Must win game.
Wilshere not playing.
Bournemouth managed by a good chap who may one day succeed Mr. Wenger
We are “stuttering”.
Xhaka?
Coquelin to be rested?
Sanchez burn out.
Giroud to continue his scoring run.
Walcott needs to get back to early season form.
18 game run
B’mouth have never beaten AFC
B’mouth only one away game since February without conceding a goal.
My Team:
Cech
Jens Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
Xhaka Ramsey Iwobi
Walcott Giroud Ozil
I think that sums it up
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Cheers, BR.
I think you’ve summed it up nicely.
Difficult to get too excited by a game that if we don’t win we’ll be slaughtered.
The current draw sequence and lack of chances created also promote an undercurrent of apprehension.
I’m praying to Dennis that we rediscover our groove and bag a few beauties today.
4-0 would be cushty.
Ant (who is driving as usual) says he hopes Rambo doesn’t play and it’s Xhaka and Coquelin with Mes, Alex, Alex and Feo as the front 4.
Lamppost and Dwayne Dibley as plan B. 😁
This is, as stated above, a must win game and a game I expect us to win. That being the case the thing that interests me most today is the team selection, it really will test my view that when Ramsey is fit he always starts. I certainly expect him to do so and on the subject of players always starting if fit, Sanchez was dead on his feet in the week but I feel more certain that he will start than I do about Ramsey and I think that the Welshman is a banker. Coquelin on the other hand my be rested as guessed above.
——————-Cech
Jens Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
——–Ramsey Xhaka Ozil
——–Walcott Giroud Sanchez
Benny and Officer Dibble? 😀
Thank you Erik
Sorry to have been a little pushy this morning. We do understand that you do not operate on GMT+1, rather GMT1968
Perfect post. Says it all. No waffle, just the detail.
Dear God, I agree with Ant.
LB
“it really will test my view that when Ramsey is fit he always starts”
I think we’d all agree that’s a given
My team is never going to happen but wow could you imagine if it did.
Morning Micky
A given that Ramsey always starts or a given that it will test my view?
I’m expecting a somewhat pedestrian performance, but resulting in a most welcome 2-0 and three points.
Ahoy LB
Errrrrr, I think the answer is AW likes Aaron and so do you, so, errr, he starts when fit. Sorry, not sure if that answers your question or not.
Ok, coffee break over, back outside
Micky
Yep that answers the question. I am trying to eek out something to interest me otherwise it is just a game against Bournemouth which is not easy to get excited about.
Well done Big Raddy, never seen a prettier skeleton. Your team is my team with Alexis for Giroud. I’d bet the prodigal, our fluidity is back home and we would feast.
Thanks for the bullet bullet-in Raddy. All hit the target.
On Ramsey, I’m sure LB is correct, but I really wish he wasn’t 😦
I think we have to understand that Ramsey is more likely to run all game than some others, especially in say the right wing berth. And that he also offers better (not perfect) ball retention, and more variance in creating a goal threat.
I think I would like to see LB’s team with the possible selection of Elneny over Xhaka. Simply because I think Elneny keeps the ball moving in short passes, and if Ramsey is starting you already have one who will be looking for Hollywood balls and distance shooting but less likely to get a silly booking or two.
From what I’ve seen of Xhaka I like him but I think some games call for him and others not, Bournemouth at home will certainly be a side that will play on counter with pace and that’s when Khama may come unstuck in the DM/HM role.
My guess is AW prefers an Arteta type HM in games where the opponent will park bus rather than a Coq type DM. Better ball rotation and retention and should only be needed to react to breaks rather than win a battle for midfield supremacy which is when you need more of a Coq type.
“And that he also offers better (not perfect) ball retention, and more variance in creating a goal threat.”
Exactly, I don’t understand how other people don’t see this. It leaps out at me.
i love Bournemouth, one of my most favourite places in this country. Beautiful seaside, nice atmosphere, some great architecture but not enough history to have a chip on the shoulder.
Same goes for the team – nothing in particular to be disliked, good manager, some decent players and no a hope in hell of beating us today.
Good PM Raddy, thanks!!
I think Didit is right about the pedestrian tempo, I doubt very much chas and ant will get off their seats much
Eddie
I hope I’m wrong, but looking on the bright side, could be a nice sunday afternoon zizz on the sofa come second half 🙂
I do agree with Exile about Aaron in the right wing berth, so long as there is pace all around, and someone in the middle two behind Mesut who can move the ball intelligently and quickly forwards in the absence of Santi
ha ha ha ha. Brilliant, Raddy. 🙂
I like Feo on the right. But no Chilean? And MWG as well. surely not, not so early in the season! hmmm.
COYG
Bloody Nora Arsene, I love you again 🙂
Cech, Debuchy, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez.
Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Ramsey, Giroud, Ospina, Iwobi, Coquelin
(1) Big game for Debuchy to re-connect with our 1st team football.
(2) Elneny’s (volante) and Xhaka’s (regista) combination play in our engine room. Another test to become the go-to pairing until Cazorla returns.
(3) The Ox gets his rare start on the left wing to prove he can be relied on for consistency and attacking inputs.
