The Arsenal v. Manchester City

Should we predict lineups? There is no lineup that I 'hope' for. There is no lineup to me that has looked good recently. The only thing that I have looked forward to lately is seeing what kind of body language and mood Ozil and Sanchez has be in because maybe in some way that would help me to determine if they are staying or not. Now isn't that desperation?

 

One and done for u mebe

 

I dunno.

Call me old fashioned, but I go into every single Arsenal match with the hope and the belief that we can win it. As I will this time.

Now if we're 0-3 down at HT then that hope & belief will be heading for the window.

p.s. I'm far from a Pep fanboy so anytime someone imposes a little humility on him, I'm good.

 

Like a tinder date

Smash n dash
Hit n quit
******** n buck

 

This is gonna suck. Ozil will probably become sick or get some injury by Sunday.

 

In a parallel universe somewhere, Wenger will change to a 4141 or 433 and boss the midfield.

But we don't know if parallel universes exist, and in this universe he'll play the same formation as normal and Ozil to boot. Though I reckon he'll play Giroud, and with their shitty defence and weak structure it could work if we get good crosses in. I don't see why we cannot win this, or get a draw, i'd rather play City than even Spurs or United, or Chelsea at this point. Pochettino would try some new formation to ******** around with us, and we'll sneak a draw. Jose would park the bus and we'd draw or lose from a late goal by Rooney or Rashford or something. And Chelsea would either rough us up or bully our defence and score. City and Arsenal have similar issues, and similar strengths/weaknesses, so it would be a more even game.

either 2-2 draw or a 2-1 Arsenal win.

 

Blech.

I suspect the board is hoping for a big win so that they can drop the "Wenger's re-signed for 2 more years!" news without looking totally tone deaf.

I'll go with Darc and say 2-2 in an ugly, disappointing day.

 

Honestly I can't remember the last time Ozil played well for us, or was majorly impactful in a match. It feels like more than 2-3 months, but perhaps I'm wrong. In any case, you get the point.

 

Nice one Mebesajid!

Is this going to be another lackluster performace? Or is Arsenal going to make that final push to sneak into the top 4 by the end of the season?

To be honest, I haven't missed having any Arsenal matches for the last 2 weeks. I haven't watched any soccer during the international break.

I'm with Northbank though. I am always hopeful for Arsenal to show up and get a great win.

 

So there's rumors going around, from Perry Groves and some others, that several ex-players are set to join the coaching staff.

The big rumor is that Viera is set to join as an assistant, and that Bergkamp is on the shortlist for taking over Jonkers position in the youth academy.

 

Last gasps of a failing regime

 

I actually think this is a promising development...Not because any of those players are good coaches AFAIK, but it shows that, if he stays, Wenger is actually changing course on preciously not wanting former players potentially usurping his singular status at the club...especially when they're big personalities.

 

I couldn't disagree more. If Wenger was actually interested in changing the product on the field he would be hiring people we've never heard of. I know that he's not interested in that because the last time he 'revolutionized' the club he brought in Forsythe and Jonker and nothing changed.

I'd agree that nether PV or DB has shown any real skill at managing/coaching. PV is basically a publicity stunt for NYCFC. DB may turn out to be a good coach but his flying issue basically negates any value as a manager. I also don't think that Ajax has been either a tactical innovator or a player development hotspot since he's been there.

If there was any real ambition Wenger wouldn't be doing this. This is a kid running back in the house for his security blanket. It's pathetic.

 

This is so so spot on.

 

I just heard Groves mention Viera on Arsecast. Sounds like he's talking out of his arse.

I can think of a few reasons why Paddy wouldn't be coming to us right now.

Same goes for Dennis.

 

Wait...both Forsyth and Jonker were "people we've never heard of," and by your own admission, nothing changed. So we've already done that.

I'm not advocating for former players or not, I'm just saying that regardless of quality, him hiring former players would actually be a change in his hiring policy. The only former players he has kept on a job at the club are Bould and...maybe Pires? Regardless of their coaching quality, he has had an aversion to hiring former players. Him being open to trying new things is a good sign.

 

Wenger out. Go Heels!

 

PR...it's how we move and operate. Like how they got Henry back a few years ago to quell the fans post-8-2 at United.

 

Has to be Xhaka and Elneny as the two in the middle and Sanchez up front. Ozil at 10 if he's fit. The back four picks itself so only the wide players to make a decision on. Walcott and Welbeck there for me.

Still think Wenger should go at the end of the season. After reading so many times that he wants intelligent players who can work out what needs to be done on the pitch for themselves, it's blatantly obvious that this lot don't have that intelligence. They need structure and intensive coaching. With that there's enough talent there to have a good strong team.

 

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck

I'm strangely optimistic about Danny up front. I think he might still feel like he has something to prove

 

Arsenal substitutes: Martinez, Gabriel, Gibbs, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Giroud

 

Ox and Ramsey somehow picked up knocks.

As far as GK goes, I'm not gonna lie. I would rather give Martinez the game than Ospina. Ospina is good for 1 absolutely disastrous blunder per big game.