Arsenal vs Aston Villa. 30th May. 17:30. FA Cup Final 2015

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Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie

I'd agree if Ramsey actually gave us any defensive protection but he doesn't.

I actually think Cazorla runs back and tackles more than Ramsey, who just trundles back with no urgency
If we need an extra body than we put him in there in the last twenty minutes when instead of trying to slowly grind Villa down to no effect we would have blitzed them and can sit back and play keep ball

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Ramsey does his bit. He was leading every opta stat around last year inc. tackles and interceptions. He's not the most savvy, but because of his ridiculous stamina his numbers are always good. Wilshere and Cazorla have a bit more awareness but much less energy.

With Coquelin next to Ramsey we'd be ok. Cazorla has done well but his contribution to our winning run is slightly overrated imo. He 'sits' and gives the illusion of helping us hold some shape but it's only because he can't run quick enough to join attacks. And when he's not hitting a dead ball, he's utterly useless near the box now. Similar to arteta in that sense. Cazorla doesn't hit many penetrative passes or open defences. Performs the same role as Coquelin with slightly more accomplished footwork.

Chesney over Ospina for me. If you asked me before the West Brom game I would have been leaning towards Ospina, but after his mistakes I've gone the other way. He doesn't seem like a confident type, and I get the feeling that those mistakes will get to him. Chesney on the other hand is an arrogant bastard who will be desperate to prove himself, wont be scared on Benteke and is a better shot stopper.

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Originally Posted by Penguin

Chesney over Ospina for me. If you asked me before the West Brom game I would have been leaning towards Ospina, but after his mistakes I've gone the other way. He doesn't seem like a confident type, and I get the feeling that those mistakes will get to him. Chesney on the other hand is an arrogant bastard who will be desperate to prove himself, wont be scared on Benteke and is a better shot stopper.

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Choice between strchynine and arsenic for me
Szczesny has been a liability every cup tie he has played this season and Ospina is just terrible

Only reason I'd choose Ospina is because he has the game time between the sticks

Villa are an attack minded team and their best players are their forwards, we should be able to open them up much more frequently than we did swansea and sunderland (where we managed to a few times but couldnt score) but i think they will cause us problems through Benteke and their wingers.

Id start Giroud, Theo and Sanchez as the front three with Coq, Ramsey and Ozil in midfield. Jack has looked fresh and sharp but i dont think him and Ozil in the same midfield is as solid as Ramsey and Ozil.

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Originally Posted by Penguin

Chesney over Ospina for me. If you asked me before the West Brom game I would have been leaning towards Ospina, but after his mistakes I've gone the other way. He doesn't seem like a confident type, and I get the feeling that those mistakes will get to him. Chesney on the other hand is an arrogant bastard who will be desperate to prove himself, wont be scared on Benteke and is a better shot stopper.

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Ospina has played in a world cup against all sorts. Why should he be scared of Benteke(who I happen to like)? Wenger should simply play who he feels is better but I think he will play Sneezy.

If you want a player with the ball under pressure in tight spaces to generally keep possession whilst retaining the opportunity to quickly release it/playmake, then you have to play Carzorla.

If I was Wenger I would ask Santi if he had the energy for the game.....to rouse a little extra out of him. Of course he would respond with yes and probably want to show as much.

I'd gamble by not playing Ramsey or Wilshere and go with Ozil, Coq and Carzorla. Villa don't have a particularly big or aggressive midfield and are all over the place at the back with Okore. In light of that I'd not allow them a foothold in the game from the very start by playing Giroud, Walcott and Alexis in attack. Punish them early on and make them nervous about making another mistake....so nervous they will lose their composure in attack. They've just been heavily beat lest we forget.

If it is clear that the midfield balance isn't right then one of Ramsey/Wilshere can come on. Both are approaching form off the bench.

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In light of that I'd not allow them a foothold in the game from the very start...

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Only one person will disagree with this (and do the opposite)

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Originally Posted by Syn

Ramsey does his bit. He was leading every opta stat around last year inc. tackles and interceptions. He's not the most savvy, but because of his ridiculous stamina his numbers are always good. Wilshere and Cazorla have a bit more awareness but much less energy.

With Coquelin next to Ramsey we'd be ok. Cazorla has done well but his contribution to our winning run is slightly overrated imo. He 'sits' and gives the illusion of helping us hold some shape but it's only because he can't run quick enough to join attacks. And when he's not hitting a dead ball, he's utterly useless near the box now. Similar to arteta in that sense. Cazorla doesn't hit many penetrative passes or open defences. Performs the same role as Coquelin with slightly more accomplished footwork.

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:blink:

Syn has gone mental.

Syn :doh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZOoeEsEba0

:scarf: