Arsenal should buy otamendi .... bench Per...that would improve our defence... its no longer the partnership btw koscienly and per that keeps the attackers at bay.
@SteveHyland Nothing much... but he is an obvious weakness that the team exploit. Due to which bellerin defends right next to him... and coquelin tackles speedy player before they come towards him.
@hasan- Well, firstly, Mertesacker's side isn't attacked against any more than Koscielny's or any more than any other CB in the world. It depends on where the opposition's best talent is (Chelsea have Hazard on the left for example so it's natural they attack a lot down that side). Also, Bellerin is in the team for his attacking prowess, not defending. Bellerin's defending is average at best and is constantly out of position. It's his blistering pace that gets him out of trouble. It's only because Wenger likes putting Ramsey on the right wing atm that he puts Hector at RB due to being much quicker than Matthieu, can get round the side to take up the space Aaron vacates when he drifts in but make it back to his defensive position. If Wenger had an issue with Mertesacker, he'd put Debuchy next to him every game. As for Coquelin, that's the point of having a DM. There isn't a defender in the world quick or good enough to defend one-on-one against a pacey dribbler.
@SteveHyland Per would be excellent addition to the team if we would practice free kicks and he would head them in. Unfortunately both of them do not happen. Per in the recent has not been used to his advantages .... which makes him average player among a impressive team.
I didn't want to write about this site prediction on this game because of my respect to WhoScored, but as for me 2-1 for CP was obviously wrong. I bet on over 2.5 goals and Arsenal won't lose for 2.3 coefficient and I won) But don't think that I am boasting)
Another lucky win for Arsenal. Palace deserved at least a point and should have had a man advantage(twice). Yet another Arsenal game decided by a scrappy scrappy goal.
@NotBiased Best defensive midfielder in the league last season, more tackles+interceptions per 90 minutes than any other DM. One or two poor games and he's average? You should change your name to Alzheimers.
@What4 Yes because tackles+interceptions are the two only parts of the game.
Phil Jones made more tackles and interceptions than Kompany , Terry , Ramos and Thiago Silva last season. I assume he'd be absolutely gutted if he isn't named the best defender in Europe.
Coq isn't intelligent enough and commits fouls after fouls not to forget how poor on the ball he is.
If you think he was better than Matic and Schneiderlin last season then bear in mind that I'm not the only one feeling sorry for you.
@NotBiased- I thought you were a fan of his given your comments in the past? Anyways, sure, he doesn't have the positional sense or anticipation of Matic and he is, atm, still too rash, but this is a player who has had 3 bad games and 1 or 2 more that can be categorised as sub-average but not necessarily "bad" in his 30 as a DM. That means 83.333% of the time he plays decent, good or very good. That is impressive for somebody with the lack of 1st team experience at the top level and who has had to learn the role "on the go". Matic has been in that role since his Benfica days, circa 4.5 seasons excluding this, and had the added benefit of playing in a mediocre league where his mistakes likely didn't cost the team not to mention is 3 years older. Comparing the 2 now is grossly unfair to Francis as it is comparing any 2 players with such a disparity in experience. In a couple of seasons maybe. I certainly don't see him as a weakness.
@SteveHyland I liked him when he made the breakthrough and had solid games against the likes of City but since then has been pretty sub standard and never really grew from that. I don't think he's particularly bad just that he's probably the worst first choice midfielder playing for a top 4 side.
@NotBiased Er, per 90, mate, not overall. And poor on the ball is the last thing you would use to describe Coquelin. And if you really can't remember how highly Coquelin was rated last season, even credited with transforming the Arsenal team, then you should change your name to AlzheimersAndDementia. And btw, Schneiderlin commited more fouls per 90 last season than Coquelin. Coquelin and Matic had the same passing %, and Schneiderlin was slightly better. You might want to check your facts in future before spewing nonsense.
@What4 The statistics about Phil Jones were also per 90. Phil Jones also had a better passing accuracy than Jack Wilshere. I assume he's definitely the most complete midfielder and the most complete defender in the world judging by you know the most important aspect in football. The "stat".
