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

[deano ou812]

Who is the ref today ?

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Who is the ref today ?

Alan Davies with Piers Morgan and Ty from AFTV as linesman

 

[Gray]

Who is the ref today ?

Sorry you asked it is bloody Oliver.

 

[tregyblue61]

Alan Davies with Piers Morgan and Ty from AFTV as linesman

Don't forget Keir Starmer with direct comms to Stockley Park

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

Who is the ref today ?

Fuckin oliver

 

[jimharri]

Fuckin oliver

Who; Fagin?

 

[malg]

Are you 12? The reason I desk is that you do the same shit “joke” every fucking week.

 

[lazerblue]

just seen the sky studio for today, 1 rag, 2 tarquins and richards ffs

 

[M23 Citizen]

just seen the sky studio for today, 1 rag, 2 tarquins and richards ffs

So three Tarquins then

 

[supercity88]

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.

They're playing a new Haaland. One who is much fatter and sharper and will pull them out of their comfort zone. Solanke caused Saliba problems first half last week, Haaland can destroy him. It's all about getting people running off him as a decoy or to profit.

We know how they'll play, a quick start from us with a goal and then put the foot down on them from there.