European and Domestic Cups Discussion 2017/2018

4-2 now.

Holding falling over, and Ospina being garbage.

The final twenty ended up being hard work. The young players and Wilshere tired and we just couldn't get out as much as we needed to.

I was really impressed with Joe Willock. His decision making still needs work but he looked very assured on the ball and physically able to handle himself.

McGuane and Nketiah got their debuts, too.

Good win. What a competition though. Easier than the league cup ffs

Can't wait to throw these kids into an away day at Red Star Belgrade.

Was the U18s/21s manager with Arsene tonight?

All 100 of @_OlivierGiroud_’s goals for Arsenal in 140 seconds #AFC pic.twitter.com/mn8bf3bllF

— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) September 28, 2017

What a man

(Credit to my work colleague for making the vid too)

Debuchy will start tomorrow. So will Dasilva, apparently. Ospina hasn't travelled. The team could be:

Cech; Debuchy, Holding, Dasilva; Nelson, Elneny, Willock, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Wilshere; Giroud

Won't mind trying out the youth keeper. Whoever it is nowadays.

What kind of a back 3 is that ffs.

Team:

Cech; Debuchy, Holding, Elneny; Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Wilshere; Giroud

Subs: Macey, Osei-Tutu, Dasvila, Sheaf, McGuane, Akpom, Nketiah

Looks like Wenger has chosen the " lets pick any old *bleep* " approach

Pretty much. The squad isn't built for 3-4-3. We've one right wing back (Bellerin) and both left wing back options play every game (Monreal at CB, Kolasinac at LWB). That's how you get a midfielder and a winger filling in there. Centre back is a problem because Mertesacker and Koscielny can't play every game and Chambers and Mustafi are both injured.

So, this is how we end up with a banter team.

I think I enjoyed work more today than i am enjoying this match.

Very, very drab game. Not surprising when our two mids are a 17 year old and Coquelin. Willock is playing as the 6 and is having a decent game, but Coquelin as an 8 is looking like, well Coquelin. Other problem is that Wilshere isn't playing as a 10, so there's nothing linking mid and attack.

Our best attacks have come from out wide but the ball is moving too slow. Wing-backs/wide forwards aren't getting isolated against defenders.

I will always question there commitment and character when NOT A SINGLE PLAYER jump to get their head on the ball when defending a corner, the ball hit the post thanks to the quality of opposition otherwise that would have been a clear goal.

Wilshere ffs

That turn is almost as good as the finish.

9 points from 9 playing kids and fringe players. Crap opposition but it'll do.

The two long away trips are out the way, too. Home games against Red Star and BATE to come.

Want to see few U16s next time ffs.

Don't push it

Macey, Debuchy, Elneny, Holding; Nelson, Coquelin, Wilshere, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Iwobi; Giroud.

Saved by an 18-year-old. The cups have been fantastic fun so far.

He looks decent. Movement and confidence was the highlight from him. Need to see more of him. Hopefully not another Afobe/Akpom.

Think Walcott is finished. Needs to do a Rooney and go to his boyhood club. Kids are surpassing him now.

Average match by wilshere and Niles. Nelson is stagnating at RWB.

We're not seeing the best of Niles or Nelson as wing-backs. Niles is limited because his left foot is weak, while Nelson doesn't have the freedom to come inside.

Next time I'd like to see Dasilva start at LWB and Niles moved into midfield. Put Coquelin at RWB and push Nelson into the attack. Bin Theo until he can stay onside again.

Put Coquelin on the bench instead IMO. Walcott will probably captain the side again because of Arsene's morals.

Arsene mentioned that he sees Niles as a CM, but keeps starting him at LWB instead lol. Maybe to improve his left foot? who knows. Niles can become something like a kante player if he works on it. but he isn't a top level player so maybe a goof fit for Reading/Leeds in few years.

Want to see more of Ben Sheaf too. but at 19, he doesn't seem to be rated.

He was turning Niles into a RB/RWB so I guess him covering the opposite side was just a natural progression Reckon he'd be playing there now had Nelson not come through in pre-season.

He's got great pace and decent technique. Needs to improve his concentration to play CM in the future. Can be sloppy with the ball sometimes.

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