12/04/18 | CSKA Moscow 2-2 Arsenal | Europa League

[Ach]

Wenger and Mustafi both mentioned the Barca result and said there won't be complacency.

We have Wenger.

CSKA have a real chance.

[elkanofan]

This tie is certainly not over! Especially after barca choked and Madrid where bailed out by the ref as ususal

[Ach]

Missing the first half. Fully expect CSKA to be at least 2 up

[KG3]

Xhaka is out of the squad with the flu.

In a way I'm glad as it should mean Elneny starts and with his more defensive nous it will be better for us.

Hope we don't play to negative sitting on the lead, obviously not gung ho but don't want it to be too boring either.

I imagine it'll be .............

Wilshere - Elneny - Ramsey

Ozil - Lacazette - Welbeck or Iwobi (hope Welbeck)

That would be the smart and obvious thing to do but with Wenger you never know he'll probs play Wilshere, Ramsey and Iwobi as a trio

[coach8smallball]

valid point to be concerned, but this is CSKA Moscow, not juve nor roma. this should be very manageable

[DiamondGooner]

valid point to be concerned, but this is CSKA Moscow, not juve nor roma. this should be very manageable

Yes my worry is that we're going to be too conservative protecting the lead then invite sh*t loads of pressure.

We have the better players and for all intents and purposes the better defense (if that's possible) we should play within our means but attack with purpose when going forward (hit them on the break), so if we do get into a scrap and need to shift up a gear we'll be warmed up ready to do it.

The issue Barca had was exactly that, they weren't playing to their potential because they were happily sitting on a 4-1 lead and let Roma attack them until they got enough momentum and belief that they ran over Barca in the end.

[coach8smallball]

valid point to be concerned, but this is CSKA Moscow, not juve nor roma. this should be very manageable

Yes my worry is that we're going to be too conservative protecting the lead then invite sh*t loads of pressure.

We have the better players and for all intents and purposes the better defense (if that's possible) we should play within our means but attack with purpose when going forward (hit them on the break), so if we do get into a scrap and need to shift up a gear we'll be warmed up ready to do it.

The issue Barca had was exactly that, they weren't playing to their potential because they were happily sitting on a 4-1 lead and let Roma attack them until they got enough momentum and belief that they ran over Barca in the end.

agree barca got complacent but roma (even though lost 4-1 in 1st leg) still played well and didn't finish their chances in that 1st leg.

and I also agree with your thought process on how we need to approach, but again.....CSKA doesn't have the class of players to mount what roma and juve did.

[Phil71]

As long as we don’t have an absolute nightmare in defence we should be fine.

What am I saying?

Nah we should be ok.

[Ach]

Welbeck and Laca start

[DiamondGooner]

Full strength squad.

We won't lose this, glad Welbeck got in over Iwobi and a nice game for Elneny to show what he's got over Xhaka.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Elneny, Ramsey; Ozil, Wilshere, Welbeck; Lacazette.

[Angelito]

Depressing that this lousy competition is our only hope this season

Better than any ref screwing us in favor of Madrid. Smh.

[island_gunner]

Happy with this lineup
Jack wasn't sharp over the weekend so will like to see him have a solid game

[DiamondGooner]

Depressing that this lousy competition is our only hope this season

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You support this manager, you back him, this is what he delivers and the situation he's allowed us to get in and your complaining?

[Yago]

happy with the lineup except welbeck, then again there's not many other options.

[DiamondGooner]

happy with the lineup except welbeck, then again there's not many other options.

Welbeck or Iwobi .............??

I'm taking Welbeck, at least he's scoring goals and works hard on the wing.