A good, albeit expected, win yesterday. However, given the schedule, there is no time to dwell.
Next up is a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. Despite their form this will not be an easy game.
We will be missing Granit Xhaka, after our captain picked up his 5th yellow of the season. Matteo Guendouzi is the obvious replacement.
However, the bigger issue could be the fitness of Shkodran Mustafi. He limped off yesterday, hopefully not too serious. If he does miss the game then it looks hard for Mr Emery to stick to the 3-4-3 formation. He could potentially use Lichtsteiner, Kolasinac (AMN LWB), Elneny or Jenkinson as a CB if he did want to stay with it.
Another question mark is over the front 3 or 4. Ramsey and Lacazette certainly stated their cases yesterday, while Iwobi and Mkhitaryan will fear for their place.
Despite criticism over the equaliser, I expect Leno to keep his place in goal.
As for United, I feel Martial and Lingard will return to their starting XI. Fred could come in, with Fellaini starting further forward. No idea if they will have a CB back, but don't expect them to retain the 3 at the back system. Young is suspended I believe.
On to the next one...
posted on 3/12/18
We looked better when we changed formation yesterday after Gwen came on. Though we looked good in 3-4-3. I am shocked to be saying that because I detest 3 at the back but Emery got it to work against Bournemouth and Spurs. To an extent because of their styles. I believe and hope we will go back to 4-2-3-1 against Man Utd.
Man Utd are good at heading the ball away but they are not very good against runners from centre midfield. I think we may need Ozil in this game to breakdown a compact Man Utd.
posted on 3/12/18
Doesn't seem Mustafi was talked about in the pressed and no mention of him being a doubt so looks good for Wednesday.
posted on 3/12/18
We suffer a strange inferiority complex at OT. We just need to man up on Wednesday, Man U look so ordinary against weaker opposition. Even during Moyes' year we failed to beat them home or away whilst weaker teams battered them senseless at OT.
posted on 3/12/18
comment by Grand Cannon (U18697)
posted 1 minute ago
We suffer a strange inferiority complex at OT. We just need to man up on Wednesday, Man U look so ordinary against weaker opposition. Even during Moyes' year we failed to beat them home or away whilst weaker teams battered them senseless at OT.
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Different manager, different players, different mentality.
And hopefully a different result.
posted on 3/12/18
United always raise their game for us. Players like Lingard, Mata, Young (yes I know he is suspended), Fellani all become world beaters against us.
I have see it before, when you have such a high intense game like we did on Sunday, it's normally followed by a damp squid, especially 3 days later
posted on 3/12/18
Damp squid
posted on 3/12/18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUQNUwwIEFo
posted on 3/12/18
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 19 minutes ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUQNUwwIEFo
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I've not clicked yet but this had better be the IT Crowd
posted on 3/12/18
posted on 3/12/18
Yes it is.