Obviously you have an Arsenal bias Piskie fair enough, but really Szczesny over Lloris?! I thought that was one position where there would be no argument!
I think Szczesny has been let down by some calamitous defending recently, but overall I'd say he's at least on a par and probably better than Lloris.
I think it's like me saying I'd rather have Livermore than Wilshere! That's how much difference in class I feel there is between Szczesny and Lloris (meaning Lloris is vastly superior). But it's your opinion so fair enough!
Surprised you've selected Szczesny, from an outsiders' perspective he seems your weakest link in my opinion. Looks too error prone. And trust me you wouldn't want Walker in your squad at the moment, on his form this season, he wouldn't make a League 2 team. I'd go for: Lloris, Sagna, Kaboul, Vermaelen, Vertonghen Sandro, Dembele Cazorla, Wilshere, Bale Walcott Subs: Friedel Ekotto Dawson Arteta Lennon Podolski Defoe
Lloris/Chez Sagna Kaboul Verm Gibbs Dembele Arteta Caz SJW10 Chimpanzee Theo Subs: Lloris/Chez BAE Kos Sandro Pod Giroud Defoe
I would have Vertonghen in but at centre back not left back. Benny is a far superior left back than Vertonghen is and he is better than Gibbs. Benny is a very under rated player who does make the odd error but overall is class and far superior to any other left back options at either club.
Was a tough choice between the pair for me but I've been more impressed with Vertonghen at LB than I have CB. I don't think he's "rugged" enough at CB at the moment. Benny's a better athlete, can bomb forward and get back a lot quicker but Vertonghen is more defensively sound in my opinion. With the players I chose in the midfield - Bale, Wilshere and Cazorla - the need for an attacking full back isn't much of a necessity in my eyes so opted for Vertonghen as it'd make the defence more solid. Wouldn't begrudge Benny a place though that's for sure.
I still think Wenger made a mistake when he did not sign Lloris. He was available, affordable, French and would most probably prefer Arsenal to Spurs. Wenger is sometimes too loyal to his players and that was one example. LLoris plus Szczesny would be a very solid pair, and it was a very realistic option. Now we have three keepers who are lacking confidence and experience. I still think Szczesny is a big talent and a good prospect (although i am not as enthusiastic as I was 12 months ago) but LLoris obviously is class and atm he is a better keeper. One important factor is the overall lack of defensive organisation. We need an experienced goalkeeper who would have had enough authority to command the defence. Lloris has this status ( and he speaks French) , WS aparently is too young for that role.
Why is that so hard to fathom? Chez has been shaky in a couple of games, but all in all he's a fantastic GK, is younger than Lloris and is still improving all the time.
Because picking a team on current form you would have Lloris over Szczesny. It wasn't who you would pick in 5 years time. If you asked neutral fans I would put a lot of money that at least 90% would choose Lloris over Szczesny and probably even higher. SOS I understand the reason you would choose Vertonghen however I still think Benny would add more balance to the team. I really hope he starts on Sunday as Walcott could cause Vertonghen a lot of problems with his pace if AVB goes with him at left back.
When you think back to the days of Adams, Dixon, Seaman et al v the charalatans who passed as defenders at WHL, you'd hardly believe that the main difference between the two clubs at present (besides Bale, of course) is Spurs solidity in defence.
Right now I'd go for Lloris Sagna Koscielny Dawson Vertonghen Arteta Wilshere Dembele Walcott Cazorla Bale
I know Bale has scored 4 times in past NLDs and I believe Walcott has 4 also, so might have them down as 1st/Anytime
Based on how bale is playing, I don't think you'll have choice but to keep an eye on him, despite how you normally set up. The "gung go" normal approach is just far too risky away from home and I think arsene will know that. We don't have a goal scoring striker piskie, bale will be playing central. AVB is encouraging him to play a free role and with Dempsey struggling with a groin problem it leaves us with no choice. I won't say anything about your choices, as if I was doing this, it'd probably be biased towards spurs. However, there are 2 spurs players who you just can't leave out. Bale being the obvious one (which you've listed), and Lloris. Whilst i might not agree with it, I can see why someone might choose vermalen over vertonghen, but Lloris just cannot be left out of that "mixed best XI". He's a better goalkeeper than Szczesny and his form is currently outstanding.
Anyone going to the game, would've loved to have gone to this and feel the hostile atmosphere from the ****s on the way to the stadium. Ahhh I still have good memories of seeing Spurs fans getting they're asses kicked outside the Emirates when they came looking for trouble, not only did they get a hammering outside, they then got hammered 5-2, oh what a lovely lovely day.
I'd love to hear you explain how Spurs have a more solid defence than us. They tell us that they have a better GK (won't argue with that), that any defender in their back 4 is better than his Arsenal counterpart and everyone talks about Arsenal's calamitous defending yet we've conceded less goals and kept more clean sheets.
Lloris is streets ahead of Chensey. He is a world class keeper and the way he has adjusted to the PL has been outstanding. I thought he would struggle to deal with crosses, but his handling is supreme. He also reads the game brilliantly. Lloris Sagna (just about) Vertonghen Kaboul Gibbs Sandro Dembele Wilshere Cazorla Walcott Bale Struggled with RB and CF, but with Bale on the left, Walcott and Bale could always switch around, with the Welshmen playing as a sort of false 9, plus on the counter, those two would be deadly.
