Arsenal has had a difficult week, having to play three tough away games in 8 days. They arrived at Spurs without their dream midfield (Rice-Merino-Odegaard) and had to show defensive grit and wait for their opportunity, which they did, winning 1-0.
Three days later, they faced an away encounter in the Champions League as they headed to Italy to take on Serie A side Atalanta. The Atalanta match was mentally and physically exhausting, but the North Londoners remained strong and made certain not to lose if they couldn’t win.
Well, three days later, the Gunners faced Manchester City. They were intending to take the game to the defending champions, but a red card late in the first half left the Gunners with 10 men in the second half. They were physically and mentally weary after “parking the bus” in that intense second half in the 2-2 draw versus Manchester City.
On Wednesday, Arsenal will play Bolton; although we’d like Arsenal to win the league cup, Mikel Arteta would be prudent to rotate his squad and rest his key players. The expectation is for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri to play important roles against Bolton.
Hopefully, Lewis Skelly and Nwaneri can get more than 60 minutes of play and show the football world what the hype around them is all about.
Raheem Sterling might possibly make his full Arsenal debut against Bolton, which would be an ideal opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities. Ideally, William Saliba, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz should all play zero minutes against Bolton, allowing them to rest and be ready to go again Saturday afternoon versus Leicester.
So, which team would I like to see Wednesday night? Raya should start in goal, as Neto is cup-tied. Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Jakub Kiwior, and Myles Lewis Skelly will likely start on defence.
In midfield, I expect Jorginho, Declan Rice, and Ethan Nwaneri to start. I expect Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli to lead the attack. Even with some key players rested, Arsenal should have a formidable team to take on Bolton.
Sam P
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I would also rest timber if we can. He looks great but he’s coming back from a serious injury so I wouldn’t play him in games like this where he shouldn’t be needed
we forget Salah and I hope to see Butler Ayodeji get an opportunity same as Zane Monlouis
I can see only one, possibly two youngsters starting but that also depends on the injuries and cramp problems we have from the City game. I expect Sterling to start over Saka though.
Setford (Nygaard)
Lewis-skelly
Kiwior
Heaven
Kacurri (josh Robinson)
Jorginho
zinchenko
Nwaneri
Jesus
Martinelli (trossard)
Sterling
.Even if Neto can’t play, I would still spare Raya (I would like to protect him from injuries as much as possible), and save as many starters as possible.
Neto
White and Kivior,
Georghino,Nwanery,Miles-Lewis.
Sterling and Jesus.(8 players)
From the first team, plus youth that trained with the first team.
I do not care if we lose in the present circumstances.We have only those 8 players mencioned plus the 11 that started last Sunday.
Our aim should be to win de Premier or the Champions.
I believe Neto is cup-tied
I go with your selection except that I would put White for Timber who had a grueling 90 odd minutes on Sunday.
White should be relatively fresher if he is fully fit
CorporateMan
I was looking up our injuries and it appears from one site that White is 50 50 to be fit. Timber and Calafiore were 75% likely to be fit.
Having read that Zinchenko could feature in a post above, the same site said he was ruled out through injury
It is looking a bit dicey but can give the less experienced a chance to show what they are made of