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Confirmed Arsenal team to face Chelsea – Iwobi starts – No Torreira or Lacazette!

We are all hoping that Unai Emery learned a lot about his team from Arsenal’s defeat to Man City last week, and also hoping that his players have understood a bit more about how he wants them to play. There will still be a lot of experimentation until he gets to know his best team. As Emery said himself: “First, we want to build a competitive team. We are going to play away but we need to keep our personality, keep our mentality, because I think on Sunday against Manchester City, the team kept their ideas, kept their spirit in the game for the full 90 minutes, even when we were losing, and didn’t let [their heads] go down. That was a good thing, [despite] us losing 2-0. I want us to continue with this work and to be competitive for 90 minutes, but with a better performance than on Sunday, both individually and collectively. We want a good preparation before and a good response on the pitch to that preparation.”

Well, we all know that the team that played in the second half was better than the starting line-up, but how will Emery see it in another game that will be very difficult to win? We need to be tight at the back and try some fast breakaways. Ramsey needs to sort his contract out before he plays again I feel, so this is the team I predicted earlier…

Cech
Bellerin – Mustafi – Sokratis – Monreal
Guendouzi – Torreira – Xhaka
Ozil – Aubameyang – Mkhitaryan

I’m not expecting to be right as we hardly know how Emery thinks yet, but the official team will be here any second now…..

Interesting? Is this team good enough to beat the Blues? Or at least stop them scoring?

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    1. What a weird line up
      What the fck is he doing
      Iwobi,xhaka.he gets rid of Ramsey (great start ) and puts iwobi in I’m sorry but can’t see us getting anything from this game .
      Only grace is hazard on their bench .

    2. Ozil is also a minus one. Ozil, Iwobi and Xhaka should have been benched for goodness sake. What happened to Laca, Torreira and Ramsy? I hope and wish I’m proved wrong.

      1. Many of y’all know more than the coach.
        I love to see Laca and Auba paired but not in an away game against a top 6.

      2. I know what you mean. I would of liked him to put out his best squad and not be sentimental like how Wenger was. Torreira should have been in for Xhaka in my view. He’s a better option. I also would of liked Lichtensteiner on instead of Bellerin and Leno in for Cech since we paid to bring him to Arsenal and already had Ospina. I get him wanting Lacazette as a threat of the bench but I feel he could have had Lacazette up top, Aubameyang wide and bring Welbeck of the bench. I can’t believe Chelsea have scored before I finished typing this post.

    1. It’s wenger mentality. ‘I made a choice, and gta prove to the world that my choices were correct’. Instead of realizing mistakes and correcting them. Fork I’m pissed

    2. I was disappointed by emery’s appointment and even more disappointed by his signings, but he should at least play the players he brought.
      I always had the feeling that financial factors were the reason we signed him.
      I just don’t think he is one to lead us forward…

  3. Emery wants to be like Wenger 2.0. Even if it turns good. This is not our best line up by miles, against Chelsea

    1. Exactly my taught. I expected more from this manager. Even Bellerin is still playing, FS… basically the same dump lineup

    2. Hahaha yeah he does not seem to want to bench the underperformers from Wenger’s era

      It’s gonna be Wenger’s weak 4-2-3-1 again:

      …………………….Cech
      Bellerin . Sokratis . Mustafi . Monreal
      ………..Guendouzi …… Xhaka
      Mkhitaryan …….. Ozil ………. Iwobi
      ……………….Aubameyang

  5. Low quality lineup. Cech is meme, Bellerin is a disaster, Xhaka??, Iwobi?????
    Emery is handicapping himself with these terrible lineups. I think he’s putting way too much emphasis on how the players perform in training. It’s the only way I can understand why his lineups are so poor. Iwobi and Xhaka may look nice on the training pitch but if he knew anything about these players it’s that most of them don’t show up when it matters and are bottlers. Already we drop 2 points, let’s hope for at least a draw, smh. I don’t like to be negative especially when I do think Emery deserves a chance, but it’s obvious he is making the wrong decisions. These are lineups that Wenger would be blasted for so I have to be fair.

  7. Really worrying that player who are still underperforming still start
    Xhaka
    Ozil
    Belerin

    Can someone tell me what has changed ?

      1. especially away, Ozil will do nothing. Apparently Emery impressed in his interview that got him hired because he was so detailed about the players. Find that hard to believe when so many bottlers continue to start big games.

    1. No it hasn’t but most fans have seen this line up 5 years running and it always goes one way .
      What a weird line up

      1. Stamford Bridge ain’t the greatest place for us…. I would have at least liked to have started with our strongest line up….. I hope I’m wrong, but we could be in for a bloody nightmare

        1. I’ve said it since the transfer window opened and we did our business we were going to struggle .hes not helping himself with these starting line ups .theres no excuse why torrieira shouldn’t be starting ahead of xhaka ,they both played in the World Cup so that’s not an excuse any more ,how many weeks holiday does a footballer need to have after playing 4-5 match’s ,and iwobi WTF is that about .ozil on the wing again probably aswell

    2. I don’t even wanto watch right now. All the excitement this week was for nothing…rather go to the in laws for supper. It’s stupidity doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. Dammit

    3. Same old negativity surrounding the team, the game hasn’t even kicked off yet and all hell has broken loose, you don’t expect Unai to perform miracles with the team and would you please give him time atleast come guys

  10. I don’t understand Unai with all the hope how can you start Torriera and Laca on the Bench. Unai playing Chelsea in a Laboratory. This is purely and experimental team.

