The Arsenal first team had a very tough and demanding fixture at Burnley at the weekend, and with the North London Derby coming up next I am certain that Mikel Arteta will want to keep as much of his first team on the bench to rest as possible without making it too easy for Wimbledon.
The League One side are playing very well this season under head coach Mark Robinson, and before this weekend’s narrow defeat to high-flyers Plymouth they had won 3 games in a row, scoring 12 goals in the process. Their two previous rounds in the League Cup have ended with them winning 1-0 away from home, so they will fancy their chances if Arteta puts out a weakened team.
The boss picked a very strong line-up against West Brom kids in the last round to score an emphatic 6-0 scoreline, but surely he will make many more changes this time around.
For starters I’m fully expecting Leno will be in goal as he will have to get used to being our “Cup keeper” and I’m thinking that Cedric, Holding, Mari and Tavares will make up our back line, as many of them need game time.
And for the same reason I expect Lokonga and Maitland-Niles to play in the middle, although Xhaka may get some minutes as he hasn’t played since being sent off and recovering from Covid.
Up front I am sure that Martinelli and Lacazette will finally start the game, and probably with Balogun back in the middle to give him some more confidence. I’m not sure if Arteta would use Nketiah after he refused to leave this summer….
Who would you choose for this game?
Xhaka is still unavailable.
Leno
Cedric Chambers Mari Kola
Sambi AMN
Martineli Patino Tavares
Laca
Good picks Ox – I like it.
Great pick mate.
Unfortunately being out of Europe and having a relatively large squad means limited opportunities for our youngsters because we now need to play our reserves in these games.
Would love to see the youngsters get a go.
Leno
Cedric Chambers Mari Tierney
Sambi AMN
Saka
Martineli Tavares
Laca
……………………….Bernd Leno…………………………
Chambers… Holding… Mari……Tavares
………………….AMN…………..Sambi………………….
Martinelli….Smith Rowe……….Balogun
……………………….Alex Lacazette…………………..
I believe this should be our best X1 2 please the fringe players & rest the 1st team players.
Agree. But would have Patino in & ESR rested for Spurs game.
Saka in for SMITH-ROWE. And i think you got a good insight on Mike arteta team selection
Leno
Cedric holding Mari tavares
AMN Xhaka Sambi
Balogun Lacazette Martinelli
If xhaka is still suspended, I would give patino a run out or try chambers in a defensive midfield role
no need to diss Nketiah. he stayed, so what…. he can still go next window, and if he signs for English club we will get compensation. He doesn’t have to start, coming off the bench would be fine.
because the competition is very weak, i would give 5 at the back a try.
…………………………………………Leno
Soares, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tavares
…………………………………ANM, Sambi
………………………….ESR, Lacca, Martinelli
Leno
Soares Chambers Mari Taveres
Xhaka AMN
Martinelli Patino Balogun (UpTop60′)
Lacazette (Pepe 60′)
Spurs;
Ramsdale
Tomi White Gabriel Teirney
Partey Lokonga
Saka Øde SmithRowe
Laca (or Auba)
Pepe can come on if we need a goal….
Just don’t play Xhaka and it will be ok.
Lenno
Soares Holding Mari Tavares
AMN ASL
Martinelli Patino Balogun
Laca
I believe this is a strong enough team capable of beating Wimbledon and giving chances to everyone. Chambers can be used to sub ASL to give him rest for the Spuds game.
The line up against the Spuds:
Ramsdale
Tomiyasu White Gabriel Tierney
Partey ASL
Saka deGuard ESR
Auba
Pepe and Laca can come on if and when we need goals desperately.
Leno in goal and AMN in mid, give Saka and ESR a rest
Can Chambers lay in mid with amn ??
Nketiah will play against Wimbledon……!
Prefer not risking any of our 1st team starters. So am going with
343
leno
chambers holding mari
cedric sambi niles tavarez
balogun(nketiah) laca martineli.