Arsenal really need to get all three points against Southampton today to get our Premier League title challenge back on track. And after only getting two points from the last three EPL games, the prressure is on. The performances have not been too bad though and after a win in the last game against Burnley in the FA cup the confidence of the players should be opay.
The Gunners are also boosted by the return from injury of two key players in Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez, so it a little bit of a surprise to see Le Coq on the bench for this crucial game, and Flamini starting in the middle along with Ramsey. Maybe Arsene Wenger is a bit worried about the fitness of the French midfielder.
Another slight surprise to me is that Gabriel keeps his place ahaed of the BFG, but that could well be due to the way their pacy attack with Long and Mane gave us problems in the awagame on Boxing Day. THe other big decision that the boss had to make was was about who to play on the other flank to Sanchez and he has gone for Campbell over Walcott.
Cech
Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monrea
Flamini, Ramsey
Campbell, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Chambers, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
It’s about that time of year I guess. We’ve had our chances to pull away when we was 1st in the league.
We didn’t take the opportunity. We are forever being held back with injuries year after year.
Not scoring any goals in the last few homes games…….. It’s not good enough, but that’s Arsenal I’m afraid. So near yet so far. No wonder pundits never take us seriously for a title challenge.
Not sure why there is so much angst on this board, sadly this has been the status quo for this club the last few years.
Never in my lifetime did I truly believe that Leicester City would play a more attractive, passionate brand of football than Arsenal. Well I witnessed it with my own eyes this afternoon and it reinforces my convictions that Arsenal FC need a new manager who will purge the current squad of assinine contracts and underperforming players.
Let this sink in, Chambers and Debuchys transfer fees combined cost more than the entire LC squad,
consisting of the likes of Mahrez, Vardy and Kante who would walj into the Arsenal starting 11.
Humbling and numbing times @ the Emirates, with one Inmate running the asylum.
Predictable every season, Spuds game will be interesting, but hey you Wenger lovers will enjoy it
Arsenal will finish 4th place. Mark my words. Man City or Leicester will win the league.