As wellas the injury problems continuing to pile up for Arsenal, with Jack Wilshere out for a while and now both of our first choice keepers unavailable as well as Danny Welbeck. At least Arsene Wenger had the good news about Laurent Koscielny, but the Frenchman has decided not to rush the French centre back and has stuck with the same back four that has struggled in recent games.
Another major talking point is the inclusion in the line up of our young French striker Yaya Sanogo, who is still looking for his firts senior Gunners goal. But his pace and power in the centre forard role means that Wenger does not have to change the system.
There are striking options on the bench, with Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell wjo have both been champing at the bit to get some game time, so let’s hope they take their chance tonight if and when it comes. And we have a new name on the bench, with the teenage keeper Ryan Huddart ready for his debut if anything happens to Martinez.
Martinez
Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs
Arteta
Alexis, Ramsey, Cazorla, Chamberlain
Sanogo
subs: Huddart, Koscielny, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Campbell, Podolski
The Gunners are looking seriously weakened but hopefully we will have enough to at least avoid defeat, because we need the point to take the pressure off for the last game in Istanbul. Confident anyone?