Perhaps if you pay more attention to those players and watch them play before thinking what my name should be you might recover your lost common sense pretty quickly.
@MSalt7 Well yes, he plays for Wales but that still doesn't help the three lions that much doesn't it?
And four british players makes a difference you think? Bayern Munich has 14 Germans in their squad and Barca a similar number of spanish born players.
@SteveHyland The difference is that Wales has a national team, whereas the catalans don't...
So they are spanish. My point is that England still goes the wrong way with their own youth players. Now since there is even more money around, why focus on talented local players that might make it to national team when you can afford to buy expensive foreign players. And when it comes to the WC or European Cup next year everyone is wondering again why Englands team is so awful again...
They just don't learn it.
@neumi17- I don't disagree regarding England. I have a friend from Barcelona and he hates the "Spanish" (even thinks the Catalan players should boycott Spanish national team duty. lol) so thought I'd give it a mention.
@NotBiased- It's not so much we dislike him but for every class finish he produces like today, he misses an easy chance. You don't have a conversion rate of a goal every 6.5 - 7 shots through your career without missing easy chances. It's at the point where he needs these quality finishes to make his rate look half respectable. If anyone thinks Benzema wouldn't be a big upgrade, they're delusional- even though Giroud will/would be a good 2nd option.
I hope Palace does well this season because I like Pardew, Jedinak and Cabaye... but I dearly want Arsenal to put in a convincing performance today and make their title intentions clear.
hope last season formation restored.. ramsey+coq doesnt work.. should be cazorla+coq.. ramsey should settle at bench or wide (he should thankful if given chance to play, not complaining on press that cazorla/coq take his place while team is in winning run). while cech, i want him to success at arsenal but those two goal conceded by him should open ospina chance to play..
Not sure Arsenal will lose this match! If they do then there would be at least 10 other teams inc crystal palace in EPL that can beat Arsenal. So by statistics you'd see Arsenal finish bottom half! It was a fluke against West Ham who capitalised on 2 arsenal mistakes and scored 2 goals, hardly created them or Amy other ones during 90 mins and sat behind the ball until final whistle! Arsenal to win this match 2-0! COYG!
Arsenal got it all wrong signing Cech as he has probably given his best during his Chelsea years. All the strain and muscles pulling had taken a toll on his body and he will bring Arsenal down to fight for 4th place this season. But knowing Arsenal, they had other great quality players and won't like to spend time at the south of the table this early and will get a draw against a strong Palace team as match being played in London. Puncheon 1st half goal cancelled out by Cazorla goal in the second.
I agree with HellKitchen, Walcott has to start the game. Being a Gooner I want the 3 points as the stats suggest, but I'm just not that confident. The value is with Palace, 2-1.
@HellKitchen Walcott still misses so many chances... and sanchez deserves a break after Copa America. We don't wanna lose our best player half way through the season because of injury.
@hasan Yep Sanchez deserves break but from the last match it looks like he is needed. Walcott hit top form at the end of the last season. So possibly he can continue the momentum. Giroud hits everywhere except at the goal.
The odds of Cech doing his best Szczesny impersonation and all 3 of Cazorla, Oezil and Ramsey being MIA are slim so we SHOULD win. Hopefully the opening game was a blip, we need to start the season well and a win here against a tough team will be good for multiple reasons. 2-0, Oezil MotM.
@SteveHyland ramsey should be dropped or play at wide.. coq+cazorla was the best combo I ever seen for years.. these two players make the game ticking last season.. why change it when we winning? Ramsey, I like him because he has attacking minded and score much goals in the season 13/14.. last season he is like the yesterday man.. let magical cazorla and defensive coq play, we have greater chance to win
@HellKitchen- Cheers. Not sure why you got downvoted twice for saying upvoted but this is a strange site at the best of times so I shouldn't be surprised.
@hasan- For sure, I don't disagree and Alexis is 1 of 3 world class players in our fully-fit first XI not to mention the many 2nd tier players we have. Cazorla is superb 90% of the time so I have no doubts he'll hit form very soon but Oezil needs to step up. There's nothing more infuriating to me than a player with immense talent wasting it. I do feel for him playing wide left though, an "epic fail" by Wenger to put probably the slowest attacking player in our squad on the left. He has to be in the 10 where he's world class, Sanchez and The Ox out wide, Cazorla sitting next to Coquelin, Ramsey to come on after an hour if need-be.
