Match Day Thread RSC Anderlecht vs. Arsenal Official Match Thread

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Venue: Constant Vanden Stock Stadium
Wednesday, October 22nd 2014
KO Time: 19:45 BST​

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Head to Head Against RSC Anderlecht:
Played: 2
Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Losses: 1
Goals For: 4
Goals Against: 3
Goal Difference: 1

Last 6 Meetings:
Arsenal 3-0 RSC Anderlecht (Fairs Cup Final 2nd Leg)
RSC Anderlecht 3-1 Arsenal (Fairs Cup Final 1st Leg)

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Predicted Starting XI:​

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Bench:
Huddart
Bellerín
Rosický
Arteta
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Podolski
Campbell

 

My god that looks like such a better defence than against Hull!

 

Debuchy injury really ****ed us over, granted I still think we need a CB but we can manage until January. Maybe we should recall Jenko and switch Chambers to CB.

 

Yeah it would be really nice to have Jenks back, and I think if he had a sustained run of games then he'd really develop and do well. Its why I didn't want him to go, but if we'd kept him then Debuchy probably wouldn't have gotten injured and Jenks would have regressed further from lack of gametime.

Also other posters have mentioned that Wenger rates Bellerin higher.

Either way I doubt we'd get Jenks back now, which is a shame

 

I think the eventual plan is to shift Chambers to CB and have our future RBs be Jenko and Bellerin. Debuchy isn't that young and by the time he starts getting too old those two will be ready to step up. The thought was probably that Jenko wouldn't have gotten that much time with us so he was sent to WHU to develop with Chambers being the backup CB and ocassional backup RB and Bellerin to be called upon if necessary, he would develop with the U21s. Deuchy's injury forced Chambers to be main RB and takes away his backup CB role and makes Bellerin the backup RB for now. Damn Arab Manc bastards.
Anyways we should be fine for this game, even without Chez or Ospina. I just hope we get the result over with in time so Theo can get a couple of minutes.

 

We bought a direct replacement for him, it's just our typical luck that he's crocked within a few weeks

 

I agree with all of that.

I didn't notice Martinez in goal though - whats happened to our keepers?

 

Podolski's reaction to being linked with a January move to Spurs:

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If only he could show that much passion on the field nowadays.

 

Of course Szczensy is suspended but I thought Ospina was fit?

 

Chesney is supended and Ospina is injured.

 

You gotta love Podolski off the pitch!

 

They're not very good and haven't been since Lehmann

 

I like Szscensy - and if you think he has moments of madness, then Lehmann... well less said the better!

 

His best position. I share his horror at such a move!

 

According to Physio Rooms Kos nor Wilshere will be back for this game.

Also you could argue that it's a bit of a risk playing both Ramsey and Arteta together as they are both newly back from injury, and probably not fully fit.

 

Will Kos be back? If not its Chambers at CB, with Bellerin at RB. Scary really.
Gone for a draw because of that, probably quite high scoring as well.

 

I think we'll scrape it 0-1

 

Not really. Bellerin has been one of the better performers whenever he's played and Chambers is a solid CB. Surprisingly enough the weak lin so far has been Per. He's been off form lately. If Kos is fit I'd actually play a back four of Gibbs, Kos, Chambers, Bellerin

 

We will win this, get us on track for finishing second and getting knocked out in the last 16.

 

such optimism!