Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2017 *Warnings see OP-updated 09/05/17*

gitzy16v

gitzy16v wrote: »

I think Elneny just shades it over Xhaka to partner Ox.
The Ox gives a bit of drive in the middle,I remember him having a great game in the CL against AC Milan?...
Roll on Wednesday..

I think Wenger won't win either way. A lot of people here will say that he doesn't adjust tactics for a match, so if he went defensive and paired Xhaka AND Elneny at the expense of Ox, people would say he wasn't adventurous enough.

I think we should go over with the belief that we can get away goals.

mansize

Basil3 wrote: »

Some big calls to be made, with Xhaka and Elneny available, and the Ox playing well.

I'd leave Ox there.

mansize

Basil3 wrote: »

I think Wenger won't win either way. A lot of people here will say that he doesn't adjust tactics for a match, so if he went defensive and paired Xhaka AND Elneny at the expense of Ox, people would say he wasn't adventurous enough.

I think we should go over with the belief that we can get away goals.

Regardless of what happens Wenger will be wrong.

Remember the howls of derision at Ospina starting UCL games...

KaiserGunner

Is Ospina a shoe in to start on Wednesday? I know he started the group stages, but this is the business end of the competition now and it's not like the Efl Cup or FA cup. I've no issue with Ospina starting as he's a good keeper, but why wouldn't Wenger start his best keeper in a game of this magnitude?

greendom

KaiserGunner wrote: »

Is Ospina a shoe in to start on Wednesday? I know he started the group stages, but this is the business end of the competition now and it's not like the Efl Cup or FA cup. I've no issue with Ospina starting as he's a good keeper, but why wouldn't Wenger start his best keeper in a game of this magnitude?

It will be Ospina on Weds. Cech has really dropped in form recently and many thought Cech would be dropped for the game yesterday. It would be a huge kick in the teeth for Ospina were he not to start.

KaiserGunner

KaiserGunner wrote: »

Is Ospina a shoe in to start on Wednesday? I know he started the group stages, but this is the business end of the competition now and it's not like the Efl Cup or FA cup. I've no issue with Ospina starting as he's a good keeper, but why wouldn't Wenger start his best keeper in a game of this magnitude?

I think Cech is only down to play the Champion's League final.

Pierce_1991

I can understand playing your second choice keeper in League cup and FA cup games. It's not just a case of giving the other guy a run out, but also ensuring you have a back up who's actually played some games and is ready to step in when needed.
That said, this idea of playing the second string in Champions League games is an absolute joke. I totally agree with what people are saying about Cech's form going downhill of late but he remains our number 1 keeper and should definitely be starting what is now the biggest game of the season.

Quazzie

Going into a Champions league Rd2 game and not playing your best Xi is stupidity. Cech should start.

gitzy16v

I'd leave Ospina in goal,I really don't think dropping him for Cech is gonna make our chances of beating Bayern any better.
He's played well enough this season and Cech is worrying me with his composure from backpasses this season,yes I know he gets a bad pass from defender too but to me he's looking a little shaky.

mansize

Quazzie wrote: »

Going into a Champions league Rd2 game and not playing your best Xi is stupidity. Cech should start.

I don't think Cech is better than Ospina, his reaction time is slower for one

mansize

When I look at the goals at the Arsenal end in the Allianz next Wednesday I want to see Ospina there


This is the biggest trip for me since Cardiff 09

mansize

Poor Leicester

mansize

Apologies for being the 4th post in a row... rocking thread... but this article is excellent on yesterday's goal

http://7amkickoff.com/index.php/2017/02/12/after-alexis-handball-controversy-pgmol-reveals-hidden-agenda-and-all-football-fans-should-be-outraged/

jonneymendoza

so lucky against Hull.

Unbelievable

keano_afc

I'm trying to convince myself to watch the match on Wednesday but expecting nothing other than the usual no-show. Someone convince me it'll be different, using examples from this room.

jonneymendoza

keano_afc wrote: »

I'm trying to convince myself to watch the match on Wednesday but expecting nothing other than the usual no-show. Someone convince me it'll be different, using examples from this room.

if wenger was to get the sack before wednesday then yea it will be different but so long as his in our club, same old ...

