From Martin :
Hi Myles,
If there is any game I would actually play 3 centre halves vs City, as their main threat (obviously not limited to) is through their wide players.
The 3 center halves would allow Monreal and Bellerin (I would personally still play him) to go and compete with the wide players in knowledge a centre half should shift over to cover them, it all just makes sense for this game.
Would keep Holding in also, as he has shown more composure in a few outings than the ‘regulars’.
Bellerin and Monreal with that cover also have the ability to threaten themselves and take the wingers into areas they do not want to be, again in knowledge a center half is shifting over if they get caught too far forward.
The Ox played wide against Boro, but he is no wingback as he does not have the defensive discipline.
Welbeck being out is a worry as Giroud is made for Kompany, its pace that unsettles that defence, though Giroud does tend to play quite well vs City,
Like you, I think City will have too much going forward for Arsenal, but they are vulnerable and can be got at, so the side being put out is so interesting. Coquelin, Elmeny? Or neither?
Think he will go with the exact same side that beat Boro.
Spurs game?
If Arsenal are in that game going into last 30 minutes then forget form, tension can strangle the best of teams, even though this Spurs playing as freely as it has, should see this Arsenal team off easily, but if it’s say level going into last 30, 20 minutes, then you will see how tense a team and crowd become, as Spurs have much more to lose than Arsenal.
Our season is in essence done. I have seen Arsenal play Spurs in the reverse situation and present form means nothing, that last third of game will be torturous.
Myles says:
Spurs beat City when they were flying, and also beat Chelsea.
Even without the super-energetic Danny Rose, they’ve been dominating games, with Son scoring, with Dele banging them in with head and boot, with his big mate Harry back in harness. Even Eric Dier scored last week.
And Christian Eriksen is producing his best-ever form at the club.
Form means nothing in a derby? Anything can happen? Bollocks!
This is a bad moment for a jittery Arsenal team to go to White Hart Lane.
Don’t don’t don’t expect a miracle.
If I’m right about the FA Cup semi-finals, and Spurs and City go through, that will take the pressure off Pochettino’s boys.
And increase the criticism of this very average Arsenal side.