Arsenal vs Huddersfield

Looks like a 3-5-2 today:

Licht playing RCB?

On paper this looks incredibly defensive against a team that can just barely score goals in the Premier League. Disappointing stuff from Emery.

Let's hope I'm wrong and we smash 'em.

Injuries to Ozil and Ramsey, Mkhitaryan's poor form and Iwobi's need for a rest are all reasons why we're lining up 3-5-2 today.

El Gunner wrote:A front two of Auba and Laca incredibly defensive

I think the formation has more to do with the lack of good performances from our attacking midfielders

Literally two attackers in our lineup. 3 defensive midfielders. 5 defenders. So yes it’s very defensive. Against “10 goals in 16 games” Huddersfield.

We might get away with a win because Huddersfield are basically a midtable Championship team but still, Mourinho-esque stuff from Emery.

We suck.

All I can say about that first half, really.

Yay we kept the clean sheet against Huddersfield! Well done Unai! It only took us to play 8 defensive players but we did it!

Torreira
dat CB crisis

That was an ugly win.

Despite everything, we did create good chances. Auba and Laca had one each in the first half they should have buried. Torreira's goal was certainly a big chance. So at least we had quality over quantity in the final third.

I get the feeling a defeat is around the corner, though. Yet another injury in defence, creative players out injured and only one attacker in any real form. Winter is always a grind, but this year will have to be the grindiest of grinds.

so who is suspended?

Emery's logic this game: We need a win so let's take our best finisher off for another ball hogging midfielder!

Reminds me of Allegri's Milan days of playing 3 DM's and a LB as an attacking option. Allegri did eventually learn that that is some pathetic shit so hopefully Emery can too.

I honestly don’t expect anything different. Our schedule is way too crazy, there is no way we could keep up intensity. A win is a win and points wise I cant ask for more for last four games. Some players badly needs rest though or they will drop like flies come March.

He took off a striker because we had nothing going for us on the flanks.

I also don't understand why you keep complaining about the "negative" team selection when Ozil and Ramsey were unavailable, Mkhitaryan's been crap and Iwobi's blown hot and cold recently. Like, what else can Emery do?

Emery does not pick this team if he has Ramsey and Ozil fit. Give him a break.

yeah i was annoyed with selection initially but then remembered other options are Mkhi/Iwobi so wasnt bothered with line up

Why are we even playing a back 3, we don't even have 2 good CB's let alone 3, this protecting of our defence doesn't make sense because we still end up conceding dumb chances even to someone as bad as Huddersfield.

Our defense is unfixable, by adding more numbers in defence you only make sure that there's more players who will eventually fuck up while worsening our strong attack. Until Emery gets this we will continue to suck even against our worst opponents.

And as you say Jay, Iwobi has been crap so why bring him on and take off Lacazette, that sub literally makes no sense. But in Emery's logic, Iwobi offers more protection against a pathetic Huddersfield side that's why Lacazette had to come off. These kinds of "tactical" decision really only makes sense in big games away from home.

I don't like it so I'm hopeful that it is indeed just injuries to Ozil and Ramsey that is making him go ultra defensive (for some reason) but I've seen enough even before to know that he doesn't really like either of them so it wouldn't have made much difference if they were here today.

Since Iwobi form dropped and Ozil mysterious injury, our attack has been all about Kolasinac and Bellerin bombing down flanks. We all know how exposed they are in back 4 hence Unai went with back 3. He took off Laca cause literally we got no connection whatsoever between defense and attack, some extra bodies and someone drive forward from midfield are needed. I personally dont blame Unai with his tactical decision, he run out of cards to play.

In terms of chances conceded, our defence has improved since the switch to the back three vs Bournemouth. It's also allowed Kolasinac to play in his best (only) position, from where he's been our most prolific chance creator in the final third. It hasn't worsened the attack at all, since we've scored nine goals in four games using it, on top of the chances we created and didn't convert (like the two in the first half today; do we complain about negative team selection if we're 2-0 up at half time?).

Bringing on Iwobi did make sense, because regardless of his form, he was an option that had to be used because plan A wasn't working. He wasn't added for protection, but to improve us in wide areas and help make space for our wing backs. It didn't work especially well today (nothing did, if we're being honest), but I see the logic behind it. With two strikers on the pitch we couldn't create that space out wide nor could we maintain any pressure on Huddersfield's defence.

Also, I should point out that the winner was created by one "DM" and the scored by another.

I get it, Arsenal should win these games more comfortably and play a lot better. But I don't get this sudden criticism of Emery when we have injuries, players not in the greatest form, and are playing our third game in six days.

While I agree with Urban (Micki should have started the game instead of Laca or Guendozi), we have to realise that this team is still not complete, another 2-3 players need to brought in (either from the youth team or signed) and we have two windows for that, so I wouldn't get worked up yet.

Arsenal is moving on the up and up, do remember that last season we would have probably fared worse than how we won today.

BTW The commentator on Arsenal player was arguing Torreira is possibly the best signing by the club in the past 10 years!

Özil/Santi/Kos/Ramsey/Alexis/Arteta
but really hard to rank them

Not to mention he’s from South America, we all know how these guys can be once bigger clubs come knocking.