Match Day Thread Arsenal v Liverpool

whatever the cause, Sakho has had to handle practically everything on that left flank, and when Sakho does get the ball at his feet Moreno is generally nowhere to be seen to offer a pass to. Look, I too think there's genuine talent in the lad, not least because he's genuinely quick and does get into good positions going forward, very often breaking an opposition's offside line or forcing them deeper, giving the forwards room. his defending and first touch, especially in tight situations, is not even as good as Johnson's though, let alone a proper full back such as Arbelloa, Finnan and Byornebe.

Not too hard to isolate Sakho when his wing-back is normally 50 yards away. But yes, the novelty is wearing off the 3-4-3 now and Van Gaal has exploited it better than anyone, though Monk and Koeman both destroyed it for 45 minutes each as well, without having any luck.

I doubt we'll play it next season.

 

Agree that Moreno is a talent but he definitely needs coaching. He falls short on both defence and attack ATM. I think he needs to concentrate on one or the other rather than trying to be the perfect all rounder.

I don't like three at the back, never have and never will. It's worked for us this season but there is a reason teams rarely use it nowadays.

 

This is the issue- Rodgers has a habit of persisting with systems if they show some sign of success.

I think he will continue using it for quite a while.

 

Problem is, we cannot go back to a back 4 because our central defence is w*nk.

 

But I thought you had the best CB in the league mate?

 

Exactly, but it's only **** because we don't use our midfield to protect it. Play Lucas and tell the FBs to use their head before bombing forward and there would be a bad improvement (if we used a back four)

 

It was **** because you were using lead legs to cover it.............

I think he's had a good run with this formation, it got him out of a hole and it's taken a few months for the collective head scratching of his peers to figure out how to negate it. However, there's a reason it's not used on a widespread basis and if I was him I'd ditch it.

 

We have the worst record of playing against the top 4 or 5 teams. The system is fine when we are playing against one of the bottom feeders but against a top team the three at the back is simply not good enough. Can was owned by Fellaini last Sunday. He is not really a defender per se and there fore it is not his fault.

If we play against Arsenal as we played in that first half on Sunday we can kiss that CL place good bye.

 

True but it's amazing how much **** Gerrard got when playing DM despite him not being a DM

 

IMO Gerrard played well as a DM last year because he had Suarez in front of him and he could release his long passes to devastating effect. Without Suarez his long passes are merely sideways and crossfiled passes which look good (hollywood?) but do not have the same impact.

 

Wasn't just Can who was owned by Fellaini. It was the whole midfield - they couldn't handle the physicality, nor did the attack put pressure on United's defence to prevent the supply.

And Gerrard was awful as a DM last year. Was he a decent playmakrer - yes, but in terms of protecting the defence, he was anonymous.

If we had a DM last season, we'd have won the league.

 

He was praised by large sections of our support and media.

 

IMO, he didn't. Suarez (and Studge) scoring so many masked how **** were defensively. The Assists and goals he got from set pieces and penalties also made him look better.

 

Pundits still praise him!!!

Not this season from fans and I just talked about last year

 

Bollox to worrying about your defence and start looking at theirs. Arsenal arent playing well and I dont rate 3 of their back 4. Livpl have enough quality to cause both their full-backs and Mertesacker enough problems.

Ppl seem to forget this is a must win for Arsenal as well. You'll be afforded space and counter-attack.

 

Sakho will play LWB now Lovren... but yes, targeting Moreno would be the way to get at us... guy is bang average.

 

It's not a must win for them. They're ahead with a cushion, is very definitely a do not lose game for them.

 

I dont think so. They have desires on City. And what cushion is there. United will go above them with a win. With United to play them aswell at OT, they will want to stay ahead rather than finding themselves scrapping for 4th. Besides, arsenal very rarely, if ever, play for the draw.

 

If they go for it the risk of losing becomes greater. Losing would mean we would be just three points behind them. There's not a great deal of difference between finishing second or third so they stand to lose more than they'd gain.

 

I think some are underestimating Arsenal - this is their crunch period and it's when they usually step up and get results - which they have been doing.

They have an experienced manager who knows what he's doing and they have some superstars who are capable of winning games.

Personally, I think they're nailed on for Top 4. It's the final place which is up for grabs.