Arsenal can qualify for the knock-out stages of the Europa League with a win over Frankfurt at the Emirates tonight.
We haven’t won a game since October 6th, so we’re well overdue. Here are tonight’s official line-ups.
Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Sokratis, David Luiz, Chambers, Xhaka, Willock, Tierney, Martinelli, Saka, Aubameyang.
Subs: Leno, Lacazette, Ozil, Torreira, Pepe, Nelson, Guendouzi
Frankfurt: Rannow, Fernandes, Sow, Kostic, Hinteregger, Kamada, Abraham, Hasebe, Da Costa, Silva, Paciencia
Subs: Zimmerman, N’Dicka, Joveljic, Gacinovic, Toure, Chandler, Kohr
Auba over Pepe? What the fuck?
I thinks it’s not a back 5. Chambers will play CM with Mustafi at RB.
Chambers, Mustafi Luiz, Socrates and Tierney
The ancient Greek philosopher starting for us?! The Germans are surely done for now.
Surely Aubameyang up front with Martinelli wide?
Not only that…why not give Tierney a break and play maitland-niles at lb?? ??
Emery’s job is on the line, hence he’s putting himself first and playing several first team players to the detriment of the squad with Norwich in 3 days. We only need a draw to qualify tonight.
If the board don’t sack Emery after today I give up
The bench looks balanced ?
4 centre backs at home. You’ve gotta love it!
6 defensive players overall
Pure confidence
Anyone know what’s happened to ESR? Not even on the bench. Looked good for the England U20’s in the international break. Would’ve thought this would be a good opportunity for him
Played and scored a goal last night for the u23s
Let’s do this!
I pray we win, just pray we win
Here is to hoping
Still doesn’t look like he’s realised our best form of defence is attack
Desperate team selection from a desperate manager.
Good to see Xhaka back. Perhaps we could just…you know.. move on. And expect people to be professionals.
We can hope he comes back to prove a point. And no matter what “side” you’re on in the case of his antics, the only way anyone wins is if we play well – him too. Everything else is just … meh. Play football, damnit. So tired of the internet sesspool and it’s countless opinions.
Well said. On the internet… ffs
Well, obviously, when I refer to the Internet sesspool, I do not mean the well balanced, unbiased, objective and relevant comments made in the comments on this excellent website 🙂
Like yours?
The only way anyone wins is if we play well? 1) We’re not playing well 2) Xhaka in/out makes no difference but I feel no matter what system we play he isn’t suited to the PL. 3) It’d have been easier to move on if the bloke acknowledged he f**ked up and took responsibility but he has yet to.
“Except people to be professionals” – you like doctors, nurses, plumbers, bankers? I’m sure many are but that’s not a qualification to be an Arsenal fan?
I’m not pleased to see Xhaka playing but this is Emery! Hopefully Xhaka plays like a professional football worthy of playing for Arsenal and not give away the ball in dangerous areas or unnecessary fouls.
Europa league is Xhaka’s level so I’m fine with him playing tonight.
What happened to AMN?
I assume he’s been placed so far back in the ice box that it’s impossible to find him.
He seems to be placed Miles away
He’s not even on the Mainland at the moment.
Strong team selection. Obviously desperate to win the game, but life of Arsenal with Emery at the helm, i feel, is based on the Norwich game, not this one.
Whatever happens lets hope the team put on a good show and the supporters “help the team”. Anything else can wait til tomorrow morning.
COYG
Looking at the team and bench how the fcuk can’t we play good football?? Good ebening…:-)
Where’s AMN anyone?
Fuck knows mate
I believe he has an injury.
Or suspension.
My Brother’s cousin’s half sister’s boyfriend said it was a dental appointment….
Who’s playing RWB?? Mustafi or Chambers? Either way a team with 4 CBs and 2 DMs in it will sorely lack creativity and threat going forward.
Well done Emery is your quest to find balance! This would make a symbolic final line-up for the man.
Most likely Chambers. He’s played him more at RB / WB than he has in the middle.
Pepe has started just once in our last 5 games, our away 1-1 draw in Vitoria, he even sat on the bench without getting a run out in our league cup game at Anfield.
