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Arsenal really are taking the Europa League seriously – Who should play?

I find it quite incredible that Unai Emery hasn’t taken a weakened Arsenal team to Qarabag, considering that we have got to play Fulham at the weekend, but it looks like the full squad have got on the plane. Obviously some will be rested but it seems that Emery has no wish to mollycoddle some of our sstars and let them stay at home with their feet up, which is exactly what Arsene Wenger would have done.

This is the squad, according to the Mirror today….

Leno, Bellerin, Lichtsteiner, Holding, Mustafi, Papastathopoulos, Kolasinac, Monreal, Xhaka, Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette, Aubameyang

It’s great to see Sokratis and Kolasinac back, and they will both get a feshener against the Azerbaijani side, but who else should be playing tomorrow night?

This is my prediction….

Leno
Lichtsteiner – Holding – Sokratis – Kolasinac
Elneny – Torreira – Mhkitaryan
Iwobi – Aubameyang – Welbeck

What do you think?

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  1. I hope to see Mhikitaryan and Iwobi alongside Guendozi given a start.. Add Elneny to the list…
    It’s nice that he takes it serious, I’m sure he’s trying to make his stamp at the club….
    I just read a comment few minutes ago on the Ramsey Cazorla post, with someone Saying Fabregas is a better footballer compared to Santi??
    Admin, could we get a post on both Cesc and Santi please??
    Fabregas is and was world class, but how anyone would say he’s a better footballer than Cazorla beats me..Seriously? Cazorla, the only player comparable with Iniesta is who we’d disrespect that way? SMH

    2. Stop speaking like it’s a fact.The Arsenal Fabregas was better than Santos Cazorla of Arsenal.Some of us like you have also watched them.

      1. Exactly. These new Gooners know nothing.. Cesc was magical at that young age beyond his years. I’m not gonna lie and say that Santi was better bcos he had a better love story then Fabregas. Fabregas is my man all the way.

      2. Yea yea yea whatever Kev and some of us on here know most of your statements are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt

        2. Everyone has his opinion bro.The Arsenal Fabregas I watched is still our best ever midfielder since 2011.He was good without stats and with stats.He was so so good.Santi is good but when both were at their best Fabregas was really hot property for a reason.Even as a youngster look what Fab was doing.How can you ever say Cazorla as better than the Arsenal Fabregas?

          1. I am relatively new arsenal fan since 2009 and Fabregas is my favorite Arsenal player and the best in my opinion since the time I became a fan. In fact my love for his game made me an Arsenal fan in some way. I think Santi is a great player as well and I fully understand if someone thinks he is a better player. Why the hostility? t’s hard to have absolutes, so let’s respect other opinions and move on.

  2. I don’t think Mkhitaryan can play there, due to political issue, hence my prediction is:

    ……………………..Leno
    Lichtsteiner . Mustafi . Holding . Kolasinac
    …………Guendouzi …….. Elneny
    Ozil ………………Ramsey ………………Iwobi
    ……………………Welbeck

  3. Mkhi ain’t going because of the conflict between his country & Azerbaijan. Other than that not a bad line up Admin. Hoping to see Kolasinac ?

  4. As Sue and gotanidea said, Mkhi will be unable to play for us, if you are going to make such a bold prediction then at least confirm who can and can’t play ;P

    What I would like to see:

    Leno
    Lich-Sokratis-Holding-Kola
    Willock-Guendouzi
    Welbz-Ozil-Iwobi
    Auba

    Idea would be to rest Torreira and Laca but have them on the bench just incase, give Sokratis and Holding a chance to play alongside each other without having to worry about the attack of City (example) ripping them a new hole… and lastly, give Guendouzi and Willock game time for development. Oh and resting Monreal if Kola is fit, Monreal has played a lot and resting him is purely to keep him fit and ready for the EPL rather than form ^.^

  5. Leno
    Lichtenstein…Holding…sokratis…Kolsanic
    Torreira….Guendozi…Ramsey
    Bellerin….Aubameyang……Welbeck

  6. My guess?
    Leno
    Licht-Holding-Sokratis-Kolsinac
    Elneny-Guendouzi
    Iwobi-Ramsey-PEA
    Welbz

    Shame we don’t have Miki available

  7. Auba needs to be up Top tonight to get his confidence back again, Welbz & Iwobi occupy the wings. Ozil back in the midfield along with Torreira & Guendouzi, Holding & Sokratis infront of Leno.

