Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal (Sunday 4pm on Sky Sports 1)

[Gautam_bhatia]

Why would we not put Flams on the wing instead of Cesc? Or am I missing something?

Flamster simply has to play in the middle of the pitch.

OK, but I still don't see why. Surely Cesc has to play in middle too, no? Don't see how we lose more with Cesc in middle and Flams on the wing (right), but that's just me.

I feel that without Flamini in the middle we are too liable to be dominated by teams out to kick us off the park, and hustle and harry. Flamini's approach gives Cesc and Hleb the space necessary to work with. Hence, I'd sacrifice Cesc sooner than Flamini in the centre of the pitch. )provided, of course, as long as Cesc plays.)

 

[USArsenal]

This is insane. We can't stop getting injuries.

Please, can we just get a nice run with no injuries?

'tis not the Arsenal Way

 

[Tony Montana]

Are people actually confident about this game? Is RVP on the bench?

 

[belgianfan]

I think we won't put fab on the right side. Maybe a 4-1-2-1-2 with flam and cesc behind hleb.

Why not put flamini right wing because he did an excellent job on the fullback position.

 

[Gautam_bhatia]

Are people actually confident about this game? Is RVP on the bench?

Quite confident. It's Wigan. Class will tell. As long as the right team shows up.

 

[stiiphunn]

Nope Tony. Not confident at all for this one. I can see us struggling up there.

 

[Big Poppa]

Desperate measures for desperate times. Gilberto on the pitch and Cesc on the right do not reassure me at all.
Hopefully Hleb will work his magic today. Could play a big part.

i still think Matty should play on the right.. much better tracking back defensively than Cesc will be, and has much more stamina... Cesc should play in the middle as its the only position he is really good at.... wings just wastes his talent...

It just seems a bit silly to me. 90% of our effectiveness depends on having the correct balance in the centre of midfield. With Cesc on the right, not only do we become vulnerable defensively in that area, we lose his creative influence in the centre. Needless to say, Gilberto doesn't exactly compensate for that, nor does he add anything that we lack to any considerable degree.

 

[AnthonyG]

...... I feel that without Flamini in the middle we are too liable to be dominated by teams out to kick us off the park, and hustle and harry. Flamini's approach gives Cesc and Hleb the space necessary to work with. Hence, I'd sacrifice Cesc sooner than Flamini in the centre of the pitch. )provided, of course, as long as Cesc plays.)

So what you're really saying is that 'Bert is basically a passenger in this game. We should just shift him out to the wing and be done with it.

 

[Rohit]

I don't think Wenger had a choice but after Cesc's performance midweek it will be painful to see him on the right.

 

[Big Poppa]

Are people actually confident about this game? Is RVP on the bench?

Quite confident. It's Wigan. Class will tell. As long as the right team shows up.

Have you been watching the FA cup this weekend by any chance?

 

[stiiphunn]

Are people actually confident about this game? Is RVP on the bench?

Quite confident. It's Wigan. Class will tell. As long as the right team shows up.

I don't think class matters in this game. We won't be able to play football anyway, so I guess it will depend on the players' will to fight for the win. Long balls, poor pitch... I guess it is all about fighting today.

 

[number_0]

****!
bramble on the bench!

 

[JazzG]

When you look at the options we have on the bench there isn't many other formations we could of played

A simple scrappy 1-0 will suffice here. Need to keep it tight and Hleb and Fabregas need to show their quality. This has been a weekend of shocks and we need to make sure we aren't next.

 

[Gautam_bhatia]

Are people actually confident about this game? Is RVP on the bench?

Quite confident. It's Wigan. Class will tell. As long as the right team shows up.

Have you been watching the FA cup this weekend by any chance?

Yes, I have. Still think we have enough in the tank to take this, though. May be scrappy, but I'd be surprised if we don't pick up the three points.

(Hope that doesn't come back to haunt me! )

 

[Big Poppa]

I don't think Wenger had a choice but after Cesc's performance midweek it will be painful to see him on the right.

Too true. To make matters worse, Michael Brown is on the pitch. I hope our physios are ready and prep'd.

 

[lagos]

Why do I get the feeling very little of this match will be played in the midfield

 

[Macho]

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Senderos Clichy

Fabregas Gilberto Flamini Hleb

Adebayor Bendtner


Kolo, RVP on bench.

Is this the line up?

 

[Big Poppa]

When you look at the options we have on the bench there isn't many other formations we could of played

A simple scrappy 1-0 will suffice here. Need to keep it tight and Hleb and Fabregas need to show their quality. This has been a weekend of shocks and we need to make sure we aren't next.

Just wish we wouldn't mess with the spine of the team. Unless one of them happened to be injured. Anyway, I agree, we are at the stage where its all about being proffessional and getting the points.

 

[patrick42uk]

Not worried about this game at all. Wheres their threat?

 

[USArsenal]

interesting that we have Song, Toure AND RvP on the bench... good to see Toure & Song back in contention... now if we could just get Rozza, Theo and Diaby back, we will have a fairly strong team again...