Happy Fri-emery? Or just Friyay? Or just Friday? Whatever you fancy. There’s a big game this weekend and I am PUMPED.
Liverpool come to town. Emery has a chance to fire up the troops and take his first ever top 6 scalp. Liverpool are favourites, and I think that’s a positive for us. I’m not sure any of us expect to come out of this alive, even at home. That puts us in a good position of being grateful for anything more than zero points.
There are many things for us to be looking out for.
Selection:
There are a lot of questions ahead of this game. Firstly, I think he should stick with Leno, Cech didn’t look great against Blackpool and Leno has been pretty good.
The big fear is Lichtsteiner and Xhaka as fullbacks. We’re going get absolute spanked if that’s the case. Might as well pack up and go him, give Xhaka his red card already. Trouble is, we’ll likely have to risk a players recovery to get anyone back into the mixer, and Liverpool doesn’t feel like the right game to be taking punts like that.
Midfield kind of picks itself… dependent on Xhaka. Will Ramsey come in next to LT? Will Ozil occupy a central role?
Up front is also interesting. VVD is a monster, and he’ll eat Lacazette alive. So do we opt for someone like WELBZ to bully? Or do we just have a blended front three and see what happens?
Tactics:
If this were Arsene, we’d be going toe-to-toe in a ‘who has the biggest toe’ competition. I’m not sure Emery will be so reckless. The challenge he has is the team aren’t exactly reliable when it comes to defence. Are we equipped to absorb pressure? Do we have the discipline to run a deep block. Do we have the intelligence to stop Liverpool from playing at high pace?
The real worry is if we go into this game playing a high line. Especially if we have two slow full-backs in play.
The last time Emery played Klopp was the Europa League final. From what I remember, he let Liverpool exhaust themselves in the first 60, then picked them off when their legs were gone. I think the Liverpool team is a touch more sophisticated in 2018, but at least our man has the winning record here.
Psychology:
I always felt an Arsene Wenger side was beaten 3 days before the game. How is Emery going to change that? Are we going to be in the fight? Will we see a difference in the way we approach the game? Will the team look like they believe they can win?
These games are acceptable to lose if the team looked like they were in it. I don’t want to come out of this weekend thinking we were bullied. I don’t want the game plan to be out the window after 6 minutes. I want to see 100% agression for the whole game, Liverpool need to feel like they’re in a game.
Right, that’s me done. See you in the comments! x
Ozil, mikki, xhaka, Kolasinac (hasn’t played much at all this season), Mustafi. Curtains
I don’t see how this goes well. Emery was a bit limited in his options I suppose. We’ll be lucky not to be thrashed inside 25-30 min
Looks like he’s crammed in all our best attacking players (atleast on paper, some of them)
Wenger had nothing to do with Arshavin trying to control every pass to him like it was over hit
Talented player.. Extremely lazy
See what the game plan is, but that is a bad selection I think.
Relies too much on individuals actually stepping up and doing what they have not been doing all season as opposed to relying on a system.
What’s done is done, we are going to see what happens.
Still can very much do this if everyone shows up and does what they are suppose to. Anyone hides or brain farts and the upward slope becomes a mountain.
Are we complaining of kolasinac @ LB? we have no choice really.
Lichtensteiner did not work as he doesn’t give offensive width.
Without monreal I’m afraid we had no choice.
Xhaka was bound to start since Guendouzi took himself out with a red.
Xhaka is better than Ramsey, he atleast holds his position.
My only complain was I wanted iwobi instead of Auba. But thinking about the sevilla pool final, emery waited till they were tired and unleashed his pacy men, welbz and iwobi
Kolasinac at LB?Potential for disaster there.
I mean Emery has it wrong here, Salah will give Kolas the run around and earn him a red here
Bad selection
Rambo
Agreed.
This is what I always call a FIFA team, cramming your best ‘overalls’ onto the pitch.
Let’s see though.
This line up has not worked all season, see if there’s a plan. Emery is going to take some flack if this blows up though. He’s abandoned what he did against Fulham and Leicester (our best displays) for what he tried and what didn’t work earlier.
How can torreira, xhaka and ozil not be better than Fabinho, wijnaldum and Milner midfield
Sanmi
Absolutely correct.
I mean we don’t have much choice do we?
Who else?
Maitland Niles? Was shocking shit at LB against City.
Xhaka? Is that even a serious question.
Licthsteiner? Looked slow and ageing at RB let alone LB.
Unfortunately this is what we have to go with at LB.
I still think the Aubameyang decision is wrong, as is playing both Ozil and Mkh.
Let’s see.
Think I would have started with Iwobi and brought PEA on….at least Bellerin and a LB available.
Sead is great as a wing back, hasn’t really showed me much as a LB in a back 4. And is he even fit? That’s my biggest concern. He’s not in game shape, has barely played, has no form, etc
Victorious
Who should he have played at LB
Good lineup, Kolasinac comes in for Xhaka at LB because Guendouzi got his red card for a dumb foul. Some physicality there but he’ll need to be sharp.
