Pre-Season 2014/15

Could have stood there instead of Chambers and nobody would have noticed.

Good times ahead lads...   

man it feels so Cool having full back who is good on the ball
Yaya always thought his 1st goal would be some acrobatic or cheeky attempt lol nearly out-Gervaised himself there

More pics:

Well, this Emirates Cup is already much better than the last two.

The game was almost perfect for Arsenal. It's not a result we can read much into since Benfica have been weakened over the summer, and it is only a friendly so that extra competitive and physical edge wasn't there. Nonetheless, it was an impressive performance.

The make-shift backline was barely tested. Benfica did have some spells of decent possession and caused a couple of problems when they targeted Ballerin with back-post crosses, but apart from that it was just about the ideal game for Chambers to play centre back. I thought he was very solid throughout the game, showing good composure and confidence on the ball.

Bellerin was fantastic every time he went forward, though showed that he needs to continue improving the defensive side of his game and that he could do with some extra muscle. Still, his running with the ball and crossing was exceptional and caused Benfica all sorts of problems. He created a good chance for Sanogo and showed good vision to pick out Campbell for his goal.

Our attacking unit just clicked in this game. Ramsey was at the centre of everything Arsenal did going forward and he, along with Rosicky, ran the game from midfield. Campbell, being understandably eager to impress, tried to do too much at times but showed what sort of threat he can be with his direct running and movement off the ball. He took his goal sweetly, and should have scored two others. He was also unselfish in laying on Sanogo's second goal. I definitely think Wenger will have been impressed by him.

And, of course, there's the man of the match Yaya Sanogo who, at least for this one game, awakened his predatory instinct. Four goals - all tap-ins - good hold up play, decent skill on the ball and some nice passes. He looked like he tweaked his hamstring later on, so hopefully that isn't too serious because this performance will be the confidence boost he needs. I'm not expecting any more hat-tricks from him (or four goal hauls), but hopefully he can score a few goals this season.

I loved how dangerous we were on counters and how intricate our play is around the box. Also how, in the second half, we didn't go gung-ho and maintained a good shape. I think the only thing we really lacked was control of the ball. Benfica were able to nick the ball from us a few times when we were trying to build from the back. The goal was conceded was sloppy, too. Seemed like everyone switched off after a lengthy substitution stoppage. The one blemish on a great performance.

I suspect Monaco will give us a sterner test. Their defence didn't look too solid against Valencia, but their midfield of Kongodbia, Toulalan and Moutinho has a lot more quality than Benfica's, and Falcao, if he plays, will give our centre backs a very different test. Martial and Berbatov and tricky players, too. I hope Koscielny and Chambers start the game as centre backs, so they can have at least one game together before the Community Shield. Debuchy should play, too.

Wenger just confirmed Alexis will play 45 minutes tomorrow. He played down the middle when he came on today, so it'll be interesting to see if he plays one half down the middle and Giroud plays the other, or if they play together. I expect we'll see starts for Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla, too.

Great summary and analysis, Jay.

We missed you, Rev

Great overall. Wenger says we're keeping Campbell and Sanogo this season, justified in doing so and I think he'd made up his mind about that before the match anyway.

Rev

GoonerJay29 wrote:
I suspect Monaco will give us a sterner test. Their defence didn't look too solid against Valencia, but their midfield of Kongodbia, Toulalan and Moutinho has a lot more quality than Benfica's, and Falcao, if he plays, will give our centre backs a very different test. Martial and Berbatov and tricky players, too. I hope Koscielny and Chambers start the game as centre backs, so they can have at least one game together before the Community Shield. Debuchy should play, too.

Wenger just confirmed Alexis will play 45 minutes tomorrow. He played down the middle when he came on today, so it'll be interesting to see if he plays one half down the middle and Giroud plays the other, or if they play together. I expect we'll see starts for Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla, too.

I really hope we get put under intense pressure throughout the game. It was easy against benfica because they really didn't care much nor they could have due to the factors. However tomorrow I am hoping to see how we do when we are against a better midfield and a world class forward(hoping falcao starts)

Might see this tomorrow

--------------------Szczesny--------------------------
Debuchy------Koscielny--------Hayden------------Coquelin(?)
------------------------Arteta---------------------------
Akpom---------Wilshere----------Cazorla------------Sancez
--------------------------Giroud----------------------------

or something similar

Monaco won't field the same team... they won't risk overplaying some of the older players. I think the lineup will look like this.

Subasic
Dirar-Raggi--Abdennour-Kurzawa
Carrasco or Ocampos-Bahamboula-Kondogbia-Martial
Falcao-Martial

Sanogo gives his thoughts on the game with some adorable English in this article.

http://www.bubblews.com/news/5177856-fans-couldn039t-wait-more-so-do-i

What a performance today.

Every player was fantastic. New signings looked good.

Think Chambers will be a CB for us long-term with Bellerin replacing Debuchy in 2-3 years. Campbell & Sanogo very good - Alexis too, in his brief cameo.

Ramsey was exceptional, too.

Will be at the Emirates on Sunday with a few friends. Can't wait.

Sina wrote:

Alexis Sanchez vs Benfica :

It's the hunger, energy, and mindfulness of that lunge for the ball around 1:20 that makes a guy like Alexis such an exciting acquisition IMO.

and Calum Performance here

Calum Chambers vs Benfica:

Aaron Ramsey vs Benfica:

==============
one Trophy Per week ffs
Get in There Arsenal

has line up been announced?
heard this on Canal+
not sure

Szczesny-Debuchy-Koscielny-Chambers-Monreal-Arteta-Ramsey-Wilshere-Alexis-Cazorla-Giroud

Aparently that's it

BT Sport has the same team.

Wenger obviously saw my post about Chambers and Koscielny needing to play together before the Com. Shield.

Falcao vs Chambers

Exactly what I wanted

Carvalho, Kondogbia, Moutinho, Ocampos and Falcao all start for Monaco. This'll definitely be a sterner test than yesterday's game.

Shame Monaco is only playing 5 projected starters (and i don't think Kondogbia starts tbh; being generous)... wanted to see a better matchup. Oh well. Just too many kids on their side with little to no experience (Dirar, Echiejile, Bakayoko) and others who don't start (Raggi, Carrasco, Ocampos).

Chambers is easily the best player on the pitch

Falcao 1-0

RealGunner wrote:Chambers is easily the best player on the pitch

For Arsenal maybe.... but there are about 5-6 Monaco players that are better. Granted, Arsenal is being dominated in the first half.

Chambers looks very assured at CB, not bad for someone who's not a pure CB.Santi, Giroud and Sanchez look a bit rusty and out of synch.This is a good workout before the real stuff starts, Monaco have stopped us playing with ease and have bossed the midfield. I expected better from us in the second half, need to move the ball better and quicker

wilshere looks rusty, and cazorla is incredibly bad defensively wow, not helping out monreal at all who is poor himself.

giroud
monreal
cazorla
wilshere

atm not up to scratch,  need more games, but giroud for me just pisses me off, he's not good enough, bring him off, and try playing campbell upfront.

chambers if fking solid, such a great back up option. if we buy another CB, our 4th and 3rd CB option will be sorted!