19 Aug 2026 08:38:08
Anyone think AI may go for max defensive height & strength against Newcastle? Eg: Jacquet in with Virg and Araujo at RB
It would free up Frimpong to play wide right with Rio & Munoz to come on later.
Ali
Araujo Jacquet Virg Milos
Frimpong Grav Dom Wirtz
Isak Gakpo.
19 Aug 2026 09:13:28
Could be, mate, but I think he might go with Araujo at centre half with Virg.
Jacquet has played 45 mins of a friendly in 8 months, so he might get protected. Can see it either being same starting 11 as Sunday, or Araujo in for Jacquet.
Barcola and Gavi on the bench obviously.
19 Aug 2026 09:16:07
Nothing wrong with your logic, but starting with a defensive lineup where 50% of the back 4 have only played 45 mins in preseason is far too much of a risk for me.
19 Aug 2026 09:16:57
Simao as impact sub straight off the Babelcopter.
19 Aug 2026 09:22:09
I would agree, but there are injury concerns around Araujo and Frimpong which have to be considered when selected. Both are susceptible to an ill-timed injury. Both were bought to provide a back up in their respective positions, i.e. CB and RB.
If both get injured, then our squad is thin yet again. One should start, and that is Frimpong at RB, for me.
And for me, Wirtz needs to play the position we intended to use him, as a CAM.
On the left wing, he doesn't have the speed for the position and will be ineffective. We have so many LW's, we might as well use them in their assigned position, rather than accommodate Wirtz in the hopes something will stick for him. Play him in CAM, and let's see if he can figure things out.
19 Aug 2026 09:49:02
I think he'll go for Araujo and Frimpong. Jacquet only just back and, as you rightly say, @LFCS_MANGO, he was brought in to cover/compete at RB, so that is what he is doing, with Bradley out.
19 Aug 2026 09:51:45
Playing Wirtz as a CAM only weakens the midfield. The two usual suspects behind Wirtz, (Grav and Szob), won't hold their lines and will push far up their Arsenal!
19 Aug 2026 09:56:03
Agree with LFC Mango, Kerkez, Arauj, Virgil and Frimpong.
The rest seems logical with Dom and Grav in midfield.
19 Aug 2026 10:01:33
Can't Gravenberch be given tactical instruction to negate this? Szoboszlai then provides the box to box energy, no?
19 Aug 2026 10:47:11
Because that's Wirtz's best position, Whdm. And any coach worth their salt plays their best players in their best positions. We just need to purchase Fabinho 2.0 and leave Wirtz there. Simple, really.
19 Aug 2026 10:56:47
Think Frimpong will start right full due to Newcastle's pace on the wings being their main threat. While he's not amazing defensively, his recovery pace is definitely beneficial.
As for Araujo and Jacquet, tough to call, but I'd say he might go with Araujo as mentioned, just to protect Jacquet who's been injured for a decent period of time and not long back in training.
19 Aug 2026 10:58:45
Jaquet is fit. He was able to play a full week ago. Start him even if he has to come off after 65-70mins. How else is he gonna get up to speed? We've become obsessed with wrapping players in cotton wool.
19 Aug 2026 11:43:59
Either of Jacquet or Araujo can start. I'd go with Jacquet and then Araujo to come on.
I don't see Iraola playing a CB at fullback unless due to injury or really needing to rotate.
19 Aug 2026 12:03:05
Season is long, Flo, and he's still a young lad adapting to a new country. Given how impulsive our fanbase and the media are, 1 bad performance and he could be ruined before his season begins. That and adjusting to the speed of the league. But still, I wouldn't be averse to throwing him in, never a massive fan of subbing centre backs during a game though, personally, unless it's needed.
See how it goes. Hardly wrapping him up, he's been out of action for the guts of half a year, moving to a new country, new team etc. 45mins of football doesn't suddenly fix all of that tbf.