Arsenal v Aston Villa All-in-one Thread (Match #272) (Post-match #993)

[Keeno]

Hmm yeah I could see him starting Tonev in front of Gabby possibly on the left hand side of the front three... Starting him against Malaga was a bit of a clue to that and I wouldn't be surprised if the starting XI on Saturday is v. similar.

[PaulTheVillan]

Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlaar Luna
Westwood
Delph        KEA
Weimann              Agbonlahor
Benteke

That's how I think we'll go.

[badluckeric(gates)]

Had a couple of quid on this one. I don't know the inside of a bookies from the outside but I do know when odds are taking the p***. 13/2 hmm. get in.

[olaftab]

Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlaar Luna
Westwood
Delph        KEA
Weimann              Agbonlahor
Benteke

That's how I think we'll go.

I 'll go with this however debate in my mind is  Okore/Baker, KEA/Sylla, Agbonlahor/Tonev? I think the better team is the alternatives to your suggestion.

[fredm]

If he starts with the team that started against Malaga then I am really worried.  Vlaar looked unsure of himself on the left side (and is away this week so no work at BH); Luna will be settling in and defensively looks a bit dicey; KEA is not a naturally defensive player and I think is a bit short of the pace of the game and Tonev, whilst looking to have lots of potential, was way off the pace of the game in my opinion. Therefore I believe the midfield would be overrun.  Taking all those small points together, I think we could be looking down the barrel if that is the way he goes.

[Chipsticks]

1-1, Vlaar and Cazorla.

[Damo70]

I will go 2-2. Probably as good a time as any to play Arsenal. They don't tend to start well in recent years and haven't made the signings they hope to yet.

[OCD]

We've got 3 difficult games within a week so instead of Lambert thinking only of the Arsenal game, I think he will have drawn up plans for what he wants to do for all 3 games and use the squad that he's put together so that not many of the team will play the full 3 matches. So I can well imagine Gabby and Weimann being strategically left out of a game each with the likes of Tonev and Bacuna getting games. Helenius will probably start a game too.

[Concrete John]

We've got 3 difficult games within a week so instead of Lambert thinking only of the Arsenal game, I think he will have drawn up plans for what he wants to do for all 3 games and use the squad that he's put together so that not many of the team will play the full 3 matches. So I can well imagine Gabby and Weimann being strategically left out of a game each with the likes of Tonev and Bacuna getting games. Helenius will probably start a game too.

I'm not so sure.

That sounds all very logical in theory, but form and fitness will play a part and even if he does have a side to play Chelsea in mind already, that can and most likely will change dependent on what happens against Arsenal.

[OCD]

We've got 3 difficult games within a week so instead of Lambert thinking only of the Arsenal game, I think he will have drawn up plans for what he wants to do for all 3 games and use the squad that he's put together so that not many of the team will play the full 3 matches. So I can well imagine Gabby and Weimann being strategically left out of a game each with the likes of Tonev and Bacuna getting games. Helenius will probably start a game too.

I'm not so sure.

That sounds all very logical in theory, but form and fitness will play a part and even if he does have a side to play Chelsea in mind already, that can and most likely will change dependent on what happens against Arsenal.

Of course he would have to adjust his plans according to events but I wouldn't be surprised if the starting point was to treat the 3 games as one block. He might also see Chelsea/Liverpool doing something different than expected in their first games which would be another factor. I know Ferguson always used to pick teams for 3 or 4 games at a time and then adjust accordingly and I wouldn't be surprised if Lambert thought similarly. It does sound as though he's wanted 2 players for every position and to be able to rotate and didn't really get the chance to do that last year.

[stubbsyandy]

Here is the team:

Guzan, Lowton Vlaar Baker Luna,  Westwood Delph Sylla,  Weimann Benteke Tonev and we win 3-2.

I agree, or maybe Gabby for Tonev?
Oh, and 3-1 to us

[SoccerHQ]

We've got 3 difficult games within a week so instead of Lambert thinking only of the Arsenal game, I think he will have drawn up plans for what he wants to do for all 3 games and use the squad that he's put together so that not many of the team will play the full 3 matches. So I can well imagine Gabby and Weimann being strategically left out of a game each with the likes of Tonev and Bacuna getting games. Helenius will probably start a game too.

Someone go round the Richard Moore household and make sure the poor fellow is o.k

[Bellster]

If he starts with the team that started against Malaga then I am really worried.  Vlaar looked unsure of himself on the left side (and is away this week so no work at BH); Luna will be settling in and defensively looks a bit dicey; KEA is not a naturally defensive player and I think is a bit short of the pace of the game and Tonev, whilst looking to have lots of potential, was way off the pace of the game in my opinion. Therefore I believe the midfield would be overrun.  Taking all those small points together, I think we could be looking down the barrel if that is the way he goes.

Spot on Fredm

[Matt Collins]

Wilshere isn't impressing me too much in the England game tonight. Think we need to really put the pressure on him on the ball.

Walcott has also showed deficiencies in his technique, but his pace for that goal was excellent. Could really see him giving Luna a bit of a torrid time, getting behind him like that. Mind you, Baker isn't the fastest either.

[barrysleftfoot]

 Funny MC, i think Wiltshire has been very good, its the lack of a focal point of attack that has limited his options.

 For me Sylla is key on saturday, if he is fit, his pace and aggression could nulify Arse, and allow our better footballers to get in the game a bit.Would probabl start with Tonev as well, possibly replacing Gabby.