JM
Agree with all three points.
From being very apathetic about this game, I’m now highly charged and very excited.
Zizz cancelled.
Much much better line up today..happy with that balance..hopefully it pays off…
good. COYG. 🙂
Oooh, that is an interesting team. If we don’t win AW will get pelters, but we will and he won’t
I like the ox in the team with giroud on the right but i think on the left he can cut in and get some shots off. Hopefully Ozil can get on ball a bit more today as well and get closer to Sanchez. Feeling optimistic. COYG 💪
Well there goes my theory on Ramsey so I will shut up about that now. The Debuchy selection has got to be about trying to sell him. If you remember Rosicky and Arteta suddenly became available before the Christmas transfer window last year.
Very interesting team though.
We could be playing 4-4-2 with that line up?!
Well we could if we had the big fella up top.
Get to see Elneny & Xhaka combine which could be good or bad.
Here we go
Come on you Gunnnnners
one thing for sure with Elnen and Granit, plenty of “shoooooot” 🙂
yessssssssss
blimey, nothing pedestrian about this
plenty of changes=no cl hangover
Very efficient pre-match BR!
oooh – we just scored, excellent.
Don’t know why people are not excited about today. After the tension of games against the Spuds and Maureen’s ManUre I’ve been really looking forward to game where we can hopefully get our groove back, play some entertaining football and score a few.
COYRRG!
Who played that ball to Sanchez? Granit?
Eddie
“…not enough history to have a chip on the shoulder” made me laugh 😀
Rocky
We became very excited when we saw the team 🙂
Real shame for Boosh who was playing very well
Both B’mouth full backs getting roasted
Unluckiest Arsenal player ever?
What a shit ref
What Ozil doing jeez
As clear a dive as one will see and Ozil fouled in the build up.
The ref has shafted us but we have to get back to playing well
Sanchez calling to press and the side just ignoring him
very exciting stuff
That it is. Credit Bmouth who are playing well and attacking with verve.
Apart from the awful ref it is a great game
Terrific game
Great game – Bournemouth impressive. Some nice stuff from us too.
There were no genuine penalties in that half: the trip on Alexis should have been a free kick just outside the box; and as for that Cherries lump throwing himself into Monreal to con a spot kick…. grrrrrr
The loss of Boosh changed the half. Gabriel is not an attacking FB and it shows.
All our forwards playing very well and Ox is a joy on the left.
Awful referee who should be wearing a blue shirt
and xhaka? Pretty useless, no? there you are Raddy – reason he is not starting in many games
Initiating contact, falling before contact, not going to do anything with ball, all things that say no penalty.
But of course it’s Mike Jones and he is one ref that consistently falls for it. I think he has replaced Lee Mason in my worst referees list.
Erik
Agree about lack of right back attack since Debs off
I’m out of touch – is Jenks injured, benched or just dropped?
oh yes Theeeoo
Magic from Ozil
RL. Dropped 😢
I mean seriously how is that a foul by Ox? The player ran in to him and he was stronger.
Yea ref horrible today
Thanks BR
Have A team the right to refuse a ref? This bloke is pants
Would like a third…
Eddie,
What game you watching pal..xhaka is different class
Lovely to see Kos has a rainbow captain’s armband
Agree Stew. So far he has been the nuts
Big Raddy,
He has been best player on the pitch second half.
That was a pen. We need a third..
Phew. This is such a good game
No way a pen. Montreal was less than a foot from the kicker. IMO 😳
10 out of 10 for wenger today..i panicked when he bought ramsey on because i thought he would stick him on the left but he put ozil on left and ramsey behind giroud. Why he didn’t set up similar in last few games we will never know
That’ll do
superb
Lovely goal. More Mesut Magic
hardly a walk in the park or a Zizz
where is Emanuel Eboue? Why? because i used to laugh when he was trotting onto the pitch. And now I react in the same way when I see the French Donkey 🙂 Cannot help loving them
hell knows how did Eboue kept his place at the AFC for 7 seasons 🙂
8 bookings in a very clean but competitive game.
Very good game – impressed with Bournemouth.
We were very good for some of the first half and most of the second and overall thoroughly deserved the win.
Very exciting match
Great three points and no bus from Bournemouth, so extra roast potatoes for them.
Wouldn’t it be great if all games were as open as that.
I guess the big talking point would be “what do we think of the Mohammad Granit combo?”
Ooops Mohamed
Elneny/Xhaka partnership was good but Coquelin is a better player than Elneny.Elneny is a squad player for me.He doesn’t have pace that Coquelin has. When Cazorla is back i would like to see Xhaka, Coquelin at the base..Cazorla in front with Ozil on left and Walcott/Ox on right and Sanchez up top
Oh I don’t know that we’re allowed to move Mesut 🙂
Re the pairing, I think Mo Gran needs more time, as between them they offer more of a pairing than the far more individual styles and roles offered by Santi Coq
No idea where I’m going with this, but it’s interesting
I must say in my opinion Elneny gives more than Coq, far more composed in possession and rarely gets caught out of position, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him.
