EPL: Arsenal vs Chelsea - Sun. Jan 24th, 4:00pm

[Frenchy_Gooner]

I would advise skipping all Giroud threads.

Yeah of course there are some debates, but as long as it is done in respect it's okay.

Giroud is certainly the french player the most questioned in France. People generally opposite him to Benzema when they are just not the same kind of player. You've got also a lot of people who watch him just once in a while and base their opinion on a single game. But the game against Monaco last year was watched everywhere in France and didn't help his case.

 

[Rimaal]

Always bugs me when people call him Sanchez, it's Alexis.

Why? Is his name Alexis Alexis?


Any who... this is a match we simply can not/must not lose. A draw would not be acceptable either. It's win or win.

 

[Penn_]

Why? Is his name Alexis Alexis?


Any who... this is a match we simply can not/must not lose. A draw would not be acceptable either. It's win or win.

It's just a pet hate

 

[Jasard]

To be fair it says Alexis on his shirt!

 

[Jury]

Any who... .

 

[Gooner Zig]

It's Alexis Sanchez

He is commonly referred to as 'Alexis' in South America/Spain/Italy...I don't think they ever say his last name. IIRC, he wants to be known as 'Alexis' only.

 

[Gooner n Proud]

Cech
Bellerin Gabriel Mertersacker Monreal
Arteta Ramsey
Campbell Özil Chamberlain
Sanchez

Although he's a top world class defender Koscielny hasn't looked right in a while now thus I'd replace him with Gabriel who honestly should be starting. Get Arteta and Özil back in the team to monopolize possession allowing Ramsey to concentrate on what he excels in. I think that front 3 has fantastic balance, pace and versatility, everyone getting on Ox's case but I just believe he needs consecutive matches on the flanks. Campbell definitely deserves his place in the starting xi and Sanchez upfront for me could be our Aguero or Tevez.

Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea

Bench: Ospiiiiinnnaaaaaaaa, Koscielny, Gibbs, Chambers, Elneny, Giroud, Walcott

 

[chessygoal]

Cech
Bellerin Gabriel Mertersacker Monreal
Arteta Ramsey
Campbell Özil Chamberlain
Sanchez

Although he's a top world class defender Koscielny hasn't looked right in a while now thus I'd replace him with Gabriel who honestly should be starting. Get Arteta and Özil back in the team to monopolize possession allowing Ramsey to concentrate on what he excels in. I think that front 3 has fantastic balance, pace and versatility, everyone getting on Ox's case but I just believe he needs consecutive matches on the flanks. Campbell definitely deserves his place in the starting xi and Sanchez upfront for me could be our Aguero or Tevez.

Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea

Bench: Ospiiiiinnnaaaaaaaa, Koscielny, Gibbs, Chambers, Elneny, Giroud, Walcott

You must be trolling, even if I agree that Kos isn't playing at his best, he's still far better than Gabriel.
And playing Chamberlain instead of Giroud is pure madness based on their current form.

 

[Gooner n Proud]

You must be trolling, even if I agree that Kos isn't playing at his best, he's still far better than Gabriel.
And playing Chamberlain instead of Giroud is pure madness based on their current form.

He is better than Gabriel correct but he isnt far better as you put it. What did Gabriel do to be dropped? We are a big club, players need to realise theres competition in every position and right now I think Kos needs to be taken out for a while as he was embarassing against Southampton, looked shaky at home to Sunderland, away at Pool he was shaky and Yesterday he was poor passing out from the back, I just think him being taken out for a couple of matches will do him some good.

As for Chamberlain over Giroud, Im thinking more tactically as the latter is bread and butter for Terry and Cahil, also bear in mind he's never truly performed against Chelsea.

 

[Frenchy_Gooner]

He is better than Gabriel correct but he isnt far better as you put it. What did Gabriel do to be dropped? We are a big club, players need to realise theres competition in every position and right now I think Kos needs to be taken out for a while as he was embarassing against Southampton, looked shaky at home to Sunderland, away at Pool he was shaky and Yesterday he was poor passing out from the back, I just think him being taken out for a couple of matches will do him some good.

As for Chamberlain over Giroud, Im thinking more tactically as the latter is bread and butter for Terry and Cahil, also bear in mind he's never truly performed against Chelsea.

We'll dominate the game so we need Giroud's physical presence in the box. He's in good form and will get good services from Özil, Campbell and Alexis. Only thing to worry about is if he puts his scoring boots on the day.

Despite Kosc's latest poor performances, he's still more experienced and consistent than Gabriel. There's no way Wenger changes his back four in such a big game.

 

[Penn_]

Kos is suffering for having to cover Mertesacker for half the season. The latter improved and then Kos had to deal with Flamini.

 

[Sweggeh]

Kos is suffering for having to cover Mertesacker for half the season. The latter improved and then Kos had to deal with Flamini.

A devastating one-two punch to the gut. Inb4 a injury to Nacho and a month of Gibbs knocks him out cold.

 

[Jaywood Mac]

Yeah but don't insult people with Downs, they're awesome

That reminds me, Costa is out for this one right? is that confirmed?

 

[maber]

No. His tibia was bruised not broken. He is still a doubt for sundays game though.

 

[clockwork orange]

I don't like this match. Teams, who're underperforming, tend to cause us problems. Expect Hiddink to make Chelski play anti-football in their self-declared fight against relegation.

Hope we'll clinical.

 

[Loken]

After Swansea's win tonight they are now just 4 points from that relegation spot. They will be fighting for more than just the bragging rights, it's getting pretty serious.

It will be so sweet if we do beat them and the gap closes ever so slightly...

 

[GoonerJeeves]

I fancy us against Chelsea at home, provided we get Özil and Sanchez back. Central midfield is still a worry, but we can beat this lot.

After the two draws away from home, we need a win here.

 

[TorontoGooner76]

I think it's hard to understand the Sp**s rivalry without living in London tbf...I moved to Toronto a few years ago and the vast majority of Canadian Gooners I've met don't really see the Arsenal-Sp**s rival from the prism local Gooners do, which is understandable.

I'm near Toronto as well, and I have a mate who is a Sp**s fan. Don't see him that often, but it is good banter when I do!

Since I have been a fan since Henry's first season, for me I feel the rivalry much more with United. Lot's of United fans here. But I get a lot of thumbs up's and kudo's when I wear any Arsenal stuff though ☺

As for the match, it will be tough for sure. They may be way down in the table but it is a huge match for them, and I think they will show up. Wenger really needs a game plan here. I hope to see Özil and Alexis back, and hopefully Elneney to give us a bit more steel in midfield. I have seen enough of Flamini at this point.

Joel to start on the right. If Alexis is fit, then I am unsure about who plays striker. Looks like Giroud could use a rest but Theo has been awful lately.

I think Hazard will return. Not sure about Diego Costa, as he left the game on Saturday. Hope he misses out, he really makes my blood boil. No more Mourinho though, so no mind games anymore. Hope we come with a game plan, play efficient and take care of business.

1-nil to the Arsenal...

 

[TheLawOfDiQ]

After what has been undeniably a shambles of a week, a win here would make it much more tolerable.

 

[SuperGoon]

What's this thread about again?