Arsene Wenger is desperate for his Arsenal players to keep their foot down and finish the season strongly, with two home Premier League games left before that crucial chance of another trophy with another Wembley FA cup final. So the Frenchman will be asking for application, focus and nothing less than a win against Sunderland tonight.
Along with an in form Arsenal and our fantastic home record, Dick Advocaat has a few injury problems to deal with as well. Right back Jones has joined defensive colleague Wes Brown on the sidelines and their midfield is looking a bit thin as well, with Rodwell, Gomez and Alvarez out of action so you would expect them top struggle against our fluent and dangerous attack.
Expect them to sit deep and try to counter even though their front three of Defoe, Graham and Wickham are not the quickest. But the crux of the game is likely to be whether, and how soon, the Gunners can break down a determined and organised defence.
After his superb game at Old Trafford, Aaron Ramsey must surely return to his favoured role in the middle and that gives Wenger the decisions of who to play in the CAM role and on the right. For me it would be Cazorla behind Giroud and Walcott on the right although Wilshere would be more in keeping with our recent shape.
I can see Jack coming on in the second half, especially if we are struggling to break through. I also think the attacking instincts and pace of Kieran Gibbs could be a plus point with Sunderland having to find someone to fill in at right back.
Koscielny has had a spot of flu so we should get another chance to see the January signing Gabriel at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
I really cannot see Sunderland scoring or anything other than a win for the Gunners and I am going for 3-0. COYG
Maybe Alexis rested?
@RW, Cazorla should be rested instead of Alexis, and Ramsey. For Jack and theo.
A bid for Higuain is reported. What do you think guys?
Thumbs up Higuain, Thunbs down Benzema
Hmm… three games in a week. surely a few will be rested??
The fact that Wenger opted to shift Coquelin to RB and bring off Bellerin when Young was killing us was a very interesting decision. Couldn’t tell if it was due to Bellerin struggling to contain him or trialling the Wilshere-Ramsey duo in the middle.. Coquelin’s a key player.. He’s gotta be rested sometime yeah??
Then Theo slips in on the right which only leaves us with G-Train up-top. The other two who knows? One of Cazorla, Ozil and Sanchez surely needs a rest.
If am wenger i wont play walcot till he sign the new contract
Hoping for a better showing tonight by the team. 2 nill to the Arsenal.
Goals by Theo and Ramsey.
Arsene should consider resting Sanchez, Kos and either Carzola or Ozil.
Line up
Ospina
Bellarine Mert Gabi Gibbs
Coq Ramsey
Theo Ozil Wilshere
OG
Not under estimating any team but if this team cant beat Sunderland at home then all this talk of having a good squad should be thrown out of the window.
TR7 and Flamini should come on as this might be there last game for us at home.
Bench: Sanchez, Carzola, Chambers or Kos, Scz, Flamini, TR7
The players who are needing a rest, need to sold.
Sunderland will try and do exactly what Swansea tried to do, which is exactly what every single team that comes to the Emirates tries to do – sit back, defend deep and try and counterattack. Even United did it, City did it, Chelsea did it and Liverpool did it. In fact the last team to come to the Emirates and not sit back was Bayern Munich last year. There’ll be no shockers coming from Sunderland’s tactics tonight.
I hope Wenger freshens up the line-up, but the major problem is that Wenger hates rotating. Just look at the first of the season. We were playing awful as team, there consistently poor performances from certain individuals, we were dropping points all over the place, yet Wenger refused to rotate, despite having quality players on the bench on many occasions.
I love Cazorla and Ramsey, and I feel they are better than Rosicky, but the pair of them were some of our worst performers for the first few months, whilst Rosicky barely got a kick. If Wenger used rotation as one of his management tools, then we would definitely have more points on the board right now.
Where is Hafiz?
Hafiz has taken the Arsenal scouting job so we xpect to see messi, ronaldo, bale, podga and hummel in an arsenal shirt.
Defoe is still “The Penalty box Punisher” And would run rings around Mert, plus give Kos a hard time.
Let’s not think this is going to be a walk in the park. These guys are fighting for survival…
All I want is a nice straight forward win for the arsenal on my birthday.
COYG!!!
@sam-afc
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOONER…
Happy B’day bro..
@NY_Gunner thanks buddy
Sanchez our best player this season. playing in the EPL for the first time and yet still the highest goal scorer for us. He also scored more goals than Hazard, defended better than Hazard. I think we are lucky to have him. Adding Bale to him is my dream and I can dream.