November Tests Start On Day One For Gunners
Oct 31st, 2016 by 'holic
A fortnight ago we did rotate a little bit out wide and eventually put six goals past a Ludogorets team that started brightly but faded badly in the second-half. Arsene Wenger kept the spine of the team intact that night but Santi Cazorla joined Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, and Theo Walcott in the stay at home club for Tuesday night’s return fixture in Bulgaria.
The back five haven’t played together a great deal assuming David Ospina returns as Champions League goalkeeper behind Carl Jenkinson, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, and Kieran Gibbs. The latter has a real chance to show that he has improved his defensive qualities for he is sure to face a stern examination.
The shielding pair requires Arsene to make a decision as Granit Xhaka is available and either he, or fit-again Aaron Ramsey, could replace Mohamed Elneny alongside Francis Coquelin. Any two of those four could do the job for sure, and will need to. They will have a lot of work to do, particularly if we cannot get a healthy advantage relatively quickly. Ludogorets had pace aplenty and real attacking intent until they shipped the third goal at our place.
The front four is interesting. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, and Alex Iwobi are probably nailed on to start, but the temptation to rest Alexis, with Tottenham on Sunday in mind, and start with Olivier Giroud up top must be very strong indeed.
Rotation away from home in the group phase is a tricky one to get right. We need to win to keep PSG kicking at our heels. Although that would likely be enough to secure our place in the last sixteen with two matches to spare, the fight to top the group is as tight as a ducks posterior. Arsene insists we are determined to pip the French club.
“It’s our prime target to win the group. We have a home game with PSG to come so we have a good opportunity.”
The coming month is also clearly on his mind, as indeed most of the supporters, and he made the right noises today. We go into November in pretty good shape. The squad looks strong, confidence and sprits are high. The challenges look to be getting tougher in the coming weeks, but we are well-positioned to put out quite a statement of intent.
“We’ve had difficult Novembers in previous seasons, but we’ve also had positive ones in our history too. The most important thing is to not live in the past, we have to live with the team we have at the moment. Our destiny lies in the minds of the players, how strong our focus is and how hungry we are.”
The ‘holic pound
The bookies favour 0-2 over 1-2 for the visitors. I would take either but fancy the hosts will score, so it is 1-2 at a best of 8/1 for me.
I see a number of friends have made the trip to a country I haven’t followed the Gunners to before. This is where I spend the evening before asking myself why I didn’t go. To those who are there or travelling on match day I wish you a fantastic trip and a performance from the boys.
Have a great one ‘holics.
94 Responses to “November Tests Start On Day One For Gunners”
#1?
…and I even read it first!
First, apologies Clive, I called you ‘holic in the last round when cautioning against too much fresh air. But I could have called you worse, aye.
Second, I would have OG up front if only to present Ludo with a completely different kind of threat. And Alexis back in his best position at LW where, hopefully, he can be pulled off early as we cruise to a win.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say again that it’s important we win and win well (if possible) against Ludo and Basel so we go into the Ems game against PSG needing only a draw (not that we should approach the game that way of course). We currently have a 3-goal GD advantage and need to maintain or improve that as PSG are capable of scoring 6 against anyone on their day.
All of which means we have to play our best team and hope they all perform. But with four holes in the team already I’ll be happy with a win of any colour frankly.
Okay, in the absence of anyone else…
I would start Xhakaboom and Rambo to give us early fire-power, and have Coq ready to sub on when defending a lead. The rest pretty much pick themselves, unless AW wants to give Rambo another go at wing instead of Ox or Iwobi.
Cheers, Holic !
Don’t hold your breath, Chris, waiting for AW to switch Sanchez back to the wing, He has said he sees Sanchez playing in the middle.
I really thought he would turn into Arshavin MkII, playing against pairs of Premier League centre backs but he has done really well and his goal record speaks for itself.
I wonder if we might see Giroud and Sanchez together in a 4-4-2 at times but doubt it will be tomorrow.
Personally, I think Sanchez is our number one choice at centre forward now in our quicker more mobile front line. There is still clearly a place for Giroud as an aggressive, strong impact sub coming on to have a go at tiring defenders, or as a starter if Arsene ever dares to leave Sanchez out for a game.
I suspect you’re right, Trev, but as a long-time admirer and defender of OG you can imagine how reluctant I am to change. 😀
Either way it’s good to see both fit and well and available, and OG’s height adds another defensive element (should we need one) when he comes on late.
I’d also suggest that the way Alexis and Theo move inside a lot it hardly matters what position they start in. We have a very mobile front four currently and I wouldn’t want to limit their movement too much.
Chris
we play PSG before Basel.
Thanks for setting the game up Holic , although I will miss it.
