Arsenal take on Southampton at St Mary’s today, looking to extend the unbeaten run, but with something of a defensive crisis.
Here’s the team Unai Emery has picked to get the job done.
Southampton: McCarthy, Valery, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Yoshida, Targett, Hojberg, Romeu, Armstrong, Redmond, Ings
Subs: Gunn, Hoedt, Davis, Johnson, Ward-Prowse, Long, Austin
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Lichsteiner, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang
Subs: Cech, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ramsey, Ozil, Lacazette, Nketiah
Kos the Boss to boss our defence. COYG
Looking at that defence I was slightly worried but then I realized WE’VE GOT LUCAS TORREIRA and now I’m in peace.
Kolasinac? ?
Sead misses today’s match due to tightness in his thigh
Ozil !!!!!!!
Looks like 4-3-3 then, and a very strong bench. Iwobi and Mkhitaryan have been a bit frustrating lately and are going to have to show some end product in the first half or they’ll be off at half-time. Need the 3 points to keep pace with spuds. COYG.
I don’t understand why he is still playing Mkhitaryan, when will he see just how pathetic he is
No Kolasinac means its a back 4 of Bellerin Kos Lichsteiner and Nacho?
That would be quite a call. But it could be also three at the back and Xhaka as LWB.
please no we need xhaka in the middle more than on the left
Based on his recent performance, I don’t think Miki should start.
Agreed, Mr Emery too persistent with him… Why ?
I think he goes with him and Iwobi because of the energy and drive they deliver. They do lack goals though, strong options to use off the bench.
He’s using him for his defensive contribution and hard work. IMO that’s what Mh is tasked with and he’s doing it well, most likely he will be substituted at half time or in the second half for a more attack-minded player.
Whilst I appreciate his defensive input he is largely anonymous at times. I’m hoping Unai is trying to get his and Aubameyang’s Dortmund chemistry back and in flow by giving them a run out together against a team who may well be highly susceptible to their strengths, providing they click, hoping they do! ?
he shouldn,t even be in the team
Well, surprise again. No Kolasinac, so four at the back again. Seems he wants to control the midfield with Xhaka, Guendouzi and Torreira, hope it works!
That was my first impression too… but could it potentially be Xhaka LWB?
I would much rather Kosh had the protection of a back 3
I hope not Jambinho. Go with the back 4 for me. There’s enough quality in the midfield 3 to control the game & enough experience in the back 4 to cope.
Big test…but one we can get through & put us in a strong position for Christmas period. COYG!
Bench looks pretty good …
Yeah, it’s from IKEA!
We will have a crap first half yet again, iwobe and Mkhi will struggle. Laca and Rambo will come on 2nd half for the win. 2-1
A borderline bogey team for us, not quite a Swansea but still wise to be wary. They’re having a really bad season though, and as much as I’d love a crazy high-scoring game, I think hoping for a simple 2-0 win with no injuries and a healthy confidence boost ahead of Xmas would be downright splendid.
look at that bench…..
The habit of making shit strikers look good is still a problem for us. Seriously need some upgrades at the back
Everybody seems to forget that that when he was fit we were shit. Two goals where he is far away from ings. Go back to nursery!
It’s not on tv so I can’t watch, are we as bad as it looks?
Yes, I fully expect a double halftime substitution, especially when three of the best players in our squad are on the bench.
Think Özil will Not come in early…
its worse
Honestly, in his current form, what’s Iwobi doing starting in this first team? Finds it difficult to track back when the team is defending, and when he eventually does so, it’s half-heartedly as if he’ll rather have others fight and retrieve the ball back than doing it himself. Not even I as a Nigerian can back him with this attitude. Very disappointing indeed for a still young upcoming player like him.
Koscielny sucks as captain, he fuck up before he will do it again. He my be good defender but sucks as a captain