But as I said earlier whilst we have three HM’s they all have different attributes that will suit different opposition. Coq more of a stopper, Elneny bit of both, Xhaka more playmaker.
Bournemouth ran their socks off and passed and moved the ball well, they found it difficult to keep that up for 90 minutes though. I thought it may have something to do with pitch size but weirdly they have a wider pitch than us by 7m. Which is a significant difference and doesn’t explain the tiredness so it can only be that they raised their level and we kept moving the ball until it broke them. Which also explains why so many don’t come and play that way against us.
They were still very compact in defence though which also makes them have to work harder to create attacking opportunities, it was nice seeing us being able to play on the counter for a while, and again you can see why teams don’t allow us to do that very often as the likes of Alexis and Ozil thrive in open spaces.
Big credit to Gabriel today, clearly never going to be an attacking full back but so many centre backs look lost at right back defensively too yet he played within his attacking limitations and did the defending bit well.
I also think with a three of Ozil, Alexis and Rambo behind the big man a lot more shape changing and position swapping is possible.
I think we are at our best when ozil, sanchez and cazorla combine. We should get them as close to each other as possible. Hate to say it but spuds are a good team so xhaka/coquelin wasn’t great for that first 25mins but lets not forget ramsey was on the left in that game. I think ozil can still be effective on the left..he has played there many times for germany. We are short in that position as well. Not saying every game play him there but i would rather see him there than ramsey there.
Problem with Mesut is sometimes he just doesn’t look up for it. It is frustrating because he is probably most talented player we have but he just doesn’t have even half the work ethic sanchez has. He does do his share of running but he annoys me when he flaps his arms around.
I’d love to see how he could change as a player under a manager like simeone.
We have so many options going forward and midfield just pray wenger plays players in right positions from now on.
I am still not confident we can challenge at the moment. Still don’t think he knows his best team.
Stew
I think he does know his best XI and that’s back 5, Coq, Santi, Mesut, Theo, Sanchez and one other.
That’s the question mark, the left attack. I think we’d be defensively too weak with Mesut there, hence AW even trying Aaron. Iwobi and Ox remain his first choice. Definitely our weakest spot at the moment.
Lucas or Danny will change all that.
mourinho sent off. Again. Ha ha ha
who is that StewDog, time to introduce yourself mate
Yes Stew
Age rank and number
Usual procedure in these barracks 🙂
followed by years a Gunner, geographical location and eyes colour.
it would also help to know if you are a 4-4-2 man or a 4-3-3 one?
Eyes colour !!! and 4-4-2 men are all dead 🙂
you can tell a lot from the colour of the eyes 🙂
seriously though – was Xhaka shit today or what? shouldn’t he go on loan to Bournemouth instead of Jack?
raddy – why do you think Howe could become our next manager?
ha ha ha ha. cannot complain. 🙂 despite a crap ref!
No, Eddie, Bonkers is developing in the wings! We like fresh blood. 🙂
Eddie. Why? You saw today what Howe can do with journeyman players, imagine if he had our boys.
Ah, it was Raddy then. Nah, used and soiled undies are not for me. I expect Arsenal to get a fresh manager. Someone for whom we can say: Who? 🙂
raddy – hmmmmm. people used to say that about Moyes – look what he can do with rejects, imagine what he could do with a proper team like Manu? We know what he did with ManU, he did only marginally better than Jose does
arnie – you didn’t reply to my email questions
Stew – I was only joking, we respect your anonymity and you don’t have to introduce yourself to us. But next time we meet up before the game and you want to join us, we might need some clues to recognise you
ha ha, Eddie, hard questions. give me a couple of days, pls. 🙂
I’ve got something for tomorrow I need to polish it in the morning before posting.
That is not having Eddie march all over it with purple Dr Martins that is look with fresh eyes in the morning and make necessary alterations.
Haha age 31, supported arsenal since age 11, amateur footballer and football coach/enthusiast, eye colour- Brown 😃
Think formation should depend on players you play with. Don’t like seeing players shoe horned into positions. There are lots of systems we could play, because we have so many types of player in the squad but if i was manager i would set up a with a triangular 4-3-2-1, a narrow formation but can work well if full backs forward while holding midfielders cover.
Hope that helps. Any other questions?😂
“We know what he did with ManU, he did only marginally better than Jose does” – ROFL
“I’ve got something for tomorrow I need to polish it in the morning” – have you never heard the old saying LB? 😉
Morning All,
Basking.
100% feel like that dog
Oh God, Eddie is doing the eye chart character assessment 🙄
ps small chart. three colours.
stew – bloody fanstastic! amateur footballer and a coach! it means what you are talking about. I will read every comment of yours and miss a few from Didit and co.
LB- just don’t give Xhaka 10 points for performance.
@6:58 – that’s my Bambi, identical!!!! they are such laid back dogs, no idea how people manage to make some of them evil.
stew – sorry about my typing – it means you know what you are talking about.
brown, green, blue, grey, amber and you can have a black eye too 🙂
Morning Eddie,
I expect LB to be full of praise for Xhaka who is steadily improving and will become an AFC stalwart.
New post.