Play Fantasy Arsène Wenger – who should play against West Ham?
There’s no doubt Everton are a good, solid side, whose position in the table underlines their ability to cause problems for opponents.
The fact that short-arse Tim Cahill – great player as he is – should score with a header from an unchallenged cross is just another example of our defensive fragility.
Everton didn’t even have any strikers on the field!
The game against West Ham is a different challenge altogether.
Despite his height, Carlton Cole is more of a danger with his feet and in Davide Di Michele, West Ham have a forward partnership who play intricate football.
West Ham fans would never allow their side to play long ball football, but given their strengths and the weakness we have shown to long balls, who would bet against them catching us on the counter-attack if we’re camped in their half?
Rumours abound that Kolo Toure is off, but I can’t see him going, with Silvestre injured, unless Wenger gets Micah Richards in return, which is again unlikely. Why would we want to sell him now??!
I watched West Ham fluke their way past Hartlepool last week, who were undone by a fairly decent goal and then lost heart when a ludicrous penalty was given against them.
Their strength seems to be in getting full-backs forward, so it will be interesting to see if we can pin Ilunga and Neill back.
Robert Green seems to save his best games for matches against Arsenal and I fear he will have another fine game tomorrow.
Although Gianfranco Zola has bounced back from a shaky run that he endured after joining the Hammers, I still think we’ll have enough to beat them tomorrow.
But with Alex Song playing so badly, I’d change the formation and use it to our advantage, playing King Kolo in a holding role.
Addict XI
Almunia
Sagna Djourou Gallas Clichy
Toure
Nasri Denilson Diaby
Van Persie Adebayor
Let us know below what your Arsenal team would be.
David Alexander
Reader Comments (19)
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Djourou Clichy
Eboue Denilson Diaby Nasri
RVP
Ade
Bench:
Fabianski, Rambo, Wilshere, Song, Vela, Toure, Bendtner
Definately would want an attacking bench to change the game should we need to! Plus there is also no chance that Eduardo will be on the bench after what le gaffer said about his international friendly first!
Almunia
Sagna,Gallas,Djourou,Clichy
Eboue,Denilson,Nasri,Vela
RvP,Adebayor
This team will get the required result for sure.
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Toure Clichy
Bendtner (think about hull game) Diaby Nasri Vela
RVP Ade
I agree with your lineup, except I would drop Diaby and give half a game to Vela, and Ramsey/Wilshere, switching Nasri to whatever side suits.
How long can we go on playing Song and Diaby in midfield? It just isn`t working if you ask me. I think Denilson has stepped up nicely this season, but giving Toure another shout at his DM role seems sensible, even if he mostly acted as a 5 defender, leaving Clichy and Sagna free to roam in the absense of our wing players.
I would like to see Bendtner putting a bit of pressure on Adebayor too. I think he deserves a start, or a 60 minute sub if Ade doesn`t pull his finger out.
Almunia
Sagna Djourou Gallas Clichy
Toure
Nasri Denilson Vela
Adebayor Van Persie
I would like to see Clichy moved forward.
Almunia
Sanga Toure Djourou Gallas
Nasri Song Denilson Clichy
Van Persie Ade/Bent
unfourtunately the last two are a matter of default, Ade is better but Bendtner works harder.
This team could go on a run with a lot of home games coming. It also has balance.
COME ON THE GUNNERS.
You're kidding - Song was one of our best players v Cardiff and he did OK v Everton. Just because other blogs are picking on Song and Denilson isnt a reason to join in. Watch it for yourself - these 2 are good 'uns.
I'd really like to see Carlos Vela start a game, he can give a much needed dimension whilst on the pitch. Not to forget his speed and athleticism. I was thinking that maybe he can hold in a winger position taking some pressure off Samir Nasri.
So here's what I think should happen:
I'd really like to see Carlos Vela start a game, he can give a much needed dimension whilst on the pitch. Not to forget his speed and athleticism. I was thinking that maybe he can hold in a winger position taking some pressure off Samir Nasri.
So here's what I think should happen:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Djourou Clichy
Nasri Diaby Denilson Vela
Adebayor Van Persie
Fabianski
Sagna, (C)Toure, Djourou, Clichy
Wilshere, Diaby, Denilson, Vela
Nasri
Van Persie
Bench: Mannone, Adebayor, Bendtner, Ramsay, Gallas, Song, Merida.
Any1 who puts eboue in their squad is mentally retarded!
SELL ADEBAYOR, GALLAS + EBOUE
BUY CHIELLINI, VELOSO, ARSHAVIN + SAVIOLA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Almunia
Sagna,Gallas,Djourou,Clichy
Arshavin,Denilson,Nasri,Vela
RvP,Adebayor
This is of course if the neverending story of arshavin's transfer concludes lol.
I didn`t catch the Cardiff match, but wasn`t that impressed with the Everton performance. I`m not saying Song is terrible, don`t put words into my mouth, but I`d take Denilson and Kolo over Song or Diaby where possible. I feel Song and Diaby aren`t yet ready to be regulars, especially at the same time. In my opinion, one of them should be playing the more comfortable matches, and right now, I think we have none of those.
That was to Skelton Steve
Almunia
Sagna-Djourou-Toure-Clichy
Diaby-Denilson-Nasri
RVP-Vela
Adebayor
ALmunia
Sagna Toure Djourou Clischy
Wilshere Denilson Nasri Vela
van Persie Bendtner
Djourou have been impressive so far and gives the team the strengt in duesl, he goes for the balls Gallas doesn't, he attacks the long balls and gives us more strengt in defence, he soes sometimes make mistakes, that's where Kolo comes in. Diaby should be sdropped, he cant't pass, he runs with the ball until he loses it and doesn't want to battle for the ball. Eboue just doesn't do it anymore, give Wilshere a go, the kid have guts, ballcontrol and creativity we need. Song doesn't doa thing on the field, with him is like playing with 10 men, refuses to close down and battle which is his job, no forward play either, he should stick to being a reserve CB. Nasri was a whole other player when he was in the middle, he conrtolled the play, wanted the ball, ran with it and had some great passes, he should be in the middle alongside Denilson. Vela needs a chance, and he's the best winger we have after all the injuries, gives us speed and trickery on the left, and who know, he might wip in a good cross or two or produce some great link-up play. Bendtner was on and worked his ass off at Everton, showed good movement and willingness to both go forward and track back to defend(even though he was a third striker) Ade on the other hand produced nothing and didn't run to much either. I also heard rumors of Arshavin being presented before the West Ham game, if so, he should have at least 30 minutes in for Wilshere, if he can play thet soon and if he's actually coming that is...
peace out
love to see an attacking side since when do we arsenal worry about other people's tatics they come worried and they are only shocked we have midiocre player whose best role can only be to block good player passing the ball.which by the way they never do.denilson and song out for me.
alumunia
sagna djourou gallas clichy
toure
vela nasri diaby
RVP Bent
bench ade, wilshere,song,fabiaski,merida
65th minute bring on wilshere for Bent. 80 th minute bring Ade and merida for vela and Ade for diaby
Almunia
Sagna,Gallas,Djourou,Clichy
Eboue,Ramsey,Nasri,Vela
RvP,Adebayor
almunia
sagna djourou gallas clichy
toure
nasri diaby vela
van persie adebayor
people are guys fucking blind?
denilson shouldnt even be close to dugout.hes fucking shit.total shit.hate the guy as a player.makes me sik when ever i see that name on the team sheet.
He is young and Brazilian my friend.