Arsenal were already up against it this weekend, as the fifth round of games in the Premier League season sees the Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge to take on the reigning EPL champions less than three days after facing the Ge4rman club FC Cologne in a Europa League clash, so the last thing Arsene Wenger needed was to lose one of his key players.
But that is what the football press was reporting was the case this morning, with out German playmaker Mesut Ozil having picked up an injury despite being left out of the squad on Thursday. Apparently i8t is a muscle problem but Wenger’s problems are increased by the fact he played Alexis Sanchez against Cologne in order to get the striker fit, so he does not start today either.
Instead it is Alex Iwobi who comes in with Lacazette and Welbeck in attack, while the two wing backs and Nacho Monreal keep their places from the end of Thursday’s game, with Koscielny and Mustafi making up the back three and Ramsey and xhaka in central midfield.
Cech
Koscielny, Monreal, Mustafi
Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac
Lacazette, Iwobi, Welbeck
Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Sanchez, Giroud, Walcott, Maitland-Niles, Elneny.
At least Chelsea do not have Eden hazard in their starting line up, with the Belgian and our Chilean striker popssible match winners on the bench. COYG!
Bob.
Bad news. Ozil bossed the midfield – and made Kante look second rate – when we beat Chelsea in the PL last year. But even without Ozil, we can do this! COYG!
Bossed? Never at the bridge.
He has never become the boss, not in Arsenal, nor in Real Madrid. He only routinely creates those predictable “chances” and does not fight like what Messi, Sanchez, Isco, Modric, Iniesta and Xavi always do.
I am glad Wenger kept the same hardworking players in the front. Give Iwobi chances to play in Ozil’s position for at least five matches and let’s see what our wonderkid can do.
When a creative force loses his marker time and time again and has a great game to add to the three points, it means he bossed his duel. We know he’s not a scrapper, but there are other ways to boss a game, Bergkamp bossed many ..with and without the rough stuff. Marhez bossed many two seasons back.
The English “fans” only know brawling bossing, but it is not effective at the world level. English football has not been world beating due that brawling style.
Bossing is about getting the job done without being noticed, and that is Ozil. Sadly, he is unappreciated by English Arsenal fans. Maurinho has built a team and he needs someone to “boss” the attacking middle.
It would make sense for Ozil to leave in the Summer for city.
Hahahaha Özil has never bossed a top 4 team.
I would have dropped Welbeck for Alexis, push Ramsey to the Ozil role and bring El Neny in to pair Xhaka in CM.
Well, let’s see how this goes. Hopeful for the best but expecting the worse.
If these are the players wanting to be at Arsenal then Wenger is right to play them. They may be $hit but hey, they want to be here so they are our crop. Win, draw or lose COYG.
Wenger and the players are on the same page, all average, that’s why we want most of the players out, as same as their master who entertains them no matter how bad they are
It’s not about the “who wants to be here” if it is then I can assure you that Sanogo and squillacci would still luv to be in arsenal. Arsenal need just more than who wants to be in the team
Interesting idea, but I would keep Welbeck. He is one of very few Arsenal players that still has the heart to work harder for Arsenal.
Cannot beat top teams if the players do not give their 100%.
Welbeck and Elneny play harder than any player in the top six.
I hope it is a blessing in disguise. With hardworking and determination, we could take something from the game.
That is good news.. I didn’t want him to play this game anyway..
lmfao what is this team.
Too easy win for chelsea
It is really good Ozil is out but Sanchez would have been the best to replace him, Wenger don’t wanna play our best 11…
Doesn’t he wanna play Lacazette and Sanchez together??
Iwobi is better than Sanchez? In Wengers mind yes.
Maybe because Iwobi started the Community shield in the absence of Ozil, am not sure but I think its the same team that started that game is here today apart from Elneny, Holding, that replaced Mustafi and Ramsey….
