Arsenal (A) 29/11 Build-Up & Match Thread

[lemonjelly]

see the enthusiasm for this game is bubbling over too! You all to busy putting your christmas trees up?

Surely we'll go back to 3-4-3?

 

[Premier Quality]

Yeah, 3-4-3, Neves and Donk in midfield, only real question I think is the two behind Raul - I think Neto and Traore personally...

 

[Tredman]

Moutinho to start for me, with Donk probably. Neto and Traore too I think.

 

[Johnny75]

Go for it from the off. 4-4-2 with Pod and Raul up top.

 

[YoungWolf]

think we will be back to 3-4-3. At Molineux they sat off us, didn't allow much space (and we missed chances in key moments frustratingly) and we didn't break them down all that well in general. Think this will be a different game where there is a lot of pressure on them to create at the moment, hopefully we can make the most of that and frustrate them.

I'd go

Rui
Boly Coady Kilman
Semedo Moutinho Donck RAN
Traore Raul Neto

 

[Parkins left foot]

Would go 3 - 4 - 1 - 2

Just have to decide who the 1 is.

Allows Semedo & RAN to be the wide players, but puts an extra player into the penalty box hopefully. Probably go with Neto as the 1 with Raul & Podence ahead to start with.

 

[pacamac]

I'd start as 5-3-2/3-5-2

Patricio
Semedo Boly Coady Kilman Marcal
Dendonker Moutinho Neves
Neto Jimenez

 

[PuntsWolf]

If we’re playing a 5 for me it has to be RAN. If it’s a 4 then I’d lean towards Marcal depending on strength of opponent.

Toss up between Traore and Podence in the front 3. Arguments for and against both. A 4-2-3-1 means you can play them all whilst also maximising Neves and Doncks strengths and minimising their weaknesses. But then does that cause us issues at CB?

 

[Jinky]

think we will be back to 3-4-3. At Molineux they sat off us, didn't allow much space (and we missed chances in key moments frustratingly) and we didn't break them down all that well in general. Think this will be a different game where there is a lot of pressure on them to create at the moment, hopefully we can make the most of that and frustrate them.

I'd go

Rui
Boly Coady Kilman
Semedo Moutinho Donck RAN
Traore Raul Neto

Yep, this is what I would go for too.

I know we played one game with 4 at the back, but I just don't see Nuno moving away from the tried and trusted "three at the back" system that we're used to, although we might see us shift to 4 at the back if we are chasing a game - something that we haven't ever done before (move to 4 at the back, not chase a game). At least he knows we can do it, and Coady has already proven he can do it for England.

Should be a nice open game.

 

[Tredman]

Yep, this is what I would go for too.

I know we played one game with 4 at the back, but I just don't see Nuno moving away from the tried and trusted "three at the back" system that we're used to, although we might see us shift to 4 at the back if we are chasing a game - something that we haven't ever done before (move to 4 at the back, not chase a game). At least he knows we can do it, and Coady has already proven he can do it for England.

Should be a nice open game.

Agree on the team, but not sure on the open game - Arsenal are a lot different this season.

 

[The Saturday Boy]

see the enthusiasm for this game is bubbling over too! You all to busy putting your christmas trees up?

Surely we'll go back to 3-4-3?

4-3-2-1 for me. Old school festive formation.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

4-3-2-1 for me. Old school festive formation.

I agree. Best way to get all the ammo on the pitch. It means Kilman is unfortunate but that’s what I would do.

 

[Trips]

I would be amazed if we didnt start with a back 3 tomorrow

 

[Deano]

I think I'd actually rather see a performance than a win tonight. I have accepted we are going to be around mid table this season and I don't think this result will change that but I want to start seeing us put together a good team performance so there's something to be encouraged about going forward. Not just 20 min spells here and there.

 

[Paul]

I am assuming (and could be wrong) that they're not actually choosing to 'not put on a performance', I don't think Nuno shouts "OK seventy minutes are up lets start playing". Until all the parts click, the games will have to be managed.
Remember you get nothing for playing well and losing!

 

[Deano]

I am assuming (and could be wrong) that they're not actually choosing to 'not put on a performance', I don't think Nuno shouts "OK seventy minutes are up lets start playing". Until all the parts click, the games will have to be managed.
Remember you get nothing for playing well and losing!

Who said they're choosing not to put on a performance? Bit of a weird thing to say.

I want Wolves to win every game they play but we have only put together spells here and there this season and it would be nice to see the work on the training ground transition into a more compete 90 minutes to give hope for the rest of the season. I'd be more encouraged to see some green shoots of what's being worked on in training and this apparent transition to a new style of play.

 

[Paul]

"Who said they're choosing not to put on a performance? ."

"but I want to start seeing us put together a good team performance so there's something to be encouraged about going forward. Not just 20 min spells here and there."

Isn't that what you really mean ?

 

[Deano]

We have only played well very sporadically this season, where did I say Nuno and the players are actively choosing to do this ?

If the reasons are that we are changing style and bedding in new players then you'd expect to start seeing improvements in performances along the way.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

At the moment I want us to look threatening and play to the best of our collective ability, especially early in games . This is pretty much agreed on here. I would prefer to play well and draw 2 2 than play poorly and sneak a win. . It may seem odd but I want us to look good and we have only done that in flashes this season, often later in games.

 

[sycophantia]

We're football fans, why should we expect us to choose between performance and results? I'm greedy, I want both, obviously thats not always going to happen, thats what makes football interesting and exciting. Anyway, if our performances improve, the results will follow.
Since Nuno mentioned at the end of last season about changing our style a little, I've expected this season to be a transitional one so both performances and results will fluctuate. Overall I'm fairly happy so far, we've seen flashes of what we are trying to/can achieve. Last game was very encouraging imo, while we certainly didn't boss the whole game, we finished strongly and had more shots and on target shots than I can remember for a couple of seasons.....COYW