Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2015/16 ( Mod Note linked in OP 29/12)

WoollyRedHat

Screw that, we're need to go for the jugular against City, Flamini needs to be disciplined and not commit himself forward. I'd almost be in favour of Chamberlain being played through the middle but I guess now is not the time to experiment. Walcott on the wing to overlap with Giroud.

Gaygooner

Big one tonight! To signal our internet- we have to win!!!

M1Ö to rule this Yule!

bad2dabone

Huge game tonight, I predict a mulled wine or two to help me through it.
It's going to be interesting to see which Man city and which arsenal turn up! Should be an attacking game anyway.

Gaygooner

Hot Jameson for medicinal purposes...

Both to score- Arsenal to win!

Kirby

x PyRo wrote: »

M1Ö

Gaygooner wrote: »

M1Ö!

:mad:

Soups123

I have my year ending game of 5 aside tonight, going to have to watch this one an hour behind on the sky plus.

I'll be in later than most to either;

(a) Celebrate the win and declare myself a believer in our credentials this season
(b) Exagerate and fuel the meltdown if we lose, more than likely refeering to us as bottlers whilst declaring 'we'll never win a PL title with Arsene in charge'
(c) Be a bit meh with the draw, not up not down but telling people atleast we havent lost but we are struggling in these 'big' games when it really matters

Which ever of the 3 it will be I'll deliver it as if its been my stance all along and regardless of the result this has been my thinking

Gaygooner

Kirby wrote: »

:mad:

I love it!

Gaygooner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2HcRl4wSk

emergingstar

I just can't see us winning tonight, flamini and Ramsey will leave too much space for sliva to exploit

A score draw maybe

That Ozil interview is very good. The main reason he came was Wenger.

Awesomeness

Excited about tonight. Middle of the night for me but this will be an easy one to stay up for. Hopefully the joy of winning will get me through the day tomorrow and then its holiday time

Drexel

I can see a straight up shootout tonight. A high scoring game. We are prone to leaving massive holes as someone has said and Cities defense can play like they have never met each other before. Just gotta hope we come out on top.

I think we can

tayto lover

While our defence has the best record in the EPL for goals conceded, 13, I still have serious doubts about them. Probably just around Mert if i'm being honest. He has been good in some games and not very good at all in others. Tonight is the defining game in the league so far where we will have very tricky strikers who are good on the ground with their quick flicks and movement. That's if City come to attack of course and I think they will as Pellegrini's future seems to have question marks around it. I think he'll come for a victory.
I think Coq will be badly missed tonight too so the strength of our squad will be really tested tonight. I can see Sanchez starting or at least getting a run out.

Hoping for a great display and 3 points but not really optimistic. I can't see us keeping a clean sheet but you never know in football.

Quazzie

tayto lover wrote: »

While our defence has the best record in the EPL for goals conceded, 13, I still have serious doubts about them. Probably just around Mert if i'm being honest. He has been good in some games and not very good at all in others. Tonight is the defining game in the league so far where we will have very tricky strikers who are good on the ground with their quick flicks and movement. That's if City come to attack of course and I think they will as Pellegrini's future seems to have question marks around it. I think he'll come for a victory.
I think Coq will be badly missed tonight too so the strength of our squad will be really tested tonight. I can see Sanchez starting or at least getting a run out.

Hoping for a great display and 3 points but not really optimistic. I can't see us keeping a clean sheet but you never know in football.

For me, tonight's game will decide for me what side of the fence I fall down on in terms of winning the league. If we win tonight I will firmly believe, if we don't I don't think I'll have changed my view too much.

I predict we'll bottle it, but as always I'm open (and hoping) to be proven wrong.

Ol' Donie

Am I right in saying City have scored just 7 away goals this season?

Drexel

A loss tonight doesnt mean we are out of the race

Quazzie

Drexel wrote: »

A loss tonight doesnt mean we are out of the race

Definitely not. It would however suggest that we haven't made the step necessary to win the league in my opinion.

emmetlego

I'm anything but confident for tonight... Coq being the biggest reason!

