FC Barcelona v Arsenal - Tuesday, March 08, 19:45, SS1

[NasrisShoelace]

Essien is joining this summer, don't worry.

 

[Tourbillion]

I know. Frimpong is back from injury

 

[NasrisShoelace]

He won't make it here.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

Denilson and Diaby got loads of chances since they're here, don't know why Frimpong shouldn't.
Early signs have been promising imo.

 

[NasrisShoelace]

What early signs? He's not even kicked a ball for the first team.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

Emirates Cup.

 

[Tourbillion]

Wenger played him the entire pre-season. He saw something interesting, and I did too. He's a beast physically; players were bouncing off him in duels, almost like what happens when against Drogba. And he's only 18. His passing definitely needs work, as does his positioning etc. but that always comes in time.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

Yeah, remember a lot of misplaced passes from him (especially in our first EC game), but he's definitely a two footed tank.

 

[NasrisShoelace]

I saw a player that can be found at Wolves, Stoke, or Blackburn. Its early days so I won't write him off but I don't like that type of footballer and I'd rather we bought someone with quality.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

I'd also prefer if Arsène strengthened our midfield over the summer along with selling some dead-wood but it, let's be honest, won't be happening.

 

[DJ_Markstar]

What early signs? He's not even kicked a ball for the first team.

This.

Frimpong is being overrated based on precisely nothing.

 

[TheLoneFalcon]

I can see either Arshavin or Nasri getting through at some point, but we'll need to be clinical.

Really excited/nervous about the coming week.

 

[IBL]

I've been toying with the idea of a defensive set-up which has pace allowing us to play on the counter. Gibbs in front of Clichy and Eboue ahead of Sagna. Eboue can go do his mindless thing on the right and Gibbs could supply good crosses from the left. The midfield would be defensively sound if a little direction-less. This isnt the game for experimentation though but hey-ho its worth a thought.

Great news on Wilshere, just need Song and Cesc available for the party other we're stuck with the dreaded D&D brothers

 

[squallkid]

I'd take a 2-2 right now with both hands

---Chesney---

Sagna-Djourou-Koscileny-Clichy

-Nasri-Wilshere-Song-Fabregas-Arshavin---

---------Bendnter------

Pack the midfield and hit em on the counter

 

[Jury]

I'd take a 2-2 right now with both hands

I'd take a 3-2 loss tbh.

 

[Proof]

No. We need someone alongside them who is as good as them.

Schweinsteiger would have been perfect.

 

[GaelForce22]

Not sure what to think about the game yet. It's going to be very very difficult, and we wont have much of the ball, but scoring one or two goals on the break isn't unlikely. Do that and we'd only have to limit them to 2 or 3 - a similar defensive performance to what we produced at home and that again is doable. Would rate our chances around 25%.

People are going so overboard with the Ramsey hype. Even before his injury when he was improving a lot he was still raw. He gave suicidal balls in our own half many times and his touch could be better. He's not the answer *right now*... sadly none of our mids are other than Jack and Cesc.

Have to agree with that. He's obviously hugely talented but hadn't yet established himself in the first team by the time of the injury, his performances weren't close to what Jack's done this season. Delighted he's fit again though, should be the back up for Cesc we've vitally needed.

 

[Jury]

People are going so overboard with the Ramsey hype. Even before his injury when he was improving a lot he was still raw. He gave suicidal balls in our own half many times and his touch could be better. He's not the answer *right now*... sadly none of our mids are other than Jack and Cesc.

A lot of that is true, but when you've got Diaby, Denilson and Song to pick from, Ramsey looks like the natural option.

What does that say for those three? Not a great deal, but that's where we are. Two of the three have to go, in favour of a signing IMO.

 

[HollandGooner]

Sorry the words Rosicky and we will be fine do not go together for me.

For the game overthere he might be a wise decision in midfield with his ball rotation if we play Song again we will play a sucide game. we have seen the second half when we played with 3 ball playing midfielders barca was finding it difficult

 

[USArsenal]

i totally disagree Holland.. Rosicky's ball retention is pathetic.. he does nothing but fall over most of the time anyway.. and he doesnt have the stamina to press Barca.. i dont want Rozza anywhere near the starting lineup at Nou Camp