After the 2-1 win over Man City on Sunday, Arsenal need to show that wasn’t just a one off when they face Leicester City at the Emirates this evening.
There is a top four chance, although a very slim one, and nothing but three points will do tonight.
Here are of the official line-ups.
Arsenal: Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Coquelin, Gibbs, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott
Subs: Martinez, Ramsey, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Welbeck, Giroud
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Benalouane, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Ndidi, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy
Subs: Zieler, Chilwell, Musa, King, Amartey, Okazaki, Gray
Are we not playing a back three anymore then or is Monreal playing in the back three.
Glad OX having a rest ready for Spurs and United.
Come on gunners we need three points.
monreal playing as left centre back. i was actually looking forward to see holding , he was such a class against city.also dissapointed not to see elneny get a run in.
Holding needs to be handled right. Also Coq has pace to deal with counters. Lots of pace around in our lineup…
Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal the 3 CBs?
Yes
Not a single defender on the bench
Why did this get a thumb down…? It’s just an astute observation!
Someone’s being pedantic about goalkeepers
Thank fuck sanity prevailed… I posted when it was 0 – 1 in thumbs!
Monreal on left of back 3? I’m struggling to work it out…
The fact he’s a good defender might have something to do with it.
Well if we can have two Pauls… 🙂
Only one.
A complete change around. Not sure about this but what do I know? COYG!
Back three it is then, according to Arsenal Twitter.
Playing five defenders and two holding midfielders in a home fixture against a team in the bottom half. There’s no other way to swing that other than its really pathetic and sad to see.
We’re supposed to be an ambitious, attacking side. Whatever about the 3-5-2, how in Gods name does Coquelin get brought in as well? Essentially relying on front three to provide all creativity and end product.
We are playing against the champions don’t we? You seem to be suffering from a case of hollier-than-thou there.
The champions in name only. Are you honestly going to tell me they are the best or even one of the best teams in league? Table doesn’t lie
Their form is better than ours. You’re calling for Coquelin to play for creativity? wtf.
How did you get that from what I said? Coquelin is a defensive minded player who stifles creativity. Only the three up top are natural attacking players/creative players.
Xhaka isn’t creative? Agree with you to an extent, but come on!
Relax, Don just maybe missed last 2 months of football and didn’t notice they sacked Ranieri, went through complete reincarnation, won couple games in a row, qualified for a CL quarterfinal (something we haven’t done for a while) and eliminated by Atletico-freakin-Madrid only because of a bad penalty call after an outside of the box tackle.
I’m not thrilled by the changes either, but I think it’s helpful to keep in mind that this is just 3 days after a high intensity extra time FA Cup semi-final win, and as Blogs has pointed out, we have an extremely intense month of 7 very difficult PL games before the final at Wembley, so it probably makes sense to rest a few. I would prefer to see Elneny in for Coquelin, but then we looked distinctly vulnerable to a counterattacking team in Palace last time he partnered Xhaka, so…(plus, it’s pretty clear Wenger doesn’t really rate him, preferring… Read more »
Really? Should we really be playing 5 at the back at home against leceister?? When we didn’t play 5 DFS against chelsea or recently, city??
Don, we’re not “supposed to be an ambitious attacking side”. We’re supposed to win. It’s great if it’s beautiful. But the win is what matters and Leicester are in good nick.
I get your point bro.. but nobody dares question Wenger’s tactics on here.. atleast not after we win a couple games
I think I understand Wenger’s thinking behind this selection. Most of our players played their socks off on Sunday and there’s the NLD coming up next. He picked a very defense-oriented squad to start, sit back and let Leicester run around. Hopefully that works and for last 20 mins, we bring on fresh legs.
OX SMASH.
Would prefer we smashed them first and then sat back, tbh…
That’s Walcott’s only specialty–seems like the boss has the same plan.
I agree, yen. Was it two years ago we went all defensive vs ManCity and started a really good run by being careful and defensively minded? Our bad form has come from being this hunt for goals blinding us to the need to defend like beasts. But I’m worried about the Coq/Xhaka combo. I predict a 60th minute substitution bringing Elneny on for Coq. I also think Walcott will be on fire.
