Of course we all know that Arsene Wenger will be making wholesale changes for the visit of Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, especially as Arsenal will need a fully rested First XI for the big match against City next weekend. For starters we all know for sure that Santi Cazorla will not be playing, in fact it is now a full year since he last took to the pitch in a Champions League game against Ludgorets. Arsene Wenger is not expecting him back this year. He said: “It won’t be before Christmas. The first signs are positive, but still he has not played for one and a half years. He is not in full training yet, he needs a few games with the reserve team, so I think if all goes well, it will be after Christmas.” If all goes well…. Hmmm unlikely I think.
One player that is expected to return, and even play on Thursday, is the Colombian keeper David Ospina. Wenger said last week: “Ospina has a chance to be available against Belgrade. He will not be available for Saturday.”
Another long-term injury victim could be back as well, as Calum Chambers could be set for a return. Wenger said last weekend: “Calum Chambers is back in full training on Monday.” I am not sure that he will play a full game though as Wenger will want to reintroduce him slowly…
There were rumours that Shkrodan Mustafi could have been back this week, but Wenger has made it clear that he won’t be returning for a few weeks yet, while Danny Welbeck will probably return about the same time. Le Prof said: “Welbeck is out. He has a groin problem, I think it will be two to three weeks before he is back. He will not be back before the international break.”
This game on Thursday is a good one to bring back injured players as we are already clear at the top of the Group and have practically qualified already. But it is certain that Wenger will want to keep our record-breaking Emirates run going as long as possible, but our reserves should have no problem doing that….
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Oh sh*t Mustafi won’t be back for a few weeks yet. Does that mean Mertesacker will play against City & the spuds?? Or even Chambers?? That’s us f****d then
Mertsacker is experienced. He will do fine
Can someone highlight this guys name and comment
Mitch hope ur right
Well we’ll find out on Sunday how Mert does
What you need to fully consider is what would you rather have, a fully fit Mertesacker or a returning to fitness Mustafi, to face City and the Spuds? For me, the answer to this question is a no brainer. As it will take Mustafi at least a game or two to get up two speed, I’d rather he’d not use pivotal games, like the next two, to do it. Therefore we have no choice but field Mertesaker.
Who cares for that game? Get the B team and all it a day and stay focused on %Ma City game.
The x1 that started Saturday will be rested leaving us with a still decent starting x1. But I would go with a slight change at wing backs. Let’s coquelin has played there before and I think would be more comfortable there with Niles switching to the other side.
Ospina
Debuchy Holding Chambers
Niles wilshire elneny coquelin
Walcott Giroud iwobi
Macey Da Silva sheaf willock Nelson nketiah akpom
even if skhodran is absent i dnt we ve problems filling his gap. We do ve mert and maybe holding to deputise for the latter.
“Ospina has a chance to be available against Belgrade. He will not be available for Saturday.” – umm, what?
Last Saturday!
We all know that AOL won’t play any part in the game on Thursday. Ramsey will likely get some rest too. Other than that, it’s probably gonna be a very similar squad to what Wenger played against Norwich, and EL games before that.