This is my first match thread. Seeing as it's a match I am really looking forward to in terms of personnel, thought I'd preemptively make the thread.
We've won the group so there isn't much to play for. Wenger may want to use this opportunity to either give the young guns a run out (preferable), or to keep his 2nd stringers fit and ticking over (not preferable). Wilshere will probably start again, which I don't mind, he needs the football.
The lineup I want to see:
A relatively experienced trio of CBs with a mostly youthful side. I especially want to see that midfield with those wingbacks - all are relatively powerful athletes around 6 foot in height and all very good technicians too. DaSilva has had an excellent season so far and deserves a start, and Sheaf has been solid since returning from injury (albeit at CB). Maitland-Niles IMO should have an audition for the CM spot as I feel it's there for the taking, while Willock has become more comfortable at U23 level over the last few weeks and it will be good to see how that impacts his first team performances.
It's also time for Nketiah and Nelson to get the nod in the forward positions. Giroud and Walcott have toiled so far and I'd like to see some fresh blood in those positions just to see how they do when given a proper first team opportunity. With Wilshere there with them, the technical security should still be prevalent. This is the lineup we deserve to see after all the other boring lineups that Wenger played in the EL, as much as I give him credit for playing some of the youngsters in the first place.
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The lineup I think we'll see will not be as exciting as the one above:
I expect this same **** lineup that Wenger's been giving us in the competition and I hope he doesn't play it again as we don't need to see it.
Still, I'm greatly looking forward to this game in the hope that Wenger does the right thing and gives the young players a proper audition on Thursday. I really want to see what a midfield of AMN-Willock is capable of in Europe, and I want to see DaSilva finally given an opportunity given how good he's been of late, same with Sheaf. We know what Coquelin/Elneny can do already and it isn't much. Give AMN and Willock a proper shot.
I also want to see Nelson given free reign to see how he will fare. Whether he labors or excels, it's time we saw it for the first team now.
#IHopeWeWin
We've won the group so there isn't much to play for. Wenger may want to use this opportunity to either give the young guns a run out (preferable), or to keep his 2nd stringers fit and ticking over (not preferable). Wilshere will probably start again, which I don't mind, he needs the football.
The lineup I want to see:
A relatively experienced trio of CBs with a mostly youthful side. I especially want to see that midfield with those wingbacks - all are relatively powerful athletes around 6 foot in height and all very good technicians too. DaSilva has had an excellent season so far and deserves a start, and Sheaf has been solid since returning from injury (albeit at CB). Maitland-Niles IMO should have an audition for the CM spot as I feel it's there for the taking, while Willock has become more comfortable at U23 level over the last few weeks and it will be good to see how that impacts his first team performances.
It's also time for Nketiah and Nelson to get the nod in the forward positions. Giroud and Walcott have toiled so far and I'd like to see some fresh blood in those positions just to see how they do when given a proper first team opportunity. With Wilshere there with them, the technical security should still be prevalent. This is the lineup we deserve to see after all the other boring lineups that Wenger played in the EL, as much as I give him credit for playing some of the youngsters in the first place.
------------------------------------
The lineup I think we'll see will not be as exciting as the one above:
I expect this same **** lineup that Wenger's been giving us in the competition and I hope he doesn't play it again as we don't need to see it.
Still, I'm greatly looking forward to this game in the hope that Wenger does the right thing and gives the young players a proper audition on Thursday. I really want to see what a midfield of AMN-Willock is capable of in Europe, and I want to see DaSilva finally given an opportunity given how good he's been of late, same with Sheaf. We know what Coquelin/Elneny can do already and it isn't much. Give AMN and Willock a proper shot.
I also want to see Nelson given free reign to see how he will fare. Whether he labors or excels, it's time we saw it for the first team now.
#IHopeWeWin