This team will beat wolves and this other lot can do barca...............
 G4L_Harry (2 April 2010)
The thought troubling many fans and ultimately Wenger is what team do we put out for wolves with Barca on the horizon?
Can we win the Premier league and or the Champions league, or has our injury mare consumed our chances, the doom merchants will be crying out told you so.......blah blah...........
With the injuries that have already affected us this season, its amazing we are still in with a shout as it stands........
This squad has already proven that it does have a strength about it and just maybe its a little deeper than some gave credit for..........
Dont get me wrong, I do believe a striker at the transfer window would have helped, but many believed that the squad wasnt strong enough at all, but surely upto now it has shown to have a strength about it.....has it not?
So in the aftermath of Wednesday nights clash of the purists, in what was an enthralling ride of emotions, more so for my young boy who kept looking at me with a look of horror, “dad, we are going to get thrashed” which must have been said 10 times in the first half............
It was strange, the atmospheric charge that was running through me as I watched my beloved Arsenal getting a lesson in keep ball, the ground was rocking {without doubt one of the best fans show of support since moving to the Emirates}. But every miss and blinding save by Manuel instilled more belief as the game wore on, but 2 goals after the break seemed to quash that feeling, my boys down hearted, but Barca were tiring and then Theo time arrived.......................
Holding a respect for others and opponents is healthy, but been intimidated by it, restricts you and is counter productive........As brilliant as Barca were and bar Zlatan putting his boots on his right feet, and as Guardiola says thats their best performance under him, it is 2-2 and our boys realised in the last 20minutes that we can compete with them and we can hurt them..........So where do our options lie?
Against Birmingham, wenger rested arshavin and nasri , bringing them when things werent working out........
Sometimes its not about who is on the bench but about getting the balance on the pitch right....What ever happens this weekend, we will make ground up on the top two if we beat wolves and lets be honest it needs to be by a few goals (although 1-0 on 89 would be taken now).
So the old saying its the next game that counts is what wenger says, but he will be planning as well for the Barca game..............
Injuries Definitely out........Djourou, Gibbs, Van Persie, Fabregas, Arshavin, Gallas, and Ramsey
Injuries Maybe out.......Clichy has a knock and Denilson has a slight pull...........
Personally Clichy must be rested, i thought he had a good game against Barca and his attacking was key especially in the 2nd half. Traore although at times naive he can do a job against wolves..........
Campbell must come in for the wolves game, we need his drive and commitment, but against Barca I would play Song at the back.......Some blame song for Barcas two goals, but to me, it was the midfield not closing down quick enough, due to standing off due to showing too much respect, now they know they can compete, the midfield will press on, this should reduce the ball over the top...........
I think the Campbell signing was inspired and a great decision and i have been really impressed with him, but his dearth of pace at the very top level might get exposed, and if we conceded early due to it at the Nou Camp, would we recover again?
Against Wolves I would play Sagna and save Eboue for Barca, his attacking pace in tandem with walcott really put barca on the back foot, eboue really opened up the space for theo to exploit.........
The big question i suppose at the back against wolves, alongside campbell do we play Vermaelen? Or throw Silvestre on? I think because of Doyles work rate I would put Vermaelen on at the start and look to change when we are comfortable...........
With Fabregas out till mid may, Nasri will be key to our chances in both competitions, Nasri still not certain of a place in the French squad will be really up for this challenge and he could just be the difference...........Although I would like to rest him, he needs to start in the Cesc role, again as with TV when comfortable take him off........
Song and denilson (if passed fit) will make the rest of midfield up against wolves, Diaby can take a seat on the bench, he is needed for barca away and he is so injury prone.............
Up front Bendtner needs to play and in my mind put himself about a bit more, his passing the other night was better, but i just felt he needs to work harder, I look at the rate of Olic of Bayern against United he made the difference by hurrying down players.............
The wide players are a big decision, does he give theo playing time or does he save him for Barca, what a decision that is for wenger.........
