Arsenal - pre match thread.

[Manc Born & Bred]

Hart
Sagna Otamendi Mangala Clichy
Fernando Fernandinho
Navas De Bruyne Nasri
Aguero

Hard call between Nasri and Sterling. Nasri goes missing against Arsenal but Sterling goes missing against anyone.

Don't care how we win just get the 3 points.

Would like to find a place for Nacho as well if possible, although I would say that team is pretty much spot on, maybe Sterling for Navas and play him on the right as Bellerin is so much quicker than Nasri

 

[BlueDeadHead]

Hart

Sagna
Otamendi
Mangala
Clichy

Fernandinho
Fernando

Navas
Nasri
Kdb

Aguero

I think United will draw with Norwich so we just need to match their result

That is the lineup (switching Nasri and KDB). Tell Pellers to take the next two weeks off so he is fresh for the CL final and let Kidd run the show.

 

[Healdplace]

At least we might have a chance in the europa league

If we lose both matches we could have to play a qualifier in Siberia or somewhere in July when half the club are on holiday or tours players will have moved on and others not yet arrived and our manager will have been here for just days!

Quite possible we could be out of the Europa before the season even starts let alone win the thing.

 

[Healdplace]

One thing surely is that Hart has to be captain Sunday. You can see he cares about this club, will be here next season and wants top 4.

But we know that Pellegrini will give it to Yaya so he can say goodbye whilst having no interest in next season or top 4.

Someone with influence has got to get this across to the manager.

Normally saying farewell is acceptable but these players have created a situation where we just cannot afford that luxury.

Decisions on Sunday have to be taken by the manager for the match and the club and not sentiment.

And if he disagrees and wants to do things to mark the 'end of an era' instead then someone else should make those decisions for him.

Because Sunday HAS to be about the start of a new era and next season. Nothing else.

 

[Sergio Picasso Aguero]

One thing surely is that Hart has to be captain Sunday.

If he plays, i would say Zaba deserves it. It's probably his last game at the Etihad.

 

[NorCalBlue]

That is the lineup (switching Nasri and KDB). Tell Pellers to take the next two weeks off so he is fresh for the CL final and let Kidd run the show.

After the way we played the last time Kidd was in charge (Norwich at home, 3-2 loss), I think I'd rather stick with Pellegrini. Which is saying a lot after our recent performances.

 

[Healdplace]

If he plays, i would say Zaba deserves it. It's probably his last game at the Etihad.

Zaba out for the season sadly. Apparently. Otherwise I would agree.

They should get him to lead the team out though.

 

[cibaman]

Zaba out for the season sadly. Apparently. Otherwise I would agree.

They should get him to lead the team out though.

Might not be that sad if it means that he misses Copa America. He needs a rest followed by a full pre season. He could still do a job for us if he would cut out the summer tournaments.

 

[Scouse Blue]

Absolutely no Kolarov and hopefully no Nasri. Need to let the majority of Wednesday's team make amends.

 

[ballinio]

As long as Kolarov & Toure never put the shirt on again I'm happy.

 

[Big Swifty]

Everyone knows that our players have to play their hearts out to beat Arsenal in this crucial game. However, I have lost faith in the present squad to raise their game when it is absolutely vital to do so, or in the current management to inspire them to do anything other than go through the motions.
I will be happy to be proved wrong, though. You never know.

 

[Jamoid]

A game which we have to win so expect Kolarov and Bony to start

 

[super_city_si]

No time for sentiment, Yaya mustn't start. He's been a phenomenal player but we need to prioritize 3 points over giving him a send off.

 

[Scouse Blue]

Hart
Sagna Otamendi Mangala Clichy
Fernando Fernandinho
Navas De Bruyne Nasri
Aguero

Hard call between Nasri and Sterling. Nasri goes missing against Arsenal but Sterling goes missing against anyone.

Don't care how we win just get the 3.

Got to be Sterling, regardless of recent form. Nasri is not fit, spends most of his sulking and never puts in a performance v Arse.

 

[MillisleBlue]

Put all available money on these guaranteed starters - Yaya, Delph, Kolorov, Bony. Then, after 59:59 seconds when we're being thumped 0 - 6, the "engineer" will hook Yaya and bring on Fernando. Then, to ensure a Sunday evening Bluemoon meltdown, after 89:59 seconds the "engineer" will hook Bony and bring on Nachoman. Standard post-match presser until Joe shoots the "engineer" through the head.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Huge game this now, we need a win or the season will be in tatters. Just don't fancy our chances at all though unfortunately. He will either pick a team that will be relatively fucked after last night or a team with shit houses like Bony and Kolarov. Either way, combined with Pellegrini's staggeringly bad record against decent teams and it's not looking good. 10 days to go...

 

[Pepup]

Let's get fully behind the lads this maybe the last chance we have to thank some of the players who have brought us major honours.

 

[bluegoal]

Think it will be the same sort of effort and performance as against Madrid but Arse will score at least 3 :(

 

[malg]

No way he'll start Bony. I reckon he'll go with Sterling, Navas, KdB and both Fern's in the middle. Aguero on his lonesome up front. We'll be safe with Mangala and Otamendi in the centre and Clichy and Sagna.

That'll get us the points.

 

[Bluep*ss]

Arsenal are 3rd atm - I can see this match going the same way as when we played 1st - Leicester and 2nd - Spurs - both games ended in defeat.
The current squad are not up to it.