Yes but play a little deeper than on the weekend and frustrate them, we'll have fewer chances and will need to take one. We'll have to soak up pressure no matter what so we might as well set up with a formation designed to do just that.
We'll play a little deeper anyway because we are away from home and playing a side that is better at keeping the ball too. I just don't want to see us sit on our eighteen yard line and defend for our lives.
Agreed. Coutinho may be back, but I'll still be surprised to see him put into the first team straight away. I expect us to play with the same team and formation for WBA - Henderson playing at the top of the triangle gave us more energy and bite in the final third which allowed SAS to pick up the second balls etc. In order to beat Arsenal, it's quite simple - pressure. As others have mentioned, don't give them time to play and get in their faces. This is when we need to be nasty f*ckers and stop them playing and frustrate them. We have the individual brilliance to score goals against any team.
It's also why I think having Henderson in that position behind the front two could be more effective than Coutinho ... Coutinho would be an aggressive choice where our intent is to attack. Henderson would be seen as more defensive and designed to stop Arsenal. EDIT: Southampton have been brilliant at pressing - how long can they keep it up for though? Also, Schneiderlin and Wanyama is one hell of a CM partnership.
Would playing Henderson allow their fullbacks and/or midfielders to push forward more though? I'd prefer us to switch to 4312 but that's not going to happen.
well seeing this is what cheslea did v man city........ i mean its not precisely beneath us to play for a draw is it. if the mightly mourinho can do it and not be villified for what i have to all a huge huge slice of luck... and webb being home town and not dealing with several elbows and nasty sly digs for the likes of terry... also city went for the draw too. I say drop a defender and pack the midfield area. too many defenders = conceeding the midfield area to arsenal = hammering. gioud up top v 3 men and ozil running riot? no thanks
Agree - the performance against WBA was the first one where this 3 at the back actually worked however, WBA hardly pressed us and gave us time and space. Arsenal will not do that, and as you say - we will be dominated in midfield and our defence will be exposed.
I think we came out with a new attitude and also dropped moses. i thought our full backs wre like wingers pressing very high up and as a result west brom struggled but the same gaps were exposed by the one ball over the top. the 3 cbs end up too far apart on a fast break. I dunno I think we should pack the midfield kike city and chelsea and force arsenal to think again cos frankly suarez and sturridge can do what they do... rememebr suarez on the left v arsenal last year? world class...... giroud will not produce a moment of magic but they can. that how we should do it. if i see 3 at the back i'll cry.
We played this way against Arsenal in January and dominated for 70 minutes. We were brilliant. But the players tired and we lost 2 goals in the last 10 minutes and finished with a draw. Proves what you are saying correct, we just have to hold it for 90 minutes. Since that games we have gained Coutinho, Moses, Sakho, Toure and Alberto, who are all players who can significantly make us better at sustaining this.
Here's one: Set to the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band - Get down tonight Does a little dance When He scores a goal Dan-iel-Sturridge Dan-iel-Sturridge
We have strengthened our squad no doubt - but so too have Arsenal who are looking like the best team in the country. Their midfield is their strength - it's very strong but their striker and defence are weak.
Apart from Ozil Arsenal havnt signed any better players. But the improvement in Ramsey and Giroud's game is significant in there game. Those two players have really done great to turn things around.
It's annoying that Giroud has suddenly become the poacher that Arsenal have always needed. But if he gets injured, then who on earth replaces him? Without him they really would be a team of midfielders
That's the reason that they won't win the league imo. as Giroud is currently performing at his peak & he won't be able to sustain it over the course of entire season, without being rested. Unless of course, they bring in a top quality striker in Jan.....
Definitely this! I thought Hendo made some great passes at the weekend keeping the flow of our attack going. Start Cout on the bench that way, he can be our game changer if we need one. Don't know if anyone's seen Crooks team of the week (I don't normally) but he's mentioned some Skrtle stats that look very impressive so I'd keep him in on that basis. Strong believer of 'if its not broken...'
