Arsenal vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[adrenachrome]

All of our central defenders have performed excellently this season, and some have argued that is because we have now have full backs who can defend rather than callow youths from lower divisions who look good going forward but are regularly skinned by competent wide speed merchants (Call me pedantic, but I distinctly remember being informed by several cognoscenti that there were no longer wingers in the Premiership, so new terms must be invoked).

Whatever the reason, I think it is true to state that Okore has been immense apart from when he has been coupled with Baker. In other words, it is not individuals but combinations which are most relevant.

[tomd2103]

How about a 4-2-2-1-1, playing Andy more centrally just off Benteke.  Swap Gabby for Sinclair if he's shown in training he can already do a job, or even Cleverly for Andy if we want to be a bit more defensive.


------------------ Guzan -----------------
Hutton --- Okore --- Clark --- Sissokho
--------- Sanchez ------- Delph ---------
Gil -------------------------------- Gabby
------------ Weimann -------------------
----------------- Benteke ---------------

Like the look of that side (with Sinclair hopefully replacing Gabby in time), but feel it might leave us a bit light in midfield for the next two games.  I think we'll see Cleverley in midfield tomorrow instead of Gabby from the line up above and Gil in a more of a free role. 

[kippaxvilla2]

I'm reading that Clark is a serious doubt for tomorrow who would have thought I'd be really concerned with his absence a year ago?!  Look at the amount of injuries our central defence has suffered this season - our defensive record is amazing considering that.  And has Senderos got an actual calf growing out of his calf ffs how long can it take to heel.

With all that said I think baker is still a weak link and on that basis I think we will be beaten but funnily enough not by much.

[saunders_heroes]

Benteke will score tomorrow. Anytime Lukaku score Benteke scores as well. I think.

[adrenachrome]

I'm reading that Clark is a serious doubt for tomorrow who would have thought I'd be really concerned with his absence a year ago?!  Look at the amount of injuries our central defence has suffered this season - our defensive record is amazing considering that.  And has Senderos got an actual calf growing out of his calf ffs how long can it take to heel.

With all that said I think baker is still a weak link and on that basis I think we will be beaten but funnily enough not by much.

Baker + Vlaar has worked very well this season; Baker + Okore has  tended to unhinge Okore somewhat.

Of course, they may click at some point. We must hope it is sooner rather than later.

[silhillvilla]

Benteke will score tomorrow. Anytime Lukaku score Benteke scores as well. I think.

If we had options up front I wouldn't be against dropping Benteke . He's been poor and lacked energy / hunger the last few games.

[Lastfootstamper]

Well, hello there, matchday morning optimism. What's that you say? Two-nil Villa? Why, don't mind if I do.

[silhillvilla]

Well, hello there, matchday morning optimism. What's that you say? Two-nil Villa? Why, don't mind if I do.

Don't drive. You're clearly still pissed from last night.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Alexis Sanchez is a "doubt" with an injury. This might be time for Benteke to find his form if he gets a decent supply from Gil Hutton and sissoko ........

He plays for the barcodes so I highly doubt Benteke will be getting supplied anytime soon

Cissokho. School boy error. But you knew who i meant .......

[Tuscans]

Someone get a match thread going

[Archie]

Arsenal are strong in attack but weak in defence, so we should not commit the mistake to let them put us under pression.
 I would go with:
Guzan
Hutton Clark Okorč Cyssoko
Delph Westwood Sanchez
Gil Benteke Sinclair (Agbinlahor)

[richard moore]

Team is: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Richardson, Delph, Gil, Sanchez, Cleverley, Benteke, Weimann

[richard moore]

Arse: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud