Arsenal vs. Schalke

Martinez played for the under 21's last night. Let's be honest, his performance against Reading was very poor so it's not like it will make any difference who we have on the bench between him and Shea. If anything, Martinez's confidence might have taken a beating and playing at his level again was more important than traveling just to sit on the bench. And Shea has been impressive in the under 21 games I saw of him earlier this season.

As for the team, I don't expect any sudden shocks to the system because it's not something we do. But I would like to see, despite our very limited and average options available, a couple of changes. (Ideally I'd like some sort of flexibility in how we play but I know that won't happen).

You can't perform how you did on Saturday yet everyone keeps their place the following game. Again, it's not as if we can throw in a load of bench players but we have been below average since West Ham away exactly a month ago, something has to give.

Maybe try Pod on the right? It's not like he is playing well on the left so maybe give him a go on the other side and slot AA to the left. This is the first time in a long time I am actually FOR an AA start.. schalke away too not any game :p

Rumors on twitter that TV will play LB and Kos in the middle. If true, this means Santos' career with us is finished.

ralph avedikian wrote:Rumors on twitter that TV will play LB and Kos in the middle. If true, this means Santos' career with us is finished.

Think you can safely be assured it is over.......

That's a bit of an exaggeration, wouldn't you think? His career at Arsenal's over because he's being dropped in one game?

I do agree with giving Arshavin a start though. I really like Podolski, but he hasn't really offered anything in the past 3-4 games he's took part in. If the rumours are true and he's playing while injured, then it makes even more sense to give him a rest and start Arshavin. Say what you like about the guy's attitude and work rate, you can't deny that he always tries to make something happen, even in his worst performances, which is more than I can say about the rest of the team recently.

If he sits out and Vermaelen plays left back I will be very very suprised, and happy.

Alex Hadjicharalampous wrote:That's a bit of an exaggeration, wouldn't you think? His career at Arsenal's over because he's being dropped in one game?

I don't think it is really. I think of it the other way: He is being dropped because of 1 poor performance. His confidence (not sure he has any at the moment) will be shot, Gibbs will be back shortly, so he will only play Carling cup games maybe. If he is dropped today we will see the same scenario we saw with Chamakh, maybe even worse. (at least Chamakh out was due to RVP being brilliant)

I can't help thinking he might be usefull as the wide left part of the attack when we have a few injuries?

Jenks1981 wrote:I can't help thinking he might be usefull as the wide left part of the attack when we have a few injuries?

Absolutely. If someone who doesn't know him reads this thread, he will have an image of a 35 year old, unfit, useless football player playing in League 2.

We still need him in the squad, at least for this season and he CAN produce some good performances. He is not ALL bad.

I mean tonight, if Walcott doesn't make it.

Jenks1981 wrote:I mean tonight, if Walcott doesn't make it.

Hahaha....

All jokes aside....can you ever see Santos taking place of Gibbs when fit....and for that matter will he ever be a decent back up....

Quite sure the answer is no to both...

Gibbs is becoming a very important player for us, I really like him.

Jenks1981 wrote:Gibbs is becoming a very important player for us, I really like him.

So true jenks...I personally belive he will be right up there if not better than the Cole's of football...same mold and yet less agro from him...a very important part of the squad....and would be for anyones..I have pool fan mates who want him at anfield...says a lot about the kid...

I wouldn't go as far to say he will be up there with Ashley Cole, Cole has been a pretty amazing left back over the years. Gibbs is becoming solid, and I think his ability with the ball is sometimes underrated. He is good enough and may well grow into his career like Baines has done. We will see.

Is it just me who thinks the media (and fans) have blown this whole Santos shirt-swapping thing way out of proportion?

Jenks1981 wrote:I wouldn't go as far to say he will be up there with Ashley Cole, Cole has been a pretty amazing left back over the years. Gibbs is becoming solid, and I think his ability with the ball is sometimes underrated. He is good enough and may well grow into his career like Baines has done. We will see.

Sorry what I ment is within time he will be as good as the 'Coles'

The shirt this is beyond a joke as what the hell was he doing...but then as I said what respect is he showing by doing what he did...
My problem is within his game....dimly put its awfull...

Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud all start for Arsenal in againsy Schalke. Laurent Koscielny comes in for Andre Santos in defence, with Thomas Vermaelen switching to left-back.


Result........

So Santos dropped.. really feel for him.

LINE-UPS

Schalke 04: Unnerstall, Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Fuchs, Jones, Neustadter, Farfan, Holtby, Afellay, Huntelaar. Subs: Hildebrand, Marica, Hoger, Papadopoulos, Moritz, Draxler, Kolasinac.

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud. Subs: Shea, Andre Santos, Djourou, Coquelin, Arshavin, Jenkinson, Chamakh.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy

Well its chin up time looking at the lineup...its changed for best part of the better...jack for one will prob run himself into the ground knowing he has a ban coming up hopfully the back pairing can make tv realise how bad he is playing and the same with tv slotting in for Santos....be interesting to see if the wide and front two shift about tonight...

But I will say this....this starting 11 needs to do the business as the bench is not looking overly confident.....

Theo Walcott is given his first start in this season's Champions League as Arsenal make two changes from the side that lost at Manchester United on Sunday. Walcott lines up on the right side of a front three that includes Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud. The other alteration sees Laurent Koscielny replace Andre Santos, with Thomas Vermaelen switching to left-back.

Schalke are unchanged from Saturday's defeat by Hoffenheim, so Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leads the line with fellow Emirates Stadium scorer Ibrahim Afellay and Jefferson Farfan in support.

Just to add I know I normally put up a link to the game I am on my phone and won't be able to until the second half.....

match link anyone?

Mark Lawrenson,BBC Radio 5 live

"A lot of Arsenal supporters quite rightly say they haven't won a trophy in seven seasons. But would they want to win the Capital One Cup or the FA Cup and not be in the Champions League? That is a fair question."

To be honest.....that is a great question.....

Capital one cup and champions league for me....

awæhre wrote:match link anyone?

One minute I will see if I can get one...

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151341/1/watch-fc-schalke-04-vs-arsenal.html

This works, english commentary too.