Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[glenferry23]

Surely Giroud starts.

I'd like to see Campbell start too over Theo or Ox, but little chance of that happening.

 

[Shoei]

My line-up predictions

Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi; Neymar, Suarez

Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Sanchez; Walcott

Sanchez and Ox simply have to sit deeper so we have two banks of four. Özil/Walcott waiting to counter. Looking forward to Mertesacker being exposed .

Preference

Cech; Bellerin, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Campbell, Özil, Sanchez; Welbeck

A forwardline of Messi, Neymar and Suarez is going to be a handful for any team in the world, it's not just an Arsenal problem.

We showed at home against Bayern Munich that we can defend and counter and get a result. The biggest downside for me is the fact that Cazorla is missing so we are going to miss his ability to drive out from our defensive half.

I'm not expecting to win but we have a surprisingly decent home record recently against Barcelona - 2-1 win, 2-2 draw.

Struggling to score is our biggest problem at the moment and something Barcelona will do so im going to say:

Arsenal 1 - 3 Barcelona

 

[undefined]

We need as much pace as possible on the break - breaking down Barcelona is impossible. Surely Theo starts up top.

I'm pretty certain that bar Ox's inclusion for Cazorla, we'll field the same Xl that we started with against Bayern in October, but with Ramsey alongside Coquelin instead of being pushed wide.

 

[Cruyff14]

I reckon Theo wouldn't be much chop against Barca.

Would start Giroud up top and Theo on the right.

 

[undefined]

What use is Giroud going to be against Barca? Maybe Wenger resting him on Saturday means he's starting - Mascherano/Pique aren't the greatest CB combination going around. A not-so-strong link in an otherwise impeccable setup.

Whoever is starting on the right, they'll need to track back to help out Bellerin. Campbell, Ox and Welbeck are all more reliable than Walcott in that regard.

For mine, Theo either plays up front tomorrow morning or he doesn't play at all.

 

[elhadjihenry]

What use is Giroud going to be against Barca? Maybe Wenger resting him on Saturday means he's starting - Mascherano/Pique aren't the greatest CB combination going around. A not-so-strong link in an otherwise impeccable setup.

Whoever is starting on the right, they'll need to track back to help out Bellerin. Campbell, Ox and Welbeck are all more reliable than Walcott in that regard.

For mine, Theo either plays up front tomorrow morning or he doesn't play at all.

I don't think Walcott will start. Giroud gives us more attacking options and is a better finisher than Theo in a game when taking one chance may make or break it. Barca aren't the tallest team so AW will see set pieces as a real scoring avenue for us.

Most likely front 3 is Alexis - Giroud - Ox, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Rambo on the right with Elneny partnering Coq in the middle given his good performances for Basel in the UEL group stage.

 

[Latro]

I don't think Walcott will start. Giroud gives us more attacking options and is a better finisher than Theo in a game when taking one chance may make or break it. Barca aren't the tallest team so AW will see set pieces as a real scoring avenue for us.

Most likely front 3 is Alexis - Giroud - Ox, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Rambo on the right with Elneny partnering Coq in the middle given his good performances for Basel in the UEL group stage.

Flamini would be selected before Elneny.

 

[undefined]

There won't be any surprising squad selections. Only positions up in the air are ST and RW.

 

[bok_party]

If we sit deep, it makes sense that Walcott starts but the ability to use Giroud for set pieces is enticing aswell. The other benefit of Giroud is that because Barca will be playing quite high, a quick flick on or one two can unleash Sanchez or Walcott or Ox to run into.

 

[PendlePie]

Campbell won't be starting. Wenger has barely used him lately so doubtful that he'd be recalled now.

Won't happen, but I'd play Walcott and Ox. We'll essentially revert to a 4-4-2 anyway - Sanchez and Walcott as the outlets up front is probably the best chance we have.

 

[Latro]

Giroud is the only inform forward we have. He has to play.

 

[elhadjihenry]

Flamini would be selected before Elneny.

Really hope Flamini is nowhere near the pitch in either tie (unless we are defending a lead in the last 10 minutes). Elneny has performed well in Europe and his gut running would be very valuable if we have to play a counter-attacking game. Don't actually think Wenger will select him to start but I'd really like to see this team run out tomorrow morning (assuming Gabriel isn't fit to start):

............Cech
Bellerin Mert Kos Nacho
.......Coq Elneny
Rambo Ozil Sanchez
..........Giroud

Solid enough to deal with incessant attacking but fluid enough to pose a threat on the counter, might lack some pace but I think it's worth it for the balance and to prevent away goals if possible. Would need a big performance from Alexis and Ramsey to find his 2014 form.