@HellKitchen Inconsistency is due to a genuine frwd, because we have to play a free flowing game where every one can score and don't get me started on injuries
I am worried the way wenger is treating his players. Sanchez and welbeck is on speedy recovery... an now wilshere has been brought back ahead of schedule. This could only be worse for player in the longer run.
If arsenal come out gunning towards crystal palace they can easily score 3+ goals, considering how ever arsenal player is tweeting about training these last couple of days. But wenger need's to add some free kick and corner routine like Southampton had last season to seize every opportunity. COYG
I seriously doubt that Arsenal will lose this one. A horrible Arsenal performance is usually followed by a good one, so I expect Arsenal to come out firing. Furthermore, Crystal Palace were not that impressive against Norwich. Had Grabban taken his chances or Jerome's goal not been disallowed, Palace could just as easily have lost the match.
@Sausageberg Palace is good them....they have great player like cabaye but arsenal need to learn from their mistakes. Its literally each year arsenal are title contender at the start then fans start to call out wenger out then he buys a new player and fight for the fourth place. Arsenal need a stronger game plan.
The West Ham game was a good slap against us. Usually, when we are in this position, we bounce back in a positive way. My predictions is a football masterpiece form Arsene's army. 0-3 COYG!
@ramsey Not only is a win must now but arsenal must win 3+ goal difference to secure their position in the race for title. Although its early but recently top 4 teams don't lose that very often.
There is no denying the truth that arsenal have a great squad. But its the attitude of squad with their lazy play gets the 4th place consolation prize. But when they show hunger we have seen them score goals in minutes and properly the best goals premier league will ever see. I wish that arsenal show hunger in this match. Not for them but for the fans. Let sanchez stay on the bench and win with same squad that lost last week. Make me believe again
Arsenal should buy otamendi .... bench Per...that would improve our defence... its no longer the partnership btw koscienly and per that keeps the attackers at bay.
@hasan A. Romagnoli would be the best choice to replace Mertesacker.. Grzegorz KRYCHOWIAK for Defensive Midfielder..
@llonora Romagnoli went to Milan...
@hasan- What did Mertesacker do wrong today?
@SteveHyland Nothing much... but he is an obvious weakness that the team exploit. Due to which bellerin defends right next to him... and coquelin tackles speedy player before they come towards him.
@hasan- Well, firstly, Mertesacker's side isn't attacked against any more than Koscielny's or any more than any other CB in the world. It depends on where the opposition's best talent is (Chelsea have Hazard on the left for example so it's natural they attack a lot down that side). Also, Bellerin is in the team for his attacking prowess, not defending. Bellerin's defending is average at best and is constantly out of position. It's his blistering pace that gets him out of trouble. It's only because Wenger likes putting Ramsey on the right wing atm that he puts Hector at RB due to being much quicker than Matthieu, can get round the side to take up the space Aaron vacates when he drifts in but make it back to his defensive position. If Wenger had an issue with Mertesacker, he'd put Debuchy next to him every game. As for Coquelin, that's the point of having a DM. There isn't a defender in the world quick or good enough to defend one-on-one against a pacey dribbler.
@SteveHyland Per would be excellent addition to the team if we would practice free kicks and he would head them in. Unfortunately both of them do not happen. Per in the recent has not been used to his advantages .... which makes him average player among a impressive team.
I didn't want to write about this site prediction on this game because of my respect to WhoScored, but as for me 2-1 for CP was obviously wrong. I bet on over 2.5 goals and Arsenal won't lose for 2.3 coefficient and I won) But don't think that I am boasting)
@Roorck well obviously - Arsenal won 2-1
Walcott was in form. WTH was he not played?
@HellKitchen Apparently an unfit sanchez is better than a fit walcott for wenger
Cech is past his best.
@What4 Cech will gel into the team... he needs to three matches to know that we don't park a bus and he has to be on his toes all the time
Listening to Pardew on motd should be interesting. Mason had one decision to make all game and he bottled it.
