Everton Preview: Back to 4-4-2? 28 December, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Premiership.trackback
The big news going into tomorrow’s game is that Gallas is fit but Eboue and Walcott don’t travel. Van Persie still hasn’t recovered, he’ll miss West Ham too. With Wenger announcing that Theo and Eboue are rested it looks like Hleb will go back to right midfield and we’ll probably revert to 4-4-2.
There’s a number of options Wenger could be thinking of for tomorrow, he could still stick with a five man midfield with one of Diaby, Diarra, Denilson or Gilberto starting. Or maybe Eduardo’s going to start on the wing but I’d guess it’ll be Hleb.
Up front Bendtner might get a deserved start. He’s done really well when he’s come on recently and a lot of fans believe that his efforts merit a starting position. Adebayor will play tomorrow but if we are going to go with a 4-4-2 formation then I’d pick Nicklas ahead of Eduardo as the second striker. I know that typically Bendtner and Adebayor wouldn’t be started together as they play in similar styles but so what. If Nick doesn’t get the start I’ll be quite disappointed but we can still use him from the bench.
It’s too hard for me to guess what Wenger’s thinking for tomorrow’s starting line up, but this is what I’d do if it were up to me:
Sagna - Toure - Gallas - Clichy
Hleb - Fabregas - Flamini - Rosicky
Adebayor - Bendtner
If the Bendtner + Adebayor problem is too much then I’d suggest even putting Eduardo up top as his partner. Not that I have anything against Ade but I really believe in Nicklas at the moment.
Wenger could still go with a 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 if he wants, Diaby or Eduardo would start on the wing in place of Eduardo. Things haven’t clicked in the last couple of games and a change would be welcome, that’s why I think the 4-4-2 should be brought back.
Everton is a must win game in my eyes. The draw against Portsmouth was only an alright result if we pick up wins in our other games; we can afford a draw now and again. The game’s at 5.15 and live on Setanta.
And finally, Wenger’s said he wont be adding to the squad in January which is a bit of a shame but you can’t be surprised. There probably will be some one on their way out though and Arsene won’t stand in the way of Jens Lehmann if he wants to go. I’ll talk more about this transfer window soon.
Thanks for reading.
most probably, Arsene would go with 4-5-1 with Diaby in the mildfield but really the best option is to give Bendtner a chance. For heavens he deserves it!!!
i love this site…..very slick…keep it up….I also think St Nik should start….and as for Eduardo, he hasn’t been given the chance with our first team midfield…ade needs to get injured or suspnded asap….as we have all seen so far, when it comes to one-on-ones, Eduardo is as good as they get.
it is a great site….unfortunately you didn’t have the sense to admit that tomorrow’s game will be far more difficult than pompey. Everton for the win…..
Gunnzilla, are you really saying you want Adebayor to get injurerd? Who’s Arsenal’s top scorer this season? Who did John Terry and Rio Ferdinand say was the hardest forward to play against last season? A-d-e-b-a-y-o-r. Try saying something a little more constructive next time.
The reason Ade has been off form is because he is playing up on his own. He is not that type of striker who can do that. People claim that he is a “Drogba type” striker but he is not. He plays like Henry (not as well) and he needs support. Now Bendtner is the type of striker who can give great support to Adebayor.
Gunnzilla, dont hope adebayor gets injured or suspended, what a stupid thing to say, he may miss chances but i really think this is due to our midfield not performing to the top level.
Hleb and Rosicky are tired and Eboue is playing without any deviation to his game, he just goes straight forward into the opponent, and at the moment, this isnt working. I say we take off eboue and rosicky, bring in Diaby and Bendtner/Eduardo. This would have a positive effect on the team’s attacking power and we will create more opportunities. I think, if changes (similar to the ones i have mentioned) occur, then Adebayor will score tomorrow and we will win, even against an in-form Everton side.
Yes, I too hope that Adebayor gets injured if that is the only way Arsene does not select him. Everyone knows that Adebayor should not be selected on his form or ability!
I was very dissapointed when Togo missed the African Nations Cup because I was hoping to get rid of Adebayor for a while!
He is useless!!!!
Injured was a little over board….i apologize…. rather, i think he needs a little rest….just a game or two to freshen up 4 d start of d 2nd half of the season……St Nik (on as a sub) has been more lively and inventive in the past 2 games (Sp**s and Pompey) compared 2 ade…..Eduardo also needs to play as well…he is arguably d best finisher we have….he was very unfortunate to get a run in d team while our starting midfield was out……St Nik and Eduardo in a 4-4-2 would have Everton thinking even tho i think the gaffer would probably go with St Nik and Ade…..4-5-1 is obviously not cutting it at the moment…..its time to revert to 4-4-2….We need to start banging in d goals once again….Good luck Gunners no matter d starting line-up
I think that the only reason John Terry and Rio Ferdinand said it is that they hope that by saying this it will make Arsenal pick him. Manu and Chelski are using reverse Psychology. Adebayor reminds me of a headless chook, he runs around the field without any idea of what to do. His team mates puts some beautiful through balls only to see the goose offside. With the number of chances Adebayor has been given to score, he should have had well over 20 goals and not a paltry 10.
Well, we’ll see what happens. I don’t think blaming one individual for our dip is really looking at the bigger picture, do you? Our fixture list has been heavy, with alot of away games. Eduardo is a good finisher, but in the Premiership he looks lost at the moment. He’ll come good next season. Bendtner also looks good as a sub, but would not have the same effect over 90 mins, imo.
Norman, what’s your solution? You’ve slagged off Adebayor without offering any useful suggestions. Please enlighten us.
(btw Ronaldo is top scorer with 12 goals, so perhaps expecting 20+ from Adebayor at the halfway point is a little silly)
norman,gunzila, i think you are useless than ade is. tell me,can you nack your wife better,you tretarded fellow.can’t imagine you praying our best and highest score gets injured.if you are blind or you don’t understand football tactics and technicalities,then fuck off beign an arsenal fan.you should know that with a support striker ade will perform better,but he’s been doing it alone for a long time now and as you well and truly should know,it’s tiresome and frustrating.
am a gunner to the marrow.
Norman I totaly agree with you
Tripster Ronaldo is a Winger! If Drogba was in his place he would have 20!
It is not that Ade is useless, he is just not the striker to lead the line… …I think he would make a superb 3rd Striker but the future is Nick +1
Adebayor is not good enough to play other strikers in, a free Eduardo at NUFC for example that would have killed off the match, but no he tried to do a Henry.
The fact is most people see him on TV in close up and you see a different player to the one that is seen live where you can see the whole picture and build up.
Next time you are at an Arsenal game, watch Ade in the build up, then you might see the problem , yes I think 4-4-2 suits him better but the real problem is he does not have a footballing brain… …when he is in the middle and a ball comes to him with no time he knocks it in… …when he has space and time he blunders EVERY TIME!