PL: Manchester City Vs Arsenal | Wednesday June 17th | KO: 20:15 GMT | Sky Sports

[Rex Stone]

We're honestly going to get turned over 3/4 - 0 aren't we?

Got to get the hype going now if you want to see the anger at full time on here.

 

[Riou]

...disappointed no one started a thread for the friendly against Charlton that we couldn't watch and wasn't even announced to the public.

Had some juicy nostalgia vids ready to go

 

[m-due]

I for one, I’m happy that football is back. It’s hard watching some of the highlights post-covid without fans. City might be favorite but the world went in flames since then but hopefully we will be on equal footing as a result COYG

 

[freeglennhelder2]

Arsenal 8/1 for the win and 5/1 to grab a draw. I mean in normal circumstances fair enough, but we are as far away from normal as you can get. We are living in the upside-down now.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

...disappointed no one started a thread for the friendly against Charlton that we couldn't watch and wasn't even announced to the public.

Had some juicy nostalgia vids ready to go

Were you gonna post that clip of Henry embarrassing the Charlton defender and then looking back at him when he misses with a tackle?

 

[freeglennhelder2]

A journalist who was allowed to watch the Arsenal vs Charlton game has just said we were battered 0-3 and looking very unfit.

That's a worry.

It's especially worrying as it has been reported on Arsenal.com that we won 6-0

 

[OnlyOne]

It's especially worrying as it has been reported on Arsenal.com that we won 6-0

Oh did we? Who scored?

 

[freeglennhelder2]

Oh did we? Who scored?

Laca, Auba, Willock, Nketiah x 3

 

[Arsenal1508]

If lacazette, PEA, and Özil start int he same team - we will lose big time.

It's a tried and tested formula.

Personally, we must win the midfield battle. Martinelli and Nketiah should both start with PEA. Both have much better work rate.

 

[Oxeki]

If lacazette, PEA, and Özil start int he same team - we will lose big time.

It's a tried and tested formula.

Personally, we must win the midfield battle. Martinelli and Nketiah should both start with PEA. Both have much better work rate.

It's not going to work. If Eddie, Marty and Auba start together, that will mean Auba in the LW, Marty on the RW and Eddie in CF position. Martinelli has always been dogshit in the RW.

it has to be Auba Eddie Pepe

 

[Moah]

It's not going to work. If Eddie, Marty and Auba start together, that will mean Auba in the LW, Marty on the RW and Eddie in CF position. Martinelli has always been dogshit in the RW.

it has to be Auba Eddie Pepe

Plus playing 3 no.9's in a 4-3-3 formation means no creativity at all.

 

[MutableEarth]

Plus playing 3 no.9's in a 4-3-3 formation means no creativity at all.

Took the words out of my mouth. Real lack of 1v1 specialty in that front 3 aswell.

 

[Moah]

Took the words out of my mouth. Real lack of 1v1 specialty in that front 3 aswell.

Exactly, and it will be difficult for them to stay in their respective positions and will end up overcrowding the center.

People were complaining that Pepe didn't hold on to the wing, imagine what will happen with this front three.

 

[Red London]

Leno
Bellerin Luiz Mari Tierney
Ceballos Xhaka
Pepe Özil Saka
Auba

Can hit them on the break or play football on the ground with that side

 

[Oxeki]

Leno
Bellerin Luiz Mari Tierney
Ceballos Xhaka
Pepe Özil Saka
Auba

Can hit them on the break or play football on the ground with that side

I like it. Not a lot wrong with it.

 

[Red London]

I like it. Not a lot wrong with it.

Only issue is he hasn’t played Auba ST yet. So quite unrealistic tbh

 

[Moah]

Leno
Bellerin Luiz Mari Tierney
Ceballos Xhaka
Pepe Özil Saka
Auba

Can hit them on the break or play football on the ground with that side

But can a Xhaka-Ceballos midfield protect the back 4 from City's attack?

 

[Oxeki]

Only issue is he hasn’t played Auba ST yet. So quite unrealistic tbh

We aren't going to have more of the ball anyway. Having Auba at CF may not be a bad idea. But I agree with you. That seems very unlikely

 

[Furious]

Midfield probably a bit too open but guess that will be the case no matter what we do.

Key will be to find an efficient way to counter-attack consistently.

I liked what Emery did with Auba and Pepe against Liverpool, so would try to replicate that and go with 3 at the back, something like this:

Leno
Sokratis Luiz Mari
Bellerin Ceballos Xhaka Saka
Özil
Pepe Auba
​

Willock is a good ball-carrier so he could be a good option instead of Özil in this case.

 

[Red London]

But can a Xhaka-Ceballos midfield protect the back 4 from City's attack?

Torreira isnt fully fit and Guendouzi can work hard but has some learning to do in a positional sense.