Posted on Wednesday, 3rd October 2012 by Tony Merakli
Following our rather unlucky yet deserved loss, due to our over performance, to Chelsea last Saturday, we welcome Greek champions Olympiakos to The Emirates for the second of our six Champions League Group stage matches.
We will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering our first defeat of the season over the weekend, and there is no better way to do this than take out our frustration on Olympiakos, a club we have met on a number of occasions.
Last season, when we played the Greeks at home, we managed to come out as 2-1 winners and undoubtedly we’ll all be hoping to bag the three points again.
Abou Diaby has been ruled out for three weeks due to a thigh strain, while Mikel Arteta is suffering from a minor ankle injury, but could still feature in the game. In addition, Jack Wilshere is finally off the treatment table and available to Arsene Wenger.
With this in mind, and a London derby just a round the corner, what should our starting line-up look like tonight?
Well taking into account that the names mentioned above are actually ruled out of action, here is how I would play it:
Mannone
Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Coquelin Ramsey
Cazorla
Chamberlain Podolski
Giroud
Following a poor performance against Chelsea, I reckon Laurent Koscielny should be replaced by Per Mertesacker.
With Diaby definitely out and Arteta a doubt, I would like to see Francis Coquelin sit in the Spaniard’s position, while Aaron Ramsey takes the role of Diaby. However, if Arteta is fit then he should start, as he is a big player for us.
Upfront I would like to see the trio of Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud. However, I can almost guarantee Gervinho will be picked ahead of AOC, and I also reckon Giroud will not start after his last minute against Chelsea. But I think he needs to redeem himself and this would be the perfect opportunity to do this.
So, who do you guys reckon should start for us tonight against the Greeks?
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Tags: Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Francis Coquelin, Gervinho, Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, Lukas Podolski, Mikel Arteta, Olivier Giroud, Olympiakos, Per Mertesacker, The Emirates
Posted in View From The Sphere | Comments (11)
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October 3rd, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Mannone
Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Coquelin Ramsey
Cazorla
Walcott Podolski Gervinho
The front 3 can all interchange position
[Reply]
Hard Ogura Reply:
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:44 pm
I like this set up. It disorgonises the defence as they fail to know whom to mark. A good mixture of speed and skill although Giroud also needs games now to sharpen his finishing.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Coquelin Ramsey
Cazorla
Walcott Giroud Podolski
I don’t understand many Arsenal fans. Giroud needs games to start scoring. His ability is not arguable. No player that doesn’t play consistently does well talk less of someone just blending into a new team in a new league.
[Reply]
Hard Ogura Reply:
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Its true Giroud needs games to sharpen him but playing him along side Walcott might not help him. Walcott wants to take his position and he won’t pass a ball to him like the way he used to do for RVP. I have seen him once and I think he will continue to do the same to frustrate him more. I would prefer another player along side him and also give Walcott a central role in second half.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Mannone
Jenkinson Meterception TV5 Gibbs
Le Coq Ramsey Carzola
AOC Giroud Poldi
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Completely different approach..
Mannone
Coquelin Mertesacker Kosc Santos
Vermie Ox
Ramsey
Walcott Giroud Gerv / Pold
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:27 pm
I would actually like to see poldi and arteta given a rest, then hopefully be in a situation where gibbs and cazorla don’t have to play the full 90 minutes.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Mannone
Jenk bfg ver santos
Coqu ramsey
Arshavin
Wallcot ox
Giru
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Mannone
Yaris Mertesacker Kosc Santos
Coquelin Frimpong
Ramsey
Ox Walcott Arsh
Let Walcott also be given a central role in 1st half with pace against the Greeks, then Giroud can come in 2nd half to hold off the opponents from attacking as the game gets towards the end with Coq and Frimp holding the mid and Ramsey covering them as Arsh does the provision in attacking mid.
Rest most of the key players who have had a lot of games and motivate others.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Mannon Jekinson, Pert, Verminator, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta, Santiago, Gervinho, Giroud, Poldoski.
[Reply]
November 1st, 2012 at 5:44 am
So true i am still trying to master a lot of these and everday is a struggle, i’ve gotten better with impatience but the others are a slippery slope
[Reply]