Please turn up, they are the current premier league champions!! Or was that a bad dream??? COYG FFS
where’s holding he was one of the more impressive performers, would have like to see iwobi in place of ozil,he looked knackered
Not even on the bench, must be injured?
Checking Physioroom, he’s not listed as injured, however… And would you know, we’re on the second bottom position!!! Usually we’re top, season after season!
Poor Holding. Poor my brain. Thank fuck I got my sixpack, I’m cracking open the first one, and crossing my fingers!
I read that and thought you were showing off your abs. I’m reassured now
He was impressive .sure he’s resting for Sunday.
Not bad! Would like to see Iwobi get some PT. Hopefully Gibbs and bellerin play well. We should have a solid defense. Even with Coq in the middle. Ozil needs to create and pick out Walcott. Looks like it’ll be some hard offense. COYG
Please turn up and play to best of abilities for 90+mins they are the current premier league champions or was that a dream??
I’d have had elneny instead of coquelin, but the 11 selected have to step up now they’ve been chosen. COYG
I think he wants coquelin to press them fast and hit them on counter. With Walcott in the team I think coquelin is the better choice. I wouldn’t be surprised if gibbs gets a goal today.
Sort this moderation/posting delay out pls because it looks like im repeating myself like a senile old twat but im not, honest. Just frustrated with delay. Up the Arse.
Hmm this is interesting in the back.
Who the heck is striker? Alexis or Walcott? I’m confused with this lineup, need to see the formation
Both are.
I expect Walcott on the right (typically plays best when partnered with Bellerin), Alexis up top. Would have preferred Iwobi (or Welbeck or Lucas, though I guess the latter is still crocked?) to Theo, since i don’t think his game will really work in this formation, where the onus is on the front 3, and especially the “inside forwards” to be creative, which has never been his strong suit. But hey, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised….
Lots of pace in that selection
Might this not also be a return to the back 4, with bellerin out right and either nacho or Gibbs at left?
Nevermind: https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/857289686167035904?s=09
It’s quite obviously a back 3 with Monreal LCB…
What has Elneney done to piss Clough off? He’s on a different planet to coqelain.
Thats an insult young man.
I’m guessing it’s his defense (or lack thereof). Whereas with le Coq, it’s his inability in possession that can become problematic. If only Coquelin and Elneny could have a love child (and we could speed up his development and get him in this Arsenal team for the season run-in and our fabled push for the top 4)…
Why not play holding he was one of the more impressive performers.Woud’ve also liked to see iwobi in place of ozil,he looked knackered the other day
Very defensive team set up indeed…its not the arsene way…but im glad he is actually trying a different approach to stop the rot. Ok it will be a very tight affair tonight…but dont bet against a sanchez special to win it 1-0 to the ARSENAL…coyg
Probably it is a back 3 but could just as easy be back to the old formation with Walcott and Gibbs wide with Sanchez back up top?
Absolutely LOVING the speculation from everyone here around the team sheet and formation… Imagine what Shakespeare is thinking? Or the pundits? Head-scratching for the lot!
I’ll chill back with my six-pack and wait for kick-off 😀
Is Lucas injured or does Arsene just really hate him?
Hideous.
What has happened to all our defenders, where is Mustafi and Holding are they both injured.
We need a good solid performance tonight so I hope Walcott will help defend and not just stay up front.
Sorry to be dense, but how can you be sure it’s 3 at the back? When I read the list I assumed 442.
I like this lineup. Lots of pace, and should be solid.
Would have liked to see Ozil and Alexis rested too though, even if it cost us the game. Need them for spurs at the weekend, and need them for the rest of the season.
Walcott up top ahead of Giroud and Welbeck. Ballsy O.o
Blimey. I thought Walcott would be up for it 2nite but he’s invisible. Welbs soon?
The shape looks 3-4-3. It’s actually a 4-3-3 with gibbs as a winger. I think he’ll take off gibbs and bring on welbeck in the second half to open up the game.
Wenger did exactly what I said at half time. Interesting. I hope Bellerin stays at halfway line and not go too high up
Ox & Giroud on please