Arsenal pre-match thread

[Frank to be]

I think we will struggle here, a defeat will be ok as long as the performance is positive

[ronnup]

Exactly. I wonder what CR will instruct them, try to eek a draw or just go for it because it's a freebie?

[Nick]

We'll go: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2.

[Livid]

Mood swinging between Come on let's 'ave 'em! and Oh F**k it's Arsenal!!

[lgfualol]

I hope the match thread doesnt descend into chaos if we are losing. I mean every team but us has lost a game, it could be our time to lose.

2-2 is my bet they score (pen) we score we score they score

[Guest ttfn]

Mertesacker is a 100-cap German international and World Cup winner - it's not like he's not played against fast strikers before. He's rarely going to get into a foot race with Vardy because 99 times out of 100 he'll have pinched the ball off him before it happens.

It's not like we're talking about Richard Dunne here or somebody who is the alchemic combination of slow AND shit, Mertesacker is a class act.

[ALC Fox]

Mood swinging between Come on let's 'ave 'em! and Oh F**k it's Arsenal!!

Yep. Totally this. The prospect of Vardy running at Mertesacker though is what's keeping me optimistic.

[gerrytaggart]

Smash these ####s 3 0.

[Guest CityFan 06]

I think it's important to go into this match with a positive mentality. Arsenal are a quality team with quality players, but with the support of our fans we can and do (like birch says) make a difference. Let's hope we can continue this unbeaten run and get another positive result.

[dylanlegend]

Mertesacker is a 100-cap German international and World Cup winner - it's not like he's not played against fast strikers before. He's rarely going to get into a foot race with Vardy because 99 times out of 100 he'll have pinched the ball off him before it happens.

It's not like we're talking about Richard Dunne here or somebody who is the alchemic combination of slow AND shit, Mertesacker is a class act.

Mertesacker is pants!! All the Arsenal fans think so as well... If we target him as a weakness Mahrez and Vardy will destroy him!!

[sphericalfox]

jamie vardy's gorna have a pizza party. Bring your coke and your pyjamas. 

[HighPeakFox]

What's the worst that can happen? A defeat. So go for them......

[roblcfc84]

I think the midfield is key today - we will see the majority of success in the wide areas but we need to keep those central areas tight - 3 cm for me

[Grey 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

 

Exactly my thoughts and selection.

 

Personally I wouldn't mind reverting back to last seasons 3 at the back.  However it seems Claudio is not a fan of that formation, so based on that I think the above line up is probably our best hope.

[The Guvnor]

Just hope we don't pay them too much respect,we are the home team so lets play like one and do what we do best.

[NotTheMarketLeader]

I think it's important to go into this match with a positive mentality. Arsenal are a quality team with quality players, but with the support of our fans we can and do (like birch says) make a difference. Let's hope we can continue this unbeaten run and get another positive result.

This.

Come out of the traps like lightening turn the noise level up to full blast from the get go - that's our best chance today I believe.

Sitting back and not getting the ball at all, will be the problem area, given DeLeat and Jeff cannot defend!

[NewquayFox]

Same team as Sunbury for this one, without doubt our toughest game so far, a clean sheet would be magnificent but would be a dream if we came away with 3 points.....

Up the City...

[Robin JD Popley]

One of my favourite fixtures of the Season ever since 1997.

Come on Leicester!!!!!!! 

[Guest]

Why are people so negative.

 

We're at home, we're playing well, Arsenal are not the worldbeaters people are making them out to be.

 

Leicester win.

[TMELcfc]

When played Tottenham, Ranieri seemed to be a bit negative, hoping it's not the same today, but understand we need to keep it much tighter at the back than recent games.

Come on you blue b*******

[st albans fox]

When played Tottenham, Ranieri seemed to be a bit negative, hoping it's not the same today, but understand we need to keep it much tighter at the back than recent games.

Come on you blue b*******

We'll soon find out if it was the weather or his upbringing which was responsible!

[iancognito]

Is Dyer back fit & available?

[Guest]

Is Dyer back fit & available?

 

No.

[foxfanazer]

I know some will disagree but I really think the pressures fully off for us today and all on them. Let's have a go at them and keep our reputation going. Crowd need to be right up for this

[iancognito]

No.

 

.Bugger.

 

In that case,

 

Kasper, De Laet , Fooochs, Hoooth, Wes, Drinky, Kante, Kingy, Mahrez, Albrighton, Vardy

 

 

I don't like having Vardy on his own up top but Albrighton & Mahrez are good support and dropping Kingy in behind the strikers the other night was a good move, it's probably his best position.

 

I just panic if he plays Inler without Kante though, Inler's not a holding midfielder and still nowhere near up to speed with the pace of this league.