The lesson from the first game and I suspect the PSG game they played is that they can’t lat ninety minutes. They are technically excellent but can’t maintain the intensity we generate for more than about an hour. They were blowing out of their arses at our place . So the tactics are to keep it tight and use pace after the break as they tire. I think the side will be
Ospina
Jenko Mustafi Koscielny Gibbs
Coquelin Xhaka
Ramsey Ozil Ox
Sanchez
Subs
Cech
Holding
Gabriel
Elneny
Iwobi
Giroud
The Jeff
As Arsene has copied my team two games running you can put your cash on this one. I think it will be 3-0 to us with the goals scored late on.Giroud will get two late goals and Ox one
Ahh, Clive, pity. Better that we beat PSG then! 😀
now clive i told ye
less o the chipper based grub
indeed where i am from
they weren’t called chippers
so just conforming to
a dimple7based stereotype
am not proud of
indeed the trip to the chipper
which it wasn’t called
didn’t involve me
revolved around what fish was “on”
similar in england ?
though rarely and let’s face it ne’rly
we got anything
me mother got a piece of red fish
rarely
we got fuck all
and
anyone
using a posh shower of unfunny over rated posh python s
to up my families poverty
to your hilarious level of hilarious
please don’t
bullets aren’t cheap
nor are stereotypes
(amnesty over)
they are
cliches that is
bdum bdum
I think paul hanley was on The Chase
perhaps not
i think a lot – seldom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjyQkt04Urc
Stevie Wonder on The Golden Shot ?
no siree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8bjJf3Q5mE
he was the man a gerrr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFCOt6wbm80
aaaahhhhhh wooop de dooop
slash me posts
promise only polite politics tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0NHwKU_3gI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPAs2LORKC8
internet
i search and i search ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZY9oYSSjFI
yup
it’s won
but in my last gurgling flollop
might i remind ye how good that was
not only that but this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps-Qq7ucMA0
first i can forgive
second
ye don’t like
yer a fuckin tit
HAVE YOU SEEN MY WIFE MR JONES
cynic#2
here’s to a non sectarian political life
in the north of ireland
hospitals
roads
policing
getting yer bins collected
all the stuff that’s really important
in this day and age
it can be possible
if it wasn’t for that other shower ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAkYPOwfn4I
both shit and shite
enjoy
moooooooooooooooooooooo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmenLzDtTXY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB2GTm7rtCc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSimbyS_YlA
tunes an stuff n shite n tripe n dung n fuck n trifle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Aerah72IEI
hee hee hee times three
https://mobile.twitter.com/ChelseaFansYT/status/782911886232788992/video/1
fuck off ‘hol
iffin i wanna say sorry
i’m sorry but i fuckin will
apologies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbrO1XnrD3I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY4diBpE-tY
lucky i wear creepers an have teeth missing
i sound like a fuckin hippy
??????????
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yz5jvR9_Jo
the cosmos shoemos teethmos realigned????
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-R0k2HK5lY
stomp yer hands and clap yer feet
fer 150mil it’s the fuckin least
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3A1NqmmY3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmZsu8Ue7Hw
might get barred
Cheers H.
I would start Giroud and rest Alexis. I like the idea of Rambo and Xhaka together but while Rambo is still regaining fitness I think it would leave even more space through the middle than if he were fully fit (when that would still be my concern with that pairing), so I think we’ll play with our Coq out. I imagine that Arsene TTG is right anyway and Rambo will get the nod on the right to work on match fitness. Maybe rest Iwobi and play Ox on the left? It seems like Iwobi could do with the gane off while OX needs the minutes. But the balance with Rambo and Ox on the wings sounds much better after the 60 minute mark when this lot shoud be tiring than it does for the first hour.
It’s nice that there are so many players/options to consider.
My wifi is far too slow to anything mental like load a Youtube page.
Trying to follow 25 cba posts without even the lifeline of the music he is (possibly) referring to is harder than a cryptic crossword. Which i am a useless at.
Bugger. Anyhoo, I hope you’re well cba.
Trev@5: I think you are right. Sanchez is now our permanent big No 9… well, not big, but you know what I mean. It is also a fundamental shift in how AW sets up the team up front, away from the ‘plank’ no 9 that others play off (eg Giroud, Chamakh). Nor is it like the Henry, van Persie era set ups where the front man was still the fulcrum of the attack. I am far from sure it can be replicated because it depends on the unique qualities of Sanchez in being able play both as a false 9 and a line-leader. I do wonder if it is AW’s answer to the parked bus. The upside is that we now have a Plan B and C in being able to bring on Giroud and either move Sanchez wide within the same set up or switch to a 4-4-2.
Trev, Ned,
Agree wholeheartedly. Sanchez has been amazing in this role at 9 and his movement has enabled us return to playing the type of football that we’re renowned for. Giroud will still play a part, and remains a valuable addition, but we’re an entirely different team with more movement and better options with Sanchez at 9.
The big conundrum in all this of course, is that Sanchez will become an even more valuable target for other clubs now so getting him to extend his contract will be very expensive and difficult.