Drexel

Quazzie wrote: »

Definitely not. It would however suggest that we haven't made the step necessary to win the league in my opinion.

We have proven in recent times we can beat the top guys. City are still an amazing team and could beat anyone on their day. So can we and while a loss wouldnt be brilliant I will still think we have a very good shot at the title. We could easily go and beat them in Manchester next may.

What ever happens this year I think the winners will prob be the most underwhelming champions in a long time

Quazzie

Quazzie wrote: »

Definitely not. It would however suggest that we haven't made the step necessary to win the league in my opinion.

In a usual season, that would be true. However, with Leicester, Crystal Palace, Watford and Bournemouth currently occupying the top 4 in the form table(!), nothing in this years league is guaranteed.

I think Leicester are doing a marvellous job, but do they have the squad to cope in Feb/March? An injury to Mahrez or Vardy, who've played a lot of games for them could be very telling. Especially once the FA cup starts and the games start coming thick and fast.

I'm really not worried about tonight. I don't think it'll be a 5-2 hiding or anything like that, but a loss wouldn't be as bad as it would have been in previous seasons.

I imagine we'll play with the handbrake off as we are prone to do when there's no real pressure on us.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Ramsey tonight and hope his resurgence carries on. 2 goals and an assist from the last two games I think. If he can recover some of that form from two seasons ago, it would be incredible.

tayto lover

Ramsey could also cause our defence many problems tonight if he continues to give the ball away in dangerous areas. We often get away with it against poor teams but City are capable of punishing his mistakes. His passing and control has to be spot on tonight.

Gaygooner

Quazzie wrote: »

Definitely not. It would however suggest that we haven't made the step necessary to win the league in my opinion.

Agreed.

Tonight will be a statement of intent

Bobby Baccala

What channel are we on tonight lads? Will be drinking in a mates house when this is on so hopefully the nearest pub has whatever channel is showing it

Gaygooner

P4DDY2K11 wrote: »

What channel are we on tonight lads? Will be drinking in a mates house when this is on so hopefully the nearest pub has whatever channel is showing it

SS1

wawaman

City are a good team no doubt and could well beat us but remember that 2 weeks ago Stoke took them apart at home. Fast start from us and old failings could come back to haunt them (especially if Demichalis is playing)

Bobby Baccala

Gaygooner wrote: »

SS1

Nice one.

On another note I'm not looking forward to seeing sterling vs Bellerin in the form Bellerin has been in. Sterling got a peno out of him last time they crossed paths

Bobby Baccala

wawaman wrote: »

City are a good team no doubt and could well beat us but remember that 2 weeks ago Stoke took them apart at home. Fast start from us and old failings could come back to haunt them (especially if Demichalis is playing)

Reckon we'll see otamendi and mangala

keano_afc

City's away record is poor but its a big game. I hope we really get stuck on early and take the game to them.

JustTheOne

Did I hear Silva and aguero are back?

greendom

KaiserGunner wrote: »

Tbh I'd probably take a draw in the match tomorrow if it was given to me now. Might sound pessimistic but I dont share quite the optimism as a few of us in here. I'm quite worried about Flaminis defensive discipline out there tomorrow night against a top team. I hope I'm wrong but I really worry about him tomorrow.

I'd be a lot more comfortable and confident with Coquelin in there. It really needs to be addressed in January, with a signing to push or even take Coquelins spot. It's probably our best chance of a title in nearly a decade, so we have to take it.

If we had our full squad available I'd be really confident of beating City,but we don't, so I'll go for a cautious draw.

I know what you're saying about Flamini but he's attitude and conviction is very useful to the team. Obviously Coquelin is the obvious choice but i'd rather see Flamini than Chambers for example

Mr Blobby

We haven't lost to City since 2013 so thats a good sign. I don't see us losing but instead maybe nicking a win by an early goal.