All are fit against Barcelona in Nou Camp…. Who would you play?
Arsene announced today that Coquelin and Rosicky are available again and that Jack, Santi and Danny are a few weeks away – with the latter potentially nearer to a full come back than the others. That is about the best news we could have had: fiveΒ very good Gunners ready to compete again for first team starts. They do not have to adjust to the playing football the Arsenal way… they are Arsenal through and through and will be fit again in no time. What is Arsene going to do with all those fine midfielders and attackers?!
We all know what Le Coq brings, and Rosicky is the sort of player we all enjoy watching: brilliant technically and tactically and he loves playing football, especially for the mighty red and white. And with the Spuds game not far away, we are lucky to have him back! π Rosa will be able to give Mesut or Alexis a rest now and again and Le Coq will simply slot back into the double DM-pivot (after shaking Flamini’s hand for doing a sterling job over the last two months or so).
The news of Jack and Santi potentially returning towards mid to end of February is old fashioned heavy metalΒ to my ears. Two very good midfielders who can play in various positions and fight for the course against any team. Fingers crossed their recovery goes to plan and we will see them in action soon.
The Welbz is also due back soon and, although I am yet to be convinced he has what it takes to make it as a CF at Arsenal, I am really looking forward to him injection energy and thrust from the wings into the team. His enthusiasm and extra goal threat have been missed over the last year or so.
I reckon these five returning is even better than buying five quality players, and there is little doubt that Wenger will keep his pennies in his pocket this January. Sorry other-people’s-money-shop-a-holics! π
Imagine that at the end of February we have indeed all these fine players fit and raring to go: finally Wenger will be able/forced (depending on how you view Arsene’s approach to rotation) to rotate his players in order to keep them motivated and fresh. During a midweek game we could field:
—————-Elneny/Flam——Jack———————
Rambo———————Rosa——————–Alexis
———————–Giroud—————————
And at the following weekend game we could field:
——————-Coq—-Santi———————-
Campbell—————-Ozil——————–Welbz
———————Theo—————————-
And these are just two examples…
Now when we are playing Barcelona at the open bath tub in March, and all Gunners are fit, who would you choose to start in midfield and attack…. and why?
By TotalArsenal.
Never commented on Bergkampesque before? Join us with a proper comment and you will be welcomed! π
Bergkampesque 
“and there is little doubt that Wenger will keep his pennies in his pocket this January”
TA, you do know what I read instead of “pennies”, don’t you? π
Excellent teaser for the game against Barca. π
Δech-Bellerin, Kos, Gabby, Nacho-Coq, Rambo-Welbz, Dennis v2.0, Alexis-Theo.
That’s the team I would throw at Barca.
First of all, they don’t have the advantage in height so we don’t need to put too many tall (and slow players). What Messi did to Boateng last season is a good lesson for Arsene not to use Per in that game.
Second of all, I would put Danny on the wing so that he can put Alba on the back foot. That would take a huge asset of Luis Enrique’s hands. Same goes for the other flank where Alexis would put Alves/Vidal against the wall. Theo is a player all defenders are afraid of and his presence on the pitch was seriously missed in Munich even if Giroud gave an excellent display. We had a meek and soft center on that day with no counter-attacking asset on disposal. With Theo, attacking-minded Pique won’t be so comfortable to go forward.
Third of all, our Coqbo axis would have enough work-rate and pace to deal with the Barcelona midfield, especially magnificent Iniesta who – for me – is the best European midfielder ever. When it comes to Busquets, a real weasel, perhaps Welbeck can play a huge defensive role on him with Theo taking over on the wing.
Finally, our full-backs will have to play two games of their lives when Neymar, Messi and Suarez drift wide in order to create goals. That’s where Kos and Gabby have to help without losing positional awareness.
Hahaha Admir, you have one dirty mind! π
You have gone for mobility and speed in your first eleven and I am sure you will not be the only one to go for this. In many ways it makes sense and you have explained your choices very well. I would be tempted to play Santi next to Le Coq, Jack left midfield and Rambo on the right, Ozil in the hole and Sexy Alexis as our CF. Less counter attacking style but more aimed at competing on dominance and playing the beautiful game… but then I also like to sitting deep and play on the counter approach….pfffff hard one for Arsene! π
Wow what a difference 5 new signings will make. The most obvious factor will be Wenger will get a huge headache. Would love to see Jack stay fit, but the very way he plays encourages injury.
Admir I like your Barca strategy, but I will be absolutely gobsmacked if BFG doesn’t play.
