12 Aug 2016 14:53:53
So, let's ditch the topic of transfers once again and do some team discussion!
The way I see it, £35m for Xhaka means he's a nailed on starter, when fit.
Assuming I'm correct (and I always am. ) who do you think we should partner him with?
For me, it should vary, I'd love to see him partnered with Elneny against physical and/ or attacking teams, but when we play teams we can pick apart, then Cazorla or Ramsey.
Midfield is a difficult one for me to be honest, I've already stated my opinion we have the best centre mid in the league (though I know a lot of you ladies and gentlemen, including ed's, disagree! )
I really want to see Ramsey played this season, central and allowed to roam a bit, like for Wales.
But I also want to see Elneny play because I really think he's a cracking player.
Cazorla, too of course, is fantastic, great when he played in pre season, even if we didn't have the most challenging teams till city.
12 Aug 2016 15:32:28
Think you hit the nail on the head mate! If we need to play more defensive then pair him with le coq or Elneny and play him in the deeper roll with cazorla or Ramsey . For me cazorla when fit should always get the nod.
12 Aug 2016 17:10:46
Le Coq? He is the real DM we needed for years and his inclusion turned the 14/ 15 around completely, do we now say ok let's go back to make shift DM of sorts like Artetta was?
12 Aug 2016 17:31:00
I think the point is we now have a player who can be utilised given the opponent and the pattern of the game.
12 Aug 2016 19:09:24
Elneny Xhaka in middle
Rambo on RHS
Sanchez on LHS
Ozil in the hole
Theo up front for now
defensive midfield for Sunday but pace for the counter.
12 Aug 2016 20:01:11
I'm not sure Ozil will be playing SY and could see Cazorla or Ramsey in the hole, Coquelin has done nowt wrong and he and Cazorla pre their respective injuries last season were great.
We have so many midfield options it's crazy. Theo, Ox and Sanchez up front with a ton of pace will cause Liverpool problems, especially if they put the ball in the net.
With our young centre backs of whom Beilek and Holding impressed me most may see Coquelin start next to either Xhaka or Elneny. Wenger may even put Monreal next to Holding and Gibbs at left back.
12 Aug 2016 20:06:15
Yeah, that's what I'm going for too Sanogo, great minds!
I do love Coquelin G62, but I honestly think Elneny is better, he just has more running and transitional play in him.
Coquelin is certainly the player you go to when you just want to cause havoc in the midfield, but for me, Elneny has that Kante style quality where he can run, tackle, mark and distribute to the playmaker.
Mind you mate, I also still believe we're going to sign a striker, so what do I know!
I like the sound of that SY, though I'd like Ox to get a run on the right.
If he plays like he did in preseason and can get some run of games, he could hit form!
12 Aug 2016 20:14:18
Sy, I'd much rather Campbell out wide. Ramsey is wasted out there but it's a double edged sword having such a large group of talented centre mids.
12 Aug 2016 20:55:51
For me Le Coq does what it says on the DM tin, sits holds breaks up the opposition attacks, thars what the best of the best Makalele did so simply brilliantly. Plus his range of passing is much better than he is given credit for although he also knows the value of keeping it simple.
Elneny? Eager enthusiastic keen constantly got his hand up asking for the ball who a ok also gets all other the place but not to anywhere near the same effect as Kante.
For me Elneny does have the simplicity or disapline in his make up to be a reliable DM.
Again it's all about opinion but the best DMs to me are happy to be unsung match winners who seldom get the headlines by scoring winners but are only really appreciated 100% when thier missing.
12 Aug 2016 20:59:35
Totally agree with that NE mate, pick the best team which isn't necessarily always the best 11 players available.
12 Aug 2016 21:41:47
Ozil won't play surely. So Rambo will probably play behind the forward.
13 Aug 2016 00:32:15
Forgot about Ozil plus Santi is away. I like my defensive hard working midfield so switch Iwobi into Ozil role and done.
Centre halves Holding and Chambers.