It’s no use crying in my beer. Arsenal was terrible against Manchester United yesterday, but this is a new day and it is time to turn my attention to the most important game of the season. Win and we can still dream of Arsenal winning a trophy. Lose and it will be a long spring and summer.
There were a lot of comments about Almunia’s performance on Sunday. Yes he was terrible. He looked scared every time the ball came near him. But the bottom line is that Almunia is better than Fabianski and this is not the time to change goalkeepers.
I expect Drogba and Anelka to play upfront for Chelsea and Gallas and Vermaelen need to be up to the physical challenge. There is a part of me that thinks Campbell and Vermaelen would be a better pairing for the Chelsea game. Am I crazy?
Arsenal’s midfield was totally outplayed by Man United. The only time Arsenal got anything going was in the last 15 minutes after United had called off the dogs.
Fabregas was completely outplayed Sunday and he needs to be the dominant midfield player on Sunday.
I am expecting that Wenger will play Bendtner as the lone forward which will allow Arshavin to drop back into midfield alongside Fabregas, Song, Nasri and maybe Diaby, if he is fit.
That should give Arsenal a good balance between defence and attack. What you’re your starting lineup be against Chelsea?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I`m taking the positive outlook and I`m positive it won`t make the slightest bit of difference what the line up is.
Love that attitude Jack
i believe a win against chelsea on sunday wil again awake our title hope,venger is a sturbborn man 4 not buying one or two players he promised 2 buy.Anyway my favourite lineup is alumnia-
eboue,gallas,vermilatoqp,clichy-
fabregas,song,diaby-
assassin,bendner,nasri.anything 4rm dis is a defeat.God bles fab&vermilator.keep d faith.am a gunner 4 life.
David, you are assuming ofcourse that I think we`ll lose but we`re only talking of the line-up not the result. Let`s not jump to conclusions.
David I think thats a great idea Having Sol in Defence. Except if I were Wenger I would play a lineup similar to this:
Almunia (If Szczesny wasn’t loaned out I would be giving him a start)
Sagna Campbell Gallas Vermaelen
Fabregas Song Diaby
Rosicky Bendtner Nasri
I know this wouldn’t exactly be orthodox or sane but I think this would be a good line-up for 3 reasons.
1. Wenger needs to make a statement that the Man U performance was not good enough and he will actually drop the players when they don’t perform. (Arshavin was downright greedy and if I was Fab I would’ve stopped bothering to make those great runs)
2. This way Gallas and Vermaelen can rotate having turns going forward and not leave gaping holes in the defence. One of our best points was having these two join the attack but we need to be aware of the counter unlike United.
3. We simply need to do something different against Chelsea… It may be the spark the guys need to beat their terrible mental weakness in the last few big games.
Maybe it time we thought about Campbell at the back with Gallas and bringing Vermalen to play song in the midfield. I think Traore will do a more decent job than the Clichy of Last weekend. Then Bendtner upfront so that Arshavin can go left, Fabregas and Rosicky pairing up in the midfield. Walcott and Nasri can come in in the second half.
My Line Up
Vito Mannone
Sagna, Gallas, Campbell, Traore
Vermalen Song
Rosicky, Fabregas, Arshavin,
Bendtner
Maybe we will sock 5 At the bridge this time round but we will sent a message that we can shuffle things around if players play bad. Denilson, Almunia and Clitchy will get the message loud and clear.
I’m predicting our Arsenal to lose 2-0, I think that’s very optimistic.
Phillip…Have made my suggestion about a motivator in another article `footylatest`and I do agree with you they need someone to inject a spark.
being positive is one thing but lets face the facts guys. with this type of mentality and attitude from the current crop of TALENTED young players we have, we will still lose to chelsea. my prediction 3 goals without reply(i hope they prove me wrong). there goes our trophy-less season again.
I would punish those that gave terribul performances on Sunday by ommitting them from the team and some even the squad altogether. Those that didn’t play on Sunday are not guilty of anything to do with that match and therefore will be involved, even if they are not great options, simply to teach the players a lesson, and that’s is you won’t get away with giving performaces like that.
My team and squad would be:
Mannone
Eboue, Gallas, Cambell, Vermaelan
Song
Fabregas, Diaby
Rosicky Eduardo, Arshavin
Subs:
Fabianski (Goalkeeper)
Eastmond (Right-back/Defensive Midfeild)
Silvestre (Left-back/Central Defence)
Nasri (Right/Central/Left Midfelid)
Bendtner (Centre Forward)
Vela (Left/Center Forward)
Walcott (Right/Centre Forward)
the main difference would be to put Verm as left-back. Verm was also a left-back previously, so could slot in there, Clichy needs to sit in his room and reflect. Sol would come in Ver4m’s place with Gallas. A bit heavy of changes, but who cares – they can’t be worse than last Sunday!
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