After a long and increasingly frustrating campaign, Arsenal will welcome the chance to come away with a trophy, but Premier League champions Chelsea stand in our way.
The Blues have been easily the best team this season, running away with the title after a tactical change from Antonio Conte, which just so happens to have been inspired by our 3-0 defeat over them back in September.
We have since adopted the newly-fashionable 3-4-2-1 formation of late, which both Tottenham and Chelsea have been using increasingly well this term, but due to a number of absences in our squad, we may be forced to have to revert back to a back-four.
We’ve lost Laurent Koscielny for the final thanks to a reckless red-card received last weekend, and also lost Gabriel Paulista to injury in the same 90 minutes. Shkodran Mustafi and Kieran Gibbs are also doubts for the upcoming fixture, leaving Per Mertesacker likely to come in for only his second appearance of the season, having been ruled out since pre-season through injury.
Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both been explosive in the right wing-back role since the formation change, and it may be worth considering trying the Ox on the left, which would allow Monreal to play in the back three.
Possible XI:
Cech
Holding Mertesacker/Mustafi Monreal
Bellerin Xhaka Ramsey Ox/Gibbs
Ozil Alexis
Welbeck
This is where I usually tell you that Arsenal are going to win, and that my gut is telling me it will be comfortable, but I’m afraid I’m not quite in the same optimistic position this weekend… Our defensive problems are keeping me up at night, and I can’t see how we could possibly stop Chelsea from scoring at least two, which means we need to grab three! I’m hoping for a 3-2 win, but I think the reverse of that is probably more likely…
I’ll be backing them all the way, and am bound to lose my voice before the weekend is out, and with any luck that will have been from plenty of celebration at the Blues expense.
What are your predictions for today’s big game?
Pat J
I just want us to win. No matter the cost.
If Wenger goes after, fine. If he doesn’t, whatever. In that case I will just numb myself from the future disappointments.
We could have bigger chance if Mustafi and Gibbs are fit. Since this could be Sanchez’s and Ozil’s last game, I hope they are pumped up to leave a sweet remembrance to Arsenal’s fans.
And this match could be one of the last chances for Welbeck, if he wants to keep playing as Arsenal’s main striker. Otherwise, if he fails to score again, I think Arsenal will purchase an expensive striker next season, after they release Welbeck and Giroud.
If Gibbs plays then we lose CB
guys its a cup final against chelsea.
lets put aside any wenger out , unrest or agendas and support them
this day could be our one shining light in what has been a terrible season
UP THE GOONERS!!!
Xhaka/Rambo combo holds the key. Should they click, we’ll sing to the Emirates. Otherwise there will be too much pressure on our back line and we know what that means.
Am expecting Xhaka to come up with one long range goal.
Not scared.
I thought Ospina had been promised that he will play?
I would rather see Cech play though.
Hope we win and then Wenger announces he is leaving and then he is allowed to go graciously without anymore slagging off.
I would go with 4-4-2 formation….
Cech
Bellerin Mertesacker Holding Monreal
Ox Ramsey Xhaka Iwobi
Welbeck Sanchez
Or May be Giroud for Sanchez for Ariel Presence which would keep defenders busy and Sanchez would in for Iwobi on left wing…
These kind of hardworking games are not meant for Ozil… He is more kind of Sophisticated player than blue collar hardworking player… And in this game we want Blue collar worker and not sophistication…
Petr isn’t playing is he? Wenger didn’t like what he said about thinking about playing elsewhere next season or summet.
Ox from the right, Gibbs from left. Mustafi for Mert hopefully. Rest all as expected.
Honest Prediction: 3-1 for Chelsea
They will Out muscle us and the manager will out think Wenger.
Would be nice to have a win and put some polish on this bastar£ of a season but I just can’t see it happening.
2 -1 Arsenal.
Cech is injured.
Ospina
Holding
Meatysucker
Monreal
Ox
Bellerin
Ramsey
Xhaka
Sanchez
Ozil
Welbeck
Hope Iwobi gets in the line up- adds creativity that we lack when Gibbs plays
There is no way Arsenal will win.
Holding, a semi-concussed Mustafi who has been rushed back to play, and Monreal at CB.
I hope it will be close but whoever scores first will win. Chelsea will likely score first then our heads will go down as there’s no commanding presence/leadership in the team.