Middle two best we have, I’d have maybe fancied Iwobi for Mkhi for sheer physique.
Sanmi
The answer to that is if Ozil doesn’t turn up, which form suggests he won’t.
Then it is Xhaka, Torreira versus Liverpool’s 3. Xhaka’s mobility then is a further consideration against a fast paced, direct Liverpool side.
This is what people are saying, Xhaka, Mustafi, Kolasinac are all stupid foul givers, particularly when pressured.
Need big performances.
Only mkhi needs to step up. Auba and ozil have both stepped up this season. Mkhi goes through the motion
Better kola at LB than Xhaka
It’s cool Charlie I got your jist now. We have the players to batter them despite it being particularly unlikely that we will and we are not even favourite a to win lol. Just like Everton have the players to batter us…. and that’s very unlikely to happen as well but it could technically happen so…
Great insight as usual and thanks for the uplifting message. Makes me feel less downtrodden as you say
Mikhi, kolasinac???? Emery doesn’t have sense I swear. Kolasinac would do better than AMN? Mikhi who has always been a passenger?
‘Think I would have started with Iwobi and brought PEA on….at least Bellerin and a LB available.’
I would as well.
Very happy to be proved wrong though.
That pool midfield isn’t pacy at all.
Mkhi and Auba need to be switched on. As that will keep the full backs away.
Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Torreira, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Lichtsteiner, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Welbeck
I pity those saying mikhi and auba need to be switched on like they are some switches. This team selection is gonna give so many people heartbreak today. Ozil is expected to fade off if things don’t go our way after the first 5 minutes, auba to be running back and forth the wing? Micki is to be misplacing passes and committing needless fouls, kola, don’t even know what to say, put zhaka on pressure and we are gonna have smoking in a gas plant situation
Iwobi ain’t even starting? Who is emery expecting to be driving our balls forward? Guess he’s solely relying on xhaka’s long range passes. This ain’t looking good
Mikki and ozil in the same team??? I really don’t know why this would be a good idea against Liverpool. I would have dropped both for iwobi and welbeck who are technically obviously worse but have the work rate and pace we need to stretch them and make them work for it I have a nasty feeling our front line is going to completely vanish in this game. Auba is quality but often quiet out wide. Ozil is scared of the ball in meaningful matches and mikki is ozil but worse lol. That’s Very concerning Fingers crossed I’m wrong on… Read more »
I think we will be better today then you guys think.
The thing is though, either this works and we all have a great night and potentially this side cracks the chemistry/system issue.
Or it doesn’t, and we’re in for a pretty bad night. But it may be the end of trying this particular set up, which would be good if so and might prompt some off field decisions about personnel.
Because on paper this is probably our best side, if it doesn’t work as an 11, decisions need to be made as they have been with Ramsey.
We need to put in bids for 2 new FBs. I like Dembele at Fulham and Wan Bussaka at Palace. Both will likely cost about 60m. Lots of potential with both. Monreal is old and Bellerin needs competition
Another goal for young Reiss Nelson today.
Have both kid’s football matches back to back during the arsenal match. I’m the coach. Pouring rain and 10 degrees out
Lucky me.
Nelson will certainly be a key part of plans next season if he keeps this up.
I’m not sure what to make of kola because he’s barely played under emery I’m filled with fear seeing him in the squad but I won’t judge as who knows what coaching he has or hasn’t had recently and if he has learned anything useful As for AMN, the kid has only played a few games and barely kicked a ball this season. We really wanna chuck him in this game where there’s a genuine possibility that we could get smashed and knock his confidence with it? If kola is fit I think we need to be playing him today.… Read more »
Kolasinac started his Arsenal career with aplomb. He’s suffered afterwards, partly due to his inability to adapt and Wenger’s ineptitude. ffs if he doesn’t start how can Emery know if he’s good enough or not. The only change I would would have considered considered would have been Welbeck for Mkhi but obviously Emery always prefer that extra midfielder. And we know he won’t wait for ages if any player isn’t pulling his weight. Let’s shock Liverpool today and lay down a marker. COYG!
Fabulous win for England against RSA with so many players missing.
Now our lads turn in similar circumstances. All things are possible but we won’t be battering them as Charlie boy laughably posted.
Can’t wait for the game
What the fvck has AMN done that has so many gormless Arsenal fans captivated. Most overrated player in the last 5 years. He’s 21 years old FFS and he’s done fvck all
Kolasinac was a brute after he joined but had gone limp and wimp. Hope he gets hard and stop the Pool forwards at all costs , as long as don’t get sent off… Emery should make him watch the nasty neville bros…
Really concerned with both Ozil and Mikki starting. Well, Mikki tracks back a bit but easily gets bounced off though.
Smith Rowe on bench is interesting, May not be Ramsey coming on after all.
I’m surprised people are slating Mkhi. He was our best player against Chelsea.
Liverpool’s team isn’t to be feared.
I’m certain we gonna win.