Quazzie

Can someone explain to me why we aren't playing our best keeper in a Champions league last 16 tie?

Just to note "because that's how we do it" isn't a valid reason.

KaiserGunner

keano_afc wrote: »

I'm trying to convince myself to watch the match on Wednesday but expecting nothing other than the usual no-show. Someone convince me it'll be different, using examples from this room.

It really is a massive game for Wenger and his team. It's about time that they show up in a game like this and not leave a mountain hill to climb in the second leg. Even a defeat by the odd goal, so long as we score that is, will leave it all to play for at the Emirates.

If we get hammered again and the tie is over after the first leg, than it really shows Wenger up.

CatInABox

Quazzie wrote: »

Can someone explain to me why we aren't playing our best keeper in a Champions league last 16 tie?

Just to note "because that's how we do it" isn't a valid reason.

Normally I'd agree, but I'm no longer sure who our best keeper is.

greendom

Quazzie wrote: »

Can someone explain to me why we aren't playing our best keeper in a Champions league last 16 tie?

Just to note "because that's how we do it" isn't a valid reason.

Earlier in the season this would have been a valid question. The answer would have been to keep the second best in touch with first team football by giving him exposure to the game. Now there is a real question mark over who is our number 1. Can we honestly say that on current form, Cech is the better keeper.

In fact if Ospina plays well on Wednesday, I would consider dropping Cech from the first team for a while.

greendom

jonneymendoza wrote: »

if wenger was to get the sack before wednesday then yea it will be different but so long as his in our club, same old ...

How would Wednesday be different if Wenger were to be sacked before then?

Unless you're expecting Jesus as his replacement, I'm not sure how you can back that up ?

Quazzie

greendom wrote: »

Earlier in the season this would have been a valid question. The answer would have been to keep the second best in touch with first team football by giving him exposure to the game. Now there is a real question mark over who is our number 1. Can we honestly say that on current form, Cech is the better keeper.

In fact if Ospina plays well on Wednesday, I would consider dropping Cech from the first team for a while.

I think it's still a valid question, but if, like you claim, Ospina is the better keeper (not the case in my opinion) then why are we playing our second best keeper in Premier league games.

greendom

Quazzie wrote: »

I think it's still a valid question, but if, like you claim, Ospina is the better keeper (not the case in my opinion) then why are we playing our second best keeper in Premier league games.

I can see the benefit in keeping both keepers with 1st team experience and the split between league and champions league is probably because Cech has years of experience in the EPL, something that Ospina is lacking.

From what I've seen Cech is becoming more and more of a liability in goal and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Ospina takes over as no 1, if Cech is not able to prove again that he is worthy of being our number 1.

mansize

keano_afc wrote: »

I'm trying to convince myself to watch the match on Wednesday but expecting nothing other than the usual no-show. Someone convince me it'll be different, using examples from this room.

I'm going to watch it, I'll probably even post here from Munich lolz

jonneymendoza

Quazzie wrote: »

Can someone explain to me why we aren't playing our best keeper in a Champions league last 16 tie?

Just to note "because that's how we do it" isn't a valid reason.

Cech's been shocking so far this season lets be honest

ronjo

mansize wrote: »

I'm going to watch it, I'll probably even post here from Munich lolz

probably.....

jonneymendoza

ArsenalFanTV interviewing Gary Neville today

mansize

jonneymendoza wrote: »

ArsenalFanTV interviewing Gary Neville today

I'd rather eat glass

ronjo

mansize wrote: »

I'd rather eat glass

Ah the Neviller is not so bad these days.

5star02707

really optimistic this time, underdogs let's go!

mansize

ronjo wrote: »

Ah the Neviller is not so bad these days.

