The XI: Chelsea vs Arsenal – Coquelin in midifeld!
Preferred line-up
Goalkeeper
Chambers – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Gibbs
Flamini – Coquelin
Oxlade – Ozil– Sanchez
Welbeck
Why?
It says ‘goalkeeper’ up there because you could make up all sorts of arguments over why Szczesny or Ospina should be the choice in goal. One thing for sure is that Szczesny has some maturing to do. The back four picks itself so attention shifts towards the midfield where Arsenal will either win or lose this game brutally.
With Arteta and Ramsey injured, the little physical presence that Arsenal had in central midfield has suffered some shrinking. Unlike Galatasaray, Chelsea will not be playing at the Emirates stadium on Sunday and they will not be playing a high line at the back either. Any expectations about those free-flowing passing moves you saw on Wednesday will have to be limited because if any side knows how to defend frustratingly well against Arsenal, it’s Jose Mourinho’s.
Chelsea will have their own plan to score plenty from counter-attacks and therefore Arsenal will require more ball winners in that midfield. Barring the miraculous availability of Abou Diaby, the 0nly defensive midfielder we have in Matheiu Flamini will have to retain his place in the line-up despite his recent frailties. That pair in front of the back four should be a gutsy one, and unless Jack Wilshere is ready for the dirty work then Coquelin, a player who is a more natural ball winner, will have to be called upon.
Coquelin is highly underrated and indeed a disciplined player when played in his preferred role. His inclusion means that someone like Santi Cazorla who can be too ultra-attacking minded in away games will have to sit out. Only one of Ozil and Cazorla can fit in a line-up which has to be disciplined when we lose the ball. Ozil will be the choice in that number 10 role…for now.
Due to his versatility defensively and fine form in attack of late, Oxlade-Chamberlain should be the first name on that team sheet. The same goes to the hardworking match-winner Alexis Sanchez.
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Santi just made a very strong shout to be included next to Flamini…he made that position look 10x easier than anyone else did this season already, I won´t go as far to say he looked like Pirlo, but it was refreshing to see distribution from the middle, and not backwards and sideways passing from Arteta or hiding from the ball in Flamini.
Santi reminded me of Xavi against Galatasary. It’s no surprise that his passing was good but he pressurised the opponents really well; could be a massive bonus going forward if he can keep up that kind of form in the CM position.
Coquelin’s done well in the past and been a bit unfortunate not to get more chances. Reminds me of Flamini’s situation before he took over from Gilberto and had a brilliant season the year before he left for Milan, and you never know, if he was shown a little faith Coquelin could do something similar. It’s a big ask to throw him in against Chelsea though imo.
I don´t think it is a big task, he has quite the bit of experience and is a ball winner a not a picture taker. No where near as overwhelming as the situation he put Bellerín in, and I was all for that challenge for the youngster as well.
Santi really had good distribution of balls going forwards. Against Chelsea, I I think he should have a role to play though the midfield of the opponent will be different. On the other hand, I really wonder why Coquelin has not had any time on the field (execpt in the cup vs Southampton). He has ball winning techniques but his distribution has been tested. Both Flamini & Coq seem to be playing the same thing & therefore one of them can be on the pitch at a time (unless when Wenger opts for a frustrating game against the opponent. In a game Vs Chelsea it will depend on what Wenger intends to do. I can see Santi playing with Flamini at first, then introduce Coq or Wilshere later.
PK
I think this shows the vast difference between us and Chelski or City. They both have giant, fast, hard, DFM X 4…..we have had nothing but midgets X 8 and not fast, not hard and easily robbed in our half. Nearly all the vital goals against the Ruskies have come from freekicks given away by our back four trying to rescue situations our so called DMF have got into. We also suffer from the easiest of red cards given against AFC than any other club ….WHY? Not biased refs by any chance…cant be! Can anyone remember when AFC have faced any of the top four with a full team or even nearly a full team? This week we have still Theo, no Giroud, no Ramsey, no Monreal, no Debuchy, and amazingly no Diaby !!! Take that lot out of Chelski and see how they perform. And annoyingly, AW is now saying we must look into this cause of so many injuries……no shit Sherlock?
Wenger, play Ozil in No. 10 which is his natural position, Chamberlin to out run through right flank as do the same for Sanchez on the left wing. The back four of Mert., Kos., Gibbs and Chamba should be warned not to part take in the attacking force, just feed the attackers with low and high ball, the DM of Flame, Coquelin and Welshere should be at alert, in doing this, the duo of Ox, Sanchez and Ozil will know what to dictate to Welbeck at the final touch. This formation of 4-2-3-1 is the most useful way to deal with mouthy Mou. Gooners on the move.
jack welshere should be included no matter who should be droped out.
All i want to say is that arsenal well baet chelsea this time wethere tham like it or not
Arsenal need to win tomorow.