Schalke vs Arsenal [Champions League]

Our best player? How about Mannone and Sagna?

Wilshere was easily flop of the match after Vermaelen, didn't win anything defensively and offered nothing offensively other than his short passing success which was still not convincing plus got a red card.

I love Wilshere as a footballer, but you have to admit he was one of our worst performers that match. And saying he was the best the player......

Well tell that to the arsenal commentators. None of our attackers offered anything offensively. Podolski and ramsey were killing our attacks everytime wilshere built the move forward. Wilshere was the only player that was actually showing some class. Why do you think wenger didnt sub him despite being on a yellow?

Arsene explained that, he said we needed offensive players because we needed to score but it's not like Jack did something to help that. And Wenger obviously did a mistake by not replacing him, he could've moved Arteta further up and play Coquelin.

Wilshere is suspended for Saturday and the game afterwards is Spurs at home. The best chance of Wilshere finding fitness and becoming accustomed to this level of play again is to start the game tomorrow night, and he'd be better prepared for that Spurs game if he plays tomorrow and possibly the U21 game this Friday as well.

Also, even if he isn't 100% we'd have a better chance with him in the side than on the subs bench.

Wilshere did look off key against United, giving away some passes and being reckless in defense. This is to be expected from someone who's to play such a huge role in our midfield as the team gels. Believe it or not we're still extremely young as a team, these players aren't used to each other entirely yet.

He can destroy Holtby which might make arteta's job easier tomorrow.

Still think we will see the best of Wilshere by December but we have to play him now to get there

Great preview btw. Still wrenched about our recent form, the only thing that keeps me going is knowing that this team has the potential and it's just the freshness of all the new cogs working kinks out.

I still have no idea how our left side won't be raped. Honestly something's gotta give, Wenger can't send Santos back out into the slaughter like that again.

According to John Cross: Vermaelen will start at LB with Koscielny coming in at centre-back.

Mirror: Vermaelen to play at left-back against Schalke with Koscielny coming in at centre-back http://t.co/NCiLhvRF

Good move

Not sure how it will fare offensively to make Godolski more comfy i mean verm may not be able to add width needed when poldi make inside runs

but defensively..now thats better

Szczesny

Sagna Mertesacker Koscienly Vermaelen

Arteta Wilshere

Walcott* Cazorla Podolski

Giroud

Seems most likely formation. Should Walcott not be fit enough (or dropped because of contract, which ever one it is), then I sense we could start Arshavin or move Cazorla wide, and add in Coquelin to the middle, with JW10 pushing forward a bit more - forming a 4-3-3.

Ok guys, working from 9am-7.30pm tomorrow so will miss first half whilst travelling back home. So if one of you guys could do the 'LIVE' thread and I'll speak to you lot shortly after the game!

COME ON Arsenal!

We are running out of options..
Too many players out of form... So hard to say who to play.. I cant see what is this play Walcott rant about.. Arshavin may be better.. And i feel Podolski needs a rest..
Anyway seeing the same problems for the last 4 matches, Wenger has to make some changes.. Be it for the better or worst..

I just hope Schalke take it easy on us

Come on, Arsenal. Give us a good performance. I just want to overrate my team once more; is that so much to ask??

COYG

Wenger will play with only 10 players he is still refusing to give Ramsey's place up

Nothing would surpise me anymore.

I think he'll pick

Mannone
Sagna TV Merty Santos
Arteta Wilshere
Arshavin Cazorla Poldi
Giroud

I think he should pick (assuming Walcott isn't well)

Mannone
Sagna Kos Merty TV
Coquelin Wilshere
Cazorla Arteta Arshavin
Giroud

Why no Poldi? I like him but he looks knackered to me. I could be wrong but he looks like he needs a rest. If he is fully fit and Walcott recovers, I would play:

Mannone
Sagna Kos Merty TV
Arteta Wilshere
Walcott Poldi Cazorla
Giroud

I won't be watching live as it's 2:45 am here at kick off. Will watch the re-run tomorrow after work (as long as I avoid the score).

Come on lads...win with style tonight.

Theo Walcott (stomach) and Lukas Podolski (ankle) only trained lightly on Monday and will undergo late fitness tests ahead of the Schalke match. Andrey Arshavin is ready to step in and make a rare start if they miss out.


I dont think we will have enouph players on the field today.

--------------------Mannone
---Sagna---------Kos-----------Mert--------TV
-------------Arteta--------------Wilshere------
Djourou----------Squillaci-------------Santos
------------------ Meade----------------



I have a feeling Wenger will use this line up.

Raptor

So if Podolski, Walcott are out and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Ramsey not in the team aswell, who's gonna play RW?

Very interesting.

I wonder what effect Cazorla on the right would have on the whole team?

urbaNRoots wrote:Raptor

So if Podolski, Walcott are out and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Ramsey not in the team aswell, who's gonna play RW?

Mannone
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen
Arteta Coquelin
Cazorla Wilshere Arshavin
Giroud

This would be the best line up, but we all know Wenger loves new challenges dont be surprised to see Djourou and Squillaci up front.

Arsene back on the touchline tonight, almost forgot. Let's count on that to have a positive effect on the Gunners.

MJGunner wrote:Arsene back on the touchline tonight, almost forgot. Let's count on that to have a positive effect on the Gunners.

I hope so man, We need a win. Its just too depressing, even a tie is not bad.

If we have another performance like the home game, someone needs to get fired or player needs to get a beating.