No one is giving us a chance against Bayern. Yet there is a way

By 1970’s Gooner


No one is giving us a chance. Bayern have fantastic players, are sitting on top of their League, have scored 57 times in 21 games and have let in only 7!

Yet I feel that that we can do a runner against them.

They are a team that, like Arsenal, like to have possession and dominate the play. I say let them do this but when we have the ball we must adopt a fast tempo. Pass the ball quickly to feet and move up the pitch in determined fashion. Just like we did against AC Milan last season and scored three against them.

It would be wrong to try and play sideways passes, maintaining possession as we move up the pitch as we do with our opponents in the PL. It works against most teams (maintaining possession I mean) but it usually ends in defeat against the bigger teams.

That is why the Arsenal’s formation and player selection should reflect this style of play.

As a starter and starting from the front, Giroud should stay on the bench. I cannot see us playing the high ball to him from either the wings or the midfield and risk giving away possession. He is too slow to fit in this type of high tempo game.

I think that Walcott should get a start up front. His pace and penetrating runs would create a lot of problems for the opposing defence.

I do think however that we need to have a two man midfield shield in front of the defence. This will provide the basis for having enough bodies to win the ball and distribute to the more creative players further up front.

I am also of the opinion that Jack Wilshere should not be one of those two players. He is far more valuable and creative when he is playing further up behind the main striker. We do need to win the game after all. We are playing at home in a two leg game.

The two defensive midfielders should be Arteta and Diaby.

Diaby has played against Blackburn last Saturday so it seems that he may be overlooked and Ramsey preferred. Maybe so but in my opinion if he is fit he should start as he is a far better defensive midfielder than the inexperienced Ramsey who will be playing out of position.

In the wide midfield positions Cazorla and Podolski would add penetration, creativeness and a goal threat. Cazorla could come inside to top up the midfield and on such occasions one of the defensive midfielders could cover for him when we are defending on his side.

Podolski is good at covering for his defender and/or doubling against the winger. He will also be a threat from dead ball situations.


                        
                         Szczeny

Sagna  Mertesacker  Koscienly  Vermaelen

                Arteta          Diaby

                       Wilshere

Cazorla          Walcott            Podolski

Totally dominate and lose the game. It can only happen to Arsenal

By 1970’s Gooner

Yes it is very possible to dominate, totally dominate with 16 corners and 13 shots on target and still lose the game with the opponents only shot at goal!

And it is possible if you don't play at a fast pace to make your lower level opponent make mistakes and miss a string of chances to score yourself.

Diaby was too ponderous. He slowed the game down when what was so obviously needed was to accelerate the pace and put them onto the back foot. They would have had a lot of trouble dealing with fast pace. But no, he kept passing the ball sideways.

Rosicky was too rusty. lthough he tried he didn’t offer enough going forward and did not provide penetrating balls through the middle.

The Ox huffed and puffed but his crosses were Sunday league standard. And when the crosses got in the right place, there was not enough support from the midfielders to push into the box. AND WE WERE PLAYING AT HOME!

Gervinho hasn’t changed a bit continuing to fluff his chances. He can only score when he is playing for The Ivory Coast it seems. But really his level is well below Premier League standard.

Coquelin’s positioning was wrong too often. Their only forays into the Arsenal half came from his side and his lack of correct positioning. Their goal originated from a header he lost.

Overall our midfield and wide players let us down.

Conclusion. Arsenal’s second string is indeed second class.

We’ve heard that before.

Diaby is ready for centre back start

By 1970’s Gooner

I think Diaby is ready to play in the middle of the defence at Sunderland on Saturday. He is fit, tall enough to compete with the aerial balls O’Neil’s side will throw at Arsenal’s defence aiming for Fletcher and/or Graham and most important of all he will be a far better proposition than Squillaci or the youngster Miquel.


With Vermaelen ruled out already and Koscienly having limped off during France’s international game against Germany Wenger needs to think hard how to fill in the void created.

Squillaci already has one foot out of Arsenal with his contract expiring in June. Additionally he has not played a first team competitive game in the League this season. He is definitely not ready to start any game let alone this tough fixture at Sunderland. Even when he used to get those rare starts he was a disaster waiting to happen and it often did!

Miquel also cannot be trusted to start this fixture where aerial ability and correct positioning will be of paramount importance.

This is a no brainer for me. Diaby should start alongside Mertesacker. Sagna and Monreal on either side. The midfield trio will be Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla. In attack will be Theo, Podolski and Giroud.

Szczesny

Sagna Diaby Mertesacker Monreal

Arteta Wilshere Cazorla

Walcott Giroud Podolski