Ouch!
After all the promise of pre-season, it took just 90 minutes of the campaign proper for Arsene Wenger’s gleeful ‘I told you we would eventually win the title my way’ smile to be wiped off his face.
For some reason, Wenger ignores the opinion of football supporters and pundits everywhere and continues to go his own way. But his reluctance to buy a top striker, a top anchor man and a proper central defender seems to be a matter of stubborn pride rather than any football expertise.
Perhaps he can’t stand the thought of folding to the opinion of the common man.
We wonder if, privately, Wenger’s wife also believes that his most annoying trait is that he is impossibly stubborn? Oh to be a fly on the wall at tea-time in the Wenger home.
Anyway, he will continue to do as he pleases in the market and Arsenal will continue to be good but not great.
In the meantime some think that Theo Walcott should get another chance up top. He’s not a typical number 9 but he does have great pace, a good finish and can interchange with Sanchez and The Ox up top to devastating effect.
He may have a particularly big impact away from home, on the counter, against the likes of Palace. But we think that the physical presence of Giroud could be useful against Palace so he gets the nod for this one.
Crystal Palace themselves had a brilliant opening day victory away at Norwich and will be no easy target.
Arsenal need Sanchez back from the start and Cazorla or Ozil will have to make way in our formation, with Ramsey and Coquelin in front of the defence in a 4-2-3-1.
We would be minded to give Ozil the chop for this one but Arsenal fans remain loyal to the mercurial star so we will bow to their better judgment – unlike old stubborn pants Wenger.
As for the back five, we would like to see the pace of Paulista and Bellerin (if fit) in the starting line up.
Here’s our best eleven vs Palace. Arsenal fans: Giroud or Walcott?
Hard Ogura
Aug 11, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Mr, your line up can not work for Wenger and i. It will take an injury for Wenger to pair Kos and Gabriel in defense.
Carzola was the best in Ramsey’s position in the second half of last season and he is just brilliant along side Coquelin, because the latter wins balls and shields the defense on the left side while the former receives, holds and distributes with exceptional technique.
So that means, Gabriel or Kos with Per and Ramsey probably and Ox to sort out who to stand in 7. But Wenger prefers the former. There are some who don’t fit in the first line up for some matches but they are prince to professor.
christy
Aug 11, 2015 at 10:34 pm
I dont know what you watch but its certainly not football.Ramsey does not dictate play that is why Cazorla played beside Coquelin since January when Arsenal went on their good run.The manager made a bad mistake against West Ham playing Ramsey alongside Coquelin,Ramsey is neither a holding midfielder(coquelin) or a man who starts things ticking(cazorla)he is a good midfielder that can get on the end of things.Drop Ozil people can say what they want but for me he will never hack the premier league he lacks energy.
Joblow
Aug 11, 2015 at 11:15 pm
Agree with you for the most part. Think Koscielny is the necessary factor though when it comes to the defense. Gabriel is still a bit rough in my opinion.
In terms of the midfield I truly believe Cazorla is a must as he is our most consistent midfielder and aid the attack with assist (our assist king) and goals. Ramsey is the player we can count on to take the shot and actually score, while Coquelin is our shield.
Ozil is good and our most expensive player but does that mean he has to start ahead of proven players. When Ozil was injured i believe that is when our run actually started then he came in while the team was on a high(just saying). We need players who can stand up and be counted. COYG!
Malaysian gunner
Aug 11, 2015 at 11:24 pm
According to one website,the gunners always buckled under pressure.
I don’t know but any manager ,especially atop one shd be able
adapt to it.
CP aint easy meat and under rate them at your peril.Most teams know how to
deny the gunners time and space.Expect CP to do likewise.
Having Benzema will be great but there is no guarantee.CP have a number of
speedy and dangerousplayers and ahdl could be a disaster.
Imho,the gunners overplay and that is abig problem which allows defences time to
regroup and block all gaps.