Closed Arsenal vs Chelsea

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Lock down the flanks and force them to play through the middle. This allows us to eliminate most, if not all, runs in behind the defense from the likes of Gervinho. They will then play through the middle predominantly, which although they are good at, we can handle (especially if Ramires is in there with his energy and closing down). They are not Barcelona after all.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Oscar will start imo because he's capable defensively plus probably the only one of the attacking mids that can actually provide some goals. Mata has been on another level since his return from vacation so he must start. Hazard might get dropped though if RDM decides to opt for a defensive winger because I think Oscar and Mata both are ahead of him on the team sheet for THIS match.

I hope Sturridge starts because I don't think Torres is good enough to get the better of either of Arsenal CBs.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Fixed

I disagree. Cahill+Terry would be a better choice against Arsenal imo.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Lamps should definitely not start this match.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Tough call, if we had to drop one of the 3 Maestro's (I'll call them this from now ) I would opt for probably Hazard. He's been a bit quiet the last few matches and form should dictate places in the team, with all the competition we have. Mata and Oscar are better possession players anyway which is what we may need for this game. Bring on Hazard (how many teams can bring on a Player of Hazard's quality? ) when defenders get tired. The 3 Maestro's should start though.

[Milan 17,957]

Oh right, no Drogba against them. That can mean they can sort of underestimate it Wishful thinking.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Tough call, if we had to drop one of the 3 Maestro's (I'll call them this from now ) I would opt for probably Hazard. He's been a bit quiet the last few matches and form should dictate places in the team, with all the competition we have. Mata and Oscar are better possession players anyway which is what we may need for this game. Bring on Hazard (how many teams can bring on a Player of Hazard's quality? ) when defenders get tired. The 3 Maestro's should start though.

Moses - Oscar - Mata

---------Hazard--------

I highly doubt Torres will bring anything to the table. However I doubt RDM has the balls to do that

[Land 331]

Anyone have a source on Lampard's injury?

[Kieran. 6,317]

Anyone have a source on Lampard's injury?

[Land 331]

That's kind of good tbh,I think that Ramires on the pivot will help us contain Cazorla and Arteta.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

We should play 4-3-3 against Arsenal and look to dominate the midfield, using Moses/Mata/Marin and Hazard to stretch the play hopefully finding gaps between their midfielders and defenders. In my honest opinion Arsenal are only as good as their midfield is on the day, Diaby has been brilliant for them recently tbh, Cazorla has been their best player and Arteta is also very important. Ramsey is overrated but hes played decent when I've seen him too.

This is only an idea but we should perhaps try being negative to be positive. SImilar to what Real Madrid did vs Man City but instead of Essien, Khedira and Alonso we should go for Ramires, Mikel and Romeu. If we can nullify their midfield and get Ramires bombing up and down like he was under Villas-Boas and have Mata/Moses/Marin and Hazard also involved from wide positions then we could win te game. If this also didn't work we could change the system back to our preferred 4-2-3-1, just I feel if we play 4-2-3-1 Arsenal will expose the double pivot from the start but not later on in the game as Arsenal seem to struggle to recover from conceding against us in majority of the games we've taken a lead.

I doubt this will happen though and Robbie will deploy a 4-2-3-1 with Lampard and Mikel....

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

I'll just let them worry about us, the mighty Blues.

[Liquidator 5,176]

Can't wait to see how some people will be saying Torres should start because 'he's back' (again) after scoring against Wolves reserves

[zolayes 14,489]

I'll just let them worry about us, the mighty Blues.

the right attitude :blue scalf: :blue scalf:

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Can't wait to see how some people will be saying Torres should start because 'he's back' (again) after scoring against Wolves reserves

I'd say at least 50 percent will end up thinking that..... a lot of people constantly did last season.....

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Got the perfect chant for Olivier Giroud.

"Hes big, hes tall, he hasn't scored at all, Olly Giroud, Olly Giroud"

or

"Hes big, hes tall, hes scored fuck all, Olly Giroud, Olly Giroud"

Few Arsenal fans on another forum aren't happy

[Beigl 1,387]

------------------------Cech------------

----Ivanovic---Cahill-----Luiz----Cole

-----------Ramires-----Mikel-----

Oscar-------------Mata-----------Hazard

------------------Torres--------------------

Subs:Turnbull,Azpilicueta,Terry,Bertrand,Romeu,Lampard,Moses

This would probably the best squad we can bring to the pitch currently.I don´t know why but I have a good feeling for this match,but it will be difficult opponent,Arsenal played really well in recent weeks.I think we´ll win 1-0.

[Wavy Crockett 190]

same fixture last season was painful to watch, scust at that shit

as always hope we give it a real go attacking wise, create chances and hopefully score a few goals. results wise I think we probably can't complain with a draw here with Arsenal in decent form

[Tricky 301]

A little too much pessimism from many on here. Our first big test, yes, but we should be more confident and hopeful than what is being displayed on this match thread.

Your right, this won't be an easy game for "the arse" but I think this has draw written all over it. If that's the case is be incredible happy... ?

[Tricky 301]

arsenal is gonna fuck chelsea up ... you fucking idiots still suck after spending god knows how much money

Guys do dumb he can't even come up with a decent name, just bashing keys like a monkey on speed!!