Time to start getting a bit worried? Surely this is the perfect opportunity to get him some minutes?
It’s far past time to START getting worried about Emery’s selections and lineups
Also, looking at Frankfurts System, a 3-4-3 as well, Emery again mirroring the oposition’s system…Chambers may have nightmares after that..
Looks like a man desperate to keep a clean sheet, and it defo will not happen regardless
We will never get it right at the defence until play holding and chambers at centre back.. Socrates has no speed and Luis has past his usefulness..
It doesn’t matter who he plays……. His system is flawed.
Looks very much like a “You lose, you’re fired” line up.
Very odd selection. Tierney and Auba? Will they then be fresh for Norwich? 4 centerbacks regardless of where they play? Let’s hope they gel and get the Eken done. But I’m not optimistic
Maybe this competition is the only viable chance for CL qualification? 🙁
Make the noise unbearable. One more push and we will get rid of the slime. Don’t attend but if you go then boo, make your voice heard.
Players now the drill. No more fancy crosses in to box so forward can’t miss. Concede couple of penalties just to be sure. Let’s loose badly. Tomorrow will be much better day. The slime will be gone. #EmeryOut
Really, what sort of fan wishes their team will lose a game?
Regardless of what’s going on with EMERY (he has a name, no need to be disrespectful), surely we should be getting behind the team. We can all see that he is way out of his depth, but fuck, support the team and maybe their confidence (if that is an issue) will come back.
Comments like this are what’s seeding the vile behaviour. And very un-Arsenal!
3 at the back, okayyyyy if you must but why not attackers as wing backs?
I’m lost on formation with Sako and Tierney both playing the left wing. Willock in Ozil role? Chambo and ex-Capt as DMs? Still a gap from defence to forwards that needs filling. Martinelli right, central?
Is Dick E so worried about Frankfurt at home or his job?
Strong line up….desperately trying to save his job.
He has played a draw
Xhaka back, Auba being wasted, a back 5 ….. fuck this fraud manager.
Emery and Xhaka can ride off hand in hand to whatever midtable club they want after this one.
Careful they might land at Arsenal
Oof
I can’t believe this clown that we have as a manager will ever learn, how can you be so negative at home. Please board sack him tomorrow and appoint a manager to bring back some pride to this team. Also why hasn’t Emery tried out Mavropanos he looked decent last season,give him some time in the first team.
Our most expensive player doesn’t start in the league and isn’t good enough for Thursday night football as well…
That formation. At what point does Unai decide, fuck it let me go for this. I guess at no point.?
I remember when I was much younger at work one Friday afternoon a kiwi fella that I was working with shoved 2 Ecstasy tablets down my throat and made me guzzle down some water. My employers were very nice about it, but sent me home. I really think somebody needs to send Emery home now.
Wolves implode arsenal style this evening.
Nuno is the perfect fit…..maybe not.
Nuno is still a perfectionist and loves himself a good defence more than anything, which gives their attack supreme confidence. They’re not mid table anymore and Braga really gave it to them tonight. Slowly and steadily he will one day get Wolves to the CL, regardless of whether we get him or not. He isn’t somebody out of his depth, something we wish we could say for Unai
I’m not sure this is a defensive enough set up. Perhaps we could pair Leno with Xhaka in the midfield.
Check out the full name of the Frankfurt manager; at quick glance I thought it said something similar……
LOL, it is rather close
But this Adolf didn’t beat the Belgians …
A starting line-up that includes Xhaka Can’t, Must have an E & Sideshow Luiz!! What are the chances of us:
A. Not conceding any penalties?
B. Not scoring any own goals?
C. Not having one of them sent off?
Special odds for all 3!
D. Getting themself banjaxed. Both of them. Bet you didn’t predict that option.
It’s party time! Get in! Surely he is gone now. Good riddance. Ohh yeah babies! What a waste of our time he was.
Losing 1-2 and he brings on Torreira instead of Lacazette……
Forget getting a goal,.let’s get a shot on target 1st.
#IsHeFuckingGoneYet
Not sure I even care anymore
Xhaka all smiles at the end their, what a great idea by Emery to play him!
He should fuck off, just like Emery
Ridiculous behavior considering the result and his recent history.