Apparently today’s friendly in Dublin is still part of the International Champions Cup so it’s all to play for!
New chav manager Maurizio Sarri will be at a similar stage to Unai with ideas forming as to who will be playing for him in the new look West London set-up.
With only today’s and Saturday’s game in Stockholm against Lazio remaining, time is running out for Unai Emery to decide which players are edging towards his first Premier League selection.
Even before this week’s return to training of Granit, Nacho, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Lucas Torreira, there appeared to be a multitude of options. Now is the time for those to be whittled down.
Historically, the youngsters who impress on pre-season tours often get moved to the sidelines once we get down to the nitty gritty of the League. In a way I’m hoping that Matteo Guendouzi and Emile Smith-Rowe are, at least, given the opportunity to claim a spot on the bench for early Prem games. They’ve been like a breath of fresh air.
Regardless of that, I’m sure Emery, Carlos Carcedo and Stevie Bould will come up with the right players and formation.
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
my surname is Kochanek which means Lover. No photos from me.
Raddy is back, hooray !!
Thanks for the prematch which is probably more exciting than the game.
I’ve never heard of chavs’ new mananger, Sarri. A photo of him wearing a sari?
I was wondering how chavs approach managerial candidates, what do they offer them? Lots of money, of course, short term appointment, warning he would be abused no matter what…you have to be a whore to take up such job
Sarri managed 18 clubs in 28 years, it says it all.
Micky
Thanks for the Rambo post.
Maybe Friday will be a good day for it to go up – I’d forgotten all about the chav game today, soz.
Eddie
Unfortunately BR isn’t quite finished holidaying – another week I think.
It’s ok for the rich and famous, innit?!!!
nay, i don’t like holidays, going away and all the upheaval is tedious Cuffley is the best place to be.
I hope Arsenal giving good result against london rival today.
Ola
Me too
Thanks Chas
I wonder, does this game tonight have more significance with an away Chelsea fixture as our second game of the season? Will the winning team tonight gain a psychological advantage when we meet again in 3 weeks or so?
I am really hoping for a good win tonight, but personally I think rotating, experimenting, and getting players up to match fitness is still the priority. If we were to lose tonight, as long as it is close and we show some good stuff, I don’t think it will have much bearing when we meet again.
Like you Chas I would like to see some of these youngsters get a look in on the bench. I think for that to happen we need to move on some slightly older fringe players. Players like Perez Campbell and Akpom aren’t critical to our side and don’t represent the future either.
On the back of Jack leaving I think we may need a couple more senior players to move on who fit that criteria as well. With Torreira and side Show Bob arriving to strengthen our deeper / holding midfield areas, I don’t see a need for both Elneny and Xhaka and one should probably move on.
In our more attacking areas I think Danny now fits that criteria as well, much as I love him. I think it will be better for him as well to seek pastures new rather than drop way down the pecking order. All of our more promising youngsters can replace what these players bring and, due to their ages, will be happier on the bench at this stage and also have the added benefit of the potential to be so much more.
They need to come in to the fringes of the first team and get their opportunities. Side Show Bob, Smith Rowe, AMN, Nelson, Nketiah, and Willock all look ready.
The way the EPL is shaping up now I feel it may be important to be able to switch between different formations through the season as the game or need arises. I think we should be able to go into the season with 2 strong favoured formations and possibly a third one. As well as further match fitness, I think today’s game is as much about Emery finding his go to formations, and more importantly, the best one for the 2 tough opening fixtures. What are these though?
Kanuuuuuuu 🙂
Thanks Chas
So, today we could become International Champions… ‘ave that 🙂
Gee, I remember that game so well. I was stuck at meetings so I recorded the game to watch later in the evening. I got home at around 10:00pm with some Chinese food and a bottle of single malt. Well at 2-0 down I was not very happy and the scotch was evaporating at at high rate and then along came Kanu with a very unlikely but timely hat trick which lifted my spirits or was it the scotch?.
Thanks for both the post and the Kanu reminder.
Nice pet chas
GoonerB
the ability to “be able to switch between different formations through the season as the game or need arises”.
This I believe to be one of the most vital changes I want to see from Dick. Perhaps further discussion on here of possible formations and players involved might make an interesting post!
One of my long held views, to be controversial, is that Ramsey should play in an Ozil No10 berth behind one or two strikers and rarely or never further back. Over to AAers.