Another lucky win for Arsenal. Palace deserved at least a point and should have had a man advantage(twice). Yet another Arsenal game decided by a scrappy scrappy goal.
@NotBiased haha lol.
Coquelin must be the least talented midfielder to be playing for a top 4 side. Should wear a shirt with "average" written on the back.
@NotBiased Please coquelin may not be upto the level of toure or matic but he is definitely above average
@NotBiased Best defensive midfielder in the league last season, more tackles+interceptions per 90 minutes than any other DM. One or two poor games and he's average? You should change your name to Alzheimers.
@What4 Yes because tackles+interceptions are the two only parts of the game. Phil Jones made more tackles and interceptions than Kompany , Terry , Ramos and Thiago Silva last season. I assume he'd be absolutely gutted if he isn't named the best defender in Europe. Coq isn't intelligent enough and commits fouls after fouls not to forget how poor on the ball he is. If you think he was better than Matic and Schneiderlin last season then bear in mind that I'm not the only one feeling sorry for you.
@NotBiased- I thought you were a fan of his given your comments in the past? Anyways, sure, he doesn't have the positional sense or anticipation of Matic and he is, atm, still too rash, but this is a player who has had 3 bad games and 1 or 2 more that can be categorised as sub-average but not necessarily "bad" in his 30 as a DM. That means 83.333% of the time he plays decent, good or very good. That is impressive for somebody with the lack of 1st team experience at the top level and who has had to learn the role "on the go". Matic has been in that role since his Benfica days, circa 4.5 seasons excluding this, and had the added benefit of playing in a mediocre league where his mistakes likely didn't cost the team not to mention is 3 years older. Comparing the 2 now is grossly unfair to Francis as it is comparing any 2 players with such a disparity in experience. In a couple of seasons maybe. I certainly don't see him as a weakness.
@SteveHyland He'a decent footballer but if they are to compete for the title , Arsenal need to upgrade that position.
@SteveHyland I liked him when he made the breakthrough and had solid games against the likes of City but since then has been pretty sub standard and never really grew from that. I don't think he's particularly bad just that he's probably the worst first choice midfielder playing for a top 4 side.
@NotBiased Er, per 90, mate, not overall. And poor on the ball is the last thing you would use to describe Coquelin. And if you really can't remember how highly Coquelin was rated last season, even credited with transforming the Arsenal team, then you should change your name to AlzheimersAndDementia. And btw, Schneiderlin commited more fouls per 90 last season than Coquelin. Coquelin and Matic had the same passing %, and Schneiderlin was slightly better. You might want to check your facts in future before spewing nonsense.
@What4 The statistics about Phil Jones were also per 90. Phil Jones also had a better passing accuracy than Jack Wilshere. I assume he's definitely the most complete midfielder and the most complete defender in the world judging by you know the most important aspect in football. The "stat". Perhaps if you pay more attention to those players and watch them play before thinking what my name should be you might recover your lost common sense pretty quickly.
Ref bottled it there. Coq should have been off.
the best arsenal could make here is a draw.
Well done Arsenal, this is the future of english football... Zero british players in the starting line up and only 3! in the squad in general.
@neumi17 I count 6 tho... Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Gibbs, Welbecks and Chambers...
@Kendev I don't see Wilshire, Chambers and Welbeck in the squad today...
@neumi17 @neumi17 uh Ramsey is British and Arsenal have 4 British players in the squad (With 1 starting).
@MSalt7 Well yes, he plays for Wales but that still doesn't help the three lions that much doesn't it? And four british players makes a difference you think? Bayern Munich has 14 Germans in their squad and Barca a similar number of spanish born players.
@neumi17- Except Catalans consider themselves "Spanish" as much as the Welsh do "English". :-p
@SteveHyland The difference is that Wales has a national team, whereas the catalans don't... So they are spanish. My point is that England still goes the wrong way with their own youth players. Now since there is even more money around, why focus on talented local players that might make it to national team when you can afford to buy expensive foreign players. And when it comes to the WC or European Cup next year everyone is wondering again why Englands team is so awful again... They just don't learn it.
