What really stands out in that lineup is how many attacking players we had on the pitch at the same time. Even Song was creative on a level comparable to our attacking midfielders this season. All of the subs on the bench were offensive too except Denilson and Mannone. The current staff would have had a heart attack if we ever showed up to a game like that.
The last few lineups have been quite attacking. He’s chosen to go with what is effectively a 334 a lot of the time. Let’s see what he does today
Comparing with that Wenger squad just shows there is a comparative dearth in offensive talent in this squad.
Great line-up. Full of offensive talent.
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I reckon that's about as good a team as we could hope to field. I wonder if Saka plays leftback and Xhaka is in midfield or if we're really playing a trio of Partey, Smith-Rowe and Ødegaard.
oh look theres Holding, despite the gymnastics from everyone that put out an XI with him occluded. Agree if Saka is indeed LB, thats more or less as good as I was hoping. Or if we do go with a 1-2 pivot potentially with Partey deepest, Anzac should be delighted.
All we know is ESR won’t be a false 9. I suspect it will be 4123 with ESR and Odegaard ahead of Partey.
Damn, we're playing the Goon formation!
Noticed Chelsea did something interesting and different yesterday. Since the am’s are mostly required to press against a team which is technically better, Kante was deployed high upfront into the role the 8/10 would typically take up and for the most part only Havertz and Werner were ahead of him. It worked delightfully. Maybe Arteta tries that tonight?
I really dont have a lot to argue with from that lineup.
bullish line up. no cageyness, blitzkrieg unai and he'll have no answers
Basically what I suggested for the front 6, great minds.
I don’t think the defence matches the attack though, Mari, Holding and Xhaka will just run back rather than stopping counters early.
Gazza M wrote: bullish line up. no cageyness, blitzkrieg unai and he'll have no answers
I had to re-read this 3 times. I thought you were saying "bullshit lineup".. LOL
goon wrote: Basically what I suggested for the front 6, great minds. I don’t think the defence matches the attack though, Mari, Holding and Xhaka will just run back rather than stopping counters early.
Someone suggested Gabriel at LB instead of Xhaka. I think both him and Cedric would've been better choices at LB but won't complain with that front 6.
Going gung-ho here, hope it doesnt backfire.
Strong team, glad he stuck with Mari, hope Saka is at LB.
Some quality on the bench too with Tierny, Laca and Martinelli.
Feel pretty confident about this.
I see it closest to the front six Coombs put out. I don't expect Smith Rowe to be on the same line or adjacent to Partey. If anything Ødegaard and Partey might switch in intervals for 1st phase actions.
Qwiss! wrote: Strong team, glad he stuck with Mari, hope Saka is at LB. Some quality on the bench too with Tierny, Laca and Martinelli. Feel pretty confident about this.
Oh yeah, didn’t consider it could be Saka at left back. Would probably make more sense.
goon wrote: Qwiss! wrote: Strong team, glad he stuck with Mari, hope Saka is at LB. Some quality on the bench too with Tierny, Laca and Martinelli. Feel pretty confident about this. Oh yeah, didn’t consider it could be Saka at left back. Would probably make more sense.
I think it lets us play more of our natural game going forward, thats why I'm hoping for it. If its Xhaka LB and one of the AMs in CM its just more messing about.
It would definitely be a bold move. On the other hand, I do like the idea of Partey, Odegaard and ESR dictating the game through the middle.
