Arsenal v Aston Villa match thread

[Monty]

No Doug at all?

Anyway their frontline scares the piss out of me. Defeat I think sadly.

[aldridgeboy]

Not sure I’d have played two wingers against Arsenal away.

[Three Spires Villa]

Let’s hope for the best, and I hope I am wrong, but don’t think we are good enough to play 4-3-3. Personally 4-2-3-1, but what do I know!

[CJ]

Wonder what's up with Doug. Thought Targett might have made this one. Looking at their attacking options think I might watch from behind the settee. Come on Villa - make me eat my words

[Toronto Villa]

Not sure I’d have played two wingers against Arsenal away.

Arsenal are very suspect at the back. If there is a team where this actually might work it’s against them. The midfield however has to collectively work together to win and keep the ball and get up close with Wesley. Otherwise it’s going to be a long afternoon.

[Goldie.7]

Not sure I’d have played two wingers against Arsenal away.

Arsenal are very suspect at the back.

Yeah, except when they play us.

[Bad English]

An even longer afternoon and evening for me as I now have to switch off all electronic devices, refuse any carrier pigeons and owls that ring the doorbell, wait for 7.45pm then watch the game on TV hoping they don't mention the score when presenting the game (I'm having €50 on the wankers on RMC Sports do this).

[vilan461]

 same formation i imagine-- the wingers need to earn their corn--cant see us scoring from corners nor free kicks---hope i,m wrong.

[Toronto Villa]

Not sure I’d have played two wingers against Arsenal away.

Arsenal are very suspect at the back.

Yeah, except when they play us.

They will be suspect at the back all game against us. What we need to do is find a way to expose those weaknesses.

[chrisw1]

I was hoping for Douglas Luiz and Nakamba...

A missed opportunity, unless Doug is injured.

Why is it a missed opportunity?
It’s only on here and Twitter where there has been a push for us to play 2 DMs.  Smith has never given any indication that he wants to change the way we play.  He has faith in his philosophy and it’s served him (and us) pretty well so far

[garyshawsknee]

Would have preferred an extra body in midfield as I think we can get at their midfield and over run them.

[Legion]

Would have preferred an extra body in midfield as I think we can get at their midfield and over run them.

Yes, 12 players would give us a slight advantage.

[four fornicholl]

Streams are readily available chaps 

[Monty]

I was hoping for Douglas Luiz and Nakamba...

A missed opportunity, unless Doug is injured.

Why is it a missed opportunity?
It’s only on here and Twitter where there has been a push for us to play 2 DMs.  Smith has never given any indication that he wants to change the way we play.  He has faith in his philosophy and it’s served him (and us) pretty well so far

A shape, or personnel in a shape, isn't a philosophy. If he wants us to play on the front foot he might consider looking at being more physical and getting more aggressive at the transitions.

[Sexual Ealing]

Weird obsession some of our fans have with the genitals of some of our black players.