There will be a number of the fringe players at Arsenal hoping for a start in the Champions League against Monaco tomorrow and I think that some of them have a real chance. With a crucial Premier League clash against Everton coming up on Sunday, it is feasible that Arsene Wenger will shuffle his Arsenal pack a little to keep things fresh.
The Frenchman may also pick his team with the strengths and weaknesses of Monaco in mind and this could open the door for a few of the Gunners. The boss refused to say which keeper he would be using but both are fit. Szczesny does have more Champions League experience and will be desperate to impress, while missing a cup game and coming back at the weekend would not harm the confidence of Ospina.
For me the most obvious player to come in would be Tomas Rosicky in the Ramsey role, but Wenger played Cazorla there at the weekend and the Spaniard was impressive. However I still think that Rosicky will start and Cazorla will move back to his favoured number 10 role.
That leaves the question of whether and where to play Ozil and I have a feeling the German could miss out. Welbeck is not exactly a fringe player but he does not always start. But after playing well at Palace and joining Wenger in the pre-match press conference, I think he will start against Monaco.
Finally we have the Gibbs v Monreal question and I think that Wenger may just go with the Englishman who has done nothing wrong but has struggled to oust the Spaniard. Monreal had a slightly off day on Saturday and Wenger may think he needs a break while Gibbs deserves a chance.
Which Arsenal fringe players do you think Wenger will start?
We have fringe players? When did this happen?
You must be kidding me. Scszesny is not good enough for these big games, he has proven he isn’t good enough the last two seasons in the knockout round. He is too overated.
Damn right. Everyone knows – if he starts, he either gets sent off or gives away a penalty.
#YouarenotNeur,dumbass
#NotevenNeuerisNeur
Sorry to say, but szczesny in goal makes me into a bundle of nerves!
Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! LOL
Ospina MUST start. He has been playing better than Szczesny. Szczesny needs to prove his worth like everyone else. Keep him in FA Cup by all means (actually he is the only one I’m worried about against United).
Speaking of someone proving his worth. Ozil has been excellent in past 5 matches. Goals, assists, set pieces. There was even one match where he didn’t score or assist but ess instrumental in both goals. Ozil must start as well.
Don’t mess about. This is champions League.
I love Rosicky but unless you want Ozil on the left I would keep Rosicky on the bench. Play Cazorla in box to box and Ozil in #10
Giroud, supported by Walcott and Sanchez on the wings. Özil as #10, Le COQ as the protection and Santi as B2b.
Now that’s lethal! Although wouldn’t mind Walcott being swapped with Welbeck, he’s been alright recently.
now santi is B2B….
next he will play CB
We should not take monaco for granted, we should go with a strong squad and get the job done in the first leg at the emirates, get a commanding lead of 3 or 4 goals and take it back to france, finishing off the job there! A clean sheet will be crucial,so our defense must be focus and not complacent! Coyg!
We need to rest Walcott and Ozil for Everton but the rest should stay the same.
Walcott didn’t even play a minute last game, how comes did he need a rest??? Plus you can’t rest in such crucial games. Rest (Ozil)?? Noooo
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Amused at the term fringe players as Robin v payslip is. They are all squad players and the word is rotation. Having said that, as Fred says, this is the C L let’s not mess around! We need to play our strongest team!
Why thumb-down Hafiz. We should by now know his antics and who he is. He has to bring a lighter mood here. Always looking forward to his funny comments.
At first I took Hafiz for what he says. A little while after, I thought he was being sarcastic and just loved to wind people up. Now I think, he himself has turned into who he initially pretended to be and now that pretence is deeply entwined in his DNA and he cannot express anything else.
Nevertheless, he has managed to make himself quite famous ( or notorious if you like) around here.
Gotta love him for that! 😉
With Ozil on the bench I think it is pretty possible that we lose. Mark my words…