(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread

Feels that way, but more worried about Sanchez because it will be impossible without him.

Seems a tall order but I suppose anything can happen on the day in a final. I remember we were battered by United in 2005 and somehow clung on for 0-0 and then won on penalties. Don't think we even had a shot on target until deep into extra time from memory. 2001 we absolutely destroyed Liverpool and should have been well out of sight before Owen stole it in the last 5 minutes. Remember even my Dad, the most one eyed of Spurs supporters saying that was "daylight robbery."

I think I agree with both Valeo and Fitzy. If we loose Sanchez, Ozil, Wenger, The Ox and a new manager comes in to rebuild I doubt we'll be going for the title let alone top 4. Could be merit in the United approach in that case.

However if we do keep on to them and we're making a play for the league it is a competition I'd be less interested in us taking seriously.

I prefer Welbeck in this formation even though he's prone to some bad misses. Just works really hard, makes a lot of runs, has a good passing game, and gels with Ozil and Sanchez. 

Giroud can be good if things go his way, but more often that not in this formation I feel he gets isolated. He needs people making runs around him to be effective, and he doesn't get that as much when we play this way. 

Plus he is such an excellent bench option, almost a guaranteed goal if you bring him on at 70 mins these days. Comes in and dominates tired defences. 

Walcott is a definite no-no for me. If we continue with this formation next season I don't see a future for him here at all, unfortunately. 

I drove down from Palmy for both those finals and thoroughly enjoyed them but just can't face doing it this year. Will probably end up watching it with my annoying girlfriend who will be cheering for Chelsea the whole game. This feels very much like the 2005 Final when I thought we had no chance. I just hope it doesn't go to penalties though given Cech's record with them this year.

I'll be there in spirit wearing the current shirt and my 2015 yellow and blue Cup Final scarf. 

A bit like Junior82, what's happened to Buffon II, Surge and Ubergunner. Haven't seen them on here for a while.

Based on my Facebook feed he's doing a lot of adulting lately.

I find that a really interesting thought Paulm.

I don't see him as a candidate for a wing back because he can't cross. But I can see him/Perez offering a different dimension to Welbeck with better finishing. Both Walcott & Perez can link up and get in behind - I just wouldn't throw baby out with the bath water.

If we persist with it next season the cup games, european fixtures, and inevitable fatigue will ensure Ozil/Sanchez can't start in those positions each game and Walcott & Perez would be strong candidates to slot in there.

Walcott set out his stall and said he's committing to being a right winger. That would require a full about-turn, and he would have to commit to being a striker again... I'm not sure he will want to do that. 

I think we sell Walcott, and invest in a quality forward who can play in a sanchez role, or up top. 

Someone like Dybala from Juve would be ideal I feel. 

I agree with not throwing the baby out with the bath water - this would be an upgrade on our squad in one position. 

Plus if Lucas is let go I don't think a replacement is required. After Welbeck came back we were heavy on numbers in the forward roles, it was horrible for Lucas but someone had to sit out, there just weren't enough places. Iwobi hasn't had a look in of late either, and the Ox has only played because he's been switched to wingback. There's a ton of forwards in the squad. 

Reports that Sanchez, Mustafi, Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain will all be passed fit for the final. Plenty of decisions to make for Wenger.

Ox or Bellerin? 

Giroud or Welbeck?

Make-up of the back 3 (which will also affect who starts at LWB)?

And the last thing is keeper. Wenger's history suggests Ospina will start, but that worries me. He hasn't played a lot of late, and Cech is in great form. Plus it sounds like Ospina is leaving. I would start Cech but I fully expect Wenger to stick to his principles and start Ospina. 

Personally this is still my preference. 

I feel Wenger will probably go Ospina, and he might look at Giroud, but otherwise I reckon this is the way he will go. 

No way can Cech be left out, and I don't expect him to. He played the quarter and semi final, plus with Koscielny out he's also captain.

Yeah fair enough. It's such a challenge to know what to do with players like Walcott & Lucas.

Lucas has scored 7 goals in 21 games for us, not a bad return although his prem return wasn't great.

Walcotts scored 19 in 33 games for us this year, way better than his last 3 seasons (9/42, 7,21,6,33).

They're good handy players for the squad, but you're right they're not going to be starting 11. Could Walcott make starting 11 in a 4-5-1/4-3-3?

Probably, when his competition is The Ox & Iwobi you'd expect Walcott to be starting.

I suppose it comes down to what the manager wants to do. A versatile set up that can swap between 3-5-2 and 4-5-1 by carrying possible 'dead weights', or a squad honed to a specific formation that he'll have to stick to. 

