Hope this is the end of the diamond although I think it's a shame Hojbjerg isn't starting. And you can't really complain about Rodriguez starting whilst not being match fit. He has come on as a sub a few times and now the only way to get match fit is to play matches!
We need our striker pressing the Arsenal defence high up the pitch. It's ridiculous he's starting over Long.
Long hasn't been particularly impressive thus far and Rodriguez took his goal well against Sunderland. Hardly ridiculous.
I'm not saying you have to name your best 11 every game, just asking whether he knows what it is. At this point he may be rotating or he may be experimenting. Or, as he knows Wenger well, I suppose he may be trying something different to counter Arsenal. Whatever he's doing it's only clever if the team wins games.
I do agree with Tom that JRod has done nothing (aside a fluke), but neither has Long. I would rather have Long coming off the bench than jRod, so it is worth a try!
Yes. The goalkeeping was poor but it was a really good first touch to get it out his feet and set it up perfectly to be hit. There is more to a goal than just the finish. Positioning, first touch, composure for example.
Long and Hojbjerg played in the international break. Could be why they're rested. (Although so did Redmond and Davis.)
Let's see how it goes and give it a chance today, not the team I expected, but if the formation is more flexible and we perform (Puel has has good insight of training) then I will be delighted.
Line up looks like 4-2-3-1 thankfully. Not impressed with either Long or Adams so far this season and Jay looked hungry to catch up from near enough two years absence. As to his goal the other week; yes the keeper should have done a better job but what I liked was that he took the shot on without a moment of hesitation and struck with force and direction. Both Long and Adams have lacked conviction when an opportunity has arisen.
Anything that suggests that Jay is back to full fitness is good news IMO...plus we have Shane and Charlie raring to go off of the bench too.
