Arsenal’s injury list is looking pretty good at the moment with both Francis Coquelin and Carl Jenkinson returning to the squad this week. Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are still out until next year, but Wenger has revealed that both Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey are expected back soon. “They continue their preparation as they have been out for a long time. I think they need sharpening up now but they are not far away.” Le Prof said.
As for tonight’s game Wenger said yesterday that the squad will similar to this weeks. “For tomorrow we have a similar squad to the one that faced Swansea. There are no injuries and everyone is available.”
But surely he will not field the same first XI for this midweek match? After last year’s home defeats to Monaco and Olympiakos, Wenger will surely be wary of making too many changes, but there is also the wish that we don’t have all our players burning out by playing twice a week. But for starters it is nearly certain that David Ospina will be back between the sticks, but I wonder what changes he will make to the outfield players?
Will Gabriel or Holding get a game to give the awesome pairing of Koscielny and Mustafi a rest? We have already discussed the dilemma of playing Xhaka or Coquelin, but perhaps Elneny or Jeff could come in and give Cazorla a well-earned break.
I don’t think he will leave out Ozil and Alexis will not want to be on the bench, as they seem to prefer playing every single game. But maybe this is the right game to force Sanchez to rest while giving another game to Lucas Perez?
Who do you think should play, and who should be rested?
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I always prefer selection of the best in squad until the target is met.
We have not qualify yet for the second round and we need to top the group.
I always prefer selection of the best in squad until the target is met.
We have not qualify yet for the second round and we need to top the group.
Until the target is met – You can’t rest players after the group stage, suicide. It’s either group games or league games, in between the lowest cup game, or no rest at all. If we don’t manage it properly we will see players running themselves into the ground and picking up hammies, then with the players replacing them looking so far out of tune it’s not remotely funny. Personally I’d pick the odd group game over the league game depending on fixtures. Three points in the league I would not take big risks at missing those points. The CC is something that still looks out of reach, it’s possible but not as likely as the league seems. It has to be the group stages.
I liked hearing Wenger say he is holding Ramsey and Giroud back a bit. This is planning, they will have something to offer against players who have had little respite. We need to pick wisely the odd day off for some very important players. Alexis for instance, he is crucial to any hopes of winning silverware.
CC meant CL
Bring in Ospina for Cech; Gabriel for Koscielny (Kos is 31 and its time we start testing Gabriel and Holding beside Mustafi to see what our long term first choice defensive partnership will look like); Gibbs for Monreal (Wenger needs to start rotating these 2 more frequently as we need to ascertain if Gibbs can adequately produce the quality to hold that position from next season for a few years as I’m thinking this might be Nacho’s last or penultimate season with Arsenal, it will also give a hint as to the type of Left-back to target in the summer – first teamer or backup and age as well); I’ll like to see an Elneny – Xhaka partnership in this fixture as we might just never know, this might be our replica of the Kos Mustafa partnership in the centre of the park, Two disciplined (positionally, i mean) central midfielders who can play box to box; Chamberlain for Iwobi, and Perez for Alexis should do the work.
First Team: – Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Gabriel, Gibbs, Elneny, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Chamberlain, Perez
Bench: – Martinez, Holding, Monreal, Coquelin, Jeff Adelaide, Carzola, Sanchez
I think you have it almost spot on. Maybe rest Walcott and play Iwobi. JRA should be on the bench and if we have a comfortable win get minutes.
I’d definitely make a couple of changes. Wenger took off Alexis and Ozil in our last game even though Alexis is certainly a player you’d want when you go a man down. He wouldn’t have taken both of them off if they were firing on all cylinders, medical team probably said they are close to the red. Walcott never played over the summer but I’d hate for anything to go wrong now. I’d play Oxlade and Pirez instead of Theo and Alexis, keep them on the bench to play last 20. It’s a big call leaving out Alexis, city never seem to do it with Aguero but for capital cup. Some of us would like to get a better look at Pirez anyhow, it’s better he gets minutes here and there so when he does have to step in it won’t feel alien to him. Oxlade looked good at the weekend, that’s no guarantee, but he needs some game time too. Tonights a good opportunity to give some extra minutes.
Your thoughts are mine.
Ospina
Bellerin, Mustafi, Gabriel, Gibbs
Elneny, Xhaka
Ox, Ozil , Iwobi
Perez
Bench: Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Coquelin, JRA, Alexis, Walcott
When ahead comfortably rest Ozil and bring on JRA.
When struggling Alexis for Perez and Walcott for Ox
Who is this Jeff you speak of?
Jeff Reine-Adelaise….
Whilst we are at it i have already thought about how to rotate with the EFL cup against reading coming up next week. That is serious rotation.
Martinez
Jenkinson Gabriel Holding Gibbs
Elneny Xhaka
JRA Ramsey Ox
Perez
Bench: Macey, Willock, Bielik, Giroud, Mustafi, Maitland Niles, Zelalem
With both Manchesters against each other and Pool playing Spuds they will all drain their valuable first team players.
Why rest Giroud?
He needs to play at some point
Giroud is a CF
Perez is a LW
They can play together
Ox can play on the right
Because I want JRA to play, it is the EFL Cup and we play against Reading. Giroud could come on to replace Perez.
Koscielny benched?! hell no!!!!! u can rest Iwobi, Walcott and mayb Alexis
I would love this to be the year that we see JRA breaks trough in the first team. It will ease the pain of losing Gnabry to Werder. As for Chris Willock, next season could be his break through.
nice to see fans turn against monreal immediately just after one match…hes no more mr consistent anymore right…