PBP: EPL - Arsenal FC vs Manchester United FC - Mar 10, 2019 [R]

We need to rest AY but can we afford to? Is Bailly hurt? I would sit AY for 60 then bring him on and push Dalot up.

Rashford Lukaku
-------AP
Pogba ---- Fred
--------McT
Shaw Iceman Smalling Dalot
--------DDG

 

Excited for this!! Hopefully we run riot. Who knows how they might play after losing in Europa.

 

If Martial is fit, the front 3 picks itself. Word is Herrera is fit as well.

 

If Martial is fit do we play 4-3-3 with Rashford on the right or Lukaku on the right? Lukaku said that he's really liking playing with 2 forwards. Should we change what is working atm?

 

It's essentially the same thing. Let martial play left and start a little deeper with Rom and Rash interchanging at CF and RW. A staggered 433.

 

Regardless of the actual line up, it looks like ole is going to have a headache with selection. Martial and Ander coming back. When jesse is fit even more so.

Fred, AP McT, im loving it

 

A different kind of selection dilemma compared to previous regime[emoji7]

 

The previous regime was saf. I refuse now to believe the last five years actually existed.

 

Based on Ole's press conference comments, the XI I would want to see:
Dave
AY/Dalot Smalling Lindelöf Shaw
Herrera Matic Pogba
Rashford Lukaku Martial

The team pretty much picks itself, with the players back in midfield and Martial uptop (especially considering the effort guys like McTerminator, Fred and AP gave vs PSG). RB is the only real position of doubt for me: would play Dalot for sure, but can easily see Ole staying with AY, despite the fact that he's played 4x in the span of 10 days.
The main worry for this one is players losing their concentration after the PSG game, but that should be offset hopefully by the midfield players who didn't take part and will insure everyone stays on task.

 

Just dropped by to say I hate Matic.

 

I find it slightly hard to believe that a bunch of guys who weren't even fit enough for the bench ahead of the kids on Tuesday are now fit enough to start. I also think it would be very risky to start with 3 guys just returning from injury - you're practically asking for another Liverpool type situation.

It will depend on how fit each of them really are but I would bet on Martial at least coming from the bench as it allows us to keep the partnership up top and gives us a non-kid attacking option later in the match.

 

^This. I'd start maybe one of the lot. The hamstring and groin injuries are particularly concerning. I'd lean towards giving them 20-25 mins.

 

Martial will be on the bench imo.

 

I'm hoping Herrera is the only one to start out of the 3.

 

If Ole decides to go with AY at RB as expected, would have no issue with Dalot starting at RW, alongside Lukaku and Rashford to start and give Martial a 2nd half appearance.
Makes sense to me that we didn't see any of the injured players Wednesday in the CL vs PSG. The fact of the matter is, that while I don't doubt that Ole wanted to win that game, it simply does not supersede the league at this point and our pursuit of top 4.
This game is an important one in that context and it stands to reason that the injured players were held back for Sunday, as opposed to even trying to risk them a few days earlier and thus potentially setting them back in their recovery. Fred having played well midweek might influence Ole's thinking in the 8 role but if they're good to go, I could see them being played about an hour to 70mins, only to be spelled.

Edit: While I have nothing against AY generally, I'm really nervous to see him get another start vs Arsenal. As noted, he's played a lot lately and on top of it, most of his displays lately have been shaky at best. Haven't cost the team too much as of yet, but I feel it's tempting fate, particularly with who Arsenal can throw on their left side.

 

i'm interested to see how ogs will manage to play lukaku, martial and rashford together in the long run.

 

The way we played Tevez Rooney and Ronaldo. Both sets of players are fluid, yes not ideal but we should dominate.

 

I know we have been on a great run of form, but against a top 6 team away we should not take them for granted in any way and have to win midfield.

So a 4-3-3 with Pogs as one of the three in CM may leave us a little exposed.

Would favor a 4-D-2 in these circumstances with Lukaku / Rash up top, Pogs at tip of diamond and Martial to come from bench to safeguard his injury.

 

It's as if it really doesn't matter who starts -- we still get results. The boys believe in themselves and believe in their manager. Surprises await us, but based on what we know know we should take care of Arsenal.

 

I also don't like the idea of benching guys like Fred and McT who just played out of their skin. AP was decent.

I would like to see McT, Fred and Pogba in the midfield. I would say also start Dalot at RB and AP in the support striker role up top.

 

The travelling squad for tomorrow's game: De Gea, Romero, Grant, Dalot, Shaw, Lindelof, Smalling, Rojo, Bailly, AY, Pogba, McTominay, Fred, Matic, AP, Rashford, Martial, Lukaku, Greenwood, Chong.

 

Matic start incoming. Just a hunch.