But Community shield is a different kettle of fish to an important PL match at the Stamford bridge…
At least there are not want away players in team… I am happy with team selection but not formation… We should have opted for flat 4 back..
No. The way to beat Chelsea is attack them in their half.
Ozil injured?
Unbelievable
Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1
The Ibrahims are realistic….
Bakayoko and Kante are very solid in the midfield and together with Luiz and Cahill
it is impossible to penetrate Chelsea’s defence
A draw will be a bonus
Nice analysis Hafiz but Bakayoko isn’t even playing!
Ha! Ha!
Wengers ego is too big for this club. He talks about being professional, but him above anyone else let’s his ego get in the way. Today with sanchez on bench.
The Playstation “fans” think they know more than managers! Ha! Ha!
As usual wenger sabotage the team before match. Alexis welbeck lacazette would be a hardworking, high pressing forward line. Its forward pressing that led to us beating chelse in 3-0 and fa cup final. Their defenders make mistakes when pressed like cahill did vs alexis.
Both teams very predictable.
Ozil a big loss.
Game could swing any which way
Chelsea look weak without
Hazard and Matic.
Arsenal should win this one
The Ibrahims are praying for the best
as long as we dont get hammered, its a good result
Turn down all those millions then bench Sanchez , Sanchez gets to form by playing not from the beach, you can’t teach an old ? new tricks, Wenger awful lineup
Good news is Ozil out. Bad news is Sanchez out and Ramsey in. I would have opted for Elnerny in Ramsey’s position, then Sanchez in Iwobi position
my heart is beating very fast,just want a win please ASRENAL
is it your first arsenal game lol? i have gotten so used to arsenal playing suicide football that it doesnt take a toll on my heart or health for that matter
This might have played into our hands a little if Alexis had of kept himself in good nick. I hope it still does, we need Iwobi and Danny to be on it, esp Iwobi as he can be a creative force when he wants to be. These two will help our wingbacks more I hope and help give Ramsey Xhaka a hand. They could be big players in this game if they can push themselves, Danny will try, I hope Iwobi just throws the shackles off. COYG!!!
Henry just did a great analysis on sky sports of what Arsenal should be playing like at the start of the game. Then him and Carragher explain how they will play instead. Ramsey bomb forward, midfield empties, CB exposed.
Jesus a team utterly devoid of creativity …. could be a massacre … will light a candle and hope
Right, it is a massacre. Arsenal 0 – 5 Chelsea.
Ha! Ha!
Wot’s wrong, son?
we’re performing well… so far… we have a real chance if we keep the belief
No midfield … Can’t win matches like this …isoniazid brings nothing to the table …mope for ni nil and change at half time
Iwobi
We didn’t get burned down that wing because Bellerin is in his position, Mustafi and the lads are in theirs, with Iwobi being the first line of defence out wide, Welbeck similar on other side but came central more. At times we looked 352, Welbeck Lacazette the two and Iwobi covering Bellerin.
you see this exact reaction is why i am absolutely sure that you are one of the worst fan there is, if you even can be called a fan.. you rkw are a real disgrace..
I wanted to see Le Coq in Xaka position, Wilshire in Iwobi position and Sanchez in Welbeck, the other players remain the same
Different class of player. And LeCoq is hurt.
…that was for ramsey to complete – it came from the post too high onto laca’s wrong foot. we are doing just fine as it goes
anyviable streaming links for the match?
Google best streams for football. Give a man a fish ..etc etc.
Come on Arsenal keep it up … If only that had gone in !!
Good first half performance men ..men!!!. We were unlucky not to go one up, keep it up men and teams will start to fear us yet. COYG!
so far so good! much more composed display
To say we could be 3 up….pls guys just kick one in…heart on fire here…so much for no expectations
Arsenal bossed the Blues in that half, best they’ve
played in some time BUT…
The missed opportunities, especially Lacas wild shank on the doorstep will more than likely be the
difference.