  8. I think Welbeck will play centrally. Speaking of Welbz, why aren’t we renewing his contract? I don’t think we will find a better 3rd choice striker happy to sit on the bench like him. 4 goals in 7 apps this season alone the man is doing well. Excellent squad player.I say we give him another 2 years! Monreal as well no brainer he’s ever in top condition with min injuries he should get 2 more years he has it in him. Koscielny though I think the injuries have finished him it’s time to say goodbye.

  9. Bit concerned we don’t have Martinez on the bench just in case tbh.

    Lich holding sokaratis kolsinac
    Guendouzi eleny
    Iwobi ozil Welbeck
    PEA

    PEA needs some goals to get his form back. He’s struggling on the left, it’d be good to see him back in the centre

  10. OT… so I’m hoping the spuds get thrashed tonight! Talking of vegetables… a cabbage was thrown at Steve Bruce last night.. it said on sky sports ‘Police probe Bruce cabbage thrower’ ???

  11. I think any team we use will get a comfortable result, Off topic:I just finished reading the last thread of some people comparing fabregas to carzola,don’t get me wrong fabregas is a good footballer but carzola is much more better,I can even say he as good as xavi iniesta,the last proper and talented midfielder we had was santi carzola,we can compare fabregas with ozil, but not santi,no midfielder in premier league presently can be compare to the little magician

  12. Sue I don’t think the spuds have what it takes to even get a draw tonight,my prediction is 1:3

      1. Sue
        I worry alot so this is a question ?
        Do we want spurs or man u to drop down to europa?
        Easier route the better?

  14. I like how Emery isn’t taking chances with his strong selections in the Europa, If our top 4 hopes isn’t met, then the next best way to qualify for champions league would be Europa triumph… But the real competition begins in the round of 32.

  15. Frankly, I have no idea exactly who will play for us tomorrow. BUT I am certain it will be a strong side and am glad for that. THIS manager , at least, is clearly taking the competition he has won three times in three years very seriously. That is WHY he won it so often. Let us just be glad that he and not his predecessor now manages us. Under Emery , we have a serious chance to win this trophy.

  16. How can someone compare Santi to Fabregas, Santi is way miles better than fab, Santi is so underrated. He can use both feet, can pass, his close control is fabulous , he changes the pace of game.

        1. Gladly. Could defines past tense. Can defines present tense. Basic English, though I realise English may not be your first language. To simplify, I was saying that Cazorla used to be able to do the things described but he cannot now. Hope that helps.

    2. Santi is not underrated it’s just that Cesc played for us from the age of 16 and I remember seeing him put the legendary Vieira on his arse. Yes, Santi was superb but Fab was supreme.

      1. How anyone can say Santi is better than Arsenal Fab is beyond me.The only thing Santo best him at is ball control.But when it comes to passing,assists,goals,vision and other things Fabregas trumps him easily.I don’t know if it’s a case of absence making the heart grow fonder but people should go back and watch Fabregas.He has always been a hotter property than Santi because the European clubs knew he was better.

  18. Can I just point something out , keep reading how Arsene Wenger would have never played strong team in Europa or Leauge cup
    By fielding a weak eleven didnt we comfortably win our group last year?
    Surely if you win group while resting players for leauge, thats a good use of resources
    Only in knockout stages did he field strongest 11, while he waited until semi final of leauge cup to play first team
    Are first team then lost to Madrid and City
    So we didnt not winEuropa because Wenger played weak team
    Some readers are rewriting history

  19. Funny how people forget the past isn’t it?
    We are told our ex manager left favourite players at home with their feet up.

    Well, if that’s true, didn’t he do a WONDERFUL JOB getting us to the semi-final and losing to the eventual winners over two legs by just one goal?