      1. Yes sue but what about ozil and Xhaka they will prob have that one good game in 38 so people rave

  12. Frustrating line up… Xhaka should have been dropped for Lucas and Aubameyang should have been on left and Lacazzet in front
    Stephen instead of Bellerin..
    Poor..
    I am going for 2-1 Chelsea…

    1. Maybe, Emery does not want to partner two new signings in midfield, hence the dropping on Torreira but i would have preffered to have Xhaka and Torriera if Xhaka must start
      Also, in a match where chances will be few, you wouldnt want Iwobi to start, Lacazette should have been there instea, like someone said, Emery is still experimenting and gradually, he will get his own best tea, he could be slow but he is learning seeing as Ramsey drops to the bench

  13. That’s weird. Keep in mind that we are only allowed 3 substitutions, why would we not start Torreira and Lichtsteiner. Lichtsteiner has played better than Bellerin. Torreira played well too. Also Iwobi?
    I hope there are no minor injuries to them.

    Lacazette is not a surprise. Aubameyang is at his best up front

    If we win then my hats off to Emery
    COYG

  15. I have no idea how they plan to score tonight

    Ozil rarely creates assists from through balls in a tough away match

    Instead of using two fast wingers to score and assist, Arsenal opted to use two CAM that rarely dribble past the opponents and often lose in duels

  16. Finger’s crossed…Not the best lineup#I trust in Emery and his Ideas..good thing we have supper Sub

  17. cheer up gooners…the only negative to me,in this lineup is xhaka…iwobi might just have been thrown into the mix for width or better still,play as no 10…remember his performance in the 3nil drubbing of the blues in conte’s first season?

  21. Iwobi is more naturally a wide player than Ozil and Auba, he gets back in defence quicker. The central midfield has some height and strength also both can pass it forward. Would’ve liked to see Torriera on the bench at least. I’m thinking he sees this as a more balanced looking set up, everyone in natural positions.

  23. I don’t know why,I’m just feeling discouraged to watch this match.
    Honestly I just don’t know why.
    I really hope we win this match.

  24. By not starting his best eleven I get the feeling that Emery is placing himself under unnecessary pressure.
    Cech, Iwobi and Xhaka will NOT get you three points at Stamford Bridge.
    I thought the idea of being manager was not to place yourself in a position that may lead to your dismissal. If this season is a disaster he will be gone.
    I don’t see him lasting very long – even at this early stage…

  26. He’s not doing what will destroy his team- keeping and building confidence with teaching and instruction. He’s building like he said “we win together and lose together’. You can only judge a man after his result. Let’s just wait and see.

    1. They don’t need him to beat us.
      If they beat us we are six points behind.
      Now, if City or Liverpool were six points behind I would fancy them to catch up.
      With Arsenal I would expect them to fall another six points behind – they just lack any kind of mental strength.
      I don’t have much confidence in this team and especially its manager who I though was a kop out choice – an easy choice based on the fact that he was as cheap as chips.
      I would love to be proven wring, I really would but if I don’t have any confidence in them I am not going to sit here and be blindly optimistic stating we are going to win shite when I know we will not..
      Please prove me wrong today Arsenal….

  30. I know Emery needs to look at players, but this is a really weak line up for a tough away game. Xhaka, Iwobi and Torreira, Lacazette are the ones that make zero sense!

  33. It seems as if the signings weren’t what Emery albeit Guendouzi… Torreira is better than Xhaka n Elneny combined together. A bit optimistic but if we loose the match Emery will be hold totally responsible. Start your best 11 against top teams, don’t come to EPL to experiment.

  34. To me Too young to be starting Guendouzi, he is a talent but not a player that should be starting now. Torriera suppose to start… Arsenal need to be playing with this formation… 4 -3 -1 -2. Aub and Lacazzette.suppose to start… U need your two best striker to be starting together. Just hope Arsenal will not loose this one again… This will be a long season… We want Wenger out because he does not address the main spot in the team and we don’t buy exceptional players at the right time…!!!

    1. Wenger won 3 league titles (1 unbeaten) and a record 7 FA Cups. Wenger is a legend and Arsenal would be lucky to have Emery be another Wenger.

  36. one comment Emery and the players should think
    if they dont win this game they will be at the bottom of the table
    with West ham thats all

  37. Hello, please apart from basetools, do anyone know where they sell Europe match logins ?
    Please help a bro
    Thanks

  41. Bellerin absent again . so 1-0 down. How much I want this man out of our club. Tomorrow morning !

  46. At least Wenger was a great manager for ten years then declined.
    Emery has bypassed being great and progressed straight to shite.
    Terrible….

