It will all boil down to the line-up Allegri will play. If it's anything similar to the one Mediaset described, I suggest you switch channel.

Sure objectivity would be nice if there wasn't such a game at stake.

Listen, I'm more than ok with Ambro coming on late in games to close it down for us. But starting him here is the dumbest sh!t one can come up with


Yep


Sorry Jack, I'd never agree with starting 3 DMs in any type of game. We already overload that midfield with muscles and runners, without even adding that extra DM. But to add him in this game would be ridiculous. Not only that, but you guys are saying that having an extra DM will win us the ball quicker etc, etc. But Ambro has been known to lose the ball much more than recover it. Having him in that midfield just becuase he's a DM will not automatically mean more defensive stability. I fact it would mean more instability due to the fact that we'll be losing the ball as soon as we get it.

Also, I don't get how you can say that Ambro and VB will work together, because they're as incompatible as the famous Gila-Pippo duo upfront if you remember. We've seen them together this season a couple of times, and they're usually one big mess when they're on the pitch together, simply because they like to occupy the same position. Also VB will never give us any sort of quality distribution, neither will Nocerino or "Mr. Chip it to the opposition - Ambrosini"

We absolutely need someone in there who will help us in keeping that possession. Thus Seedorf is an absolute must.


We already have 3 hardworkers, that's 2 more than most teams employ in their midfield. And as a lot have pointed out. Just because Ambro is a DM he won't automatically give you defensive stability, as these days, he's more of a jogger, foul instigater and yellow card collecter than a defensive mid.


Varmaelen imo is 10 times the CB Mertersacker is. Imo it's more of a loss to us that he got injured, because if he'd stayed fit he would have started and Varmaelen would have most likely played at LB

Allegri: "Boateng will not play from the start, although tomorrow I could change idea"

Link

No jokes Max. We need Boa from the start! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Seems like he doesn't want to rush them...

CALLED UPS VS ARSENAL: Abbiati, Amelia, Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Mesbah, Mexes, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Boateng, Emanuelson, Nocerino, Seedorf, Van Bommel, El Shaarawy, Ibrahimovic, Maxi Lopez, Pato, Robinho.

I don't think it's right to start Prince and especially Pato either. if they'd played at least 1 game before this, by all means, but now it'd be a desperate move and could backfire badly.

It seems to me like not rushing players would be the best course of action, i'd love for El sharaawy to play with Ibra though...

Boateng has been out for 4 weeks, not 4 months. I see nothing wrong with playing him from the start. Unless you all want to see a Ambro-MvB-Noce-Urby midfield. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

This post has been edited by X-Offender: Feb 14 2012, 05:43 PM

Boateng is one of Allegri favorite players, there's no way he would keep him out if he's healthy enough.

And that's why he'll play him from the start.

Me too. El Sharaawy has been playing great and deserves the start. He can always be subbed for Robinho in the second half if we really need it. Although I think it might be best to start Boateng and sub around 65 or 70 for Robinho so can keep the pressure hopefully after we already have a lead.

Yeah, Mertersacker is awful. Which is why I was hoping Gibbs was still out. Koscielny is decent when he plays with Vermaelen, it's a good partnership. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Yep, too bad, Ibra would have bullied Per off the pitch. Varmaelen is no push over in that regard though

Wenger: "Djourou will replace Mertesacker in the central defence. With regard to the rest of the formation, I still haven't decided yet."

source: twitter/@Milanello

YESSS

Thanks Arsene