Thoughts on Arsenal??

Not much has changed since our last meeting with Arsenal, bit of improvement and one good win.
Arsenal however might well be without Sanchez, so this is a great chance to roll them IF Conte decides not to go for the draw again. Hope he's learned that to win, we need to attack with speed.
I also strongly believe that until another Drogba comes along, we need to forget about a 1 up front "Target man" and change the formation to better use who we already have.
So here's my 2 bobs worth

Caballero or Courtois don't much care.
Azpilacueta Luiz ( assume Christensen is concussed) Rudiger
Kante Fabregas
Moses Pedro (Alonso needs a break)
Willian Hazard
Michy

Here's my thinking. Front 3 pick themselves after Brighton, they combined really well and Michy played his part and caused plenty of problems with his off the ball movement. Fair play to him.
Moses was also excellent and Pedro for Alonso means we have pace and directness on both flanks.
Kante nobrainer, Fabregas because his passing shredded the Arsenal defence repeatedly last time, except we had no pace to get behind them.
I'd play Luiz before Christensen anyway this game because of his passing ability and better attack skills.
Subs Barkley, Ampadu, Musonda, Kenedy + any Conte choices.

Sure Stan will have apoplexy, but interested in other views.

 

Batshit gets some grief, but for the most part, when he is called upon, he does well.
Though if the rumours of us getting Edin Dzeko are to be believed, I would happily see Batshit moved on.
But yeah for this game, we need to start with CP's team, then bring on Morata at 65 minutes when the Arsenal defence is tiring.
Definitely need to start Fabregas in this one as well.

 

As much as i love Pedro, no chance, Bellerin will roast him.

I don't think we've ever seen pedro play well as WB and he doesn't seem to have the same energy as last year.

Would go with Zappa personally. Pedro is great when he's allowed to make things happen with his running off the ball. The LWB has to have a modicum of discipline to get back and can't make that many runs and generally hugs the left touchline (our lwbs anyway).

If it's 3-4-3 i'd rather not play Fab either, if it's xhaka wilshire then maybe thats okay as non of them really run off midfield and go for it.

If they have a CM like Ramsey in who likes to run forward and counter properly then i think we'll be too open. Would prefer someone like barkley

Otherwise happy with that side

 

My thoughts for Wednesday evening are that Arsenal will have to play open and expansive football in front of their home fans. It’ll be a hard fought game that we’ll win narrowly. I’ll go for Arsenal 2 Chelsea 3 with the win coming in ordinary time.

 

fcuk the micky mouse cups and focus on the League FFS!!

what is the point if we go and get spanked by City?? Fixture pile up towards end of the season?

 

Christensen fit to play after his knock....If Conte grows a pair and drops Bakayoko for Luiz in midfield, i'll be both impressed and amazed

 

Nice support!

 

If you're this deep into a cup comp you have to go for it. What's 1 or 2 more games in the context of a whole season?

We aren't winning the league anyway and I've seen enough from everyone else bar City to suggest there is no reason we can't stay in the top 3/4 either.

The days we put the top 4 trophy over an actual trophy, is the day we might as well hire Wenger and settle for mediocrity.

 

Looks like Cesc and Morata are out injured Christensen is ok so it will be interesting to see if Luiz gets any gametime I would like to see him played DM dovetailing with Kante hope Yoko gets benched and Musonda gets a chance. Side note I heard Kenedy has gone on loan to The Barcodes.

 

Morata injured?? Wow.. Hope he doesn't go Nando's beaten path!

 

It says a back injury Stan, well it certainly ain't from carrying any of the team.

 

I'd like to see Luiz start especially if cesc is out.Don't think Musonda will start,but was impressed when he
came on saturday.Think we'll nick it.

 

Interesting that we've gone without a striker, Batshuayi had one of his better games at the weekend.

I just don't fancy us at all but I hope I'm wrong, obviously!

 

Shame for bats. He actually played really well and even linked up really well so conte does the conte thing and drops him

 

1-0 Hazard Delightfull this should be a breeze they look nervous.

 

Now we look nervous.

 

1-1 oh dear double richochet Rudy own goal.

 

These own goal rules are facial like handball rules.

All day Rudi goal and Alonso assist.
Needless corner due to Willy not shouting.

More I see Rudi, more doubts I get. Zouma any day.

 

Arsenal , so We Will get a player sent off. I hope it is not Eden

 

Stan you cannot blame Rudy for the goal he had no idea the ball was coming his way.