@neumi17- I don't disagree regarding England. I have a friend from Barcelona and he hates the "Spanish" (even thinks the Catalan players should boycott Spanish national team duty. lol) so thought I'd give it a mention.
@SteveHyland Ok, good point...
@neumi17 only 4, wilshere, walcott, ox, and gibbs
@bagbonized ups, my bad
No idea why so many Arsenal fans dislike Giroud. Yes he's not world class but he's a very good goalscorer and fits well at Arsenal.
@NotBiased Giroud is the problem.. he can score ... but he can't dodge defenders... he literally has to be feed a goal
@NotBiased Giroud is mediocre. Arsenal does not deserve mediocre.
@NotBiased- It's not so much we dislike him but for every class finish he produces like today, he misses an easy chance. You don't have a conversion rate of a goal every 6.5 - 7 shots through your career without missing easy chances. It's at the point where he needs these quality finishes to make his rate look half respectable. If anyone thinks Benzema wouldn't be a big upgrade, they're delusional- even though Giroud will/would be a good 2nd option.
@SteveHyland Benzema is not coming.
@MiguelSuave- Ok, a Benzema-level striker if he doesn't come. Cavani etc. Someone who can do all what Giroud does PLUS score a goal every 5 shots
@NotBiased those fans just play too much fifa and they don't like him because he's slow. Giroud is class in my book
Jesus christ Cech
whoscored match center is utterly poor, it is already 1-0 for arsenal
Good finish from Giroud.
Arsenal really needs these 3 points...can't afford to drop any points the likes of Crystal Palace.
Zaha and Bolasie are dangerous. Maybe a draw.
0-1 Sanchez.
@bagbonized 0-4 hat trick for Sanchez, 1 for Giroud
Draw
I hope Palace does well this season because I like Pardew, Jedinak and Cabaye... but I dearly want Arsenal to put in a convincing performance today and make their title intentions clear.
Arsenal to win and OV1.5
hope last season formation restored.. ramsey+coq doesnt work.. should be cazorla+coq.. ramsey should settle at bench or wide (he should thankful if given chance to play, not complaining on press that cazorla/coq take his place while team is in winning run). while cech, i want him to success at arsenal but those two goal conceded by him should open ospina chance to play..
why are people predicting ozil to be MOTM ?!
@AbolQasim why not??
Not sure Arsenal will lose this match! If they do then there would be at least 10 other teams inc crystal palace in EPL that can beat Arsenal. So by statistics you'd see Arsenal finish bottom half! It was a fluke against West Ham who capitalised on 2 arsenal mistakes and scored 2 goals, hardly created them or Amy other ones during 90 mins and sat behind the ball until final whistle! Arsenal to win this match 2-0! COYG!
Arsenal got it all wrong signing Cech as he has probably given his best during his Chelsea years. All the strain and muscles pulling had taken a toll on his body and he will bring Arsenal down to fight for 4th place this season. But knowing Arsenal, they had other great quality players and won't like to spend time at the south of the table this early and will get a draw against a strong Palace team as match being played in London. Puncheon 1st half goal cancelled out by Cazorla goal in the second.
Ceçh,Ballerin,Kos,Per,Monreal,Ramsey,Cazorla,Coq,Walcott,Giroud,Ox 4-3-3. Özil and Sanchez can come from the bench.
arsenal lacks consistency every season ^it either good starting and bad ending" or "bad starting and good ending"
I agree with HellKitchen, Walcott has to start the game. Being a Gooner I want the 3 points as the stats suggest, but I'm just not that confident. The value is with Palace, 2-1.
Oliver Giroud is not a match starter, he is a party starter. Arsene, please play Walcott and Sanchez for God's sake.
@HellKitchen Walcott still misses so many chances... and sanchez deserves a break after Copa America. We don't wanna lose our best player half way through the season because of injury.
@hasan Yep Sanchez deserves break but from the last match it looks like he is needed. Walcott hit top form at the end of the last season. So possibly he can continue the momentum. Giroud hits everywhere except at the goal.
