Need to see the formation for longer without Ramsey at 10 and ozil out wide before I write it off. We saw them play well together in essentially the same formation last season.
Was talking about auba and laca. I don’t think we saw the four start a game together all season last year. We saw laca and auba a few times and auba was fine I think. Just watched the first 20 mins of the Watford game again. Really we could have easily been 3-0 up in 20 mins. Should have had a pen, Laca’s chip gone wrong, Lacas cut back to auba just got deflected, Monreals nod down to Laca from an ozil was about 6” off. What I’m seeing is that we are being much more decisive and caring less about patient build up/possession. Lots of through balls that don’t come off, early crosses, diagonals, etc. This mixes with some spells of possession. Not sure if it’s intentional to mix things up or what, but it makes for a nervous live viewing of the game bc there are very few relaxed moments unlike under AW where we would routinely have or concede possession for long periods. I think this can partly explain why players are seen as peripheral. It’s because the “plays” are high reward/low probability moves in which only 1-2 players get touches that show up in stats. Consider the attack in the 20th minute. Arsenal cycle the ball around the pitch a couple of times. Bellarin releases Ramsey behind. Ramsey’s cross is partially blocked but Laca retrieves and pulls back for auba. Defender deflects it to ozil who floats a lofted ball behind for Monreal who nods into lacas path. No shot, but he is inches away from a decisive touch. Great attack and will only show in the stats as two completed passes, a ball retrieval and a blocked cross.
We do not have real wingers. I say we go to a 3-5-2. More stable backline and both Auba and Laca get to score at will!
Sounds good to me. I don't know how well these guys would fit together, but on merit so far I'd be tempted to use Sok, Holding, Lich as our starting 3. Then for backup/rotation, the 2nd 3 could be Mustafi, Mav, and in a pinch Nacho. Did I forget anybody?
...........laca....auba .................ozil ........Xhaka...torreira Kol............................bellerin ......holding..sok..musafi ................leno ...........laca...auba .............. ..ozil .........Ramsey...Xhaka ...............torreira Nacho..holding...sok..bellerin ..............Leno The only ways I can see them playing as a 2
Would you really rather see Mustafi start in the right side of the 3... rather than Lichsteiner? We know Lich is a right-sided guy, but it's not clear if he's ever played in a 3 before. But personally I've just about lost all faith in Mustafi, so that's why I started thinking of this alternate idea.
I have read several anorak articles recently that point out Mhki is likely a better right sided option He brings goals and the data shows he has a high defensive contribution in the high press
That's been clear for a little while now. And I've been wanting Emery to try starting Mkhi in the EPL. Why would Auba-Ozil-Mkhi be so bad? Also, Iwobi made a strong case Saturday to compete for this spot. Paul on ArsenalVision podcast, pointed out that Iwobi was nearly useless for his first 10 mins while he was on the left. But then when they switched him to the right, he caught fire, and assisted two goals.
40 hrs until our next match... in bloody Baku!! With the high prices Turner is charging, this might be one to consider a reddit stream for. Or else pay B/R $2.99 for 1 match ($9.99/mo or $79.99/yr) Saved you a little work @crazy150 Edit: I just noticed that my DVR is gonna record it on a channel called Gala (GALAHD-E), presumably en espanol. Kinda like the last time we played in EL. Also, just like last time, GOLTV will show a replay at 10pm ET, presumably in English (ArsenalTV).
I'm with ya. I think I'll dip my toe back into the pirate streams, or if I'm not thrilled by that, maybe I'll pay $3 for just this match?
It’s not bad.... I think in 10 yrs time... very few will have cable It will be a la Carte for channels Which is fine
Actually I found out that it's on a Spanish channel called Gala so if I end up watching it live on TV, that's what I'll do.
What's the story with Turner and the Champions league. Both City and United were on TNT yesterday. Are they trying to set the hook and then move the games to a pay platform, or are they going to continue to show the games on TNT?