Chelsea will come out with there hair on fire after
halftime.
Need to match it to secure any points.
Good game thus far
that was a great performance! i really loved it and the fans in the stadium have shown that they will love and stop being quiet if they see that the team fights for it and to the ‘fans’ on here who always repeated that they are happy as long as the tactic and the teams fight and mentality is on point i hope you keep your word and credit wenger and the eleven who are playing right now, show to sanchez and özil what you can do without them, COYG
Suprisingly we are doing well….havent got slaughtered yet
We are dominating the possession but cant score…
2nd half would be different
when Bakayoko comes in their defence will be tighter
and hazard will strengthen their attack
We need to park the bus and hope for the best
At least Arsenal is showing some steel today, if we can keep this high tempo then, there is hope. Btw the players who have refused to sign the contract are not playing.
Up the Arsenal
A very decent half … But welbeck and iwobi don’t give lacazette support .. One has to make way for Sanchez … Both defences are breachable so first 15 mins and changes,will be key now
Admin: So my other email address was blocked for calling someone a muppet or for being pessimistic. Other still on here for being much worse.
Guess being WOB is a good reason to boot someone, this address probably going to be blocked.
Well Wenger has given no reason to be anything else.
Good game.
If this my last post, up the Arsenal.
You know personal abuse is not allowed so why do it? No matter what your opinion you do not abuse other Arsenal fans for having their own….
I am pleasantly surprised by the first half. Was very worried when I saw starting lineup without Alexis and Ozil but we did quite well in first half
I see an Alexis goal in 2nd half
COYG
Monreal been fantastic, absolutely fantastic.
Lemar would have given us the edge in this match. Damn it
Anyway, we can actually win this match. I believe in the boys
COYG
Arsenal will lose 2-0. Chelsea will step up a gear.
Wtf is that change about ….
bellerin has got his game in order again, thankfully
Damnit. Welbeck goes off injured because of Sanchez’s crap pass.
Sanchez will play badly just to pee off Wenger.
Ha! Ha! Funny. Chelsea won 5-0, so wot are you complaining about?
Lack physicality and skill in midfield
Will probably throw it away ow
Can’t wenger play lacca and Sanchez together, how creative is iwobi that wenger can’t trust Ramsey with creative job today, Iwobi kept on loosing focus in 1st half
You people are funny. You know nothing about being a manager.
0-0 at Chelsea. We could have won it too.
It was our defensive shape is why he made that call, and I agreed with it. Just a pity that Danny went off later, because then it would’ve been Alexis Iwobi Lacazette. Our shape won us the point, in the past we’d have lost most likely due to wanting more of an attacking threat.
Pragmatic, disciplined, and cynical, how ya like me now!!!
Good honest point won away at the champions, we could have nicked it on another day, well done lads.
Just the lads?
Not, “Well done, Wenger”?
resilient, organised, compact, and playing for each other happy with the point and the team they were solid. we didnt win but that’s ok very positive and hopefully we build on that performance, more of the same please!
If it were Mourinho that pulled a draw in the backyard of a top team….it would be “he got his game plan spot”…” it was genius”. Given we started the season badly…..I will give Wenger thumbs up for this.
I meant spot-on
did u see that tackle on Sead. Absolutely arltrocious from D. Luiz
all the doom and gloom mongers sort your miserable existence out we are the arsenal we go to other grounds and we take control – as far as confidence goes this will do us wonders. we only need a few quality tweaks here and there.
Good point Waal2waal. it were Mourinho that pulled a draw in the backyard of a top team….it would be “he got his game plan spot”…” it was genius”. Given we started the season badly…..I will give Wenger thumbs up for this. Some Arsenal fans need to learn to support the team irrespective and get rid of negativity.
so true – i never ever think we gonna be annihilated no one can fault us (at least not today).
im happy for lacazette and kolasinac who played their first time at the bridge for us and helped steal a point – they did well.
Nice one lads