Team vs. Arsenal

[felmani26]

Well guys, this is the big one and after last night's result, it takes even more prominence for Arsenal not to fall further behind so I can only see one tactic employed by them and that's to attack.

I think this plays perfectly into our gameplan and it wouldn't surprise me if we almost played like the away side as Arsenal are so vulnerable on the counter that Bale and co will be licking their lips running at pace against Mertesacker, Vermaelen (what's happened to him?!) et al.

Can't honestly see changes in the front 6, despite reservations over some key players in Dembele, Parker, Lennon, Holtby and Adebayor but truth is, are the replacements going to be any better - particularly from the start?

We are a side, with the shape we adopt due to Bale's fantastic individual talent, that is in the main fairly pedestrian when it comes to ingenuity and movement in the final third so until the second half unfolds and space appears, then i'm not expecting a whole lot different from an attacking sense to the one we witnessed yesterday, albeit Arsenal will show a damn sight more technical ability than West Ham!

In any case, I think the team will be as follows;

Lloris​

​

Walker Dawson Vertonghen BAE​

​

Parker Dembele​

​

Lennon Holtby Bale​

​

Adebayor​

​

Benny in for Caulker is the only change I anticipate although I will expect to Sigurdsson and maybe Carroll again to come on and hopefully make another telling contribution, as well as the lucky charm himself, Livermore!​

 

[tommyt]

...........Bale.............
Bale Bale Bale Bale
Bale Bale Bale Bale
....... Bale Bale........

 

[Spurs_Bear]

...........Bale.............
Bale Bale Bale Bale
Bale Bale Bale Bale
....... Bale Bale........

442 is so out.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Lloris​

​

Walker Gallas Vertonghen BAE​

​

Parker Dembele​

​

Lennon Holtby Bale​

​

Adebayor​

​

Only one change I would probably make to your side, I may even have Dempsey in for Holtby if he is available.

 

[ryantegan]

i would actually play Caulker. His threat from set plays against a well drilled west ham side was clear. Arsenal struggle from set plays.

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Well guys, this is the big one and after last night's result, it takes even more prominence for Arsenal not to fall further behind so I can only see one tactic employed by them and that's to attack.

I think this plays perfectly into our gameplan and it wouldn't surprise me if we almost played like the away side as Arsenal are so vulnerable on the counter that Bale and co will be licking their lips running at pace against Mertesacker, Vermaelen (what's happened to him?!) et al.

Can't honestly see changes in the front 6, despite reservations over some key players in Dembele, Parker, Lennon, Holtby and Adebayor but truth is, are the replacements going to be any better - particularly from the start?

We are a side, with the shape we adopt due to Bale's fantastic individual talent, that is in the main fairly pedestrian when it comes to ingenuity and movement in the final third so until the second half unfolds and space appears, then i'm not expecting a whole lot different from an attacking sense to the one we witnessed yesterday, albeit Arsenal will show a damn sight more technical ability than West Ham!

In any case, I think the team will be as follows;

Lloris​

​

Walker Dawson Vertonghen BAE​

​

Parker Dembele​

​

Lennon Holtby Bale​

​

Adebayor​

​

Benny in for Caulker is the only change I anticipate although I will expect to Sigurdsson and maybe Carroll again to come on and hopefully make another telling contribution, as well as the lucky charm himself, Livermore!​

Yup, but I think it should be Siggy for Holtby. He's been unlucky and a bit short of confidence this season, and after a great cameo last night we need to build up his momentum as he can be a great asset for the run-in. If AVB's selection is merit based, that's what he'll go for, and while I do perhaps find Holtby the better player I also think he could do great as a sub for the last 30 or so - like in his first match..

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

i would actually play Caulker. His threat from set plays against a well drilled west ham side was clear. Arsenal struggle from set plays.

Not a bad call, though I do find him somewhat, erm, whimsical (that's not a word, is it?) and prone to losing his concentration at times. While Vertonghen was the one at fault for the goal yesterday, Caulker also had no idea what was behind him..

 

[teok]

Is defoe 100% out?

 

[felmani26]

Only one change I would probably make to your side, I may even have Dempsey in for Holtby if he is available.

I'm fairly ambivalent as to whether Gallas or Dawson will play but I get the impression that Gallas will be utilised more in Europe than the league.