The thought of Pers long legs swinging around in the penalty area is worrying thought, especially with Suarez, Neymar, Messi etc all trying to do a Costa on us. That said I would have a bet that Kos has conceded more penalties than the BFG
T A like you I don’t quite rate Welbeck as highly as others do, but you certainly can’t critisics his work rate
@TA – to be honest, I don’t think if Santi and Jack would be back in time for the first leg even if I like the idea of Jack repeating his best career performance. π
@retsub – Kos was (is?) a negative record-holder in terms of conceded penalties. That’s the downside of his style, I guess.
Speaking of Welbeck, Ferguson used him on Xabi Alonso in his last season. Welbz had a role to mark Alonso and it worked for United. Hadn’t Nani received a red card, Ferguson would have knocked Mourinho’s Real out. I’m intrigued with an idea of Welbz doing the same on Busquets against Barcelona.
The same trick Ferguson played with Rooney on Arteta in their 2:1 victory in 2012-13.
@TA – one more thing:
I watched the game Barcelona-Bayern last season and that’s the one which Bayern had lost before the game started. They had had Robben, Ribery and Alaba all out which deprived them of pace and allowed Alves and Alba to play as extra-wingers.
Retsub, I would always play Per ahead of Gabriel when we have to sit deep and keep it tight, and I don’t agree with Admir’s CB pairing. If we are defending a lead at the NC, we should be able to even give away a penalty and still go through, as we can also score there; and like you and Admir say, it does have to be the BFG to give the pen away…
I was talking about the second leg at the NC, Admir. Both should be back for that one.
Yeah speed can be a plus to be beat Barca… Maybe it could come from the full backs, especially Bellerin. A midfield of Jack-Ozil-Santi-Coq-Rambo and Alexis, say in a 4-6-0, does sound good to me the more I think about it.
@TA – pardon me then. π My guess is, if we make a good result in the first leg, we might witness a really great game at Camp Nou. I like your idea of out-Barcing Barca on their pitch (with former Barcelona players Bellerin and Alexis in our ranks) except I’m not sure that team would put Alves and Alba out of the game…if Barcelona get the ball, that is. π
Admir, there are not many teams that can field a quality six in midfield like we have when all are fit, and that is what is so attractive. But of course playing Ozil behind Alexis, Theo and Welbeck is also very attractive, especially with Coq and Rambo/Santi/Elneny/Flamini/Jack (one of them) keeping it really tight behind them. Ooh die Qual der Wahl as the Germans say (the agony of choice)… π
Thanks TA, for launching us into this lovely orgy of dreams, where we talk only Barca, and mingle with the likes of Iniesta, Messi, Neymar and Suarez, smiles on our faces retained. What a banquet of players we’ve got. Little wonder TA and all couldn’t even be bothered spicing it all up with Arteta and Iwobi.
Is it ‘ ooh die qual der wahl @ TA ‘ for Wenger? I doubt so. Arsene is well rested in the knowledge that he only needs to get himself a dice of 6, for choosing our top 6. Afterall any number there is a lucky number!
Nothing wrong with a bit of orgy of dreams, PE. Get your kit off and join the fantasy football party! π
Go on give us your sexiest line up! π³
PE,
In Asia we do not like 6 as it is. 4 is the worst number ever, but 6 is close behind.
if you pair it with 1 and 8 which gives you 168, it is a good number, when translated to Mandarin means “success / fortune all the way”.
TA,
Against Barca, we will play our best 11, which means the following:
Cech
Bellerin, Gabby, Kos, Nacho
Santi/Rambo, Le Coq
Theo, Ozil, Alexis
Ollie
The reason why I left out Per is that he has issues tracking back quickly, thus we cannot afford him to play against pacy attackers.
If Santi is 100% game ready when I will start him, if not Rambo will continue to deputise.
As we have yet to see Elneny I am unable to put his name down. If he meets our expectations then yes, he will either fight for the position with Le Coq or be his partner.
Although I do not see the refs will make our life any easier against the diving cheat, I will prefer a ref who sees through the dives.
Cheers,
JK
Nice one, 168/2 π ( you are half way to luck and prosperity!)
I don’t think that is our strongest team when playing a high pressing team but I can see where you are coming from.
It feels so unsexy to name my sexiest line up. You see, am a flirt and there are too many pretty things around. One thing I know for sure is that Jack must be in my line up. He is my sexiest. But then I can’t get to bear the thought that that might mean Santi out, or Rambo out or Rosa or Alexis …… I gotta go get myself a dice.
PE π
Great post, T, and many great comments also.
Im glad you see Welbecks value on the wing, as I’m sure Arsene does, and will use when available. This because i dont see Santi or Jack being back in time, so Ramsey will be in central midfield.
I still like theo up front and Arsenes normal back 5.. with Coquelin being most important player we can get back.. i hope he will be our future captain.
That is a lot of respect for Coquelin and I like it. He has a great presence and sense of responsibility π
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