Gibbs IN Monreal OUT for Arsenal v Sunderland?

Although Arsenal will still have one more game after the clash with Sunderland tomorrow, Arsene Wenger will be keen to get the single point needed for us to assure that Man United cannot catch us up. I am pretty sure, actually, that the Frenchman will be very keen to get another win on the board and keep the confidence high ahead of the FA cup final against Aston Villa.

And although the boss has now picked the same starting line up for six BPL games in a row, I think he might just make a change or two for the game at the Emirates stadium tomorrow. One of those, for me, would have to be to bring in our England international Kieran Gibbs in for his Spanish team mate Nacho Monreal.

The Spaniard has been the first choice left back for some time now but Wenger has said that a few niggling fitness injury problems have been part of the reason for this. And while Monreal is generally the better defender he will be on the same flank as the workaholic Chilean Alexis Sanchez. Gibbs is better going forward and you would expect us to dominate the Black Cats even though they have won three and drawn two of their last six games.

They only need a point to avoid relegation and so will be set up to defend and make it hard for Arsenal to break them down. The fact Monreal has made almost the same mistake which has led to a goal in the last two matches as well must surely mean that Gibbs deserves a go and he will be very keen to impress with a trip to Wembley and a couple of England international games coming up. Is there any reason why Gibbs should not start?

Tags Alexis Wenger

12 Comments

  1. Yeah Gibbs at LB. Wenger will not do a major change as he wants to get the 3rd spot with a game in hand, the last game we may experiment and also the last PL game will have the opportunity to rest key players before the Wembley Final. The team has to show a dominant display as we are a bit low is last few games and we need confidence before the Final

    1. Surely replacing Monreal who hasn’t been good in the last 2 games cant be a major change. We will suffer if we continue playing the same team

      1. Play Gibbs but hope he passes the ball forward and not back as he hasn’t the confidence to play the ball forward. It’s ok to say he gets forward more but that’s debatable,,he certainly is not good at defending as Monreal who has had a great season,wrong to blame him for 2 goals. CB

  2. I don’t think Gibbs for Monreal is such a big of a gamble…if fact they should be rotated more often, so to avoid burnouts and also for each other to get game time….
    I think AW scared to give others chance cos if they excel, who does he leave out at the more important games.
    TR7 did nothing wrong but doesn’t get game time….even if other guys look tired and need a break.

    1. You are the only person who see from my angle. What is the purpose of bloating our wage bill with more than 23 players when you play only 11 every week? Waiting for an injury? Its not fair for those on the bench waiting to play in the 75 minute or not every game. Any big team whcih lose at home against Sweansea its must be business as usual the name game, changes should be ringed!

      1. Have you seen what players and what wages Chelsea and City have on the bench? They played basically the same team throughout the season and yet you come and ask such questions when you have the answer tight in front of you, 1st and 2nd place.

  3. We still need that point to
    get 3rd place at least so
    I think we will save the
    resting till after we get that point.
    Its true the Gaffer only trusts the top X1
    and so Walcott and Wilshere only come on
    after 70 min when the game opens up.
    Its most likely Wellbeck will be the 3rd sub.
    The way I see it Rosicky and Flamini even Diaby
    will get some farewell game time v WBA
    especially if we have gained the 2nd/3rd place.

  4. I would play Gibbs,gabrial,jack and Walcott and rest monreal,Kos,coq and carzola play jack and rambo central and Walcott on the right. Should we win or draw to guarantee 3rd then on on sun i would make numerous changes to rest players for fa cup final. Would also rest bellerin tomorrow play debuchy if fit or chambers also needs game time!

  5. 3rd place finish in the table will not be handed to the Gunners on a platter of gold by Dick Advocaat and his Black Cats outfit tomorrow at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have to by hardwork sow the good seeds to reap in a bumper harvest. Let me warn the Gunners not to believe Dick Advocaat ploy of coming to Emirates Stadium to fight for a draw game. That’s a lie. He has been preparing his Black Cats to come and beat Arsenal. Yes, that’s his game plan. Therefore, the Gunners shouldn’t be sole on a thought of needing only a draw to secure a 3rd place finish above the Red Devils who cannot catch Arsenal on goal difference. Yes, so it could be. But that will be a mediocare thinking that could lead to mediocrity performance. The more secured option is, Arsenal MUST beat Sunderland and move on to the next level. If Paddy Power is putting the betting odds for the Boss to start his now regular starters for 7th consecutive games or make some changes to his 6th regular starters he started at Old Trafford, I will place my bet on his starting his regular starters for a 7th times for this game. Why? The Boss doesn’t yield to the Gooners opinions of starting who or not starting who. He acts only by his principle and strategy. Dick Advocaat is coming to Emirates Stadium to confront the Boss with App Data Game Plan of: ESCAPING RELEGATION BLACK CATS STARTS. And the Boss is to overwrite Dick Advocaat’s App Game Data Plan with his: DIRECT UCL QUARANTEED GUNNERS STARTS. AFC 5-0 SFC. FT 90” +.

    1. If we are afraid of Sunderland at home then may the Gods have mercy on us. We have better players than them and we are at home for God’s sake! Yes he prepared to beat and so are we!

  6. Change is necessary, our winning formula isn’t working no more !! 3 games no win,n only one goal scored,if am not mistaken. For me either ozil or carzola should b rested n play wilshere in central mid next to coq for 65mins,rambo should b rested n walcott in,plus yes,gibbs has to play now…this is just my opinion!!! Good day gooners,n may we see a big win tomorrow !!! COYG

  7. sunderland want a point, we want a point. how do you think it’s going to play out? I’d like to see at least 5 changes:

    Kos – rested…Gab comes in
    Cazorla – rested…Jack comes in
    Monreal – rested…Gibbs in
    Sanchez rested – Welbeck in
    OG rested – Walcott in

    Ospina
    Hector BFG Gab Gibbs
    Coquelin Ramsey
    Jack Ozil Welbeck
    Walcott

    Bench: (barring any injuries…bring the following on)
    Scz
    TR7 – comes on for Ozil at 60mins
    Chambers
    Monreal
    OG12
    Carzola – comes on for Rambo at 60mins
    Sanchez – comes on for Jack at 70mins

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