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

[GaudinoMotors]

All the FC 24 ers up early. Mum hoovering?

 

[M23 Citizen]

Rico is ten times the player

Ten times? A teenager who has played for a couple of seasons is already ten times the player of the greatest right back in Prem history?

Ten times?

 

[jollylescott]

Their biggest game this one and I think they'll be stinging from the criticism of their negative tactics from last season. They'll be right up for this and will attack from the start - and they have one of the best attacking games in world football over the last 3 years. Rice is absolutely world class and proving that actually Arsenal got a good deal getting him for what they did. Jesus will be right up for it and will be dying to show that ruthless streak in front of goal that he's renowned for. Also, Saka is a future Balon d'Or winner and probably should be in the top 3 this year. They are a force to be reckoned with.

Add to that the fact that their defence will have Haaland in their pocket again. Also our players haven't hit the ground running just yet.

So, let's just take a 1-1, keep our unbeaten start and move on to 3 points next time round.

Now that's more like it. You've been out of form recently :-)

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Ten times? A teenager who has played for a couple of seasons is already ten times the player of the greatest right back in Prem history?

I don't think he's the greatest right back in Prem history. In fact I hugely preferred Zabaleta and Cancelo for City never mind the rest of the League.

In terms of pure footballing technique it's probably more like 20 times tbh.

 

[Sid C]

Hello Blues. I think we have to try something new. Now hear me out on this one.

Arsenal/Arteta are going to park the bus and play on the counter / rely on set pieces. The foundation of their gameplan relies HEAVILY on their defense being on their A game.

Gabriel/Saliba are licking their lips and are probably dreaming of playing like prime Nesta and Maldini getting ready and motivated to stop Haaland.

We know how ineffective Haaland can be against a deep block, especially an organized one who are on red alert for him.

I think we should INNOVATE. Throw a spanner in the works. Hear me out. I think Haaland should be on the bench.

3 ATB with Gvardiol, Dias & Akanji
3 in midfield, Rodri as the 6 with Kovacic and Rico either sides of him to have control in the midfield
Doku and Savinho on the flanks to provide threat from the flanks
Gundogan and Foden both as false 9s, attacking midfielders in the middle

Tactically, Pep said Rico, Foden and Gundogan are our best players in the pockets so this system allows all 3 to be in there.

while Doku and Savinho will be a constant threat down the flanks.
Rico, Kovacic and Rodri will give us control.

Psychologically, this would be a masterstroke. For starters, Arteta and co would not have planned for this. Whatever plans they had for Haaland and motivation they had is gone, they go into the game confused. Gabriel and Saliba would not get what they have been preparing for.

Also, Haaland on the bench would mean his ego would be hurt, a wounded viking animal waiting to be unleashed.
whatever the gamestate, when the Arsenal players and City fans see Haaland and KDB warming up to come on in the second half, the stadium will erupt and the Arsenal players will shit themselves, making them go even further back into their shells. This is not what they planned for.

Nice try Kier.

 

[aka blue jambo]

Got my usual pre match jitters
Really should have got a cairy oot for the rattler.
We need to stop them playing through us . Last 2 games it just seemed too easy.
But take our chances and we should be fine.

 

[The Black Shed]

One goal in it methinks.

City 2-1 Arsenal

 

[M23 Citizen]

Good weather for us. Keeps the pitch nice and quick.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Good weather for us. Keeps the pitch nice and quick.

Means their dirty cunts will clatter us and OliVAR won't see owt until Rodri does it.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Unpopular view - we need to shut up shop as much as they do. Last couple of games, the opposition have been through us like a hot knife in butter. Every foray leading to a chance - Kovacic and Rodri needed. Sorry to the shiny wingers, theory thinkers.