I bet Arsene Wenger is looking forward to getting a much-needed win against Bournemouth at the Emirates this afternoon. Arsenal have lost their last two games and we currently only have four teams below us in the League table, and one of those is today’s opponents with zero points from their first three games.
Although the Gunners are advertised as being in a crisis, I am sure they will still be hot favourites to blow Bournemouth away today, and in our favour it is worth noting that we have only lost one of our last 20 home games in the League, whereas the Cherries have only beaten relegated Sunderland in their last 10 away games, and have never even got a point in an away game against us. Wenger must be feeling confident that he can get the team back to winning ways and get a little boost ahead of our daunting task next Sunday when we visit Stamford Bridge.
When asked if he thought that it was a good time for Arsenal to face the Cherries, Le Prof said: “It’s never a good time to play anybody. It’s a good time for us to focus on our performance and show that we are united. We have played three games. We have played two away games and we have 35 games to go in the championship. We will catch back [recover] the points we lost away from home. It’s important we continue our form at home. It’s important to put things into perspective. Sometimes even the press has problems in taking a little distance in things going on.”
So the Boss is not thinking we are in a crisis and is expecting normal service to be resumed, especially now that darned transfer window has finally closed and the players have had a little international break.
As for the starting line-up, I have a sneaking feeling that Alexis will be starting on the bench, and that both Lacazette and Kolasinac will be returning to the side. And I am really hoping that Wenger plays everyone in their proper usual positions! Here is my team for today…
Cech
Holding, Koscielny, Monreal
Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac
Welbeck, Ozil
Lacazette
As for the score, I think it is about time that we remembered where the goal is and we need a good confidence booster. I’m going for 4-0
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No Sanchez
Sanchez is clearly not ready mentally and physically and he appears to be over weight
Sanchez is always ready to give his all and don’t believe the rubbish you read in a Chile rag. Wish others played with as much will-to-win as he does. Maybe then he wouldn’t criticise them and the changing room would become a much better place.
Oh yeah as he played fantastic in the Liverpool game! Wish they would of left the cry baby out of the squad.
Wilshere must start.
. . . especially if he takes Ramsey’s usual position!
I see Reiss Nelson played (and scored) for the Academy yesterday so my hopes of seeing him play today look a bit slim. Pity – I was looking forward to seeing him in action.
I hope Ozil is on the bench. Arsenal played miserably in the last three games, because he did not function well as a playmaker.
In the Community Shield, Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck were particularly impressive in positions just behind Alexandre Lacazette, so why Arsenal have to keep using Ozil as a starter? As mentioned several times in some articles on this site, Ozil is not suitable in that position, because he cannot play as a good winger.
I wish they use players that want to fight for their positions this time. I would like to see:
Cech
Koscielny, Mertesacker, Mustafi
Bellerin, Coquelin, Ramsey, Kolasinac
Iwobi, Welbeck
Lacazette
Xhaka has to sit on the bench, because he made many fatal mistakes and I reckon Coquelin is pumped up to compete with him. And even tough Cech’s form is not too good lately, he could anticipate long ball better than Ospina, because of his height advantage and Bournemouth might focus with set pieces.
Ozil created 10 chances in the first 2 games. Ask wellbeck about
the one that hit him on the shoulder and went over the bar.
Iwobi, Cazorla and Sanchez can create chances better than him. The chances he created are usually from set pieces or the ones that are difficult to be converted into goals.
He created an assist when playing for Germany, because he played in different position and he knew he has to perform, otherwise he will be dropped from Germany’s first team.
He played well for Germany because they played to his strengths with people moving into good positions to receive his passes. He will always perform for Germany because their manager knows what he is doing!
Ask Ozil why he kept getting robbed in the last three Arsenal matches and why he keeps playing safe.
He would probably say he was waiting for our so-called ‘strikers’, such as Welbeck, to get themselves into a position where he could play a decent ball to them.
IMO, though this line up looks great considering our contemporary form and all the other issues that surround the team and our players, I would rather order to see Jack replace Ramsey in this fixture. My humble opinion. Xhaka and Jack should be able to perfect a synergy to boss the midfield in this game.
Honestly, that 4-0 scoreline appears rather optimistic but yes, I wish for it too
If you put monorail in the first team it is ment you don’t want to win
1 nil to the Arsenal or maybe a draw,
That’s the best I can hope for!
I feel your pain bro.
have you the feeling that Mesut Özil loves this club and the fans? I think he loved Real Madrid Fans more.
Cech
Bell Mustafi Kos Kola
Coq Rambo Wilshere (or Xhaka for anyone of them)
Özil Sanchez
Lacazette
Bournemouth are 0 and 3.
Arsenal should clean up.
7 – 0.
For me….back to 4231 formation…back four picks itself, rather have Jack and Xhaka together more disciplined but great passing ability from deep, it also allows us to carry Ozil who needs to be back into his most creative position with iwobi and Sanchez runnning off him and lacazette playing as an out and out striker
Cech
Bell Mustafi Kos Kola
Wilshere, Xhaka
Iwobi, Özil, Sanchez
Lacazette
If Jack’s fully fit that’s the best team AW could put out. So he’ll probably play Ramsey on the right wing.
todays game brings us as close to championship level football as can be – struggle at home against bournemouth then there’ll be more unrest across the stands. even against lowly bournemouth our ‘comedy club’ will need some help im hoping (expecting) hopeless ramsey to show improvement and maybe welbz can remain upright long enough in the goal box to score.
At my beloved comedy club i predict a 2-1 win (or 2-2 draw) with a Welbeck brace to save the day.
…and sometimes i choose to be delusional.
Like you I think Ramsey and Welbeck are useless. So if they’re picked let’s hope they prove us both wrong and have great games and inspire the team to a good win.
@GunnerJack – precisely, they’re hopeless but for the moment our options are few.
Difficult to be bothered who plays really.
We may get a result then the moron fan base will claim our season is back on track, that we will challenge and then we will get hammered by Chelsea next week.
For me the problems remain regardless of the result.
This season can be written off already.
If this season can be written off already, then please do not bother with any arsenal-related stuff and come back when next season kicks off.
With Xhaka in the start line up. Anything can happen. And not in a good way…
Sanchez should be played unfortunately he is feeling a little low because he recently suffered defeat in most matches at international and club level with a great win and a few goal will boost his confidence and his mood will be lifted.
Xhaka Ramsey too shit to play for Arsenal.
People criticising Ozil take a hike.
We need to criticise Xhaka and others before we even get to Ozil.
A lot of Ozil Haters. You don’t know your football.
We paid 35m for Xhaka to Fhaka Bout.
play Coquiline and Xhaka instead Xhaka Ramsey.
Wenger out#
Ramsey, Ozil, Xhaka, and Giroud are useless players. Just give them to Brighton for free in January. Imagine Walcott siting on the bench and Ozil playing the right wing. Wenger is just obsessed with Ozil, Xhaka, and Ramsey. Amongst all Arsenal players, these are the 4 players who lose possession like kids. And they fall like small babies.