 

[Latro]

Really hope Flamini is nowhere near the pitch in either tie (unless we are defending a lead in the last 10 minutes). Elneny has performed well in Europe and his gut running would be very valuable if we have to play a counter-attacking game. Don't actually think Wenger will select him to start but I'd really like to see this team run out tomorrow morning (assuming Gabriel isn't fit to start):

............Cech
Bellerin Mert Kos Nacho
.......Coq Elneny
Rambo Ozil Sanchez
..........Giroud

Solid enough to deal with incessant attacking but fluid enough to pose a threat on the counter, might lack some pace but I think it's worth it for the balance and to prevent away goals if possible. Would need a big performance from Alexis and Ramsey to find his 2014 form.

I agree but Wenger would play Flamini over Elneny.

Which Arsenal team is better the current team or 2011 team that played Barca?

I think it was 2011 as that team could actually score goals. The defense was not very good though.

 

[glenferry23]

I agree but Wenger would play Flamini over Elneny.

Which Arsenal team is better the current team or 2011 team that played Barca?

I think it was 2011 as that team could actually score goals. The defense was not very good though.

Djourou was quite good that season, went downhill after that.

It's almost break even at RB, but Nacho and Cech are obviously far superior to what we have now.

Nasri was also very good that season. I recall he played well that night in the second half when he came in central, with Song off. Wilshere, Nasri and Cesc really controlled the midfield late in that game.

Edit: actually did Sagna play that night? For some reason I think he didn't. Will check.

 

[Latro]

Djourou was quite good that season, went downhill after that.

It's almost break even at RB, but Nacho and Cech are obviously far superior to what we have now.

Nasri was also very good that season. I recall he played well that night in the second half when he came in central, with Song off. Wilshere, Nasri and Cesc really controlled the midfield late in that game.

Edit: actually did Sagna play that night? For some reason I think he didn't. Will check.

It was Eboue

 

[elhadjihenry]

Front 6 in that team was better, our current defence and GK is though.

Almunia - Cech
Eboue - Bellerin
Djourou - Mertesacker (tie?)
2011 Kos - 2016 Kos (although 2011 Kos had a blinder that game)
Clichy - Nacho
Song - Coquelin (hard to call this one, Song had an extra attacking dimension so might just sneak it)
Wilshere - Ramsey (he was prob our best over the 2 legs)
Fabregas - Ozil (tough call again, Ozil more brilliant but Fab more consistent back then, maybe a tie)
2011 Walcott - 2016 Walcott/Ox/Campbell (hard to call this one, don't remember much about Theo that night)
Van Persie - Giroud
Nasri - Alexis (although he is in shocking form)

 

[windyhill]

Draw at home, pumped at their place.

 

[glenferry23]

Front 6 in that team was better, our current defence and GK is though.

Almunia - Cech
Eboue - Bellerin
Djourou - Mertesacker (tie?)
2011 Kos - 2016 Kos (although 2011 Kos had a blinder that game)
Clichy - Nacho
Song - Coquelin (hard to call this one, Song had an extra attacking dimension so might just sneak it)
Wilshere - Ramsey (he was prob our best over the 2 legs)
Fabregas - Ozil (tough call again, Ozil more brilliant but Fab more consistent back then, maybe a tie)
2011 Walcott - 2016 Walcott/Ox/Campbell (hard to call this one, don't remember much about Theo that night)
Van Persie - Giroud
Nasri - Alexis (although he is in shocking form)

Did Szcnzcny play that night? I believe he did - and Almunia played the year before. He made some blinding saves in the first half to keep Barca out before they took us apart in the second half.

 

[elhadjihenry]

Did Szcnzcny play that night? I believe he did - and Almunia played the year before. He made some blinding saves in the first half to keep Barca out before they took us apart in the second half.

Yeah your right it was Sczez is goals not Almunia.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Draw at home, pumped at their place.

Nah, we always do it opposite.

2-0 loss at home, we'll win 2-1 away (with that Barca goal hitting in the 88th minute).

 

[Latro]

Barca will win both legs easily.

 

[undefined]

Giroud is the only inform forward we have. He has to play.

This enables Barca to press as far forward as they wish.

And yeah, I can't see us getting remotely close to them in either of the legs - it's a matter of quality, it'd be too great a task for any team in Europe apart from Bayern. Suarez, Neymar and Messi all up front, combining brilliantly as of late... A monumental achievement it would be to limit their influence.

 

[undefined]

and Almunia played the year before.

Who could forget Silvestre's assist / Messi putting 4 past Almunia. Unreal.

The poor guy probably still wakes up in a cold sweat on occasion, traumatised by the havoc that little man wreaked on our back 4.

 

[glenferry23]

Who could forget Silvestre's assist / Messi putting 4 past Almunia. Unreal.

The poor guy probably still wakes up in a cold sweat on occasion, traumatised by the havoc that little man wreaked on our back 4.

There was also a fabregas attempted back heel deep in our own half which turned the ball over for them to score. Changed the momentum of that match.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

I agree but Wenger would play Flamini over Elneny.

Which Arsenal team is better the current team or 2011 team that played Barca?

I think it was 2011 as that team could actually score goals. The defense was not very good though.

2011 was better offensively this current team better defensively.