22 Aug 2019 03:05:06
Thoughts for the game against Liverpool?
I'd like to think we can get a result, and part of me thinks we can, but another part of me is concerned about being turned over.
For me Pepe is key. He might not be 100% match fit yet, but his attitude and arrogance on the pitch are what we've been missing. The absolute audacity he had to nutmeg Mee and set off towards the Burnley goal was outstanding. He seems to play without fear and with the belief that he is better than the opposition. That kind of attitude will be invaluable on Saturday. I'm of the opinion that attitude and confidence are equally as important as talent. Sure we've had talented individuals in the last couple of seasons, but I don't think we've had the winning mentality that confidence brings.
Is Liverpool's front three really better than ours?
Maybe I've just been watching the PEPE gif too much and got carried away.
I guess we'll see on Saturday.
I'm going for 1-3 to us. COYG!
{Ed0666's Note - I think you’re front 3 on paper are electric Slaam but it’s a new triumvirate ours is tried and tested. Aauba, Pepe and Laca haven’t worked together much and it will take time for them to click. I’m not saying they can’t be devastating but telepathy takes time. Pepe really is a cut above and I look forward to his ascendancy in the Premiership. If Salah had gone this summer he would have been the one I’d have liked as a replacement. You have a gem there mate. Enjoy him.
22 Aug 2019 03:38:24
Cheers Ed. I think regardless of the result it’ll show Arsenal something they need to know. I totally see your point about your front 3 having gelled. I hope the Arsenal three can get that same level of understanding sooner rather than later. There’s definitely going to be goals on Saturday!
{Ed0666's Note - yeh but I think you’d take a boring 0-0 right now mate?
22 Aug 2019 04:05:30
Too right!
{Ed0666's Note - lol
22 Aug 2019 07:19:10
Extremely tough match away to the CL winners. The midfield area will need to be won, if we are to get a result. I would like to see:
Leno
AM-N Sokratis Luiz Kolasinac
Guendouzi Torreira Xhaka
Pepe Lacazette Aubameyang
Pepe and Aubameyang would need to drop back to double up with the full backs. I don’t think it’s a match for the young guns.
22 Aug 2019 08:22:29
I don't think we should risk playing with 10 men against Liverpool as Liverpool are big boys and don't need a Xhaka head start.
Leave Cellabos out and put Xhaka in? Only Jurgen Klopp would agree with that decision RG, I think you should definitely deduct yourself 10 thumbs up for that suggestion mate:-)
22 Aug 2019 09:03:54
Too early in the morning for me G62. Of course Ceballos in and probably Guendouzi out. I would play Xhaka.
{Ed047's Note - do you think Liverpool will slow down their all action midfield for us if we play Xhaka?
22 Aug 2019 09:09:31
Although G62, I think Emery will start Guendouzi possibly at Torreira’s expense.
Emery:
Leno
AM-N Sokratis Luiz Monreal
Xhaka Guendouzi
Ceballos Willock Aubameyang
Lacazette
Possibly not in that formation.
It will be interesting to see Emery’s team selection when all players are fit and the formation he uses. It’s great to have so many options. Tough next couple of matches. We have to be patient.
22 Aug 2019 09:57:50
Hope they do Ed! I would be shroud we get anything out of this match.
22 Aug 2019 11:46:31
I agree Emery will play Xhaka if fit but not that he should play him at all.
Torreira Ceballos Guendouzi gives us much much more energy, much more chance of retaining possession and of course lees channce of losing procession in dangerous areas also not conceding silly free kicks in dangerous areas either, Xhaka rate or don't rate him is a very poor tackler loses possession very frequenly in areas that directly lead to us conceding and he isn't known for his work rate, although he is capable of a longe range pass if they come off which isn't nearly always the case ( Luis is better ) plus he's known for his long distance shooting power which again isn't something that we benefit from very often over a season, I don't know the figures but I'd guess Mustafi has outscored Xhaka over the last 3 seasons.
Apart from the fact he's not much of a goal threat or a goal preventer he's ideal :-)
{Ed047's Note - Cellabos can do the creative stuff and Torreira and Guendouzi can work helping the defence.
Xhaka just worries me for the reasons you highlight, we don’t need to be gifting Liverpool’s front 3 chances.
22 Aug 2019 13:04:40
Absolutely Ed047 those 3 in midfield offer something different for Liverpool to think about rather simply dusting off and dishing out the same old tried and tested Arsenal at Anfield instruction manual to the Liverpool team.
If you want different results you have to do something different to what you've tried and failed with before.
{Ed047's Note - totally mate, energy and creativity and Ceballos looks happy to put his foot in to so there should in essence be no passengers.
Our team just feels better without Mustafi and Xhaka.
22 Aug 2019 13:16:00
Totally mate, if we are going to get beat Saturday let's at least get beaten trying something different to what has failed so badly in the past at Anfield, we might just get a nice surprise but even if we don't at least we tried to change our fortunes.
{Ed047's Note - and let’s make the most of Adrian in goal! 😱🤣
22 Aug 2019 13:31:19
Totally Auba Lacca Pepe shouldn't wait for an invite to test his Liverpool credentials, make Adrian look dodgy early doors and it would put doubt in his own team mates minds about him and make them more reluctant to leave him unprotected, the less time their fullbacks spend in our half the better for us :-)
{Ed047's Note - he has to be the weak link mate as Xhaka and Mustafi has for us, difference is they can’t replace him where as we can those two.
22 Aug 2019 17:53:30
I would definitely take a 0-0! Even if we lose I would be made up if we can put in a good performance, especially defensively, but I fear the worst! 😂.
22 Aug 2019 18:17:38
Anything baring a proper spanking would be good Eden mate, the manager and players should see the game as an opportunity to win over the doubters which include almost all pundits and neutrals plus the vast Majority of our own fans too.
There is a very good reason all bar those with special Harry Potter Arsenal glasses give us next to no chance and only by showing the world a different Arsenal will opinions change.
22 Aug 2019 18:42:38
Spot on Ed047, Emery has a chance to excite us all with his line up Saturday or have us groaning when we see the team sheet, its true fortune favours the brave but not so much the naive or stubborn who refuse to help themselves.
If he's brave and sensible in equal measure people will forgive him losing if he's stubborn and sends us out in time honoured fashion and we get well stuffed he will get absolutely slated and quite rightly to.
Big chance for the players big chance for the team and but an even bigger chance for Emery to win friends and influence people on Saturday by showing he's not a one trick pony.
22 Aug 2019 19:35:31
The problem is if Xhaka is fit he is a starter in Emery’s team, everyone can see he’s the weak link in our MD and he’s still being picked. But totally agree with Torreira and Guendouzi and Ceballos as our midfield boys.
Liverpool are dangerous going forward but I think we worry a few defenders going forward too especially if we started with the pal (pepe, auba, lacca)
Im actually looking forward to Saturdays game. We might lose which won’t be surprising but we won’t be a pushover like the previous season.