  47. I’m sorry but this is shocking football … Absolutely shocking … No structure no skill no effort … No clue!!!!!

  48. 9 minutes and one down!
    why is xhaka playing again? Wasnt emery watching the last game?!

  49. Lichtsteiner should have started over Bellerin
    Ozil and Mkhitaryan don’t like to defend but we’ve known that for ages.

  51. Aubameyang is shat. There’s no ways hel come close to top 5 come end of season. I dnt care what the stats say

  56. hmmm the way i see it mhki is at fault thou bell went pressin when its not needed…. ahhhahahah morata… this could be ugly… 4-5 nil ugly

  58. Y’all who rate aubameyang too much and slot him straight into your lineups always….have you seen?lacazette should have started….he is a better striker

    1. Belerin did put it on a platter for Aubameyang…
      Poor from the one we rate over Lacazette!

      Laca should take over from here

      1. I personally don’t rate him over laca…I’ve always said laca is a better striker. .a better finisher and better ball player…auba is just faster.

  61. I said it last week, am saying it again, just watch this our team play, watch them objectively, this season, so far, to make 6th position is a TALL ask.
    the work needed is too much.

  64. Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
    This is brilliant tactical decision making by Dick Emery.
    Never wanted Emery at the club.
    And I can’t wait to see the back of him.
    Terrible appointment….

  67. And there goes my weekend….wft….I know it’s early days but that light at the end of tunnel is far off.

  69. Manager deserves the criticism he gets in this one. Really can’t defend player choices or piss poor defending. Apparently didn’t learn much.

    Cech starting is shit again. Well getting ugly quick, long long season.

    1. Attack is positive for most part, usually has been for years. It’s the schoolboy defending errors and not communicating that will take time to overcome.

      The cutbacks are killing Chelsea, and we still struggle with back 4 defending as a unit.

      Bumpy ride, like a rollercoaster. C’mon boys!

  72. “Reality” is a bitter pill to swallow – many of us have been saying laca is who need to be on the pitch, its him we need in front of goal

    1. I think we need both. Aubameyang out wide and Lacazette leading the line. Welbeck and Iwobi should be the players coming off the bench not Lacazette. That’s just my view.

      Granted Iwobi just scored but I’m sure Lacazette or Wellbeck could have under the same circumstances and offered more of a goal threat going into the game, giving us that psychological edge.

  74. even if we are to lose under Wenger we still play good football, this is shit…why is lacazette and torreira on d bench

  75. All the Wenger haters who insult him daily would soon realize that he kept this club so high where their spending doesn’t deserve.

  76. I’m sorry but this is just pathetic.
    I cancelled plans for this evening to watch this crap.
    Arsenal fans don’t deserve this…
    I am hoping we get hammered – sooner we get that clueless idiot out the better…

  77. to be honest apart from the unnecessary play from the back which is ridiculous with cech in goal i cant see anything new by Emery… just look at Chelsea clearly playing the sarri way….. FYI Emery got more preseason time compared to sarri…

    1. I was about to ask what new thing Emery has brought so far apart from the terrible passing from the back.

  80. Chelsea hadn’t beaten us in the last 6 times we played them under Wenger and they are now beaten us 2-0 in about 6 minutes.?‍♂️

    Why is Leno, Lichtsteiner,Torreira,Lacazette and Ramsey who Emery rates highly on the bench? We’re loosing to Chelsea’s B team.

    Even Morrata scored and Barkley’s in their line up. A line up without Hazard.

  82. Should have gone for an english soeaking manager with pl experience.
    Emery looked like a fool at psg and now hes a fool at arsenal. Worse still hes a stuborn like wenger fool. Starting some players that clearly should have been dropped to make a point.
    Will he be gone by xmas?

  84. This is absolutely pathethic ! We can not defend. We can not attack. No difference that what they say. I say this is far worse than it was usually at least we have possesion with nothing to show for it.

  85. I’m sorry but I don’t rate any manager that doesn’t start their best 11 against a top 6 team when competing for a top 4 finish.

    If this is us playing with tactics I’d rather we play how we did before when we were finishing in the top 4 even without a proven CDM or finisher.

  90. We had to give Wenger our patience and support so I will not judge the manager after two games. With that said I cannot understand why Ramsey and lacazette are on the bench while ozil and iwobi are on.

      1. We would still be 1-2 down if he didn’t.

        Iwobi over Ozil/Xhaka any day of the week.
        Give him a chance.

    1. The comments are still deserved. 2 goals back dnt fix the problems. Chelsea got too ahead of the game n taught we were West Brom…

    2. I’m happy we are back in the game but let’s be real, it’s more about Chelsea playing bad than us playing good. If Chelsea were on it we would have been humiliated since we didn’t put out the best players for the squad positions.

      I don’t take back any talk. I will rate Emery when he starts putting out his best 11 and has the balls to drop players that aren’t performing. I criticised Wenger for being sentimental and sticking with players that were under performing and I’ll criticise Emery for the same. Leno should be on, Lichtensteiner should be on as should Lacazette and Torreira off the bat.

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