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

[Matt Collins]

Wilshere played a couple of good balls I admit, but he's lost it several times too by dawdling or trying to force it. Completely agree will be great if sylla is fit and picked. I haven't really seen anything about an injury other than that he was taken off.

I can't see any chance he'd drop gabby surely? He was outstanding at the end of last season and has often caused arsenal problems.

[barrysleftfoot]

Lack of movement off the ball for Wilshire MC, particularly Wellbeck.

 I'm not over convinced that Gabby will be in PLs long term plans, does'nt produce enough for me.

 How slow is Cahill on the turn?

[Dave]

I'm not over convinced that Gabby will be in PLs long term plans, does'nt produce enough for me.

 How slow is Cahill on the turn?

Since we started this formation hasn't he scored something like seven goals in twelve games? That's fairly productive.

I don't think that Cahill plays for Arsenal.

[supertom]

I'm pretty sure Gabby is still considered a key player for us. I expect, barring injuries, he'll play over 30 games. Second half of last season he was back to his best, and he's looked well up for it in pre-season.

[PeterWithesShin]

Gabby on form is a massive plus for us. I'm not 100% convinced that if Gabby goes on one his regular runs of little to no form that PL will keep on picking him like previous managers have. Hopefully though we'll never find out.

[Isa]

I think we'll score and so will they. As it's the opening day, I'll allow for some optimism and go for 1-1.

Benteke 15'
Giroud    79'

Team I'd go with:

Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Baker Luna
Sylla
Westwood        Delph
Weimann              Agbonlahor
Benteke

Team I expect Lambert to go with:

Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlaar Luna
Westwood
El-Ahmadi        Delph
Weimann              Agbonlahor
Benteke

I'd stick with the Vlaar/Baker partnership for now. Okore shouldn't just walk straight into the team, especially when he hardly played any of the pre-season. Baker will probably also need to help out Luna, so he should take the left-CB spot. Still question marks over Vlaar but he does still offer an element of experience and leadership. The fact KEA started against Malaga and Sylla featured for the reserves tells me that PL will most likely opt for KEA which is a mistake in my opinion. I'd feel more comfortable with Sylla protecting the back-line rather then leaving it to Westwood who doesn't offer them much protection. The rest of the team picks itself.

A big difference from last season though will be our subs bench where Lambert now has the options to bring on and really change games. Perhaps he'll now be able to show why Norwich fans considered him a tactical genius? 

Opponent watch: The situation isn't rosy at the moment at Arsenal. Still no major signing. Just missed out on Gustavo to Wolfburg which tells you everything you need to know about their shambolic recruitment drive really. Out of the team likely to play, I'd concur that Walcott is probably their biggest danger-man. Our defence isn't comfortable being run at with pace. You only have to look at the havoc caused by Pawlowski during the Malaga game. Arsenal though have become slow-starters in recent seasons, so let's hope that continues as we'll still need them to fluff their lines a bit to get a result.

Regarding the Agbonlahor debate, I will never be fully convinced by him until he is consistent throughout a season. If he has his usual spell of going missing for a few months then as somebody has already said, he'll most likely lose his place.

[jeowje]

Cant agree that Okore should't just walk in- we conceded 69 goals last season, just not acceptable.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Bit miffed that Walcott seems to be fit - BBC giving out news on Monday evening that he was doubtful for England and Saturday.
Think PL will go with Vlaar and Okore at CB which would be harsh on Baker as he's looked great pre-season.
Would prefer Sylla over KEA but as Matt says no news of injury just knowledge that he went off on Mon.
I love Gabby but I thought he was poor on Saturday (because he's "one of us" I always feel a bit guilty when I doubt his commitment!)  and didn't make the explosive, attacking contribution that we all know he is capable of.
I'd love him to have a classic Gabby game on Sat and tear the fu**ers to bits, make one and score one.
UTV!

[supertom]

Gab is a big game sort of player, generally. So I'd expect him to do quite well in our first three games. He also normally starts a season pretty well. I fancy us to rip Arsenal apart. I think they should put odds of a 0-0 on this game at 1000-1. We'll score, they'll score, more than one. It'll be a case of outscoring the other.

[Isa]

It should be noted that Arsenal had the second best defensive record in the league last season. No doubt we can pose them a threat but the idea that we will run riot is misguided. Arsenal's problems lie at the other end of the pitch these days.

[not3bad]

Regarding the Agbonlahor debate, I will never be fully convinced by him until he is consistent throughout a season. If he has his usual spell of going missing for a few months then as somebody has already said, he'll most likely lose his place.

I think this may be the first time Gabby may be under real pressure for his place.  We all know MON didn't rotate, and after he left there were never any alternatives anyway, so it it will be interesting to see how Gabby reacts with the likes of Tonev and Helenius waiting in the wings.

[pauliewalnuts]

Just seen on SSN, Walcott has a swollen knee after the England match and is a slight doubt for Saturday.

[Isa]

Regarding the Agbonlahor debate, I will never be fully convinced by him until he is consistent throughout a season. If he has his usual spell of going missing for a few months then as somebody has already said, he'll most likely lose his place.

I think this may be the first time Gabby may be under real pressure for his place.  We all know MON didn't rotate, and after he left there were never any alternatives anyway, so it it will be interesting to see how Gabby reacts with the likes of Tonev and Helenius waiting in the wings.

I can see Helenius taking either Gabby or Weimann's place this season. He already seems a more intelligent and technically-gifted player then both of them.

[Brend'Watkins]

I can see Helenius taking either Gabby or Weimann's place this season. He already seems a more intelligent and technically-gifted player then both of them.

That's a bold statement based on a few friendlies against inferior opposition. 

[Toronto Villa]

Just seen on SSN, Walcott has a swollen knee after the England match and is a slight doubt for Saturday.

if he plays I would encourage Luna to give Walcott's knee an early test and make it count. Yellow card is better than watching him blow by our LB for 90 minutes.