Victlms fc at home Sun 14th August

[SteveO 35]

BFG, Arteta, Vermaelen - lets pick 3 captains who never play a game! My only surprise is that he didn't retain the services of Rosicknote and hand him the armband

If Ozil or Alexis refuse to commit then in true Cesc, RVP style I expect one of those 2 to be named captain in his absence

[BFG4]

We will win this one 1-0. The ball will hit the post, and smash Walcott in the face, before rolling in. Then Wenger will tell everyone how wrong they were for wanting a new striker to be brought in

[Perryashburtongroves]

We will win this one 1-0. The ball will hit the post, and smash Walcott in the face, before rolling in. Then Wenger will tell everyone how wrong they were for wanting a new striker to be brought in

"I'm just sorry that he didn't cost £90m."

[StuartL]

Wenger has done it again. This is the 3rd captain in a row who will lead from the sidelines.

As for the game itself, With Monreal and Chambers set to start at centre half, im wondering if he will make it easier for them by not playing such a high line, and also playing Elneny next to Xhaka in the middle of midfield, just to add some defensive solitude in the centre and lighten the burden.

Or do we disregard the playing personnel, keep with tunnel vision and show no flexibility, and simply play as per usual without thought to the fact our centre half pairing is our 4th choice centre back paired with our left back.

I have a feeling we play the high line, Bellerin and Gibbs bombard forward, Cazorla will start in the middle, and Monreal and Chambers will be left to fend for themselves. And by half time, Wenger will have that constipated look on his face, you know, the 'whats happening' look whenever things turn to shit.

Surely even a simpleton would tell the fullbacks to stay deep, defend, protect the new pairing at the back and let the midfield venture forward without leaving us exposed and wide open ?

no your probably right

[augie]

Surely the shit is going the hit the fan inside the ground if it all goes tits up later on. I mean even the most ardent window licker AKB realises it's been a cluster fuck of a summet right???? RIGHT???!!!!

That would be my feelings too - if, and I don't think it will, but IF it started to go tits up today, then I am damn sure that we will hear the "spend some fcuking money" Now maybe it won't be as personal abuse of wenker as some of us would like, but you can be damn sure that he would be very snappy if questioned about it after the game

[storrmin571]

Surely the shit is going the hit the fan inside the ground if it all goes tits up later on. I mean even the most ardent window licker AKB realises it's been a cluster fuck of a summet right???? RIGHT???!!!!

No, some are saying its fine as window hasn't closed yet .

[BFG4]

Arsenal XI vs L'pool: Cech, Bellerin, Chambers, holding, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Ramsey, Iwobi, Sanchez.

[Gunner Rob]

Really looking forward to seeing all our new signings today.....ok well we get to see Rob Holding

Meanwhile Ibrahimovic opens his account for United as they destroy Bournemouth...

[Perryashburtongroves]

Arsenal XI vs L'pool: Cech, Bellerin, Chambers, holding, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Ramsey, Iwobi, Sanchez.

Over-the-hill keeper, shit defence, weak midfield, average up front. That team will be laughed at by any proper team and any decent manager. It's a finish the season sixth or seventh type of team. But, really, who is there out there who can improve it?

[MrT]

Poverty line up.

Even with Holding and Chambers I would still put us favourites to win until you see Walcott in the side.

[Nos89]

Arsenal XI vs L'pool: Cech, Bellerin, Chambers, holding, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Ramsey, Iwobi, Sanchez.

Over-the-hill keeper, shit defence, weak midfield, average up front. That team will be laughed at by any proper team and any decent manager. It's a finish the season sixth or seventh type of team. But, really, who is there out there who can improve it?

Surprised Debuchy or Monreal weren't deployed as emergency CB. Need Cech to be at his commanding best to organise the two infant CB's. Haven't they played at U-21 level together?
Two DM's to protect defence, he hasn't done that since 2004.
Ramsey to play no 10...let's see how the front 3 do...
United have just set a marker...

[Nick Bendtners Ego]

Arsenal XI vs L'pool: Cech, Bellerin, Chambers, holding, Monreal, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Ramsey, Iwobi, Sanchez.

Over-the-hill keeper, shit defence, weak midfield, average up front. That team will be laughed at by any proper team and any decent manager. It's a finish the season sixth or seventh type of team. But, really, who is there out there who can improve it?

Surprised Debuchy or Monreal weren't deployed as emergency CB. Need Cech to be at his commanding best to organise the two infant CB's. Haven't they played at U-21 level together?
Two DM's to protect defence, he hasn't done that since 2004.
Ramsey to play no 10...let's see how the front 3 do...
United have just set a marker...

Hopefully the AFC shrinks have done a job on repairing young Chambers confidence.

Think Sadio Mané is going to have a decent season and what better way to start than having a rookie CB pairing as the last bastion. At least he's recognising their lack of experience and short comings by trying to hole up the middle a bit.

[Henry Norris 1913]

looking forward to the season starting, then it suddenly dawns on you that every weekend is like a fucking game of russian roulette, only there's 6 bullets in the fucking thing

[SteveO 35]

Two starting XIs that look like a couple of teams content with aiming for the fringes of the top 4

For Holding, see Moreno......for Ramsey see Firmino

So let me get this straight - all the players who went deep into the Euros are rested apart from Lovechild Aaron. Ox - best player in pre season by a mile - back to the bench

TO1AW

[xisstential]

Be nice to see The Banner make it's season debut