    He did this with , it has been CLAIMED, a “non-existent defence”, a group of defenders “who can’t defend”, no idea of coaching, training and a CEO stabbing him in the back so many times he resigned from the club.
    We now have five more players who were bought in to improve the squad, so really no excuse for not, at the very least, equalling our performance last season is there?
    While supporting Emery to the hilt, I just wonder what will be said if, at the end of the season, he finishes out of the top four and no cup wins of any kind?

    Furthermore, let’s just remind ourselves that some “fans”NOW decrying that semi-final place, actually wanted Wenger to LOSE both legs of the semi-final.
    Were they taking our club SERIOUSLY in this competition?
    Having got THEIR WISH, they now use the result to try and demean his achievements!!
    With “fans” like this, one wonders why SUPPORTERS of other clubs laugh their heads off!!
    Some of us have long memories of what was said then and is being said now with regards to actually SUPPORTING THE CLUB!!!

    1. And if Emery does play players who wont play against Fulham will any one hammer him?
      Quite sure majority who played first game of group were dropped the following leuage match?
      Only reason a monreal ,soktores played was injuries to cover
      Plus last year we had better squad in terms of giroud,theo, chambers,coquelin,bfg come in
      And my fave._.._Wenger would never play first team like Auba?
      Two scorers vsColonge._.._.Hector and ._.._._._Sanchez
      Peeps are literally making up stuff lol

    2. If Emery does play players who wont play against Fulham will any one hammer him?
      Only reason a monreal soktores played was injuries
      Last year we had better squad in terms of giroud theo chambers coquelin bfg come ,plenty of experience to cover for leauge thats a good use of resources
      My fave _ _Wenger would never play first team like Aub._..scorers vsColonge _ Hector and Sanchez
      Peeps are literally making up stuff lol

    3. Ken You are talking about the man whom even YOU said was a disaster over his last two seasons. All we disagree on is the two. MAKE THAT TEN AND WE ARE IN FULL ACCORD. Before it was announced that Wenger would, er, how do i put this politely , oh yes, erm, “stand down,” many of us thought it well worth losing every game just to get him sacked. I certainly did , though I knew, by it being obvious, that his inevitable sacking was imminent. You challenge me when WENGER IS CRITICISED, UNFAIRLY, AS YOU SEE IT. WELL I CHALLENGE YOU WHEN YOU TREAT US FANS WHO WANTED HIM GONE AS IF WE KNEW NOTHING OR CARED NOTHING FOR OUR CLUB. WE DID AND WE DO. Thanks to those who stayed away we now have a new and vibrant manager; one who believes in defence and coaching defence, even though Wenger’s dud defenders are still here, barring Ospina. They won’t be for much longer when Emery gets his own men in the team.

      1. Didnt he throw away a 4-0 lead over barca
        Lost second leg 6-1
        Failure in europe saw psg happy for him to go
        In Spain never got club past last 6 of cl
        Sacked by Mosco for defensive displays
        So whisper it quietly
        Wenger has better cl record

      2. Jon, so it WAS you who wanted your club to lose two semi finals that would have ensured their involvement in the CL next year?
        Don’t remember any other fan on here ACTUALLY stating that they wanted their team to lose, so I guess it’s ONLY you I’m challenging Jon, not anyone else.

        I am questioning why it was stated Arsene Wenger left his favourites at home with their feet up, while managing to qualify for the Europa semi-final with such crap players and tactics?
        Even in his last two awful years, he still achieved success that are not acknowledged by those like yourself.
        Yet here we are discussing the FACT that he did this with THAT defence, THOSE rubbish players and a reported, how shall I put this….UHM…”tens of thousands of fans” in revolt.

        My imput into this post is, once again, because history is being rewritten to try and blacken Wenger’s legacy. Dan sums it up perfectly in my opinion and I would add…tell a lie long enough and it becomes fact.

        Couldn’t agree more that Emery should be taking this competition seriously, just as Wenger obviously did. With five more players bought into improve that squad (all whom I think are great buys) we can go one step further and win it.
        Let’s hope the fanbase are completely behind the club and not following a personal vendetta.
        By the way, Wenger won the fa cup three times in four years, but you don’t see that as a success? Of course you don’t.

        Only Emery knows what the team will be tomorrow, but if one of our starting eleven gets badly injured, witness the reaction on here. That’s what Wenger tried to avoid in the early stages and succeeded in doing, but instead we get the snide “feet up” excuse for a comment.