Ok LBG, here goes
I reckon a side should ONLY play a No10 if you have a player of supernatural passing ability. Mesut does, Ramsey not even close (imho). So it’s Mesut or bin the No10
Re formations. My take with my limited knowledge is that the clever managers deploy different formations during the same game ie one pattern while in attack and another pattern when the side is defending
I understand Pep does it and that Emery might
GN5
Spot on. Whisky evaporates 🙂
My preference is to have a two footed # 10 who can spray passes around and can pick up the runs being made – IE Santi.
In the absence of that that type of player Mesut is my man – a one footed football genius.
Micky
My definition of a No 10 may be different to you, but perhaps only in terms of what he does in that position. I agree Ramsey cannot touch Mesut for magical passing ability. I want Ramsey there for his running behind the CF/s and late arrival in box.
My suggestion would be at the head of a diamond in midfield where Mesut was also playing at “9o’clock” in the diamond.
Getting complicated now, and sorry to AAers if this discussion is not appropriate.
Talking about football on AA is always appropriate.
Not always done by some, but always appropriate nonetheless. ☺
Any team news?
Subs
Leno, Chambers, Holding, Mavropanos, Maitland-Niles, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Nketiah and Lacazette
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Team to play Chelsea: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Elneny, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Ozil.
Subs: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Mavropanos, Maitland-Niles, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Nketiah, Lacazette
Is Ramsey at the head of the LBG diamond with Mesut at 9 o’clock?
Can’t watch the game sadly
Thanks chas/mickey
Ramsey injured in warm up – replaced by Smith Rowe.
6 mins 1-0 Chelsea
Ramsey injured
Awful first 14 minutes
Cech saves Chelsea penalty
Right side looks horrible.
Every ball into the Arsenal box looks shaky.
Guendouzi looks dynamic!
Auba should have scored..
Bel just needs to play this speedster with more physical play.
Physical means physical, and the kid leaves Bel left for dead.
Don’t just stop on your man after a slight nudge. sheesh
This is awful
Not feeling Elneny or Kola in this current setup as they offer nothing going forward.
Laca with the move into the box and the shot goes wide…………….
That was a great pass by Ozil, and cross by Nelson, with fizz I might add, and Laca with the finish!
Penalties for the completion of the job.
Our full backs are poor. Don’t rate Bellerin. He’s quick and that’s it. Kolasinac is bang average. Hopefully Lichsteiner can play a lot this year and Monreal has a solid season. Definitely an area we need to upgrade though.
Where’s the vid of the goal Fredster?
Lava and Auba will be a lethal 1-2 this season. Wether coming on for each other or playing in the same line up, they will get bucketloads of goals.
Lacazette and aubameung needs to start
Don’t deserve to win this game we were awful
Seven games undefeated against the Chavs
Very good kicks and Cech with the save for the W.
Agreed, Bel and Kola need work, but experience in front of them.
Arsenal will be fine.
Great result …. Chambers was an improvement on Bellerin. Guendouzi was very good.
Yea way better than the ones again Madrid
Thought Iwobi looked lively when he came on. Guendouzi looks very talented. Still raw but got all the ability to be fantastic. I’m praying that the introduction of Torreira will tighten up our defence. We still have lots of work to do on that front and I was disappointed with the way we pressed. We tried to get after them at times but it wasn’t that effective (espescially first half). Second half was better all round though and getting the win is good for morale.
My team for the next game. Sticking with 433
Cech
Lichsteiner Mavrapanos Sokratis Monreal
Guendouzi Torreira Maitland-Niles
Ozil
Aubameyang Lacazette
Hey guys i have found the full match http://myfootballhighlights.com/arsenal-vs-chelsea-highlights/
Second game in a row the player who have came on in the second half made a huge difference
Thought with mkhitaryan and ozil out we would actually create more chances it not seeming so
[…] Apparently today’s friendly in Dublin is still part of the International Champions Cup so it’s all to play for! New chav manager Maurizio Sarri will be at a similar stage to Unai with i… Source : https://arsenalarsenal.net/2018/08/01/arsenal-v-chelsea-plans-firming-up/ […]
I am not going to read the LB, so no comments from me on that yet
LB
Any chance you can send your reports into head office so they’re still fresh for morning. Seems a shame to have their impact diluted
Micky
Ozil pass to Nelson! A real No10 in action.
NEW POST
LBG
Your team selection at 10:25 pattern is bang on I reckon
You call it 4-3-3, then lay it out 4-3-1-2
For me there’s a massive difference. With 4-3-1-2 you play Mesut in his most effective role AND include your two top goal scorers. I like very much
I like the 4312 only thing is will our FB be discipline enough , since they like to attack and hopefully that doesn’t leave us vulnerable on the wings