please log in to view this image Venue: Emirates Stadium Wednesday, August 27 2014 KO Time: 19:45PM BST Aggregate Score: Arsenal 0-0 Besiktas please log in to view this image Head to Head Against Besiktas: Played: 1 Wins: 0 Draws: 1 Losses: 0 Goals For: 0 Goals Against: 0 Goal Difference: 0 Last 6 Meetings: Besiktas 0-0 Arsenal please log in to view this image Predicted Starting XI: please log in to view this image Match Preview: Arsenal face a stern obstacle in their quest for Champions League football in the Turkish side Besiktas. Already frustrated once by the Turks in Istanbul the Gunners will be looking for a win to continue their Champions League streak. However, Arsenal, without main striker Olivier Giroud through injury and talisman Aaron Ramsey through suspension will have to be wary of the threat Besiktas, Demba Ba in particular pose. However with the momentum from the draw against Everton with them, Arsenal will definitely be up to the threat the Turkish side pose and will hope securing Champions League football will lead to another successful season. Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Besiktas
Hoping Ozil plays central. It will be a difficult game as I'd expect Besiktas to sit and play on the counter, denying Arsenal space. Probably more a game for Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski types than the pace of Oxo, Sanchez etc. Ozil will be key - one pass can change the game.
God that projected front line looks lightweight. I'd personally start Santi on the left over AOC. Mainly as I don't rate him, despite seeing what amazing potential he has. Drives me nuts most games but frankly any line up right now looks unbalanced. I think we'll win, but it will be ugly.
Does anyone know if Besiktas has played a game since we last played? I think Carzola should play this game as the team will sit deep.
Please Wenger no Ozil on the bloody wing again, he should be in the centre pulling the strings. The team selected is the team I would go for (replace Pod with Campbell if he's ineffective) and should have enough to get a result, but it may be tough as we still haven't hit any form yet.
Why no Wilshere? In our formation of 2 deep-lying midfielders, Wilshere is the only player available who can play alongside Flamini. You guys always say Rosicky can play deeper, but as far as I'm aware he never has for our club. Not once. He always play as the attacking midfielder or a winger. Sanchez will start up front unless Sanogo is fully fit. Cazorla and Oxo on the wings.
Main reason why we're going for Rosicky is that he is defensively better, retains possession better and keeps things ticking along nicely. We have enough attacking midfielders in Ozil, Oxo and Sanchez to do something. Wilshere isn't on form and has been losing possession far too much for my liking. We need to secure a win no matter what.
I can understand your reasoning Oxo for that lineup but personally I can't see Wenger playing Podolski instead of Sanogo, especially as we may need a 'big guy' in the team. Also have a feeling Cazorla will be preferred to Oxo/Rosicky unfortunately (I like Cazorla but he's been in shocking form this season). I reckon we'll see a lineup of - ----------------Szcsesny----------------- Debuchy----Mert----Kos-----Monreal ---------Flamini------------------------- -------------------Wilshere------------- Sanchez--------Ozil---------Cazorla -------------Sanogo------------------ Which is not to say this is the team I'd pick - as IMO it's too static, with little pace except for Sanchez/Debuchy but I can't see Wenger dropping Wilshere/Cazorla for Oxo/Rosicky unfortunately. I'd also love Campell to be played instead of Sanogo - but that's a big risk
Personally I dont think we will need much pace in this game...we will need creativity. Carzola is better than the Ox on small spaces.
But we need to be able to thread these creative balls through to somebody - and if we've got Sanogo standing still, Cazorla standing still waiting for the ball to feet, Ozil standing still waiting for ball to feet, Wilshere standing still waiting for ball to feet OR on floor, then we can't play many creative, defence splitting passes - except to Sanchez. And one man is easy to mark out of games...
Spot on. We have the creativity so we need to add the pace to exploit it. I'd love to see Campbell given a full game to showcase his talents, but this is a very important game and a W is paramount. You can possibly have Sanogo as "the unit", but I would maintain the pace on either flank, to exploit any take downs or Ozil pearls. OXO and Sanchez start on the flanks for me. Cazorla and Wilshere start on the bench.
What's wrong with Sanogo? - we really are down to the bare bones aren't we? And surely breaking even Arsenals record for an injury/unavailable player meltdown, this early in the season!
Both Diaby and Sanogo were in training. In the press conference he didnt mention any injury to these players either.
Arsenal will end up comfortable winners imo...3-1 they are not likely to be very dangerous away from home...they needed to win last week to have a chance of going through...cant see them scoring more than 1and cant see your lot scoring less than 3
