At the moment, Koscielney and Mertesacker look like our best CB pairing. But would Wenger drop his captain unless he was injured ?
If it was someone like Ferguson, he wouldn't flinch on letting the captain on the bench, but I think it goes against Wenger's philosophy. He'll probably go for Koscielny - Vermaelen against teams with tricky/pacey forwards, and Mertesacker - Vermaelen for those that rely more on aerial ability or slower build up.
No, i think Mert and Verm is the best, as they can both organise, whereas Kos is clueless in this regard.
not going to happen in any case as verm is captain. Having said that i think its not verm and mert who are our best cb pairing but rather any one of kos or verm with mert. Kos and verm are too similar in style and aggression. mert is more of a calm presence rarely marauding forward and relying predominantly on positioning and interceptions. Thats not to say verm and kos are bad defenders but that they are far too aggressive and attack minded.
I think Verm and Kos can be absolutely immense together when they are in form. But they do seem to have their fair share of wobbles when they are playing together. I think our best combo is one of them and Mertesacker.
I think the best example of why Kos and Verm should not play together was yesterday when TV was exchanging passes with arteta and Gibbs beyond the half way line. When the ball came back to Kos rather than sit and pass he tried to go forward and miscontrolled the ball and wound up hatcheting the Olympiakos player (lucky not to see Red). What the hell was he thinking stay back if TV is already up the pitch. Also TV running up the pitch twice in the last 10 mins when we are only 2-1 up Bould should go all Get Carter on him walk right up to him give him a smack and say 'Behave!'
Verm is subject to the rush of blood charge forward - which, lets be honest, when it works, is why we love him so much: [video=youtube;Zta5c8c9f0k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zta5c8c9f0k[/video] Merts has the sense to sit back, and mop up when this happens. He's an organised, he has that German mentality and is a fantastic reader of the game. He exudes calmness at the back, and I think he's an essential player right now. Drop Kos, let him take his time to adapt to Boulds new system, and play Verm & Merts for a while - they did great at the start, why tinker with something that's looked so good?
At 0-0 in the 90th minute thats fine or 4-0 in the 90th is fine as well. 2-1 Champions league in the last 10 minutes is stupid and makes me love him a little bit less not more. He literally is not thinking in t hose moments - I can actually his brain empty and much like a dog just go "BALL!! BALL!!! GOAL!!! GOAL!!!". I am all for a maurading CB just bloody know when to do it. A few times he has also given away stupid free kicks while chasing back after being caught out of position. Telling you a smack from Bould would sort him out.
Yes. I have been saying this since my arrival here. Koscielny and Mertesacker is our best CB partnership.
Mert and Verm, remember, that's the centre pairing that was keeping clean sheets and looking solid, until it got broken apart and things started getting shaky.
I agree. Mert and TV seem to be the in form pairing at the moment. Doesn't mean that Kos is worse than them, or that he will not be able to come in at some point.
No way should anyone but Koscileney be dropped. We play a zonal marking system and he can't handle it. 3 of the last 4 goals conceded have been from mistakes in his zonal area. Also Vermealen has been inconsistent but he's still far better than Kos in the air and we need that aerial ability.
If Vermaelen stoped giving away stupid free kick 2 of the 3 goals that Kossy was supposidly at fault for wouldnt have happened.
I did mention that during the game, the second one against Chelsea was especially "wtf" material. Torres wasn't going to do anything with it he just ran into him like a maniac.
For me its TV and Mert as first choice, Kos and Mert 2nd choice and TV and Kos as 3rd choice. So to answer the OP, theres no need to drop the captain as youre wrong in thinking hes not part of the best partnership (imo)
