Arsenal pre-match thread

[jammie82uk]

merson's thoughts

 

Leicester v Arsenal (Saturday, 3pm)        

I'm going with Arsenal here, but only just. Unlike Villa and Stoke, if Arsenal go 2-0 up I can't see them dropping it. Leicester have done brilliantly well so far and have shown tonnes of character, but this is one for Arsenal.

Alexis Sanchez came on and did well on Wednesday night, and I fancy him to score at the King Power Stadium. This is Claudio Ranieri's toughest test yet, and although they'll have the home crowd behind them, I see Arsenal picking them up.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

[HighPeakFox]

Happy with a good performance, were too leaky to win

 

Did I miss the match then?

[CollinsLCFC]

2-2 draw. Vardy & Albrighton for us. Walcott & Sanchez for them. 

[Guest]

We're at home. Must win game. Will win.

[TheUltimateWinner]

Played Arsenal on legendary difficulty on FIFA, end result: 2-2

 

It's a sign

[ARM1968]

Tough game. Good benchmark. Arsenal not at their best. Good result possible. Must attack like rabid badgers.

[filbertstreet]

Played Arsenal on legendary difficulty on FIFA, end result: 2-2

 

It's a sign

so did I, Gherkin Inler scored a hat trick and Mahrez kept a clean sheet so that's good I guess

[Great Boos Up]

I'm saying most people always type their proposed team from keeper at the top to attack at the bottom. eg:

                          Schmeichel 

                               Huth

                              Kante

                               Vardy

 

When it's written down the other way around attack to keeper my brain can't cope as I'm a bit simple.

Or perhaps the mods could advise an etiquette on posting a team proposal that doesn't take up 4 screens of scrolling.

Just a comment.... Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, bye.

[Sunbury Fox]

I think sticking with 442 or 4411 is the way to go in this game. If we match their 4231 they'll beat us as they have better individuals. 442 by contrast provides us with the chance to break fast down the wings and exploit the narrowness of their formation on the break, assuming they'll dominate possession.

Playing Albrighton and Jeff as wingers will give the full backs more protection whilst giving us blistering pace on the break. It also means we can play Riyad in the hole, giving him freedom from defensive duties and enabling him to find space to run at Mertersacker and slip through balls to Vards.

So I'd go:

Kasper

RDL

Huth

Wes

Fuchs

Albrighton

Kanté

DD

Jeff

Mahrez

Vards

[st albans fox]

If they are playing narrow, what are you protecting the full backs from? Having two wingers means the midfield two are exposed 2 v 3 against extremely capable technical players. I'm interested to see what Claudio does tomorrow.

[Steve Earle]

Schmeichel

 

Kante

Huth

Morgan

Fuchs

 

Mahrez

Kante

Drinkwater

Albrighton

 

Kante

 

Vardy

 

Subs from;

 

Goalie

Kante

RDL

Benalouane

Schlupp

King

Inler

Okazaki

Ulloa

 

 

(I'm in love with N'Golo)

[whoareyaaa]

I think we will sit and look to do them on the counter as per most games this season, Fuchs must start Kante/Inler/Drinkwater would also be a solid midfield.

 

Ulloa in if its a 4-4-2

[Sunbury Fox]

If they are playing narrow, what are you protecting the full backs from? Having two wingers means the midfield two are exposed 2 v 3 against extremely capable technical players. I'm interested to see what Claudio does tomorrow.

Doubling up on the flanks enables us to get behind their full backs and use our pace. That article by Danny Higginbottom highlighted how we'd used this tactic effectively against teams playing 4231.

When we are defending having wingers who can help out the full backs will help counteract Arsenal's own very quick, attacking full backs.

Just my view.

[whoareyaaa]

----------------   Schemical

 

------------Huth Morgan Benny

 

Albrighton--------------------------Fusch

 

              Inler Drinkwater Kante

                           

                       Marhez

                                Vardy                         

[st albans fox]

Doubling up on the flanks enables us to get behind their full backs and use our pace. That article by Danny Higginbottom highlighted how we'd used this tactic effectively against teams playing 4231.

When we are defending having wingers who can help out the full backs will help counteract Arsenal's own very quick, attacking full backs.

Just my view.

I understand the logic. It's just that against the midfield three that arsenal will employ, what will give first? 2 v 3 in the middle or us being stronger on the flanks? the former gives them the edge and the latter us. I don't think Claudio will take the chance.

[crisp packet]

After mid week I feel Claudio can trust Was or Beny to play in a three ? Kante Drinky centre mid

Schlupp Albrighton wing backs

Mahrez behind Vardy Ulloa

Kante to start in the centre a must with DD Ulloa needs to start ahead of Okazaki

Here's hoping.. 2-1

COYB!

[Wymsey]

Hoping for a victory, so Piers Morgan will belittle Wenger yet again.

[Kasey Keller]

Tough game. Good benchmark. Arsenal not at their best. Good result possible. Must attack like rabid badgers.

Hahaha rabid badgers

[ScouseFox]

i think we might batter them. 3 or 4-1. they will camp on the edge of our box and to score all we'll have to do is boot it an let vardy run (he could probs walk tbf) faster than mertesacker. vardy hat trick 4-1 win. 

[ARM1968]

Kante could be crucial because they love the intricate build up through the middle and having N'Golo buzzing around like a tackling ninja on speed will seriously irritate them.

I think we have a real chance here but as with Tottenham it depends which Arsenal turns up.

Quite happy for them to have 70% possession as long as we win 4-0.

[dylanlegend]

Looking forward to this. Certainly will be counter-attacking type of game, therefore need to play Schlupp, albrighton, vardy, Kante, Mahrez from the start I hope we don't go with 1 up front- let's keep up our attractive style of play! I'm going for 3-2 (Vardy x 1, Mahrez x 2)

[kingfox]

Would take a draw like last season.

Wouldn't play Inler, might of shown better touches on Tuesday; however he looked very lethargic when tracking back, Cazorla would give him nightmares.

[FireFox]

I predicted Mahrez would score a brace against them way back during the FA Cup final when talking to an Arsenal supporter at a pub.

I also said that they needed someone like Mahrez, that 10 mil would be a fair price, but we wouldn't sell because we wouldn't need the money.

4-1

Mahrez x2, Ulloa, and Kanye West (Kante or Wes)

Theo for them

[Izzy]

i think we might batter them. 3 or 4-1. they will camp on the edge of our box and to score all we'll have to do is boot it an let vardy run (he could probs walk tbf) faster than mertesacker. vardy hat trick 4-1 win.

I admire your optimism. Can't see it myself. I'm usually ultra positive, but our run has to end at some stage and I think it will be this game unfortunately. Hope I'm wrong though....

[Albert]

Get Mertesacker isolated against Vards and he'll tear him a new one. If we can get the first goal I fancy us to get a result.

Kante has to start for me.

2-1 City