please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Team News: (To Be Updated) Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image Andre-Pierre Gignac please log in to view this image Mathieu Valbuena please log in to view this image Rod Fanni Previous Meetings: Arsenal 0 - 0 Olympique Marseille Olympique Marseille 0 - 1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Group F: please log in to view this image First Round of Fixtures in Group F: Olympique Marseille vs Arsenal Napoli vs Borussia Dortmund Manager's Views: (To Be Updated) My Team: please log in to view this image
[video=youtube;4qfRyoSAQfY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qfRyoSAQfY[/video] Ramsey's very late winner against this lot when we last faced them. Both games were pretty tedious and they were very hard to break down, but at the time we did lack creativity. And here are the 'highlights' from that other game against Marseille. [video=dailymotion;xm33lx]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xm33lx_goals-highlights-arsenal-0-0-olympique-marseille-vivagoals-com_sport[/video]
If Giroud is fit for this game then I think we'll do well. If we're relying on Akpom up front then we're going to struggle.
I wouldn't have Ozil on the left wind. He is far more effective as a playmaker than Wilshere and is a our best player, who should play in his best position. He will do more damage in the centre than on the left wing. Also, I don't fancy the creativeness of Ramsey and Flamini. Stick Wilshere on the left and keep Ozil in the centre. But boy, have we got a thin ass squad when we are already playing players in wrong positions and Flamini has become an essential player. We don't even have a CF FFS!
I think both our games vs Marseille are must win if we want to keep things in our hands in this group, as realistically we should expect to drop points to Dortmund and Napoli over two games.
I think Dortmund and Napoli away are going to be really tough matches, but then we did beat Bayern away last season, so anything is possible. But you're right to point out that Marseille represent our best chances of getting solid points on the board.
Both Wilshere and Ozil will keep swapping positions, so that does not really matter. Ramsey has shown his creative side this season and has also displayed his ability in front, so I would not worry about him not offering enough creativity.
Mathieu Valbuena is easily their best player and offers the biggest threat to us. Great little player, who can kills us with one pass. Can't afford to give too much space.
I think this will be another tight 1-0 like previously. Anyways, at least it's going to be tense, as this is a tough group where every point counts, so makes the UCL something worthwhile, rather than the usual useless group stage games where you don't really appreciate being in the competition.
We need to be putting out our strongest team available. It's important we get wins in both the Marseille games because it is likely we will drop points to either/both Dortmund or/and Napoli. Infact despite Marseille being the second seed all 3 other teams will likely see themas points lost if they don't take 6 points off them. Luckily it looks like Giroud is ok and i think he will play well at Marseille. I'd go for: ------------Sczc--------- Sagna--Mert--Kosc--Gibbs ------Flamini---Ramsey--- Walcott----Ozil----Wilshere -----------Giroud--------- Bench: Viviano/Flappy, Monreal, Jenkinson, Vermalen, Miyaichi, Gnabry, Akpom (unless there are playerswhoare fit that im forgetting) I think we look good at the moment, confidence will be high and the team will know it's a difficult group and will be looking for the result. We also have a strong first 11 available and good subs for closing out a game, but are lacking in attacking subs. I can't wait for some of our players to get back from injury (which from recent news looks like that may be fairly soon), because when everyones fit we have a great match day 18. Above is a strong 11 and with Podolski, Cazorla, Arteta, Oxocube and Rosicky on the bench we have loads of options. This is the problem with a thin squad but if we can keep the results going our way we should have players back over the next month or so. I think the players we have available are more than capable of getting a win in Marseille though and i can't wait to see more of Ozil. I hope the team are all past there illness now and no-one else comes down sick!
------------Sczc--------- Sagna--Mert--Kosc--Gibbs ------Flamini---Wilshere--- Walcott----Ozil----Ramsey -----------Giroud----------
Ok I thought that Giroud was injured, so not all bad. I'd rather not see Ozil or Wilshere on the wings but if they need to they will have to. Ramsey has shown a good degree of creativity, but he's been playing the deeper midfield role well. I want our players to play in their best positions, but if need be, they'll have to move around.
They'll have to keep going in hard until the game is over with Fanni and avoiding any early shooting.