It will indeed, Joe,
especially with the ridiculous extension that Bale has now signed at Real Madrid for 600,000 £/€ (does it matter ?) per WEEK !
I guess we have to hope that our players are a happy, contented lot to nestle in the bosom of Arsene – oooer ! – or that they actually suffer a sudden incidence of realism and settle for quite a lot less.
Sorry, did I just use the words ‘players’ abd ‘realism’ in the same sentence. ‘Realism’ there is clearly not intended to be of the Madrid kind ?
That may be unfair to some players but the agents are now going to cause all kinds of mayhem. Not to mention junehem, julyhem and augusthem !
Football is a bit of a mess, isn’t it ?
Ludogorets did play well and with the right attitude when they came home. Now with a must win for them, i expect them to come hard initially at us. So I expect coq/xhaka to start and Ramsey on the bench.
Alexis will play. He is one of those who just wants to play and will stay fit playing than being protected. Yes, we need to rest him but tonight is not the game for it. He and ozil did rest for the midweek one against reading, so even after a long trip to Sunderland notwithstanding, see him and Mesut lining up for sure. iwobi and ox on the flanks.
News about Bellerin is rather worrying. How long is he away? is he protected for the Sunday game or is it more deeper than that? Hopefully, he and santi are fine and ready to fire on sunday for that will be some game. Now let us win this the old fashioned 1-0 way, please. Oli G to score.
Nice well thought through piece, Guvna. No time to back drink – will cthc up later.
Meanwhile…….
GO WIN, ARSENAL!
No Reine-Adelaide on the bench, it seems, ttg, as he played for the U-21s.
Giroud and Ramsey to start. Five changes from the team against Sunderland.
Ospina
Jenkinson
Mustafi
Koscielny
Gibbs
Coquelin
Xhaka
Ramsey
Özil
Sánchez
Giroud
Substitutes
Gabriel
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Holding
Iwobi
Cech
Elneny
Maitland-Niles
Wisely opting not to have three double-barrelled players in the same squad. Arsène knows.
COYG
The team tonight:
Ospina, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.
Jenkinson and Ramsey are the ones we watch as both have hardly played and Ramsey looked really rusty against Sunderland.
COYG.
Good to see Jenks back..!
Come on you Gunners
Let ’em have both barrels …… oh …
Cheers H!
Evening All, *bends knees*
Any streams about?
UP THE FUCKING ARSE!
Come on.
Come On!
esso: http://crickfree.net/soccer/ludogorets-vs-arsenal-crf93b31?l=2154972775
we should have scored at the end of that beautiful break.
sorry esso, that just died.
Ludogorets score, bad start.
annnnd they scored.
esso, not the greatest: http://crickfree.net/soccer/ludogorets-vs-arsenal-crf93b57?l=2154972775
Not a good start come on Arsenal!
and it appears they scored again.
Second goal for Ludogorets. Bad night becoming a nightmare.
Jesus are they awake yet?
Left Gibbo on his arse!
screw it, streams drying up all over the place.
i guess i’ll just watch the replay tonight. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
November blues already.
Xhaka gets one back.
scruz
h t tp://0e b.net/vid eo/620772.html
remove spaces
Crazy that all our ten players are in Ludogorets half. Not surprising we are leaking goals.
Giroud!!!2-2.
GET IN!
Girouuuud!
Who scored my stream just died!
Nice!
Sounds like a cracker of a game but it is not on the telly here (again).
Have to make sure we go on and win it in the 2nd half, because PSG are leading 1 nil against Basel.
Looked a bit disjointed early on with all the changes,hopefully now ironed out.
Ludo have to be deflated going in at 2 – 2 after leading 2 nil.
But credit to our boys for not panicking and getting back on level terms.
Let’s not start the 2nd half the way we started the first. !!
If Arsenal do advance as group stage winner, AW has to go with Cech between the sticks in the knockouts. Every corner or set piece or cross seems to make Ospina nervous; Cech is literally head and shoulders above him there.
Ludogorets have learnt from the first leg drubbing and are playing defensively. They also have good technical skills and breakout with speed. We are having a tough time breaking them down. Very competitive so far.
Almost concede on the counter. Need to be more careful.
Everytime they counter attack we have nearly conceded.
Xhaka with another wild challenge gets a yellow. Not going as expected.
Xhaka with the same sort of foul!
Cheers Scuz! Managed to boot the youngest off the PS4 now, thank fuck.
Ox on for Ramsey. Come on Ox.
Zuffi!
Ozil!! Get in.
Oziiiiillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!
GET innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!~
Calmness Personified… Brilliant !
Elneny with the pass ?
How cool was Ozil, left the goalie and two defenders floundering. Now for some good old fashioned defending please.
Get in OOOOOZZZZZZIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
Mesuuuuut!
It’s over. We did it the hard way but will take it. Bring on the spuds.
I think that goes in the ugly win column. But still a win
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Fuck me.
What a goal that was.