Claudius wrote: Klaus wrote: Not a big fan of starting Auba and/or Pepe here, but I think there's a decent argument for it. Red Bull Frankfurt (or whatever this team is called) is our toughest opponent on paper and a good result here would mean it's more likely we finish top of the group, and I think the draw for the knockout rounds is going to be tough this year with some mean teams dropping down from the Champions League group play. We arguably put too much emphasis on Europa League last year, but taking it too lightly would be equally stupid at this stage of the season. We don't know yet what our league campaign is going to look like. EL could still end up being our best bet to get back into Champions League. I would start one. Pepe. He needs to work himself into form. Play him with Ozil. We can afford 2 mess ups in this group.
Klaus wrote: Not a big fan of starting Auba and/or Pepe here, but I think there's a decent argument for it. Red Bull Frankfurt (or whatever this team is called) is our toughest opponent on paper and a good result here would mean it's more likely we finish top of the group, and I think the draw for the knockout rounds is going to be tough this year with some mean teams dropping down from the Champions League group play. We arguably put too much emphasis on Europa League last year, but taking it too lightly would be equally stupid at this stage of the season. We don't know yet what our league campaign is going to look like. EL could still end up being our best bet to get back into Champions League.
Not a big fan of starting Auba and/or Pepe here, but I think there's a decent argument for it.
Red Bull Frankfurt (or whatever this team is called) is our toughest opponent on paper and a good result here would mean it's more likely we finish top of the group, and I think the draw for the knockout rounds is going to be tough this year with some mean teams dropping down from the Champions League group play.
We arguably put too much emphasis on Europa League last year, but taking it too lightly would be equally stupid at this stage of the season. We don't know yet what our league campaign is going to look like. EL could still end up being our best bet to get back into Champions League.
I would start one. Pepe. He needs to work himself into form. Play him with Ozil. We can afford 2 mess ups in this group.
Yep, Pepe needs the games, Auba doesn't.
Forgot about Ozil, I'd play him too alongside Nelson and Martinelli and maybe put Pepe up top.
I suggest a 4-3-1-2. Don't let Auba travel and rest the others. Martinez; Chambers, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasanic; Torreira, Guendouzi, Willock; Özil; Pépé, Nelson. Subs: Macey, Holding, Medley, Smith-Rowe, Saka, Maitland-Niles, Martinelli. .
If Nelson shits his pants in this one he should be with the U23s for a few weeks.
There’s no need to punish the kid. Just keep playing him into shape. It’s a little frustrating that he’s taking longer than expected but he’s young. We have a whole Carling Cup and, to be honest, I don’t give a raccoon’s hantavirus-laden shit about the Europa. He can get all the minutes he wants there til he shows his cojones.
Yeah. I think the talent hyping shit really didn't help. He is nowhere near ready yet, Nagelsmann was right in playing him so fringely. A lot of work to be done, he is not the natural kind that goes into first team football like a king and never look back.
I admittedly didn't see enough of Nelson in the academy games. Not sure if I'am alone but I feel he tends to play closer to a street footballer than a defined player in an organized system. 1-2 adjustments and think he could join the party more often.
Street footballer sounds about right to me. Özil was a pure street baller too and he's apparently a big fan of Nelson. That's good validation of the lad's talent too.
Nelson is probably never going to be a tight system player and I don't think he should be either. Not sure Hoffenheim and Nagelsmann were the best destination for him with that in mind, but it's easy to say with the benefit of hindsight.
Ozil and Sokratis not in the squad. Unai says Ozil is getting some rest. Played 71 minutes of football this year, must be tired.
"This man is no coach" ~ M.Ozil
Why did he feel he needed a body guard for this press conference?
I can’t bear his press conferences any longer. 3 minutes of pointless BS was quite enough, thank you.
I miss Wenger doing these things in German.
Kola talking about being mature in dealing with the mistake blame game and Emery sanctioning a team bonding session kind of confirms the suspicion that it is an issue that they are trying to squash.
I expect them to be very strong as they were last year although hopefully less potent after selling their two best strikers so would hope Emery plays a decent team. The below would suit me.
Leno AMN Chambers Luiz Kolasinac Torreira Willock Pepe Ceballos Martinelli Aubameyang
^ that's the midfield trio we need to give a chance to for a run of games.
Emery won't do that though, of course.
Martinez recently said he was guaranteed to play the cup games.
“Last year Petr Cech began as a starter and Bernd Leno played the cups. But this year Leno starts number one and I’m playing those competitions. Although everything can change, ...” https://tribuna.com/en/arsenal/news/3461336/
Hopefully he proves capable. I'm a fan of Leno but he's been mildly shaky so far this season, plus every number 1 needs real competition.
If there is one thing I really hate about being in the Europa League its these stupid early kick offs.
Particularly when all teams are basically in Western Europe anyway.
