I just hope we're not talking about var after 90 minutes. Come on City!

 

[oldius]

What kind of lineup is that? Expect Arsenal to dominate the game .

It's a line-up of champions.