The Arsenal boss has stayed true to his word about treating the FA cup semi-final today with all due care and attention, despite the fact that our Wembley opponents Reading are only a Championship club and a mid-table one at that.
So Arsene Wenger has resisted the temptation to make quite a few changes to the Arsenal starting line up that has done so well for us since the turn of the year. The main talking points are Debuchy starting ahead of Bellerin, the inclusion of Szczesny in goal and the replacement of Welbeck for Giroud in the centre forward position.
So the rest of the big names like Ozil, Alexis, Ramsey, Cazorla and Coquelin all start, which will be good news for Gooners dreaming of a second successive year of celebrating the famous trophy. Reading have some pace and threat in their own attacking line up though, so our first choice pairing in central defence will have to be on their toes.
Of the other players coming back from their respective spells on the sidelines through injury, only our England international midfielder Jack Wilshere has made the squad, which once again highlights just how seriously the manager is taking this game. Hopefully his players will do the same.
Szczesny
Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Coquelin
Alexis, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil
Welbeck
subs : Ospina, Gabriel, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud
Arsenal have no specialist right back on the bench and I hope we don’t regret it and I hope it doesn’t mean that Bellerin has a problem. Let’s make sure that all the action is at the other end of the pitch to our goal and it won’t matter. COYG
Can someone please tell Danny Murphy to SHUT UP!
did I just see giroud doing some stepovers?!! wenger’s really developed this guy’s game.
Wenger back in his crap.I n order to impose Ramsey in the team ,he plays him at the wing that does not suit him.We have fast wingers,Welbeck or Walcott,play them with Giroud in the middle.
EXACTLY the same foul on Sanchez, as Gabriel did on the Reading guy who should’ve been sent off. Result … Gabriel yellow card, Sanchez no foul. Absolute joke bias refereering…..
Phew. Please play Ospina in the final
Well done Reading we were lucky.
f**k * infinity!!!! I really tensed at the end. Alexis the hero, not just goals but his overall play is awesome.
Giroud is dribbling!!!! Great play by him though. Watever, we are in final baby! 🙂
Why is everyone going on Federico? I think Szczesny’s mistake to let in their goal was just as bad as his
exactly. Game shouldnt have gone to ET. We were playing slow today but always in control until that goal..
Well, all of our momentum and form seems to have vanished these past two games. We won, but we haven’t played well. Chelsea have definately won the title today, beyond any doubt. But the good news is, we’re in the final. And 4 points clear in 2nd if we win our game in hand.
Ozil just have to practice shooting every day..thats all it needs. His defensive work is improved a lot. Saw him winning ball twice in tight situations.!
Still can’t breathe.
Bad game from everyone except Ozil and Sanchez. Ramsey is too slow in his decision making, and Cazorla needs to create more opportunities. Welbeck as ST is never going to happen, stop forcing it Arsene… Szczesny… please dont start Finals. But meh, through to the finals, but its very worrying that we play so badly at Wembley.
Problem how Welbeck plays is totally diff..he likes to run on defenders, likes chasing ball. But our players forget that, they think he is Giroud!! No not all. Welbeck was instructing to player to let him chase the ball. It wasn’t happening.
I agree with Ramsey I thought Grioud will come for Ramsey and Welbeck will move wide. Wenger sticks with Ramsey because of his energy level and most of all, his scoring ability. He nearly scored.
We won in Arsenal way….giving fans a heart attack. !!