As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Let by gones be by gones and lets look at the future .
Even though many of our fellow gooners are expecting us to out run the 'slow' Milan 'oldies' and destroy them with our speed going forward, i feel we will have to be workmanlike and defend really well to be successful like we did when we reached the finals. Milan as bad as they have been in the league, are a different kettle of fish in the Champions League. Experience counts there and their players know what it takes to win big matches, their professionalism is second to none. Flamini has to be at his best to keep the likes of Kaka and Seedorf in check, Cesc and Hleb needs to make sure they dont get bullied by Gattuso.
Coming to the formation, i know i wont get too much support on this but id like us start with the 4-5-1 formation, with Hleb playing a more advanced role down the centre, specially now that Van Persie is out, even when we are playing at home. The reason for that is, we have to neutralise Milans mid field (they will probably be playing 4-5-1 as well with Inzaghi/Gillardino as the lone striker and Kaka supporting in advanced positions). I wouldnt want Eduardo to start the game cause I dont feel he will be all that effective against the experienced Milan centrebacks and he doesnt have the pace to burn either, he will be a better option as a sub if we find it hard to break them down.
its our home game and i expect us to show up,,
be strong and fast with the ball and play 4 4 2,,
we need to win the home game and then go with 4 5 1 in the san siro where we can score ,, but depends on which arsenal team turns up on wed nite
We need a midfield containing both Flamini and Rosicky to offset the lesser workrate of Fabregas and Hleb.
Eduardo has as much chance as anyone against the Milan defence and he is up for it at the moment.
Let's give Milan the respect they deserve because of what they have done and the players that they have. But let's show that we can do by keeping the tempo high, playing our football and being strong.
I am pretty much of the same line of thinking as galasso - 2 up front with fast tempo. The best chance we have is a fast game and not because milan are old but more because the italians are not used to the fast british tempo and when they have faced it(celtic) they get rattled. If we try to play a more measured european approach like manure did last season then we will suffer a similar fate.
I wouldnt put in too much effort picking a team yet cos we are sure to have another 6 or so injuries going into the game but I will say that I would put kolo right back and play swiss phil centre back in preference to playing either eboue or hoyte at all The real interesting decision will focus on the keeper situation - jens or almunia ? I think the vast majority on this forum would much rather keep mad jens in the goals but if he is dropped at this stage after having a strong run of games and as we are no longer in either of the smaller cups then we may have seen his last game in an Arsenal jersey.
Does anyone know if van persie, who resumed training a fortnight ago, plans on playing again this season
Gunnerz4life wrote:Let by gones be by gones and lets look at the future .
Even though many of our fellow gooners are expecting us to out run the 'slow' Milan 'oldies' and destroy them with our speed going forward, i feel we will have to be workmanlike and defend really well to be successful like we did when we reached the finals. Milan as bad as they have been in the league, are a different kettle of fish in the Champions League. Experience counts there and their players know what it takes to win big matches, their professionalism is second to none. Flamini has to be at his best to keep the likes of Kaka and Seedorf in check, Cesc and Hleb needs to make sure they dont get bullied by Gattuso.
Coming to the formation, i know i wont get too much support on this but id like us start with the 4-5-1 formation, with Hleb playing a more advanced role down the centre, specially now that Van Persie is out, even when we are playing at home. The reason for that is, we have to neutralise Milans mid field (they will probably be playing 4-5-1 as well with Inzaghi/Gillardino as the lone striker and Kaka supporting in advanced positions). I wouldnt want Eduardo to start the game cause I dont feel he will be all that effective against the experienced Milan centrebacks and he doesnt have the pace to burn either, he will be a better option as a sub if we find it hard to break them down.
Cant believe you have included Gilberto and Eboue in you first 11.Did you somehow miss their performances(or non performances) on saturday.
The midfield must be Helb Cesc Flamini and Rosicky with Eddy and Ade up front.
[quote="crocit"]i think i agree with Gunner4life, but i wudnt have Gilberto in there, welli vertainly wudntwant him there,but Wenger wud play him,[/quote]
I DON'T AGREE WITH PLAYING KOLO RIGHT BACK AND SENDEROS CENTRE HALF TO COMBAT HIGH BALLS AS AC MILAN WON'T BE PLAYING THAT WAY. THEY WILL MORE THAN LIKELY KEEP THE BALL ON THE FLOOR AND TRY TO PASS IT THROUGH US.
FOR THAT REASON WE NEED TO HAVE KOLO AND GALLAS - OUR TWO SHARPEST AND FASTEST CENTRE HALVES - PLAYING AND NOT SOMEONE LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED BY QUICK MOVEMENT, AS SENDEROS IS.
I agree that senderos might be a cause for concern but the prospect of hoyte(not good enough) or eboue(a fcuking fruit & nut case) sounds even worse for me although that could be down to the rawness of saturday still in my mind
I know that sagna has his own problems to deal with right now (& my thoughts and sympathies are with him and his family) but christ we really need him right now. Selfish thoughts I know
Gunnerz4life wrote:Let by gones be by gones and lets look at the future .
Even though many of our fellow gooners are expecting us to out run the 'slow' Milan 'oldies' and destroy them with our speed going forward, i feel we will have to be workmanlike and defend really well to be successful like we did when we reached the finals. Milan as bad as they have been in the league, are a different kettle of fish in the Champions League. Experience counts there and their players know what it takes to win big matches, their professionalism is second to none. Flamini has to be at his best to keep the likes of Kaka and Seedorf in check, Cesc and Hleb needs to make sure they dont get bullied by Gattuso.
Coming to the formation, i know i wont get too much support on this but id like us start with the 4-5-1 formation, with Hleb playing a more advanced role down the centre, specially now that Van Persie is out, even when we are playing at home. The reason for that is, we have to neutralise Milans mid field (they will probably be playing 4-5-1 as well with Inzaghi/Gillardino as the lone striker and Kaka supporting in advanced positions). I wouldnt want Eduardo to start the game cause I dont feel he will be all that effective against the experienced Milan centrebacks and he doesnt have the pace to burn either, he will be a better option as a sub if we find it hard to break them down.
Cant believe you have included Gilberto and Eboue in you first 11.Did you somehow miss their performances(or non performances) on saturday.
The midfield must be Helb Cesc Flamini and Rosicky with Eddy and Ade up front.
Whats so unbelievable about it when Sagna and Diaby are missing? You will either have to play Eboue right back, or play Toure at right back and play Senderos. I will rather play Eboue as right back, for the reasons Hlebby mentioned, Eboue also has experience playing there in the CL. As far as Gilberto goes, i would have liked us to play with 2 defensive midfielders. Since Diaby is missing, Gilberto is the only option.
But i think wenger will play 5 in midfield ( hope he doesnt ) with gilberto there because he may just keep an eye on kaka?? Id Be much happier going for it at home and playing 4-5-1 at their gaffe..
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