Im with you Rambo. I have no idea what motivates AMN fans. Probably the same as what motivated Ramsey, Wilshere and Gibbs fans. He at best is a promising attacking mid. Certainly not a LB. He had poor games in that position for us last season. The guy doesnt even want to be a LB, so why the clamour for him to play there. Kola was a great LB in the Bundesliga. I would not judge any player who regresses under Wenger. Its a known fact that he was winging it for the last 12 years. A reputation based solely… Read more »
@ Rambo Ramsey, you are the gormless one here. On what premise is kola better than amn as a LB? Pace? Attacking instinct? Recovery? Just tell me.
Vikingz, let me think… Kolasinac is a professional football player. I wouldn’t even label that about AMN. How many minutes of serious football matches has this one played till now?
Atleast Ramsey and Wilshere had potential for everyone to see. They were doing things at 18-19 years that AMN is yet to do at 21.
@ Rambo Ramsey, well the good thing is you don’t need to be called a professional player to play a good match. Only VD would have been called a professional player in Liverpool back 4 as at last season but the players are performing. AMN performs better than a very rigid kol as LB against pacy attackers. We are few minutes away from seeing it with our own very eyes, let’s talk after the match bro
I remember some over emotional fans demanding that AMN get regular time as CM.
Fvck me.
Look at Guendouzi. Now there’s a serious player and he’s showing it at 19.
C’mon Arsenal!
Moment of truth,,,,, let’s give them some sweat
Brave team selection by Emery ..well done to him for having the courage to stand toe to toe with Liverpool …I hope it works out for him .
a key to winning a league, any league is to have a great defence. Some thing klopp has invested heavily in. Ours on the other hand, are average. I’m still excited for the game tonight. Onwards and Upwards as always Arsenal…
C’mon boys.
Any good streams of the game about
any one got a good link ??
Auba off by a hair
Good start
Started brightly
Come on arsenal
We gonna smash them cunts
Great tackle Mustafi
And it’s Arsenal,
Arsenal FC,
We’re by far the greatest team,
The world has ever seen….
First shot on goal. Laca’s flick was saved at close range.
We turned up…
The weakest bench we’ve had in a long time.
Let’s keep pressing these cunts.
Can always rely on the plonker Mkhi to give away possession. A disease he shares with Ramsey.
We look up for this lads
I’m excited
“Can always rely on the plonker Mkhi to give away possession. A disease he shares with Ramsey.”
I see you’re preparing yourself for Ram-xit already 😊:-)
10 mins in and we are good.
Let’s do it.
Rambo
“Can always rely on the plonker Mkhi to give away possession. A disease he shares with Ramsey”
I see you’re preparing yourself for Ram-xit already 😊”
Ozil and Mykhi are cut from the same cloth.
They won’t work hard enough and are giving the ball away too often.
Dissenter, I’m changing the moniker and burning all the Ramsey posters. But what to do about the tattoo on the p
Mustafi injured?
Firminho looks like a cross between Eileen wurnoss and jaws from James Bond
Fuck. Just got blocked. Great thru ball Xhara.
Good corner.
Really putting the pressure on now.
C’mon guys.
Aaaaah so close
That was so close!!!!
Oooooo.. Mikki header centimeters off empty net
Lucky!
That was a heart in the mouth moment!
Almost sh*t me pants there
1 – 1 in near goals
Xhaka-licious
He’s improving all the time
What a fucking tackle from Xhaka.
Great work.
Leno’s stop was amazing!!!
Ozil and Mykhi aren’t putting in their due shifts.
Kolasinac is not match fit and Auba isn’t doing him any favors.
Glorious failure on the cards here …
Defenders starting to lose their shit
Pool back at it.
What’s with these crosses from Pool we couldn’t seem to handle.
Leno brilliant so far.
Shoot on sight is good. Never mind. Good strike Bellerin.
Xhaka is having a good game.
Everyone is putting a shift in with the exception of Ozil and Mkh who need to step it up.
Liverpool taking control of the game
Mkhitaryan is an absolute clown
The game needs a goal to come alive…too cagy for me.
Kolasinac is doing good enough…for a player just coming out old from from injury. It’s hard to defend Salah.
Liverpool are looking for a long ball over the top which is a sign we’re doing something right
V open and good attacking game
Xhara plays well and better than LT so far
Emery s/b the one happier atm
We play less from the back
Several great half chances
LT getting better.
Wenger scoured the entire footballing world for 13 years …and he couldn’t;’t find a defensive midfielder like Torriera?
How come the new crew found a good DMF in their very first summer window?
this is turning into a great game. Come on arsenal.
Great atmosphere in the ground by the sound of it COYG!
Where’s Wally ?
I mean, where’s Özil ?
Love Torreira
Final ball needs to be better
Am I the only one who’s seeing improved players all over the field, playing another big team with organization?
Bellerin looks assured, used to look like a headless chicken
Final ball lacking but we are competing well.
Ozil stepping up to be honest.
Ooooooo
Laca should be on target at least
Auba jumped a moment early.
Let’s grab a goal before HT guys.
FFS … offside
Mustafi 9mm offsite!!
Should have been 4 – 2
Torreira is better than Kante.