The odds of Cech doing his best Szczesny impersonation and all 3 of Cazorla, Oezil and Ramsey being MIA are slim so we SHOULD win. Hopefully the opening game was a blip, we need to start the season well and a win here against a tough team will be good for multiple reasons. 2-0, Oezil MotM.
@SteveHyland ramsey should be dropped or play at wide.. coq+cazorla was the best combo I ever seen for years.. these two players make the game ticking last season.. why change it when we winning? Ramsey, I like him because he has attacking minded and score much goals in the season 13/14.. last season he is like the yesterday man.. let magical cazorla and defensive coq play, we have greater chance to win
@SteveHyland Upvoted
@HellKitchen- Cheers. Not sure why you got downvoted twice for saying upvoted but this is a strange site at the best of times so I shouldn't be surprised.
@SteveHyland But the real test of character would be to do it without sanchez...
@hasan- For sure, I don't disagree and Alexis is 1 of 3 world class players in our fully-fit first XI not to mention the many 2nd tier players we have. Cazorla is superb 90% of the time so I have no doubts he'll hit form very soon but Oezil needs to step up. There's nothing more infuriating to me than a player with immense talent wasting it. I do feel for him playing wide left though, an "epic fail" by Wenger to put probably the slowest attacking player in our squad on the left. He has to be in the 10 where he's world class, Sanchez and The Ox out wide, Cazorla sitting next to Coquelin, Ramsey to come on after an hour if need-be.
@hasan If Arsenal have ambition to be in top 4, Sanchez would be the man to look forward to. Apart from him all I see is inconsistency.
@HellKitchen Inconsistency is due to a genuine frwd, because we have to play a free flowing game where every one can score and don't get me started on injuries
2-1? What a cheeky sod. We may have to grind out an ugly draw, but we aren't going to lose.
@What4 Lets hope for it
Impressed with how much people talk with just one round in. Not sure of the result, but hopefully an awesome game!
I am worried the way wenger is treating his players. Sanchez and welbeck is on speedy recovery... an now wilshere has been brought back ahead of schedule. This could only be worse for player in the longer run.
1-2, Arsenal to sneak late goal, don't see them losing back to back so early.
@Zee530 I know palace is good team so I want arsenal to win this badly.
Lmao. Palace win predicted. That i can agree with
If arsenal come out gunning towards crystal palace they can easily score 3+ goals, considering how ever arsenal player is tweeting about training these last couple of days. But wenger need's to add some free kick and corner routine like Southampton had last season to seize every opportunity. COYG
I seriously doubt that Arsenal will lose this one. A horrible Arsenal performance is usually followed by a good one, so I expect Arsenal to come out firing. Furthermore, Crystal Palace were not that impressive against Norwich. Had Grabban taken his chances or Jerome's goal not been disallowed, Palace could just as easily have lost the match.
@Sausageberg Palace is good them....they have great player like cabaye but arsenal need to learn from their mistakes. Its literally each year arsenal are title contender at the start then fans start to call out wenger out then he buys a new player and fight for the fourth place. Arsenal need a stronger game plan.
Palace is at home, hopefully they can pull off a win over this Arsenal team
The West Ham game was a good slap against us. Usually, when we are in this position, we bounce back in a positive way. My predictions is a football masterpiece form Arsene's army. 0-3 COYG!
@ramsey Not only is a win must now but arsenal must win 3+ goal difference to secure their position in the race for title. Although its early but recently top 4 teams don't lose that very often.
I think we will lose 1-0 and Cabaye will score. :(
@Overmars Only if arsenal is upto the competitive level of PL and show lazy atitutude in the match.
@hasan Very glad we won :)
Arsenal are in relegation zone
@glenbayern ofcos, they'll get relegated and Leicester will win �� the league
@glenbayern hahahaha
@glenbayern and they will stay there til the end of the season
@glenbayern Great review mate
There is no denying the truth that arsenal have a great squad. But its the attitude of squad with their lazy play gets the 4th place consolation prize. But when they show hunger we have seen them score goals in minutes and properly the best goals premier league will ever see. I wish that arsenal show hunger in this match. Not for them but for the fans. Let sanchez stay on the bench and win with same squad that lost last week. Make me believe again