on a completely random note our core of players are still pretty young.....i think if we can win the EPL this season it could have a huge impact over the next 5 years
Welbeck Rambo 25
Alexis 26
Ozil 27
Wilshere and Campbell 23.
Hector 20
Ox 22
and wild cards Gnabry and Iwobi are only 20 as well
go gunners
Expect a very similar tie to the last few years in the first knockout round. Lose 2-0 or 3-1 at home then "proud of the performance" after another "heroic" 1 or 2-0 win away.
Winning at the Nou Camp?
Three for me, and two for them.
You woulda said that about winning at Bayern last season though. A commanding lead from a first away leg can do funny things to the mentality of a team.
Need to just focus on first leg. 2-1 win over them a few years back was probably more unexpected than the same result now.
True. I just think unless Barca are comfortably in front after the first leg to the point they end up resting several starters we won't get anything from the Nou Camp.
Happy for that to be quoted if we somehow do.
Three for me, and two for them.
We lose the first, go close in the second but go out because someone gets sent off or Giroud misses a great opportunity.
Excited about it though as apart from Santi, this is our top team and as good an opportunity as any to give them a crack. A massive few weeks with this these two legs, the Mancs, Yids and FA Cup replay.
So they got that front 3, then Busquets, Rakitic and Iniesta in behind them?
That is madness.
I am just assuming we're going out at this point, and hoping that we put in a bayern-esque performance in one of the legs that serves as a mental catalyst for us to go on and win the domestic double.
Would also like to see Sanchez put in a huge one, he should be well motivated, and hopefully that will push him into form for the rest of the season.
Starting side?
Cech
Bellerin-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Monreal
Coquelin-Ramsey
Walcott-Ozil-Sanchez
Giroud
Tempted to put Welbeck on the right ahead of Walcott...
So they got that front 3, then Busquets, Rakitic and Iniesta in behind them?
That is madness.
I am just assuming we're going out at this point, and hoping that we put in a bayern-esque performance in one of the legs that serves as a mental catalyst for us to go on and win the domestic double.
Would also like to see Sanchez put in a huge one, he should be well motivated, and hopefully that will push him into form for the rest of the season.
Starting side?
Cech
Bellerin-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Monreal
Coquelin-Ramsey
Walcott-Ozil-Sanchez
Giroud
Tempted to put Welbeck on the right ahead of Walcott...
For me it's either Campbell or Welbeck on the right, you can't leave Bellerin on his own without Walcott tracking back.
Wenger might be tempted to go all out and start Welbeck up top to try and catch them through pace and long balls.
Coquelin has to start. Flamini start's he's getting sent off and the games over before half time.
I think Giroud will definitely play, given he was rested against Hull, and corners/set pieces are one area where we should be better, Giroud being the main threat.
Good point about Bellerin. If Walcott does play we'd probably be better having Sanchez right and Walcott left. Otherwise I'm keen on Welbz or Joel on the right. To be fair, if Wilshere was fit he'd probably start on the left in a game like this. Or even Rambo. Just for the work rate and defensive ability.
I think Giroud will definitely play, given he was rested against Hull, and corners/set pieces are one area where we should be better, Giroud being the main threat.
This is assuming we get any corners and any set pieces close to their goal.
Best chance is sitting back, playing Walcott and hoping for a break imo
a.haak
Bit of a nightmare this afternoon. Left work at lunchtime to take my other half to a hospital appointment. Was just a scan to investigate somr pain she's been having so thought we'd be in for a few minutes then an afternoon off work. Except she had a big epileptic seizure during the scan and is now in ICU 9 hours later still not woken up yet. The waiting around not being able to do anything is pretty miserable and ICU is a fudgeing depressing place.
Guess if I fancy some more misery I will now be able to watch the game live in the morning since I won't be going to work tomorrow.
Came on to post about game, but after reading AJC's posts it all seems a little unimportant!
Hope your missus is getting better and they're able to work out what's going on ajc, thoughts are with you.
Think we've played really well so far, and should've scored with Ox's chance. Perhaps should be 1-1 with that Barca chance on HT.
Barca has all the possession as expected, but I'd venture to say we've been the better and more dangerous side. Neymar is fully in Bellerin's pocket, Messi and Suarez have shown the odd bit of brilliance but overall our tactics have been spot on. Busquets has had zero influence.
Ox his usual self - doing all the basics right, looks a real threat, but fluffs his lines when it matters most i.e. the scuffed shot and the collision with mascherano where he really should've picked out a free Ozil on the far side. Hate to say it but put Walcott in those positions and I reckon he scores, and picks out Ozil. Having said that, Ox is much better in every other area of the pitch.
Held them out for longer than I expected but the usual result in the first leg. Absolute insult to the fans bringing on Flamini against Barcelona. How many years in a row of losing the home leg by 2+ goals is that now? I fear how much this has taken out of us ahead of the United game now. Would be such a Wenger thing to do to rest everyone against Hull and not win, then just lose to Barcelona and United anyway.
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