Arsenal bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to a team not to be mentioned in midweek, by beating Leicester City 2-1, to keep us within a point of the Champions League places.
We now have the luxury of an FA Cup fixture against lower-league opposition, but given their emphatic win over Manchester City at the Etihad in the last round, MIddlesborough should not be taken lightly.
Arsene Wenger has lifted the trophy five times in his Arsenal managing career, and with all three of the top four having been eliminated already, we are among the favourites to become 2015 FA cup champions.
The Frenchman is heavily expected to field a strong line-up, although we will not be risking Alexis Sanchez who returned to training today.
Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are also out, which could allow 17 year-old winter signing Krystian Bielik a chance within the squad, but a place in the starting XI seems rather unlikely.
Wojciech Szczesny has been confirmed in goal, while we firmly expect Gabriel Paulista to make his club debut. A couple of notable exclusions from my XI would be Laurent Koscielny due to his continued injury problems, as well as Calum Chambers, being overlooked in favour of young Hector Bellerin for the cup match.
My preferred line-up:
Szczesny
Bellerin-Gabriel-Mertesacker-Monreal
Coquelin-Rosicky
Walcott-Ozil-Welbeck
Giroud
Middlesbrough will obviously be on somewhat of a high from their last round scalp, as well as having been on a six-win run in all competitions, which has fired them to the top of the Championship table.
We are set for a tough cup tie at the Emirates, but with our obvious ability advantage, we just need to stick to our game and our class will shine through. What do you expect tomorrow Gooners?
All thats on my mind is an arsenal victory tomorrow at the emirates! Coyg!
I bet Flamini plays. I don’t think I can take it anymore… He’s just so bad.
God, you’re probably right. Or maybe Wenger has seen the light and will start Coq
Will love to see gabriel paulista make his debut in the red and white for “the gunners” against middlesborough tomorrow! Coyg!
as long as paulista and flam both dont play together at the same time!
actually i’d like to veto flam except for emergency to coq.
I think Gibbs will start in place of Nacho. And i think theo should be rested, but looks like we don’t have any other healthy wingers.
Wenger said he is really worried about Gabriel’s lack of English. Wenger said it is really terrible and that he is worried that it will affect his play. Not knowing words like “left” “right”, “off-side”, etc. If Wenger is worried, I’m worried. I wonder How much of an impact it will make. I’m not knowledgeable on this area of football. Do defenders shout a lot during matches???
I would use Chambers with Gabriel. Mertsacker is an old man now. He needs his rest
Anyway, I’m also worried that Wenger may use Flamini or Bielik instead of Coquelin.
I’m happy with the team above. It should be good enough to Win.
COYG.
3-0
If he has problems with the language, other defenders should learn Spanish/Portuguese. Few words like ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘offside and warning the lad in case of being caught, in any language is not hard to learn.
Just for now when he’s still learning.
Then surely he can just learn those words in english. wenger can’t possibly think it’s a big deal he’s just exagerating
Gibbs will play for sure so he should be in that starting line up. I am excited about Rosicky, Walcot, Coquelin, Ozil and Giroud all playing. That is a great looking midfield and attack. Ozil for creativity and goals, Walcot for speed, direct play and goals, Rosicky to speed up our passing, energise our midfield, dribble through a packed defense and bring some unpredictability to our movement, Giroud for goals, assists, aerial prowess and physicality and Coquelin to stabilize our defense and protect the back four. I hope scezeney does not cost us this game cause he is error prone in very costly ways.
Szczesny – Chambers, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs – Coquelin, Flamini – Welbeck, Ozil, Walcott – Akpom
Szczesny
Bellerin-Mertesacke(Chambers 75)r-Gabriel-Gibbs
Coquelin-Cazorla(Rosicky 45)
Walcott-Ozil-Akpom
Welbeck(Giroud 60)
Beat Boro with sheer pace up front with Theo, Akpom and Welbeck, Bellerin & Gibbs. I like Cazorla in deep midfield, but he needs some rest so bring Rosicky on at 45 minutes. Giroud should come in at 60 since Welbeck is still short of game time after his injury.
Bench: Ospina, Chambers, Monreal, Giroud, Rosicky, Kos, Flamini or Sanchez or Bielik
If Sanchez is healthy enough to use in a pinch, keep him on bench, otherwise use the last slot for a bit more defense. I’d like to bring Chambers on for Per too as the third substitution; he hasn’t played lately and you don’t want him to get too rusty. And I think the BFG could use some rest.
This of course is if everything goes according to plan. An early goal would help this cause. COYG!