Arsenal - Pre Match Thread

[johnny crossan]

Wonder if these boys will feature?

[Slim]

I think Raheem off the bench, but KDB surely starts in place of Phil.

Is Merlin back in training? Not sure he’d start over Bernardo at the moment.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I think Raheem off the bench, but KDB surely starts in place of Phil.

Is Merlin back in training? Not sure he’d start over Bernardo at the moment.

Merlin for Phil I was thinking with t'other Silva wide right.

[Slim]

I think Raheem off the bench, but KDB surely starts in place of Phil.

Is Merlin back in training? Not sure he’d start over Bernardo at the moment.

Merlin for Phil I was thinking with t'other Silva wide right.

I didn’t know if he was back in training. So Fern, Merlin, Mahrez in the middle?

No other fans know this pain, trying to get all our world class players into the starting 11.

[phips]

Ederson
Walker Stones Laporte Mendy
Fern
Mahrez Bernardo KDB Sane
Aguero

or Jesus in for KDB

[sheblue]

Don't see Dave starting this one. But Kev will.
Who knows, Pep could play 3 at the back.

[Nigels Tackle]

we will cruise to victory
3 or 4 nil

[johnny crossan]

Ederson
Walker Stones Laporte Mendy
Fern
Mahrez Bernardo KDB Sane
Aguero

or Jesus in for KDB

it was going so well until the last line

[BlueinBosnia]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

[johnny crossan]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

So his outstanding 90 minute performance on Sunday doesn't help you answer that question then?

[Nigels Tackle]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

So his outstanding 90 minute performance on Sunday doesn't help you answer that question then?

too busy preparing for his interview with the stars and stripes newspaper. did you know about that?

[BlueinBosnia]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

So his outstanding 90 minute performance on Sunday doesn't help you answer that question then?

Not really.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

I think Raheem off the bench, but KDB surely starts in place of Phil.

Is Merlin back in training? Not sure he’d start over Bernardo at the moment.

Pep said after Sunday's game that it's Bernardo then another ten players starting against the Tarquins.

[phips]

Ederson
Walker Stones Laporte Mendy
Fern
Mahrez Bernardo KDB Sane
Aguero

or Jesus in for KDB

it was going so well until the last line

i only say that because im hesitant to believe Pep will start Foden which logically leaves only KDB as i havent heard anything about Silva being back. but then i dunno if Pep wants to start KDB with him having just returned. so that leaves an open spot for someone who has at least played a little bit: Jesus, making it a 4-1-3-2.

[london blue 2]

If only we had a silky CM who could slot in...

[johnny crossan]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

So his outstanding 90 minute performance on Sunday doesn't help you answer that question then?

Not really.

Why's that then?

[littlebig]

I’d leave Foden in if I was Pep. Keep him playing while he’s in good form, get some minutes under his belt and let the other lads ease back in.

[sheblue]

I’d leave Foden in if I was Pep. Keep him playing while he’s in good form, get some minutes under his belt and let the other lads ease back in.

It would surprise me if he started. He will be on the bench. Stick 4 in before half time and bring him on 2nd half

[BlueinBosnia]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

So his outstanding 90 minute performance on Sunday doesn't help you answer that question then?

Not really.

Why's that then?

Because we've potentially got 29 matches over the next 20 weeks. Playing pretty much 1.5 competitive matches per week takes time to get back used to when you're returning from a long-term injury. I'm not sure 'lasting 90 minutes' in what is essentially a pre-season friendly is as good an indicator of that as either statements or interviews from the club or player would be.

We've also had a recent history of the manager saying things along the line of 'It's good that Player X has been able to make it through 90 minutes, but there's still a long way to go for him to be back playing week-in, week-out' when someone's returned from injury, so I was wondering whether any comment along those lines (or otherwise) had been made in the wake of the match.

[johnny crossan]

Anyone know about how fit Mendy is? Only played half a game in the WC, from what I recall. Is he up to week-in, week-out playability, or is he still in the process of being eased back in?

So his outstanding 90 minute performance on Sunday doesn't help you answer that question then?

Not really.

Why's that then?

Because we've potentially got 29 matches over the next 20 weeks. Playing pretty much 1.5 competitive matches per week takes time to get back used to when you're returning from a long-term injury. I'm not sure 'lasting 90 minutes' in what is essentially a pre-season friendly is as good an indicator of that as either statements or interviews from the club or player would be.

We've also had a recent history of the manager saying things along the line of 'It's good that Player X has been able to make it through 90 minutes, but there's still a long way to go for him to be back playing week-in, week-out' when someone's returned from injury, so I was wondering whether any comment along those lines (or otherwise) had been made in the wake of the match.

Are you familiar with the concept of a 'squad' at all?