Eduardo hasnt got back to his best, but wenger has said that in training his sharpness is returning, lets hope so and that we also have the enigma that is the mexican boy wonder, carlos vela, who hasnt lived up to his potential since that hat trick in the carling cup.......Injuries and limited apprearances and long flights have restricted him............ But perhaps he might just be the one who adds that extra creativity, and he is pacey as well..............
So even with all the injuries, we do have quite a few options to pick from and as yet I still havent mentioned one of my favourite players, Rosicky...........He could take that creative role against Wolves when Nasri comes off and the same against Barca, or maybe start them in tandem......?
Other players who could make telling contributions in the next few weeks include Merida, if denilson doesnt make wolves then i would put Merida in there, also in my mind should definitely make the bench against Barca........He would be so up for it.........The others could be Eastmond, Coquelin and Bartley..............
So my line ups............
Wolves Match:
Almunia (Barca 1st Half one)
Sagna Campbell Vermaelen Traore
Song
Nasri Denilson(Merida)
Vela Bendtner Eduardo
Bench: Fabianski, Rosicky, Silvestre, Walcott, Merida (Coquelin), Eboue, Eastmond
Barca Match:
Almunia (Barca 1st Half one)
Eboue Vermaelen Song Clichy
Diaby
Nasri Denilson
Walcott Bendtner Rosicky
Bench: Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Merdia, Vela, Eduardo, Traore
What teams would you go with? Would you rest anyone? Who is the key to us winning at the Nou Camp, can we do it?
Leave your teams and thoughts as to why you would pick certain players.........
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Comments: | | | Urakanine | 02 April 2010 11:09:54 | | | | | | | | | Good lineup. I may have skipped one or two on my rushed wolves preview.
I reckon you have to save Campbell for Barcelona. Playing Silvestre may be a risk but we should be able to get the result against wolves. | | | | | | | | | | Raeman212 | 02 April 2010 11:47:52 | | | | | | | | | I would go with the following line up:
GK: Almunia
RB: Sagna
CB: Campbell (Should boss Denilson/Silvestre to aid defence as they do lose concentration)
CB: Silvestre (...)
LB: Traore
DMC: Denilson (...)
MC: Diaby (Would have rested him but we need a big presence in midfield against Wolves)
MC: Rosicky (Very creative player, good dribbling and a nice shot on him)
AMR: Eduardo (able to test shooting skills and become the excellent finisher he was)
AML: Carlos Vela (can prove to why he was considered one of Arsenal's biggest prospects)
FC: Bendtner (Chance to add more to his goal tally and boost his confidence against Barca)
Subs: Fabianski, Eastmond, Merida, Song, Walcott, Vermaelen Nasri
This way we can rest Vermaelen, Song, Nasri, Walcott, Clichy and Eboue against Barcelona, where they are more than likely going to have to play their hearts out. Maybe as subs against Wolves they can make cameo's to either save the game or kill the game off whilst stretching their legs a little bit.
It's a pity..times like this would have seen Ramsey, Gibbs, Djourou being started if they weren't affected by the injury curse Arsenal seemingly have
| | | | | | | | | | G4L_Harry | 02 April 2010 12:25:16 | | | | | | | | | Welcome Raeman, You make very valid points and we can argey a case either way, I think the difference between our two teams for tomorrow proves one major point that I was making, we do have strength in depth and various options.........................
Thats a good line up and wouldnt mind that either............
Fancy 3-1 to us.............. | | | | | | | | | | Bergmars | 02 April 2010 16:25:15 | | | | | | | | | Hi Guys Im new on here been a gooner over forty years.
I would give Fabianki a game against Wolves,Also Silvestre alongside Campbell,and Merida and Vela.
In the Barca game I would play Eboue at RB with Rosicky in front of him with Nasri playing central,i would even consider Vela starting if fit with Theo coming on at the hour again,we have to learn from the first game,fill in wide to stop Alves and Maxwell getting so much space and time.