        Interesting to note that EVERY SINGLE CL game I have seen so far, have (tens of) thousands of empty seats, a lot of managers must be worried!
        Also nice to see Vermallen, Coqs and Gabriel featuring or named in CL games, further proof that Wenger signed duff defenders and non-existant midfielders?

        As Per quite clearly stated, when Wenger RESIGNED, the players were in total shock. NOW JON, that is from the club captain, or the perverbial “horses mouth”, but I guess that still won’t be good enough for some will it? History will try and be rewritten again by some I guess.

        Great to see spuds losing 2-0, I’m sure we can agree with thay one anyway Jon!

        1. Rather pointless me answering all your comments, once again KEN, as we will NEVER agree on WENGER. But a few thoughts on various comments of yours: Merts as a non playing player , should therefore NEVER be captain. To have a non playing man as captain is ridiculous and makes the role seem silly, which it is NOT! I agree most players were probably shocked when he left but it was obvious to some of us. Me more than most and I made a nice sum of bookies money by betting on it much earlier. But that proves nothing, other than that I was more astute about how billionaires think and act than were our players. Big deal! The empty seats this season are being overestimated by you, which is ironic since you never accepted the huge percentage of empty seats that most recognised LAST season. Realists like me, among the absent fans, still see most of our players being Wenger’s ones and thus tainted with laziness, which will take a good while to change personnel and attitudes. I never expected( and still don’t) miracles from Emery , given he still has to work under Scrooge Kroenkes moth protected wallet. IT WILL BE, AT BEST, STEADY EVOLVEMENT and much will depend on how soon Wenger’s useless so called “defenders” and others too,leave. Finally, on your last Spuds comment we CAN agree. I actually watched the Liverpool game instead , expecting a better match. Seems I was wrong. Sad to miss Messi roast the Spuds, though I did catch the brief highlights. On a wider picture though Ken , as you will see on the following thread, on major life morals we are virtually- or even entirely – as one.

  20. Only previous regime would rest key players ?
    Breaking news ._..Emery decides to leave out mkhitaryan due to politics
    Uefa confirm arsenal chose not to apply for visa
    Azerbaijan insist several Armenia sports stars play despite dispute between two nations

    Wenger did that he get hammered
    Not Emery?

  22. …………………….Leno

    Litch……..Mustafi……Holding…….Kolasinac

    ……………………Elneny
    …….Ramsey…………………Guendouzi

    …………..Iwobi…………Smith.R

    ……………………Welbeck

  23. Well, well, well!
    Both spuds and pool losing, wonder what the media will say tomorrow then?
    Klopp, the great manager we missed because of Wenger (yet again!!) staying too long, has still won nothing, spent millions, but still the darling of the media and some on here.
    Poch the same regarding winning trophies and the media.
    Just goes to show how hard it actually is to compete with the REAL money clubs across europe, especially in the CL.
    Still missing it though, even if we were embaressed sometimes.
    It makes me even more convinced that, in Emery, we have a manager who can actually make things happen without the mega bucks that the likes of pool have given to Klopp.
    His obvious improvement of players inherited from Wenger shows just what he is capable of doing, given the time and patience.

    1. I see a couple of the PSG players have come out moaning about Emery & taken a swipe about his style of play!!
      I bet the media just praise them both & say how unlucky they were Ken!
      Looking forward to the match tomorrow! COYG

      1. Sue, it will be interesting to see just how the performances of spuds and pool are rated tomorrow.
        I see it going something like this:

        spuds were magnificent in defeat, having so many injuries really hampered their chances. Otherwise it could have been different. Anyway, with Messi in such devastating form, no club would have lived with Barcelona.

        Pool were so unlucky conceding in the last minute after dominating the game. They lost one of their most influential players early on, but battled on and were so unlucky to concede in the final minute.

        just a continuation of the media and their love-in with Klopp and Poch….of course I could be wrong, it’s happened many times before!!

        Just realised that Spuds played Huddersfield last week and Cardiff this week and yet the media and some on here are going on about the fact we haven’t played anyone of consequence during our winning streak.
        Don’t forget early kick off!!!

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