The Arsenal v Citeh, FA Community Shield, Sunday 6 August, 4pm

I probably won't be able to watch this but i will say that i think it's vital for us to really go toe-to-toe and try to at least get a draw (i know it then goes to pels but that doesn't really matter)

To win would obvs be psychologically positive, though admittedly without indicating too much about whether we'll beat them in the PL

but to lose, especially if it's a tonking (not out of the question after seeing our defending the other night), would be psychologically very bad news

Not having Jesus is very unfortunate - if we start with Eddie we will lose the game

I'd probably go with this:

Ram
White Saliba Gabriel Timber
Partey
Odegaard Rice
Saka Trossard Martinelli

I know this game doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things but we really need to end this hoodoo against them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marc Overmars

I know this game doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things but we really need to end this hoodoo against them.

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Well the hoodoo is really in the league, and winning on Sunday won’t make it any more (or any less) likely of getting a result against them in league fixtures. The league hoodoo has lasted almost six years but we beat them in the fa cup semi final three years ago

Does not matter. Another run about.

The indicators from a charity (sorry, community) shield have never indicated what is to come.

It’s another match you should want to win, but 3 points v Forest is preferable

What LDG said

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Letters

What LDG said

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Well obvs beating Forest is more important, but I do think if Citeh beat us comfortablly it will be a real blow - not least because you just KNOW that Arteta will be desperate to win this

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mac76

I probably won't be able to watch this but i will say that i think it's vital for us to really go toe-to-toe and try to at least get a draw (i know it then goes to pels but that doesn't really matter)

To win would obvs be psychologically positive, though admittedly without indicating too much about whether we'll beat them in the PL

but to lose, especially if it's a tonking (not out of the question after seeing our defending the other night), would be psychologically very bad news

Not having Jesus is very unfortunate - if we start with Eddie we will lose the game

I'd probably go with this:

Ram
White Saliba Gabriel Timber
Partey
Odegaard Rice
Saka Trossard Martinelli

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Yeah, I think you've put our strongest lineup down....though I do wonder, how we'd look if we dropped Odegaard and played Jorginho...just a different way of coming at the game.

I also agree with those who say a good result is important....an embarrassing show will surely spill into the season, I'm sure of that.

Genuinely apprehensive about this season and pre-season has done nothing to alleviate this, in fact I’d argue that it’s made my apprehensions worse. Of course you can’t win every game, but to win only two out of five….and look toothless in front of goal in three of them is hugely concerning.

We’ve got a talented squad of that I’ve no doubt, but we are married to a system which I think teams have found us out with

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 21_GOONER_SALUTE

Yeah, I think you've put our strongest lineup down....though I do wonder, how we'd look if we dropped Odegaard and played Jorginho...just a different way of coming at the game.

I also agree with those who say a good result is important....an embarrassing show will surely spill into the season, I'm sure of that.

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We'd look absolutely shite with absolutely Zero creativity in the middle of the park as we just invite wave after wave of attack as we can't progress the ball. It'd be fuckin awful.

Timber Saliba Gabriel Tierney

Partey

Havertz Odegaard

Trossard Nketiah Martinelli


Maybe Rice in for Eddie and swap with Havertz but you then have multiple people out of position.
I'm assuming Tierney is fit and Balagun isn't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mandela8

We'd look absolutely shite with absolutely Zero creativity in the middle of the park as we just invite wave after wave of attack as we can't progress the ball. It'd be fuckin awful.

Timber Saliba Gabriel Tierney

Partey

Havertz Odegaard

Trossard Nketiah Martinelli


Maybe Rice in for Eddie and swap with Havertz but you then have multiple people out of position.
I'm assuming Tierney is fit and Balagun isn't.

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Yeah, I get what you say about Zero creativity but do we really thinking we can out create or play better attacking football than Citeh??

Most teams that have beaten them are teams that are good at soaking up pressure and countering ... the 3 men upfront posted by Mac are good at the counter, I think Odegaard slows our counter attacks down and hasn't proven himself useful in any City game, ever!

So maybe Havertz instead of Odegaard, but I'd really like to see how comfortable we are in sitting deep and countering or trying something new as I have given up on trying to dominate City for 90 mins.