We must also press them quicker,it will be hard and tiring but we must keep the shape and keep it tight,we will win Im sure of it,but we have to get it spot on. | | | | | | | | | | G4L_Harry | 02 April 2010 17:14:21 | | | | | | | | | Welcome BergMars, So who were your two favourite players?
Well I too am hoping we have learned from the first game, that standing off them is not the right way we have to defend quicker and press, stop players from gaining ground, but thats also how united scored goals against at the Emirates...........
The players I am looking at to make the difference are Nasri, Rosicky, Diaby, Vela and Walcott, if they play to their abilities then we have a chance............. | | | | | | | | | | Bergmars | 02 April 2010 17:25:08 | | | | | | | | | Cheers Harry,I think its time Carlos fulfilled some of his promise,he did well in La Liga and it would be the right stage for him to do it.
I have considered the merits of playing Sagna at RB and Eboue in front of him,and even Clichy and Traore on the left the tidal wave of attacks that the full backs initiated caused us mega problems,but we may be being too cautious,and the truth is we have to score,AW will know whats required,the first is a fully fit sixteen,weundid ourselves a little with the first leg selesction of unfit players. | | | | | | | | | | G4L_Harry | 02 April 2010 17:41:45 | | | | | | | | | Yeah and I think wenger realises that gallas was a bad choice, he wasnt ready, having been out for so long. Cesc is a hard one to call, he had xrays and 2 fitness tests, I do think we have in Nasri a super replacement that means that we do not have to risk Fabregas..............
But all that said, its over now, choices made, yellow cards issued and injuries sustained, lets play em with what we have and I really do believe we have enough to beat them.............
Nasri really is key, I think he is a better player through the middle, he is very creative and deceptive with a wicked shot as well, he stepped up against Porto when Cesc was out......
I agree about the full back pairings and I think wenger could have used this tactic at other times especially earlier in the season when walcott and nasri were out..............I think Traore should definitely be on the bench, imagine him and walcott attacking at pace.........
Vela is a truly talented player, who I have high hopes for and have expected to see him more this season, but as I said injuries and flights have restricted him..........Against Barca he will get more space than in the premier league...........
Eboue has been awesome this season, he gives an impetus to our attack and isnt scared to run at defences...................
Were you at the match?
| | | | | | | | | | Bergmars | 02 April 2010 18:33:15 | | | | | | | | | I wish I could get to more games I work a shift pattern and live in Shropshire,i watch either on TV or online.,no I was not there,it must have been fantastic.
I hope we persist with Traore I think he could prove a very good left side midfielder,a la Messi Eboue.Vela has to come good soon he has seemingly dropped below the radar. | | | | | | | | | | G4L_Harry | 02 April 2010 20:10:28 | | | | | | | | | Yeah it was fantastic, one of the best atmospheres I have been part of since the opening of the emirates..............
I quite often moan about people near me not singing but we were non stop throughout, my two boys loved it, although my little one couldnt stop worrying..................
I too like Traore in the LM attacking role as defensively he can be a tad naive, but he needs a run in the side or maybe another loan to prove his worth............ | | | | | | | | | | Raeman212 | 02 April 2010 20:29:43 | | | | | | | | | I think this would be best starting 11 against Barcelona:
GK: Almunia, RB: Eboue, RCB: Alex Song, LCB: Thomas Vermaelen, LB: Gael Clichy, DMC: Abou Diaby, MCenilson, MC: Samir Nasri, RW: Theo Walcott, LW: Tomas Rosicky, ST: Nicklas Bendtner
Key to beating barcelona i believe is fullbacks crossing like mad, wingers interchanging cutting in and shooting alot, nasri and diaby shooting and passing with /DiabyDenilson playing with a more defensive mentality one of them staying back at all times with Song and Vermaelen staying back too..Bendtner running around like mad harrying their players for the ball.
If that happens we could win the game if no freak incidents happen
PS.Traore could replace bendtner in the last 20-30 mins with him taking walcotts role and walcott becoming our front man with them two constantly putting the burners on Barca's defence they are more than likely to slip up | | | | | | |
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