Arsenal - pre match thread.

[Gladstonian Liberal]

I'm guessing we will go

Cech
Bellerin Gabriel Koscielny Monreal
Elneny Ramsey
Sanchez Ozil Iwobi
Welbeck

The front 6 will press and run all day

Problem for us is Ramsey's lack of discipline pushing forward too often and leaving a gap to exploit

Cazorla is now fit but short of game time but I think he plays that holding role better than Ramsey

We might even see a cameo from Jack........

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Wenger knows how to set up against us. Did it a few times earlier. Playing for counters, giving up some of possession, pack the midfield heavily, and simply raise their game/pressing.

I expect them to start both El-Neny-Coquelin as a defensive duo to make sure KDB will struggle to find space.

Then they could use a hard working Ramsay-Ozil-Sanchez trio with tracking back, pressing our midfielders, defenders all game. Or Sanchez on top and Walcott on wings for counters.

Their best presser and probably most hard working striker is Welbeck probably.

If they press us we will have lot of problems, balls going back to Mangala, Otamendi, Hart and their long balls will just mean easy possession for Arsenal. Unless Kun wins headers on his own. Even that doesnt help as our long balls are not just inaccurate a lot of the times they are not even going to the direction of any City player.
You can see Kun many times to just run into space not even trying to win a header as he is hoping the defender will miss it or mishead it and he can run with the lucky ball...

I just cant see a positive outcome in this one from us, they are more relaxed, they were preparing for this game all week, we came back from Madrid with a shit result/injuries, our form against any decent PL side are a clear indicator of the huge troubles we had this season. We havent prepared well for these bigger games all season.

For me the only chance we have is a red card for Arsenal early in first half.

Lets hope I am totally wrong and somehow the team surprises us and gets the 3 points but for that to have a winning gameplan that can be executed well by our players whose form even mentality might not be good enough its hard to see.

Agreed 100% unfortunately. An early goal is our only real chance, but in all honesty 0-2 or 0-3 looks more likely. They're quick, skilful and they work hard

 

[Gladstonian Liberal]

If, and I say it's a big if, some of your players have already gone on holiday because they know they won't be staying under Pep then they might be less motivated which could play into Arsenals hands however, last home game of season for them and MP means I think they'll be professional and pull out all the stops to win.

With the exception of Yaya whom I agree with others he's not that committed these days or maybe his legs have just gone.

One last point. I know there is a lot of criticism aimed at MP from some of you but he has won trophies for you and has always behaved like a real man of integrity and a credit to the clubs reputation.

With the speculation since confirmed about Pep his job has been made hugely more difficult as his authority with the players is bound to have been affected.

I hope the fans regardless give him his due today.

 

[Blue Smarties]

If, and I say it's a big if, some of your players have already gone on holiday because they know they won't be staying under Pep then they might be less motivated which could play into Arsenals hands however, last home game of season for them and MP means I think they'll be professional and pull out all the stops to win.

With the exception of Yaya whom I agree with others he's not that committed these days or maybe his legs have just gone.

One last point. I know there is a lot of criticism aimed at MP from some of you but he has won trophies for you and has always behaved like a real man of integrity and a credit to the clubs reputation.

With the speculation since confirmed about Pep his job has been made hugely more difficult as his authority with the players is bound to have been affected.

I hope the fans regardless give him his due today.

Arsenal fan trying to lecture on how to treat a manager?

 

[Obierika]

bar wrong team selection and poor subs and players refusing to turn up, i stil cant see us loosing this. but if eventually we do loose, i think pellers should be made to stay off the remaining games..

 

[oasis-city-greek-fan]

We don't deserve to finish in the top 4. A season without CL may hit player recruitment but we can play the reserves in the Europa League and concentrate on the league next year. It hurts badly what we have become over the past couple of seasons but we gotta take it on the chin and move on. Arsenal will smash us tomorrow for the simple reason their players actually give a shit

In case we have to play for EL next year it will be shame if we don t get it ...

 

[oasis-city-greek-fan]

2nd place is still possible right ?
Let s fight till the end !!!

 

[Marvin]

If, and I say it's a big if, some of your players have already gone on holiday because they know they won't be staying under Pep then they might be less motivated which could play into Arsenals hands however, last home game of season for them and MP means I think they'll be professional and pull out all the stops to win.

With the exception of Yaya whom I agree with others he's not that committed these days or maybe his legs have just gone.

One last point. I know there is a lot of criticism aimed at MP from some of you but he has won trophies for you and has always behaved like a real man of integrity and a credit to the clubs reputation.

With the speculation since confirmed about Pep his job has been made hugely more difficult as his authority with the players is bound to have been affected
I hope the fans regardless give him his due today.

Individually City are very strong, but as a team we have zero conviction. I really have no idea what the outcome will be, but we have an exciting future with Pep on his way so if we don't win, the blues wont last too long.

 

[Eds]

Bluemoan at its best today. Samaritans might need extra staff today

 

[Scully]

We needed a different approach by now, but unfortunately we won't have one. Wenger knows who's injured and how exactly we are going to play. So predictable it's untrue. Even playing Sterling on the right would freshen it up, but no, Navas must play there. The only hope we have is that all the players put a shift in. It has happened this season, but nowhere near enough.