It was always pretty inevitable that Olivier Giroud’s moment of madness against West Ham would come back to bite us in the proverbials, and so it has come to pass. Danny Welbeck looks to be unavailable for Thursday’s crucial game away at Southampton as Arsene Wenger revealed yesterday:
“We have an uncertainty about Welbeck, who came off with a thigh problem. I think he will be short for Thursday.”
I am sure most Arsenal fans would want Theo Walcott to be given free rein in the centre, but the England international has not played a full game for over a year, and recent encounters have given Arsene little chances to give him a run out. Wenger revealed: “Walcott is involved because he was already in the squad. Of course I judge him a bit short on the competition front but on the fitness front he is ready to play.”
I am sure Theo will play a part at some stage, but he certainly can’t start the game, so who else could be in the frame? Lukas Podolski should really be the favourite to get the nod, given his goalscoring record, but we all know Wenger will not allow him to start. Ditto with Joel Campbell. The Costa Rican was brilliant in the World Cup up front, but again Wenger doesn’t seem convinced of his abilities.
Yaya Sanogo is definitely a recognised potential Number Nine, but no-one seems to know if he is fit or not, and would we even want him as centre-forward in such an important fixture?
So it looks to me that Alexis Sanchez is nailed on to move inside, even though we are all worried that he is playing far too many games in his first season in the Premiership. Wenger doesn’t seem to have the same reservations though as he said: “Alexis is a guy who has a naturally quick recovery and he has a lot of energy available as well.”
It is likely that Wenger will set out a defensive line-up on Thursday, so if any player was going to be left on his own in our opponents half, we would want it to be Alexis for sure.
Who do you think Wenger will choose?
“…and would we even want him as centre-forward in such an important fixture?”
Well, Sanogo has played in far more important games than this one (vs Bayern, vs Liverpool). I can’t see Wenger not starting him (if he’s fit).
have to agree.
this is a job for the postman.
Once Wenger chooses a player for a position,he keeps him there until he is injured,Giroud unable to play,it will be Wellbeck.
Now,another point,the must of this window is not a CB but a strong DM.
Chambers is a the deleguate CB,he has to learn his trade there as he is not a prospect at RB,too slow.
Put all the money in a top class DM and try a loan for an experienced CB.
I read on the BBC website a few weeks back Sanogo is to be sent on loan in January. So will he start?
lineup’s particularly hard to predict for this one. i’d put walcott to start for 1/2 the game.
coquelin is a MUST to help out flam. if sanogo’s fit & not going to be loaned out, i expect him at CF, sanchez at LW, caz at CAM, walcott at RW (subbed by ox later on). if sanogo’s out, sanchez at CF would be lethal. this is actually a game in which a lot of subs (think Pod or Roz for 1/2 game each ) would be ideal since each player could come on fresh and turbo charge for 1/2 the game… but thats not how wenger rolls.
World cup winning, lethal left footed LP9
the most important thing will be to not fall behind, bc if we do, then they’ll just bus us, and they can do that really really well (and we’d also be vulnerable to counterattack). so i’d play a cautious first half (this argues against Pod bc of his defensive lapses) combined with quick infrequent counterattacks (roz/ox at LW, sanchez at CF bc we need someone who takes his chances, caz nailed on at CAM, theo to start at RW for first 60min)
I hope for Akpom but definitely will be Sanogo.
Wenger said Sanogo is not fit yet. But Rosicky is which means we can see maybe Ox rested a bit and Walcott in. The defensive line will stay the same, middle/attack will shuffle. This will be a tough game but we know how to play every three days while Southampton will miss some players as well.
oooh yaya sonogoo oohhh!!
Chuba Akpom
yaya has it all just needs to prove it and improve his first touch
Anyone will do. Just goals…
Lukas podolski! Coyg!
Stupid red card for Giroud after a little push, if your going to Malky someone bloody do it right lol
Unleash Theo at some point will be good to see him and Sanchez running riot !!
Sanogo is not fit, Welbeck will lead with Sanchez and Rosicky will probably come in for Ox. I don’t see any other changes at all even though I would rather have this:
Rosicky Sanchez Walcott
Cazorla
Flamini Coquelin
two pace players, two pass masters, and two DMs because this match will be defensive.
Podolski to come off if we need a goal obviously (we have a tendency to dominate possession all of a sudden when we need a goal so a top shooter becomes a priority)
Surely if poldi isn’t involved he should hand in a transfer request
Sanogoo and campbell should be loaned if this happens and we go in for cavani (wishful thinking)
Obviously a cb and dm (but I wouldn’t say no to khedira on a pre contract)
If welbeck’s injury is serious then it will be Poldi
I would rest A S for the first half and put iPod up front and play TW for 60 min. So as long as our back 4 hold and not push to far forward we should get the 3 points. COYG
Sanchez
ox cazorla Walcott
coquelin flamini
Maybe start Tomas instead of ox, but I’d prefer 2 natural wide players with pace and directness. Wenger said Walcott is fit, just not match ready. Let him play and sub him mid 2nd half.
This is a game we are never going to fully dominate ….Southampton are formidable at home.
What we need is a forward capable of taking his chances when they come , get pogoalski up there for me !
One of the top defenses in the league. Schneiderlin out! What luck. Everyone keeps talking about playing defensively. I have rarely seen this team play well on the back foot. We need to take it to them. We need speed on the flanks. Santi creating something and Coq and Flamini cleaning up. I would start Sanogo for lack of a better option. Poldi is ready to leave and Welbeck could be a good sub. Some fresh fast legs at the end. Show us something Welbeck
How about
Rosicky – Coq – Flam – Caz
Theo — Alexis
Nice.
Podolski, Walcott or Sanchez
Podolski is excellent finisher up front or even Walcott/Sanchez together up front
Nothing against Sanogo. He will improve and has improved but Southampton away is very tough. We need players who will put away chances. Sanogo has been impressive for France u21 and has scored for Arsenal but it’s too big of a game
Possible
Podolski
Walcott/Ox….Cazorla….Sanchez
Rosicky…..Flamini/Coquelin
Or
Sanchez……Walcott
Ox….Rosicky…Cazorla…Coquelin
Or
Sanchez
Walcott/Ox…..Cazorla….Campbell/Podolski
Rosicky….Flamini/Coquelin
Lots of possibilities
Walcott has been back to his youth Southampton club for Arsenal on some occasions but has not scored for Arsenal there. I think Akpom starts can only happened If the boss will play the 4-3-3 playing style which means Sanchez-Akpom-Podolski will all start up-front. The boss will not start Akpom in the 4-2-3-1 which I am suspecting the boss may play for the Saints game. In that wise, the boss will most certainly starts Sanchez to lead the line for the Gunners. Let me divulge the boss 4-2-3-1 again as: Szczesny-Debuchy-Bfg-Koscielny-Gibbs. Flamini-Coquelin. Rosicky-Cazorla-Podolski. Sanchez. Let’s see what the 4-3-3 starts will look like: Szczesny-Debuchy-Bfg-Koscielny-Gibbs. Flamini-Coquelin-Cazorla. Sanchez-Akpom-Podolski. Which of the 2 starts do we prefer for this semi-big game. I prefer the 4-2-3-1 starts because it has more attacking mid-fielder forwards to assault the Saints defenses and breaks it down better than the 4-3-3 starts that are without Giroud and Welbeck. But who knows, this is unpredictable football. Sanchez-Akpom-Podolski leading the Gunners line could be the option that will shine tomorrow. Let us see which starts the boss will start.
Welbeck ..if not fit, Sanogo if not fit Alexis (Poldi on LW)