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cubeadvance

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toythatkills

toythatkills

Posted
Posted

They had a decent 15 minutes at the end of the half. Good marking in the box prevented them having a couple of free headers. They're no slouches. An early 2nd goal would be nice.

There you go!

No idea who scored it though. Can't have been Ozil like the radio said because all the pundits told me that he's playing rubbish and he never does anything in a game.

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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

We don't have an elite striker, and the squad doesn't have the experience of winning big trophies domestically and internationally. In terms of the way we play, there are similarities but also big differences.

Didn't you used to mainly play with wingers or Henry who did as such?

You're more likely to play a little less like that now I'd say?

Also Bendtner scored tonight! Elite.

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The Fox

The Fox

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Didn't you used to mainly play with wingers or Henry who did as such?

You're more likely to play a little less like that now I'd say?

Also Bendtner scored tonight! Elite.

Nah Pires played on the left but cut inside a lot, not too dissimilarly to Cazorla now (albeit Pires was faster and more athletic). Henry started centrally but drifted out left a lot. Then Ljungberg was more of a direct outlet on the right, again not too dissimilar to Walcott, although Ljungberg would run in behind more centrally and was less inclined to go outside his man than Theo.

There were definite similarities though; people always put the Invincibles side down as 4-4-2 but really it was very close to the 4-2-3-1 we play today. Gilberto/Arteta sitting; Vieira/Ramsey box-to-box; Bergkamp/Ozil in behind the striker (though Dennis obviously played higher up the pitch and roamed less than Ozil does).

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The Fox

The Fox

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So three massive games coming up obviously in the next week. Everton at home on Sunday is going to be tough but I think it's a match we should be winning. I suspect we might see Walcott's first start in that game, to really give Oviedo something to think about. 76 hours after that game we kick off in Napoli, somehow still needing to take something from the match to be sure of qualification. Then a ridiculous 65 hours later we're playing Man City at Middle Eastlands. It's a rather horrible run and Arsene is going to have to manage things very cannily if we're going to be fresh by the time the third game comes around.

These are the possible teams I came up with:

EVERTON [h]

----------------Szczesny--------------

Jenkinson--Mertesacker---Koscielny--Gibbs

-----------Ramsey----Arteta------------

-----Walcott-----Ozil-----Cazorla-----

-----------------Giroud----------------

Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Rosicky, Gnabry, Bendtner

NAPOLI [a]

----------------Szczesny--------------

Sagna--Mertesacker---Koscielny--Monreal

-----------Wilshere----Flamini------------

-----Walcott----Rosicky----Cazorla-----

-----------------Giroud----------------

Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil, Bendtner

MAN CITY [a]

----------------Szczesny--------------

Sagna--Mertesacker---Koscielny--Gibbs

-----------Ramsey----Arteta------------

----Wilshere-----Ozil-----Cazorla-----

-----------------Giroud----------------

Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott, Podolski

Apparently Flamini is out of the Everton game but I don't think he would have started anyway. I also don't know whether Sagna is back or not but I think he'll be fine for Napoli with any luck. I think we'll field our strongest team, the only question mark really being whether Walcott plays from the start. Personally I think we'll need Wilshere to play some part against Napoli, and I expect him to start wide right against Man City. With that in mind, if he's looking sharp and fit enough then I'd start Theo versus Everton.

Moving on to Napoli, hopefully Flamini will be back by then. Arteta is a definite starter against Man City just 65 hours later, so you don't want him to have to play against Napoli ideally. I think one of Ramsey or Wilshere can also be rested initially, as I expect both to start against City. Personally I'd rather keep Ozil on the bench for emergency use, but if I'm honest I think Wenger will probably start him. If Ozil does start then I'd probably leave out Cazorla and go with Walcott-Ozil-Rosicky.

Then Man City. Again, I think this will be our strongest possible XI, injuries permitting. With any luck we'll have managed to have given Ozil some sort of breather in the preceding games, even if it's just coming off after 75 minutes. The only question really about our best XI right now is whether you go with Walcott or Wilshere wide right. Given that Jack looks to be finding some decent form lately I suspect he will start, with Theo available off the bench when the game is stretched late on.

I think that, as long as our energy levels are ok and we have key players fit, we have nothing to be scared of. Arteta/Koscielny/Mertesacker made pretty light work of Suarez and Sturridge, so I see no reason to be shitting ourselves over Negredo and Aguero. And I've pointed out numerous times how much space Toure and Fernandinho are liable to leave in front of the back four, which we are perfectly suited to exploit like no other team in the league. It's just a shame that we still need a result in our game whereas Man City can play whoever the fuck against Bayern away because they're already through.

After that we actually have a bit of a break before 'welcoming' FC Hitler 2003 to our place. If we can manage to take 7-9 points from Everton/City/Chelsea then you would have to make us big favourites for the title. That would give us one of the highest points totals ever after 17 games (higher than 2003/04, for instance), so the next three league games are absolutely pivotal.

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toythatkills

toythatkills

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I don't know whether to be concerned about this Napoli game. On the face of it, it's almost an impossible task, they need to win by three clear goals to qualify. Then you think that if they manage a couple of early goals it doesn't seem so unrealistic any more. I hate these kinds of situations, the impossible comebacks, Arsenal have been involved in a few over the last couple of years and we've been really fucking close to making it. Milan. Bayern. We should have enough. Tense, though.

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hauk

hauk

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Posted

Hopefully we can get an early goal in the Napoli game to ease the pressure a little. I would play Rosicky in both the Everton and Napoli games and keep Ramsey fresh for Man City. Also Gnarby and Walcott could be put to use in both games to give Ozil and Cazorla a rest, although I haven't watched too much of Everton and have no idea just how good they are right now?

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Larsen B

Larsen B

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The City/Chelsea games aren't as must win as they seem. If we lose them but match every result afterwards and beat them in the reverse fixtures, we'll still be ahead.

United was a must win wasn't it? From 5 points to 12. I fancy us to beat every other team the way we're playing; I don't fancy either of them to do the same.

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The Fox

The Fox

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City are the ones really aren't they, and they seem to be sorting out their away form. Unless we tail off badly then I'm not sure Chelsea will be right in there come the end; they look pretty much like the third best side atm. Long way to go though I guess.

City/Chelsea are not must win by any means, but I don't think we really want to be losing them both.

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hauk

hauk

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They're pretty good, I'd want to play the strongest XI possible in all honesty. Certainly wouldn't rest Ramsey.

So maybe the Napoli game is the one to rest Ramsey? Surely he can't play Ramsey and Ozil in all 3 games, even if it's just for 70mins.

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