Back 5 without the ball. Back 3 with it. It's hard on the WBs, but combine that with the CB's going wide and midfielders dropping into line as well, when needed, and it's a good defensive base. Koeman has commented a bit about the speed of transition to attack, and that's the common criticism of 5-3-2/3-5-2.
With Davis out it makes the team selection for me a little easier, although it's a shame he's missing! My team: Forster, Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Targett, Wanyama, Clasie, Ward-Prowse, Long, Austin. Bench: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Romeu, Tadic, Mane, Pelle, Juanmi. Think Mane needs to come off the bench for this one. Just need's a bit of a rest in my opinion, seemed to do Tadic the world of good coming off the bench in recent weeks.
Don't think so, but loan window works differently to transfer window, don't think it shuts until March so plenty of time.
Here's hoping. He could do with a bit of hard learning, and I doubt it comes much harder than in Scotland. At least he'd cope with the standard of football.
I'm half expecting Ron to revert to the 4-4-2 that worked so well against them at SMS. If so the only difficulty would be deciding who to replace Davis with. The less defensive Tadic, or maybe Bertrand, with Targett at the back? My worry about 3-5-2 at the Emirates, is the potential space behind the full backs for Ozil and Sanchez to exploit on the break. Yes the CBs pull wide, but would that then open up the space through the centre for Arsenal's attacking midfielders to exploit, with players of the calibre of Sanchez and Ozil providing the through balls/crosses? If it was my decision, I would revert to the system that worked on Boxing Day, as it starved Ozil of space and service. I 'd go with Bertrand out wide left, as that gives us the option of changing to 3-5-2 without needing to sub a player, if it needs changing. But Ron will know best.
I think he popped his 90 minute cherry against Watford, hence not even making the bench for the WBA game, if I recall correctly.
I'd start with Forster Van Dijk - Fonte - Bertrand Cedric - JWP-Wanyama-Clasie-Targett Mane - Long Subs: Gazza, Yoshida, Martina, Romeu, Pelle, Austin, Tadić No need to change the winning formation. If Davis was fit, he'd be in for JWP. Koeman selected Tadić against United, but I think we lacked a midfielder then, because Wanyama and Clasie could've been overrun by three United midfielders (Morgan, Herrera, Fellaini). But luckily, on the one hand, United's midfield is so sedentary and they couldn't exploit their advantage in numbers, and on the other hand Wanyama and Clasie played superbly so you couldn't even tell they're playing two against three. But it think we can't play with only two midfielders against Arsenal, because their midfield will exploit the advantage in numbers. Therefore I would beef up our midfield with JWP, and leave Tadić on the bench, to be used as a super sub, which suits him. JWP's delivery from set pieces could also be very important, as Arsenal aren't known for their prowess in defending set pieces. I wouldn't break Mane - Long partnership either. I though they didn't play very well against United, they couldn't link up properly, their touch was a bit off ecc., but they did what they do great - they chased lost causes, they made good runs, they harassed defenders - and we need that today. If they'll be a bit more inspired today than they were against United, I would back them to score.
Agree 100% with that. That line up will keep things tight for 45 mins at least. Wouldn't surprise me if Ron picks that actual 11 to start. He can and would make some changes in the 2nd half.
Hope we keep the same formation, with Sanchez back when Arsenal have the ball we will need the five across the back with two midfielders sitting in front of the back three to close the space in which he picks up the ball. I see this as a cagey fixture with Arsenal terrified of us on the counter and with the pace we have up front, so I would play Long and Mane to pose the threat to Arsenal. I agree with the team proposed by TSS - it makes it harder for Arsenal and the pressure is on them to get a result.
Injuries aside they should all be fresh after a week and a half off. I hope JWP plays in midfield as set pieces are something we could do well at against Arsenal. Got to be Long and Mane up front for me, after the way they combined against Arsenal last time. Austin and/or Pelle and atdic off the bench if needed in 2nd half Forster Cedric VVD Fonte Bertrand Targett Classic Wanyama JWP Long Mane Subs Stek, Yoshida, Romeu, Reed, Tadic, Austin, Pelle
Tbf, it was SFCroatia's team, and I was agreeing with it, as it fitted in with how I think the match will go. If I had proposed a team I like to think I would have come up with that line up, and subs bench. All the more credit to SFCroatia if we get a result too.
to continue my recent run of incorrect predictions (that result in Saints wins)... I predict a win for arsenal of 2 - 0
In my opinion, he was poor in the U21 Cup game vs Huddersfield. He let himself be bullied and didn't put himself about the way we know he can. Do him the world of good going to a tough league and learning the hard way. Hope he makes it - I like Harry.
So do I. He isn't quite there yet and he needs plenty of time playing against tough opponents and in tough circumstances.