He's still not forgiven for his scummy tackle on Reyes

0gac3yjefb5sv7

What's the predictions for Wed?

greendom

They're in their usual form in the Bundesliga - only 1 defeat all season. They did lose home and away to Athletico Madrid in the Champions League group stage so that does give some hope I suppose.

KaiserGunner

greendom wrote: »

They're in their usual form in the Bundesliga - only 1 defeat all season. They did lose home and away to Athletico Madrid in the Champions League group stage so that does give some hope I suppose.

Yeah that's why I don't understand people saying that Bayern aren't the force they were. Only one defeat in a league as good as the Bundesliga says otherwise. I wouldn't read too much into the group stage results. They will be a different beast when we play them on Wednesday.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

Pheonix10 wrote: »

What's the predictions for Wed?

A 3-0 loss.

I've seen absolutely fücking nothing from this shower of bottlers since last season.

tayto lover

In a two leg knock-out round you need to have your tactics spot on. Especially for the first leg which is away.
A lot depends on the personnel available whether you go out to score in the away leg or to defend and go for the nil nil.
One thing for sure is that BM will not sit back.

This will be a great opportunity to see Wenger's tactical nous in operation.

GeorgeBailey

Hunky Monster wrote: »

A 3-0 loss.

I've seen absolutely fücking nothing from this shower of bottlers since last season.

A 3-0 loss to be followed by a spirited 2-0 victory in the return leg.

Hyzepher

An away goal is almost a necessity. A 0-0 result would be as bad as a defeat and possibly worst than a defeat were we score (provided it's not something like 4-1 etc).

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

tayto lover wrote: »

In a two leg knock-out round you need to have your tactics spot on. Especially for the first leg which is away.
A lot depends on the personnel available whether you go out to score in the away leg or to defend and go for the nil nil.
One thing for sure is that BM will not sit back.

This will be a great opportunity to see Wenger's tactical nous in operation.

I doubt our tactics will be spot on. We seem to treat every game the same...We could go there and lose 3 or 4 nil and nobody would be surprised. Wenger has consistently made an absolute bollocks of these games against top teams for the last 10 years.... I'd love to see the stats on it.

Tactical nous...

Tactical ineptitude.

Arghus

Bayern will win handy enough. 2-0, possibly 3-0. I just can't envision Arsenal getting anything from this game.

Skylinehead

Can we do the usual lose 3-1 then win 2-0 thing again?

tayto lover

GeorgeBailey wrote: »

A 3-0 loss to be followed by a spirited 2-0 victory in the return leg.

Nope. We've had enough of that kind of s***.

Ol' Donie

Skylinehead wrote: »

Can we do the usual lose 3-1 then win 2-0 thing again?

I'll certainly take that!

Soups123

Skylinehead wrote: »

Can we do the usual lose 3-1 then win 2-0 thing again?

Happily I don't mind going through on away goals

greendom

greendom wrote: »

They're in their usual form in the Bundesliga - only 1 defeat all season. They did lose home and away to Athletico Madrid in the Champions League group stage so that does give some hope I suppose.

Athletico Madrid are the dogs of war. we are the kittens off a kittensoft commerical. Id like to be proven wrong but i expect same capitulation.

greendom

greendom wrote: »

How would Wednesday be different if Wenger were to be sacked before then?

Unless you're expecting Jesus as his replacement, I'm not sure how you can back that up ?

Good striker but im not sure he is ready or wants to be a manager just yet. Not sure he'd leave City for Arsenal either :pac:

wandatowell

I think we'll go through on away goals.

greendom

Deleted User wrote: »

Athletico Madrid are the dogs of war. we are the kittens off a kittensoft commerical. Id like to be proven wrong but i expect same capitulation.

not so bad if Bayern are the toilet roll!

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Good striker but im not sure he is ready or wants to be a manager just yet. Not sure he'd leave City for Arsenal either :pac:

He has a broken metatarsal. Arsenal DNA.

Nemeses2050

Basil3 wrote: »

He has a broken metatarsal. Arsenal DNA.

He can take Wilshere's place