We always play 4-3-3 when we're attacking dropping back to 4-5-1 when we're defending and have done for a few years now. Dont know where you get eh 4-4-2 from.
Now the dust has settled, we can analyse the defensive performance from today. Sagna at fault for two of the goals, a day to forgot for him. Gibbs was terrible for the third goal. So both the FB's need to improve from today's game, but we all know about Sagna, he is a class act and he will recover. The guy has been super consistent for god knows how long, so no need to go OTT about his performance. Also he needs games with Ox to form an understanding when we are attacking down the right. There was a few moments where they were not the same wavelength and because of it the move broke down. Without Mert our defence in general looked a bit manic and we badly missed him. Together, Kos and TV are not very good which is a worry because we will have to rely on Mert staying fit for the rest of the season, the other option is to buy, but I doubt that Wenger is in the market for a CB.
I thought Kos was not perfect today, but Obertain and Co were giving Sagna fits outside him and I felt he had a bit of an excuse. Gibbs was a bit dopey for a couple of the goals, but those balls shouldn't be coming across like that, it is tough to defend those coming in, and the odds are always in favour of the Striker. I have more sympathy with Kos & Gibbs than Sagna - put it that way.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. We're on a 4 game winning streak, with most of the same starting 11, so no need to start changing things around, or positions.
I just got back. Saw the score on my phone about an hour ago after having to leave the game at HT AMAZING ! Walcott's 3rd goal
Very fair point - you can score one for you there. Didn't that used to be Rule #1 of management? Never change a winning team.
Did you have to look 2-3 times just to make sure what you saw was correct? Nobody could ever expect a bloody 7-3 scoreline after that 1-1 half.
I didn't get a single moment to check the score until about 11pm - Couldn't believe what I was looking at What a ****ing brilliant result. I watched the goals on 101goals when I got back - Walcott's 3rd was world class
I would play the same team on Tuesday. The only one who can really make a case to get a starting place is Giroud, but I'd prefer to keep things the way they are for now, and bring him on as a sub again if he's needed. Gervinho for me shouldn't ever be playing in the starting 11 again, it's quite clear he's not needed at all. The likes of Rosicky and Ramsey can get a start at our cup game to Swansea.
For me personally, I loved Giroud's first goal, that was a beauty, as I wrote at the time, like sex, :-D. Maybe Giroud can be our Dzeko for now with Walcott playing down the middle? Our super sub to come on if needed to get the goals, like he did today.
I do not think he said Walcott only scores in 'joke games', he said Walcott only has excellent man of the match performances in so called 'joke' games, which I disagree with, anyway. Although, we still need to see Walcott play upfront in many many more games to properly judge him. And I think Gent has a point there. For example how would he cope when Stoke visit the Emirates and play a deep line and congest the middle? Or what about against the top CB's like Kompany when City come to town? He was excellent today, but it's one game against a defence that played a high line with defenders who are not very fast, which is why I pointed out before the game that he should start upfront and why he was a key man for this game.
Fair play, I agree that we need to see more of Walcott at CF to make a long term judgement. But what I do like is that we've got different options. Giroud is perfect against teams like Stoke who play a deep line and are combative in the air. Walcott is best against teams who are going to attack us.
Spot on PISKIE. Theo against teams who play a high line as he'll push the defenses back & make space for the MF. Giroud against the deeper teams to link play & Theo on the wing to cut inside & win free kicks etc. It was mentioned that Theo can do the same job from the wing as up front, but in truth he can't, and the difference is defensive responsibility. If he's on the wing he has to track back all the time, it's more tiring & tactically difficult. Up front he's soley concentrating on scoring goals - and the difference there showed yesterday.
What I liked about his post match interview yesterday was that he said that he doesn't expect to play CF all the time either, he then went on to say 'We've got Giroud in there too who is scoring, so we've got some great options'. I think Theo understands that he will be used at CF in the games that suit him and he will be used on the right in those where we need a big man to hold the ball and bring others into play.
I said he does well in games where the defense is shambolic and sparse. Yes the Newcastle game did a whole lot to counter that particular point.
