Robert O'CarlosThis is my attempt at a formation for Arsenal against Liverpool at the Emirates.
GK: Almunia - first choice keeper.
CB: Gallas - I would detail him to pick him Liverpool's front man, presumably Torres.
CB: Silvestre - naturally left sided, I would expect him to concentrate more on Liverpool's right winger should Clichy go forward.
RB: Toure - not a natural right back, but Liverpool don't usually have a lot of width so would be somewhere between a defensive right back and a centre back against Liverpool's left winger.
LB: Clichy - decent left back, who likes to get forward and can hopefully pull Liverpool's midfield around with some runs.
DM: Diaby - picking up Gerrard, pure and simple, no other duties.
CM: Fabregas - self explanatory, if he's fit, you play him.
RW: Walcott - Liverpool's full backs don't usually get too far forward so I'd want a player who is more attack minded and not afraid to run at defenders.
LW: Vela - same as Walcott, but maybe comes inside more like a forward, leaving space for Clichy.
SS: van Persie - a tricky player that can work the space well.
ST: Adebayor - again, the only natural choice for that position.
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I'd try and get the team to play it wide out of midfield. Liverpool always seem quite narrow so I'd be hoping for some good possession on the touchlines. Liverpool only fully commit 4 players to the attack, so I've got 4/5 to cope with that (depending on Clichy's positioning). For this game, I'd expect Fabregas to play more of a midfield role, looking for passes rather than trying to make runs.
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That's my effort. Feel free to rip it apart and tell me what you would do different.
;-)
14.12.2008
nvrWill Walcott be fit by then?
There's something wrong with Diaby in the middle of midfield. He doesn't seem to have the passing ability for that position. Song for me.
14.12.2008
Robert O'CarlosCould be Song in there.
:-D
Wasn't really thinking too much about having a ball spreader in there, more a rash for Gerrard. Good call, though.
15.12.2008
darkzafaraWhere's Nasri?
15.12.2008
Robert O'CarlosNasri is injured. Not sure he'll be back by then.
:-D
16.12.2008
FeriAtsSagna is miles better than Toure in that position. He can attack too. I agree with nvr about Diaby. Song's a natural there...
Apart from these, good selection and formation.
17.12.2008
Robert O'CarlosI'm sure Sagna will be there at right back. Toure's picked up an injury now anyway.
The reason I picked Toure for this formation was so that Toure, Gallas and Silvestre could shift across and go directly up against Liverpool's front man and 2 wingers, with Diaby picking up the attacking midfielder, leaving Clichy free to make an extra man on the left.
I know Sagna would be the natural 1st choice there, although he might have to check his game against whoever Liverpool put on that side. Just something different to stoke the fires of debate, really.
:-D
17.12.2008
prekaziAlthough in general a good player, Gallas seems to make big mistakesin big games. Not suggesting to exclude him, but just highlighting- if Liverpool do score, Galls will have a role in that!
17.12.2008
Robert O'CarlosI've heard Chelsea fans saying their best centre back pairing of recent times was Terry and Gallas so I guess he must get it right some of the time. But it's true that Gallas does drop the odd clanger. Could this be due to the lack of cover and support in Arsenal's midfield, I wonder?
18.12.2008
