CL: Arsenal v Barcelona - 23/02/16, 19:45

[Rex Stone]

This is it really. Ideally we would start Theo but he's just not up to scratch atm. Welbeck has just come back from injury and would have played 70 mins a few games before, so it's a tricky one. Giroud is way down the pecking order for me in this game.

I'd potentially still go with Theo. Flanked by Alexis and Welbeck.

Yeah I think we could use Giroud like we did against Bayern, havoc off the bench which was really effective. Welbeck probably only got 60 minutes in him at most so that'd work out I reckon.

@yousif_arsenal

Suffocate the midfield 3, cut off service to them and harry them on the ball, then break quickly. Ramsey not a patch on any of their midfielders technically but he has them beat easily physically. Dare the likes of Pique to go over the top.

 

[Furious]

Las Palmas outplaying them atm, but losing now. Mind you they look like a better team than us, don't have cloggers like Giroud, Theo and Ramsey. All their players are technically superb and confident.

The way to go:

Cech
Bellerin Per Kos Monreal
Ramsey Coq
Oxlade Özil Alexis
Theo/Welbz

Really, really miss Santi for a game like this. I would've been confident of beating them if he was fit.

 

[Aevi]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

i would start theo only as striker only, theo on wings is no thanks for me he even don't look up for it every time he play on wings.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Wenger will put much better performance as goal keeper than Ospina tbh

 

[tap-in]

Suarez with 40 goals in 50 games since joining Barca

Yeh, if only we'd bid that extra pound!

 

[A_G]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Who's supporting Theo in attack? There's nothing there, what is there there?

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Who's supporting Theo in attack? There's nothing there, what is there there?

Claude and Bully will support him and tell him when to shoot or pass

 

[Gegen Pressing]

See Wenger doesn't trust youth, he'd rather play himself and ospina instead of Matt Macey.

Wenger will put much better performance as goal keeper than Ospina tbh

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

[US_Gooner]

Las Palmas outplaying them atm, but losing now.

Barca look doable from this match.

 

[Furious]

Giroud will start btw, have a decent game, maybe score a goal and be labelled as the hero. But we'll play like **** because of him.

 

[AVENTUS]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Lol

 

[nmn]

Coquelin will be vital for this game. He'll have to play almost as a 3rd CB between Koscielny and Mertesacker, playing just slightly in front of them, helping them defend against Suarez and against Messi and Neymar cutting in. Let Ramsey and Özil (lol) pressure Iniesta and Rakitic/Turan.

 

[Batman]

All I'm really looking for is a professional approach here. Don't be stupid and do everything possible to avoid conceding. If there are opportunities on the counter, great. If not just don't be reckless and give ourselves a chance in the away tie.

 

[TheLoneFalcon]

Us discussing the game.

Barca fans discussing the game.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

No Flamini, that's all I want.
And no Walcott.

May God help us.
(coming from an atheist)

 

[Rex Stone]

Us discussing the game.

Barca fans discussing the game.

Yeah but does that mean they'll get so badly beaten they'll be eating through a straw?

 

[Aevi]

Barca playing right now for those interested in analyzing them:

http://www.f1-stream.net/

 

[albakos]

I doubt Giroud will start this. We'll probably have less than 30% of the ball, so we'll rely on counters. Welbeck is more suited to pressing game, plus his pace can be useful in counters.

Chamberlain will have to stay infield to cover Neymar/Alba combinations and also provide for an extra man in midfield.

My lineup:

Cech
Bellerin - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Monreal
Coquelin - Ramsey
Chamberlain - Özil - Sanchez
Welbeck
​

We have about 5% hope of going through this tie, so hoping the score is kept at a respectable level and we don't get humiliated

 

[Aevi]

I doubt Giroud will start this. We'll probably have less than 30% of the ball, so we'll rely on counters. Welbeck is more suited to pressing game, plus his pace can be useful in counters.

Chamberlain will have to stay infield to cover Neymar/Alba combinations and also provide for an extra man in midfield.

My lineup:

Cech
Bellerin - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Monreal
Coquelin - Ramsey
Chamberlain - Özil - Sanchez
Welbeck
​

We have about 5% hope of going through this tie, so hoping the score is kept at a respectable level and we don't get humiliated

We need to save Welbz for Man Utd. He probably needs a rest anyways.

When he scores and gets Van Gaal sacked