He can counter attack from the wing. Mobility is the last thing I'd accuse him of. Giroud additionally provides us with aerial defending.
I thought we had a decent 2nd half against Swansea and Coq was part of that, not just considering what he did or did not do defensively, but his overall contribution was sound and helped the midfield control the game. I'm not a massive fan of his, but credit where it's due. I still think we should consider a 4 man midfield instead of keep getting hung up on a DM position. Two in the middle doesn't need an out and out DM, we could play Wilshere and Ramsey in there, which would be a good balance, or Wilshere and Diaby. I also think this would suit our strikers better as Podolski or Giroud could play just behind Walcott, or Pod playing behind Giroud. How do you do those team sheet things ? and I'll explain visually
I'd like to see us go with diaby wilshere and cazorla i the middle with walcott or oxo on the right podolski on the left and giroud up front. Difficult to decide if coquelin will start as the game last night was a cup match or will wenger give him a run of games now that arteta is out the side. But personally i prefer our team when cazorla is in the middle, wilshere was great last night but himself diaby and cazorla can really dominate possession on sunday if all three play in the middle. In the match at the emirates chelsea started very brightly and kept possession well so its vital that we do this on sunday to try and silence the home crowd because they are likely to turn on chelsea if they don't come flying out the blocks.
I think Wenger won't consider 4-4-2. That is the direction the game has went to, and you have to consider what the opponent's formation will be. 4-3-3 is safer against most opponents. If you play 4-4-2 against an opponent playing 4-3-3 with decent play-makers your midfield can get overrun. Wasn't it Wigan last season that played a (what was officially claimed) 3-4-3 formation that was more effectively a 3-6-1 most of the time, that completely got us off our element last season? It's not always what you want to do but also how many flaws the opponent can exploit in it.
I still think a four man midfield can be quite robust even against playmakers who drop back into MF, but it needs the fullbacks to press further forward too. 4-3-3 can leave us too open through the middle, especially without a DM, but gives you more dynamic attacking options. I guess there's positives and negatives for both.
No 1 is Perry Groves No 2 is Perry Groves No 3 is Perry Groves No 4 is Perry Groves No 5 is Perry Groves No 6 is Perry Groves No 7 is Perry Groves No 8 is Perry Groves No 9 is Perry Groves No 10 is Perry Groves No 11 is Perry Groves We all live in a Perry Groves world, a Perry Groves world. a Perry Groves world Of course i'm far too young to have ever sang that song
If we went with 4-4-2 I think Podolski would be prepared to put in a lot of defensive work as well, sso he could drop beck when we're defending to make 4-5-1 and then push up when we're attacking. Id be very happy with Piskie's team and Pod doing this. Other than that I wouldnt start Kos before TV and wouldnt start Giroud. I've made no secret of the fact I think that a lot of the Arsenal fans overrate these two, particularly Giroud. Kos is good but is behind TV imo and Mertesaker is a better partner for either of them than the other. BUt I didnt come on here to talk about that, I came on to say that the signing of Theo to add to the recent contract extensions for Wilshere, Ox, Ramsey, Gibbs and Jenko is great news. With Wilshere starting to look closer to his best (hope there is still better to come!) and Ramsey starting to show more for the last few weeks I would love to see those two build a CM partnership. I feel positive for once and if we can get a win in this game it will be a big confidence boost.
People forget that Walcott is still only in his early twenties and has loads more to come. Also, what tends to be forgotten is that he spent most of the first four years at Arsenal getting over injuries. He had surgery on both shoulders and spent a lot of the time he should have been developing, on the physio table. People used to say 'Oh he's been here six years and hasn't shown any improvement' but the last couple of seasons have blown the 'no football brain' argument out of the water. Walcott is now beginning to show that he could become a great player for Arsenal.
Don't. That was one of the most heartbreaking experiences I've had as a Chelsea fan. That game summed Chelsea up to a tee, build you up to let you down and experts at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
Don't ****ing lie.That game took place before the Russian took over so there is no way you were a Chelsea than then.
I thought I'd pop over on the eve of the derby... Should be a great game but unfortunately... I think you'll win. Simply because at home, we are shoite. You will come and play as if there is no pressure on you whilst our support will be edgy and we don't have the confidence at home. I'm far more confident about beating Swansea away on Wednesday than beating you tomorrow... That said... If we can keep Wilshere and Cazorla quiet then we could win... A tough one to predict.
I disagree with Jack, I think you should set out like you're a goal down. Pick a side that's attacking but flexible so you can set up a number of ways with the same personnel, there's no point looking to control the game and pass it around until Chelsea submit because they won't so focus on your strength in speed against what is likely to be a slow defence. They're best in attack so rather than sitting back and trying to nullify their attack by defending in numbers and predictably playing the ball forward slowly and more cautiously, why not force their best players back where they're less comfortable operating. Chelsea fans will get behind their team if they got on top so the best way to quell that is by picking an attacking side and trying to make Rafa and Chelsea look naive, then watch the atmosphere turn and heads drop. I'd go for: Szczesny Sagna Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs Cazorla Diaby Wilshere Chamberlain Walcott Giroud Let Giroud concentrate on getting in the area when needed and little else, whilst Walcott provides an option for the wingers and works from a deeper starting position in the channels on the counter. Terry will surely be starting and his positional sense is a big part of the reason he's a great player, if he starts having to face up to Walcott running at him with the ball he'll go all Bambi on ice again. Cole's always been good against pacey wingers so putting him up against one isn't going to do much good but having a player who can show him the ball whilst still under total control of it, like Cazorla, will present him with a test that you don't so often get on the wings in the Premier League. Also Cazorla and Chamberlain can both operate through the middle to balance the numbers if needed whilst Walcott moves to the wing. Ultimately I think it comes down to the centre midfield and defence, if they're up to the task then you won't be outscored but if they fall apart you'll probably lose regardless how defensively you play.
