Most Arsenal fans are looking at tonight’s League Cup game away at Sheff Weds to be a piece of cake, whichever team Arsene Wenger puts out, but I think everyone is going to be mildly surprised at the quality of our opponents. Wednesday are now on an 8 game unbeaten run, which is no mean feat in the Championship where everyone is a tough fight.
The Owls don’t really have a main goalscorer, but they have EIGHT different players that have already scored two or three times for the club, and it also worth noting that they have won their last seven home League Cup ties, and to be honest are in confident mood and really have nothing to lose tonight.
*************CONFIRMED ARSENAL STARTING XI*************
Cech, Debuchy, Chambers, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Kamara, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Iwobi, Giroud
Arsene Wenger was impressed after watching Wednesday’s last game. “They are a team who have just won at Rotherham,” Le Prof said. “I watched the game and they have good, tall strikers.
“They have Barry Bannan who has played in the Premier League and they look to have a very compact team who are at a very good technical level.
“They have a strong team spirit so they will certainly work to create difficulties for us and I’m sure they have the quality to do that. We have to respond with a top-level performance.”
Wenger has already said that Joel Campbell will be playing in a team of reserves, but believes that the Gunners should still have the quality to get over this hurdle. He said: “It’s down to me to manage the workload of the players without diminishing the quality of the team,”
“I believe I’m lucky because I have quality players. Even the players who do not play are top internationals.
“I’m a bit unlucky because we are two or three short at the moment [because of injuries]. But that gives me a good opportunity to give some games to the players who have not played recently, to rest some of those who need a little breather and as well to give a chance to one or two young players.
“When you are Arsenal you know most of the teams that you travel to, especially in the cup games, do not have a lot to lose. We know that type of problem and we have always dealt with it historically.
“We want the players who come in to show that they are able to make the squad successful, and do absolutely everything to help us win.”
It will certainly be a good test for our second string players, and Joel Campbell is definitely looking forward to getting a game under his belt, but he is stressing that we must not be overconfident in our approach. “We know what teams from the Championship are capable of,” he said. “All teams want to win this tournament it’s an important tournament, especially for teams from the second division playing against a Premier League club.
“They’re going to be extra-motivated to get the win – you have to respect every team you play. If we approach the match with respect, we’ll have a good chance of winning.”
Well said Joel, and it also gives you the chance to show that you are good enough to get more chances in the First XI. Show respect, but also show that you have more talent than your Championship opponents!