With Parlour and Gilberto out for potentially extended periods, we are going to have to re-jigger the midfield. We can still play with Ljunberg-Vieira-Edu-Pires, assuming Freddie recovers soon, but what do we do for cover? Reyes can play in midfield as well, but I think we will not have enough bite. Perhaps Kanu can deputize as well. With the number of games coming up, especially in the CL, it's looking a bit bleak.
a very good question. don't forget about bergkamp not in the away leg of the CL. i've always been an admirer of pires more centrally. reyes on the wing anyone? what else do we have?
Sorry, but I always thought Bergkamp's not flying was very unprofessional. They pay him all kinds of money and he can't even play in some of Arsenal's most important matches. I'm not up-to-date on Arsenal's recent history, but has there ever been a result they could have possibly gotten with Bergkamp but did not?
There seems to be a consensus around here that the Ljungberg-Vieira-Edu-Pires four in midfield is the best lineup we can put out anyway, so it may be a blessing in disguise this weekend. Parlour's out for a while, but Gilberto is quoted as saying that he doesn't think his injury is too bad. Reyes/Clichy/Bentley can cover the wing positions and Toure could be moved into centre midfield as a stop-gap if absolutely neccessary with Cygan or Keown filling in at centre back. Clichy may be needed at left-back at the weekend anyway after Ashley Cole went off injured playing for England last night. If we get another injury in the midfield it's a problem, but as of now I think we're just fine.
i thought keown was injory sometime during or shortly after the carling cup semi either way i would prefer him not to get in unless we are despert because he was horrendous again middlesbrough.
With Ljungberg back now, you can also have him on the right, move Pires into the middle with Paddy, and run Reyes on the left. That still leaves you with Edu on the bench too, so I would say there isn't a problem right now. I would actally like to see this midfield on Saturday because it would give Reyes more touches, and having him and Henry flying down the left side would surely have Melchiot s**tting bricks.
Oh, and please, no suggestions that have Keown in the lineup. I'd rather Arsene play back there himself.
As usual the brazillian coach was mis-quoted what he meant was 'bert might not make Arsenal's next match on saturday'. There is a chance he might even play on saturday same situation applies to Freddie.I think cole is out though.
If Freddie can't go, and depending on other injuries (Cole's out?), Arsene might just as easily play this: Toure--Cygan--Campbell--Cole/Clichy (the back line when Lauren was injured earlier and Arsenal did alright--didn't lose, anyway.) Lauren(!) (he's a Mid anyway)--Edu--Vieira--Pires ..................Henry & Bergkamp Not much for cover in the center of midfield, but Kanu has deputized there before and will come on only if there are injuries. Reyes will start? I don't think so, not yet. Remember Lauren's icer at the Bridge in the FA Cup replay?
there is the pissabolity of pascal playing on the wing again like he did against man city but i think probally not! i think the line up will be: -------------------lehman--------------------- lauren--------toure--------campbell-------clichy reyes---------edu----------viera----------pires -----------bergkamp------henry--------------- bench: stack, cygan, hoyte, kanu, bentley manager: arsene wenger,lol
The main worry is center mid. We have 4 center mids (Vieira, Silva, Edu and Parlour), 2 are out. We can't afford any injuries to Vieira or Edu till Silva is ready. And he should be ready in a week or so. The attacking midfielder positions are okay. Pires, Freddie, Reyes, and if need be Clichy (he played it in the Birmingham game). Its a short term problem. Silva will be back, Freddie will be fit and as a last resort we can recall Pennant back to play right attacking mid. Bentley can play in games where the opponent isn't as tough.
Accordiing to Wenger, Gilberto will be fit for the Chelsea match. (So we won't get to find out what difference his absence makes.) http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/story/0,1273,-3770392,00.html