Arsenal Vs QPR

Raptorgunner wrote:

Samuelj29060 wrote:Arsene Wenger pre-match interview - http://bit.ly/XvhJ11

Mark Hughes pre-match interview - http://bit.ly/UNB4ef

Mark Hughes has lost all 5 of the Premier League games as coach away from home against Arsenal.

QPR have taken 3 points from their last possible 51 away from home in the Premier League. (W0 D3 L14).

Arsenal XI v QPR last season (1-0 win, Dec): Szczesny; Djourou Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen; Song Arteta; Walcott Ramsey Arshavin; RVP,

You know what is going to happen right?

Sadly..

Predicting we'll continue this shit run of form forever is pretty damned pessimistic.

Top story on Arsenal.com: Vermaelen - You don’t lose quality in a week

I think our team will be..

Mannone
Jenks
TV
Kos
Santos
Arteta
Coquelin
Cazorla
Podolski
Ramsey
Giroud

My team would be (I hear Walcott isn't ready)

Mannone
Jenks
TV (at left back)
Kos
Merty
Arteta
Coquelin
Arshavin
Podolski
Cazorla
Giroud

Wilshere and Sagna need to be eased back in. Regardless of how things are going, I would give both of them at least 25 minutes (cards/injuries permitting).
Gnarby looks promising and could play if Arshavin is lazy again.

Whatever team we put out one thing is certain.
QPR will sit back with the classic 'two banks of four.' Like most teams who turn up at The Emirates, they will look to soak up the pressure and counter.

Watching us lately (and in recent history), it appears we have a problem when teams defend like this.

How to break it down? Well, we pass it around nicely and usually get twenty yards from goal and we run out of ideas. Granted, a difficult area to play in but you only need to look at Barca.

Usually, Xavi or Iniesta will get involved and other players will look to make a quick run into the box. A quick reverse pass/one two and they are in. Time and time again. Now, we are not Barca but Arsene is trying to get us to play that way...so let's at least try and do it properly.

Nobody seems to make that run for us. The amount of times Cazorla has had the ball on the edge of the box with a line of defenders in front of him and had to turn back to keep possession is driving me crazy. Everthing slows right down. It's not Cazorla's fault of course, but SOMEBODY...ANYBODY... make a few little darts into the box...Santi will find you.

Giroud needs to start a few consecutive number of games. We already know what Gervinho can do in that role (nothing). Give Giroud time to see what he can do before writing him off.

We are putting WAY too much pressure on Wilshere.

> Arsenal.com: Wenger reveals Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sagna & Wilshere all set to be in squad against QPR.

> Guardian: Wenger considers starting Wilshere & Sagna against QPR

> Guardian: "With Santos' struggles against Schalke, Wenger is considering fielding Sagna or Vermaelen at LB against QPR."

On this basis, I think we'll see:

Mannone; Jenkinson Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen; Arteta Coquelin; Gervinho Cazorla Podolski; Giroud

- Martinez Sagna Santos Ramsey Wilshere Oxlade-Chamberlain Arshavin

If Wilshere, Sagna and Oxlade-Chamberlain are indeed fit enough to start, that would be fantastic news! What about Theo? Anyway...

Do it, Arsene

Great preview RG!

It is going to be a long match to watch. We have to win this match to gain that confidence back. I really hope Wenger doesnt start Santos and starts verminator. Giroud should be starting this match as he cant be worse than Gervinho. Giroud is atleast good in air and can be vital in matches like this.

I am so excited to See Wilshere and Sagna back in action.

C'mon guys this is the time that we need to get behind the team. If we don't believe in the team, how can the team believe in itself? I know we're in a bad run of form atm but we gotta support the club, and the support the players. COYG!

Should be a close contest and an entertaining encounter.

Although none of us want Santos to start, I question whether Wenger will really drop him. Doing so for someone who isn't a LB would be admitting 'okay yeah, he's not that good.' Not Wenger's style.

Lex wrote:One of two things will happen tomorrow; we either marmalize them, or we sink to another defeat

i think it will be a partially convincing win of Arsenal.. Anything other than 3 points against QPR at home..
i would like to see a fresh team keeping away Gervinho, Ramsey and (sadly) Podolski too from the starting lineup..
No more questions whether to start Walcott if he is fit after seeing the last few matches.. So Walcott on right.. And a chance to Arshavin on the left.. Too early some guys are writing off Giroud before he has started.. He needs more games.. start Wilshere and Sagna if they are ready.. Rest Jenkinson for this match.. Also Verm on left should be better but i am almost sure that Wenger wont do it if Santos is fit..
So my lineup would be

Mannone
Sagna-Mtskr-Kos-TV
Arteta-Wilshere
Walcott-Cazorla-Arshavin
Giroud

and i would like our substitutions used more wisely.. Not on the 85th minute.. 30 minutes for Gnabry or Eisfield will be great..

Is Walcott fit then?

From the BBC

''Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a doubt with a hip problem, and Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Wojciech Szczesny, Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky remain sidelined. ''

This is a huge game today. Gotta wake up and move the ball quicker in the final third.

Wenger didn't say anything about him being out and he was training last morning. I think he is fit

RealGunner wrote:Wenger didn't say anything about him being out and he was training last morning. I think he is fit

Good news. I would start him if fit. Maybe give Podolski a rest he's looked a bit sluggish lately.

Giroud leading the line with Walcott-Cazorla-Arshavin supporting him.

Who cares if Arshavin is off form, he still can't do worse than Gervinho.
If we don't score till the 65th minute I would consider swapping Giroud with Gervinho, with Wilshere coming on for whoever is besides Arteta.

Santos CAN'T start. If someone like Arshavin will start on the left it'll be a recipe for disaster and we'll get raped again on the counters all because of 1 player.

El_Gunner wrote:

CBarca wrote:Should be a close contest and an entertaining encounter.

okay so you're a Barca fan and you have a soft spot for Spurs (yuk)
so why Arteta has your avi?

Because everyone should have Arteta as their avatar, how can you resist that hunk .