Holtby shouldn't be impervious to criticism as I thought he was all whizz and little flicks, ultimately trying too hard at times to impress but I would still rather his contribution than Dempsey's any day.

As I said in the OP, it's a general them that we don't get going really until the second half where the opposition tire and space becomes more available as currently, our interplay and creativity first half is pretty dire - especially for a side which is being tipped to push for second in the league!

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Lloris
Walker Dawson Caulker Bae
Parker Dembele
Lennon Bale Gylfi
Ade

Will need to make at least 4 outfield changes for Inter I think.

 

[Montasura]

Yup, but I think it should be Siggy for Holtby. He's been unlucky and a bit short of confidence this season, and after a great cameo last night we need to build up his momentum as he can be a great asset for the run-in. If AVB's selection is merit based, that's what he'll go for, and while I do perhaps find Holtby the better player I also think he could do great as a sub for the last 30 or so - like in his first match..

Good shout. With a lot of important matches coming up and an apparent loss of form for some players (I'm looking at you Dembele) I honestly think Siggy should be considered for a start. Yes he scored last night but I'm not saying he should start based on one substitute performance. I think he offers something a little different, is clearly fit and hungry to put on a good show for his manager, whilst allowing for a little rotation and rest for others. So yeah, I would go for Siggy over Holtby from the start. no doubt it is a difficult one for AVB with Siggy fit and hungry, Holtby with so much promise, and Dempsey who, despite a lot of deserved criticism, just has a knack of coming up with the goods when its needed.

 

[felmani26]

Dembele does need to grow some bollocks in the middle of the park mind and take control of proceedings in driving the team forward - not Scott Parker.

 

[Boots22]

Lloris
Walker Dawson Caulker Bae
Parker Dembele
Lennon Bale Gylfi
Ade

Will need to make at least 4 outfield changes for Inter I think.

Vertonghen for Caulker & that's the one for me

 

[ShelfSide18]

Only one change I would probably make to your side, I may even have Dempsey in for Holtby if he is available.

No.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Vertonghen for Caulker & that's the one for me

True either way I guess I just went for Caulker cos of the extra bit of pace to deal with Walcott who always scores against us.

 

[CowInAComa]

Is Defoe in contention for this?

Im sure I read/heard he is back in training

 

[Spurs_Bear]

No.

It's why I wrote it smaller.

 

[vegassd]

We need a lot of energy in midfield and people prepared to track back, so Lennon and Holtby should get the nod ahead of Dempsey and Sig for this one.

Despite Caulker looking pretty threatening from set plays, the primary job of a CB is defending so I would go with Dawson and Verts there.

​

Lloris​

Walker - Dawson - Verts - BAE​

Parker - Dembele​

Lennon - Holtby - Bale​

Adebayor​

 

[felmani26]

Is Defoe in contention for this?

Im sure I read/heard he is back in training

I'm pretty sure both Defoe and Kaboul weren't too far away from making comeback's although I think the Liverpool game will be the time we see either on the bench rather than Arsenal.

 

[ShelfSide18]

It's why I wrote it smaller.

You're fishing for a BusConductor, Bear.

Holtby has got more talent in the last turd he slotted out than Clint Dempsey, he works harder, shows for the ball more and has shown at least the pretence of some intelligence when he has the ball in the final third.

Dempsey is useful for a goal if we need one, not a bad attribute to have but as much as Holtby hasn't completely settled and has been a little meh for the last few games, fuck me I'd have him all day long over Dempsey.

For Arsenal I want Verts back in the middle with BAE LB and ask them kindly not to both hit a bong before they come out on the pitch, Verts partner should really be according to whether Giroud or Walcott plays up top. I'd imagine they'll go Walcott to break the high line we have been playing, so probably Verts and Caulker for me.

Parker and Dembele again, but Parker needs to stop wandering off upfield leaving Dembele to cover, it's obvious why this happens because teams are spending so much time trying to stop Dembele getting on the front foot and driving forward that Parker is the man left on the ball with space to make things happen, and with the best will in the world he doesn't make things happen.

There is a case for perhaps moving Holtby to the right side in place of Lennon, pushing Dembele up in the no10 slot and playing Parker and Tom Carroll in the middle - although I suspect that AVB doesn't agree, and losing Lennon from the side against a team that is vulnerable, to put it politely, on the counter is not the best move.