Matchday 3: Liverpool vs Arsenal - Sunday Aug 31, 16:30 GMT - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Matchday 3: Liverpool vs Arsenal - Sunday Aug 31, 16:30 GMT

Lukazan

That ball 100% had to go to Dowman.

Big game that will give us the indication of where we are at our first 2 couldn't. Winning there even at this stage of the season will be absolutely massive.

Kel Varnsen

Lukazan That ball 100% had to go to Dowman

Not a big deal, but very good by Dowman to stay wide, not get impatient and drift inwards.

est

Reckon it's going to be Merino in midfield, Martinelli and Madueke on the wings with Eze coming off the bench.

Klaus

est Merino is the going for a point alternative I reckon, which would be understandable under the circumstances.

If we want to go for the jugular we start at least one of Eze and Nwaneri though, possibly both.

Qwiss

est if we go there with Rice and Merino as our midfield its going to be an ugly match from us. We need to start one of Ethan or Eber in Odegaards spot.

QuincyAbeyie

This is the toughest game of the season unless City get their shit together. A point would be great - a win would be a massive statement.

Panda

Would be happy with a draw. Even a loss isn't a disaster (as so early on and won our first 2) but a win would be a serious marker.

I'd like to see us look to defend and counter in this game rather than high press. On that basis I'd go with Martinelli-Eze-Madueke-Gyokeres as the counter attacking threat with the odd Calafiori foray forward with the rest of the team staying behind the ball at all times.

Be interesting to see what team Arteta goes with. I am dreading a Zubi-Rice-Merino midfield.

lorddulaarsenal

Why dread that midfield - it’s excellent

Panda

lorddulaarsenal Haha not creative enough.

Klaus That clip is very frustrating we need to start drilling these direct attacks like we do set pieces if he misses the pass to Gyokeres has to then play it to Dowman.

Burnwinter Newcastle are going to be so up for it should be very difficult game for them.

Burnwinter

Getting this thread up early: they've still got to play Newcastle away. I hope Toon kick lumps out of them and Howe locks Isak in the transfer cellar.

I'm going to vote for a draw because a draw would put us at least a hair ahead of them in the table, but let's get the march on them while they're still fucking around.

Klaus

Panda That clip is very frustrating we need to start drilling these direct attacks like we do set pieces if he misses the pass to Gyokeres has to then play it to Dowman.

Yeah I'm kinda shocked over how little vertical passing there is in the team. Has it been like this over the last few years? No one plays a ball in-behind anymore? Even the lowliest of Wenger's sides were cutting up opponents a dozen times per game.

Gazza M

Klaus we've had bursts of verticality, mainly during our 5 months of good form in 22/23, and the title run in of 23/24. pretty much all of that killer ball action was driven by odegaard (and jorginho at times), which is why im reticent to cast him aside so readily. unfortunately most of 24/25 was hallmarked by the teams inability to play through central channels or pick killer balls, which unsurprisingly coincided with odegaards most creatively barren season since joining the club

lorddulaarsenal

We need someone who can shift it to one side then play it through with the outside of their foot. Disguised well weighted through balls.

Lewis Skelly and Zubimendi are good at progressing the ball. Calafiori too

CPM

Nothing about Nwaneri so far this season/pre-season has made me want to start him in midfield at Anfield. He's looked quite average for me, a talent figuring out how to apply his skills still. And we can't start Eze yet. It'll be Martinelli-Merino-Madueke for me, and I think that works to start. Eze, Trossard, and Nwaneri are on the bench to make an impact.

Klaus

CPM Sensible. I find it hard to leave out Martinelli too.

banduan

CPM you gotta play Leo v Liverpool though at some point.

flobaba

CPM And we can't start Eze yet

Because?

banduan

when was the last time we won at Anfield? Feels like a draw to me.

HomeSteak

banduan In the league 2011. We won a league cup game there 5 years ago.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

HomeSteak August 2012. Diaby masterclass.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

In that clip at the top I actually don't see an obvious through ball to Gyokeres. The Leeds defenders are dropping deep and staying goal side. The obvious play was to Dowman.

Panda

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert Yeah the Dowman pass is probably the right choice. I think the Gyokeres pass is on around 5secs in but needs a split second decision and pass and riskier with the Leeds players covering.

invisibleman18

flobaba we pretty much have to don't we?