LC – Reading vs Arsenal – 7:45pm – 30/10/12 | SS2

[MaestroCesc]

Was at the game yesterday away support was amazing, sang right the say through and were louder than Reading fans at 4-0... I thought i was all over when we got an earlyish goal in the 2nd half from Giroud, then we had a few decent chances but nothing much happened. Then Koscielny scored restored my waning belief but then Reading wasted alot of time in the corner and from there i thought it was over. Only then for Walcott to equalise at the death which was mental. You could sense even at 4-0 we could turn it around, that Reading wouldnt be good enough to hold on if we got a goal and Theo provided that right at HT.

Superb match

 

[mistaT]

Credit to all those in attendance - did the team and yourselves proud.

 

[Truant]

Jheeze. Bradford away on a weeknight, gonna be more than a trek this one.

 

[evoh_1]

Its up for grabs in this cup, we have to beat chelsea at some point along the way and keep focus with other fixtures but how can Wenger disregard it when you can see how much it means to the fans.

 

[DiamondGooner]

Just watched the League cup show, that guy who left (but didn't) at half time is still getting slated on TV lol.

 

[mavelous]

has Spielberg bought the rights to this yet?

 

[perspolis]

I just want to point out that Arsenal used a whole bunch of bench warmers and youth... while most teams used a lot of their main players like Tottenham today and Chelsea...

The one full week rest for the main squad, specially at the beginning of Novermber was a massive massive advantage!!

 

[fabo]

United, Sp**s, Liverpool out. We come back from 4-0 down. Chamakh scores two from outside the box.

Couldn't have went any better.

 

[KY]

Swansea might will fancy their chances against Chelsea this weekend. As will QPR against Reading.

No chance of that for us though, as both the mancs and us put out reserve squads...

 

[Taylor Gang Gunners]

United, Sp**s, Liverpool out. We come back from 4-0 down. Chamakh scores two from outside the box.

Couldn't have went any better.

Yep, results really went our way. The draw did also, we'll beat Bradford and I've a sneaky feeling Leeds will do Chelski at Elland Road.

Lets end this drought Arsène!! :bounce

 

[Anzac]

I thought it significant that both Giroud & Chamakh looked more effective as part of a 2 rather than as a lone CF - cause for a 4312 rather than a 4231?

Agreed, Chamakh looks a different player when he is allowed to roam around with a partner, like Nasri in 2010. Giroud looked far more effective as well, he needs to have players near by to link up with and feed off his knock downs. Do we have the players to play a 4-3-1-2 though? Do we have the fullbacks to provide the width? What do you think Anzac?

IMO our FBs are diabolical in attack regardless of the shape.

The reason I want a 4312/4132 over the 4231 is that I want at least 2 genuine strikers in a front 3, and I'm prepared to give up the ineffective hybrid WFs to make sure the CF doesn't become isolated in our 451 type roles.
That said I'd also change our midfield shape & roles & that of our FBs as well, as well as our patterns in both attack & defence.

 

[Glovegun]

The only sides left in the cup are us, Chelsea, Leeds, Villa, Norwich, Bradford, Swansea and Middlesbrough.

Without wanting to be disrespectful to Bradford, we should see them off comfortably. Something's seriously wrong if we can't.

Chelsea have to go up to Elland Road midweek, just before Christmas, the week after they get back from the Club World Cup in Japan, so hopefully they'll send up a skeleton side.

With them out we've got a seriously good shot at winning something this season. Don't balls it up Arsenal.

 

[Vibra]

Let us take this cup fellas

 

[MaestroCesc]

Put a similar line up for Bradford but have a better bench, so if we need it we can call on really good players to change it. All the teams left in it are more than beatable apart from Chelsea who will be tough. So we need to take it more seriously, as its a great chance for a trophy although no game is easy as we saw CC final in 11

 

[redanddread]

Saw a few fans heading for the exit (or was it an early 1/2 time pie) on the TV. Must have been quite an amazing experience being an Gooner at that game!

 

[Vinci]

My internet has been bit crappy last couple of days, but I only see now that we got Bradford!

Seriously, we are basically in the semi's already without having to call on any first-teamers yet.

From there we should really try and win this thing.

 

[MaestroCesc]

Saw a few fans heading for the exit (or was it an early 1/2 time pie) on the TV. Must have been quite an amazing experience being an Gooner at that game!

I was there they werent heading for the exits, the commenators speak **** and they deliberately do it to make it more interesting, they were going for a pie and a drink. Ye it was amazing, up there at the top of the best games i have ever been to

@Vinci i wouldnt say we are already through we just have a great chance, Bradford have to be decent to be in the QF

 

[Anzac]

@Vinci i wouldnt say we are already through we just have a great chance, Bradford have to be decent to be in the QF

Bradford are L2 & have been for a couple of season now.
I'd play a 'weaker' starting XI than v Reading = more of the kids/developing players mixed with players returning from injury/needing game time/match fitness,
but I'd also look to change the shape with a 2 man attack.

GK
Bellerin - JD - Miguel - Santos
Rambo - Coq - Diaby
Eisfeld/Rosicky
AA/Gnabry - Chamakh

 

[MaestroCesc]

@Vinci i wouldnt say we are already through we just have a great chance, Bradford have to be decent to be in the QF

Bradford are L2 & have been for a couple of season now.
I'd play a 'weaker' starting XI than v Reading = more of the kids/developing players mixed with players returning from injury/needing game time/match fitness,
but I'd also look to change the shape with a 2 man attack.

GK
Bellerin - JD - Miguel - Santos
Rambo - Coq - Diaby
Eisfeld/Rosicky
AA/Gnabry - Chamakh

My point is anything can happen in the cup especially as we are away, Bradford have had to come through 5 rounds to get there which says they can be decent opposition and in these one off games small teams often play out their skins

That looks like a good team, but I would play Frimpong if he hasnt gone on loan instead of Diaby, first team players who arent getting play time will probably get priority

 

[squallkid]

@Vinci i wouldnt say we are already through we just have a great chance, Bradford have to be decent to be in the QF

Bradford are L2 & have been for a couple of season now.
I'd play a 'weaker' starting XI than v Reading = more of the kids/developing players mixed with players returning from injury/needing game time/match fitness,
but I'd also look to change the shape with a 2 man attack.

GK
Bellerin - JD - Miguel - Santos
Rambo - Coq - Diaby
Eisfeld/Rosicky
AA/Gnabry - Chamakh

I'm sorry Anzac but those three shouldn't be anywhere near this game.

Ramsey seems to be our backup for everoyone in midfield and the last place we want Diaby is on a League two football pitch. Everyone remembers Olympiakos away last year when we lost Santos, so I am a bit apprehensive about playing him in this fixture but if it can't be help.

Could you imagine the backlash if Diaby plays this and picks up an injury? Same with Santos seeing as Gibbs is always a few games away from the treatment table.

Diaby for me is a luxury player that we should only play in the league, Europe and latter stages of the FA cup.

I see your reasoning in that this young team needs experience but just go with the same XI that faced Reading, we won't concede 5 goals again and neither will we score 7, that result has no bearing on the rest of this competition.

Let's save the first teamers for the semi-final.