Side note; did you know Walcott is a published childrens author? Amazing what you find trawling Wikipedia - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/23/tj-and-the-hat-trick-penalty

Great points ajc, forgot about how ospina missed those games through injury anyways. Kind of throws the "ospina for cups, cech for league" thing out the window. 

So - for those of you/us who are keen to get together to watch us win another trophy...

Four Kings is the go; but due to licensing muppetry it's a ticketed event. So get into 4K and pick up your ticket/s BEFORE 8pm on Saturday, I'll post an update on the Arsenal NZ Facebook page and a few of the Twitterisms to....  #COYG

Anyone here live in Gisborne and have the Cup final live on TV??

Gabriels done his MCL, Kosc appeal (unsurprisingly failed), and Mustafi is still ill. Unless something drastic happens today/tomorrow I think BFG will be starting.

Mustafi sounds touch and go, a concussion thing, hasn't been training this week.

If he remains out then I'd go a back 3 of Holding, Mertesacker and Monreal. 

Wenger has hinted at using a back 4 if he doesn't have the options, I really hope he avoids that, we've been playing with 3 at the back for months now and it's really bearing fruit, the team has gotten used to it. I think it would be disastrous to change it back up now.

I think it would be a massive concession mentally ahead of the game. You're still playing 2 players in that back 3 who can play it well, with BFG the big unknown purely due to game time & experience with the formation. That said if they've been training with it for ages then he should be up for it! 

You would think he'd been practicing in it for a long time now. And he looked decent when he came on last weekend.

He also strikes me as someone that would suit that middle role in the back 3. He doesn't like to come out and win the ball aggressively, he positions himself well and organises the backline, that role should be perfect. 

Interesting reports last night that we've offered Sanchez a new contract for 320k a week and that Bayern cannot match those wages. 

For that kind of money I hope we get a 3+2 contract locked in.

If he re-signs I'd be hoping for a 4 year contract. This would be his last major one given he's 28, so would essentially tie him in with us for just about the remainder of his career.

It's a big moment to be fair... can we re-sign him???

We’re obviously not paying that much, although we do kind of have to given we don’t really have any leverage without CL.

The figures are nuts, but make sense when you consider the 2 possible options:

1. Pay him say 16.5m per year for 4 years (66m overall).
2. Sell him for 50m, then replace him for up to 70m and then pay new guy 13m per year (250K per week) for 4 years (net 72m).

Of course, if we had been more ambitious last summer, maybe we tie him down at 250k per week and save going through all this.

I would say we almost certainly did attempt that, with both him and Ozil. 

They (and their agents) aren't silly. They know they will get the best deal salary-wise by running the contract down further. 

The 'if Ozil and Sanchez' stay situation makes for interesting decisions in transfers.

I think I'd prioritise a new CM that can replace Santi/Jack ahead of another attacking option.

If you get rid of Lucas & Walcott you'd have room to afford a big name, but what would that mean for Giroud/Welbeck?

Anyone going to Four Kings?

Sorry I can't make it this time lads, just too much going on. 

Will never forget Hull 3-2 though, what a night that was.

Looking forward to the Cup Final, expectations are very low to say the least but I'd much rather prefer playing them in the Cup than the League. 

I'll be heading to the Arsenal games in Sydney, if there are any plans to meet up pre-game I'll be there with you all.

Still hoping for an off-season where we keep Sanchez, sign a centre-forward, defensive midfielder, winger and new manager.

Keen for the meet in Sydney. Let me know if you want to be added to the Facebook page the Arsenal NZ guys set up for people going. They are organising things with their Australian counterparts, info to come on the page.

Have got tickets for the Oz games but unlikely I'll be able to go... if anyone's keen on them let me know. Though if they sell out then eBay might be the go lol

going to stream it at home. Kings is just to far away. hope they get a good turn out

head is saying we will be smashed, heart is hoping we dont...

Slight error from the Chile FA --> https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3636288/ch...

Error or they are in CAHOOTS WITH BAYERN

tapping up city

sh*t that's bad!

Where is it online live as Bein doesn't seem to have it?

Cech is injured and out. When it rains it fudgeing pours doesn't it?

ESPN from 3:30

Replay at 10 AM

4-2-3-1

Giroud

Alexis Ozil Theo

Granit Ox

Nacho Per Holding Bellerin

Ospina

fudgeing really? shark

Anyone in Gisborne watching the final? I am keen but cant find anyone who has sky sports.