Should Arsenal still play their reserves against Sutton United?

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s horrendous defeat at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it has become clear that the only hope that the Gunners have of winning a trophy this season is our usual FA Cup run, and we have got the easiest draw of the round facing non-League side Sutton United.

So Arsene Wenger would be forgiven for putting what, in his mind, would be his strongest team on the pitch. But considering that our second string side absolutely massacred Southampton in the last round, maybe playing our reserves would be the better option anyway?

Our first string side has lost 3 of their last 4 games and look to be lacking in confidence, so maybe it would be a good thing for them to get a big win under their belts on Monday, or perhaps Wenger will want them all to get a good rest before we go to Liverpool in two weeks time.

I think it will be a mixture of the two. Wenger implied there would only be a couple of youngsters in the side when asked who could play against Sutton. “A normal team…, ” he replied. “I gave [some youngsters] a chance [at Southampton] because I think they deserved to play and have a good opportunity to come in for players who usually play, and I think they have done well. One or two might have another chance to say that they can play in every single game now.”

I am fully expecting Rob Holding, Maitland-Niles and Reine-Adelaide to all be starting the game, but with the rest of the defence being our first choices, except for Ospina in goal of course. I think Ozil and Alexis will be given a rest, and I am really hoping that Lucas Perez gets another chance to prove his worth as centre-forward.

Do you think Wenger will play mostly first team players or stick to reserves?

Admin

14 Comments

  1. At this point I’m not even confident our first team could beat Sutton, so it may not even be risky to play reserves.

  2. If I thought it would shake them up I’d start the same XI that started on Wednesday (minus Kos). But it won’t so I’d like to see a number of changes. BFG and Holding in the middle of the defence and see whether Xhaka and Ox can form a partnership in midfield. Front four of Reine-Adelaide, Lucas, Welbeck and Giroud (to keep him in game shape for 30 minute Supersub appearances

  3. Why are our fans so melodramatic. Losing badly to Bayern means there is suddenly doubt against a team 4 leagues below us…?

    1. I reckon most fans aren’t really bothered.now.
      Most realise our season like every year has ended early

      We will still support but know this structure is ruining the club. Same bs different year
      I don’t get angry anymore just sigh and carry on with my day

  4. Whichever lineup is good for me. To be honest, I’m no longer excited about the fa cup because it is used to whitewash perennial failure.

  5. @Uzi Ozil
    You are not alone on this. I have distanced myself from the team because of Wenger until end of the season. Let Wenger field any players he like. I am done this season !!!

    Immediately they lost to Watford, I knew our season is gone. We can NEVER win FA cup as long as Chelsea and Mourinho – The Wenger nightmare – is leading United !!!

    He (Wenger) doesn’t like Carling / Capital One/ League Cup. He never won it.

    Can’t go past Bayern, Dortmund, Barcelona, even Monaco. How do we expect to get something in UCL ?

    How do you go to World club cup if you don’t win UCL ?

    I have started looking forward to Preseason already. My only fear is that we face Chelsea in preseason too. Just hope it is not in our Emirates Cup. We can’t afford to lose every thing next season since He (Wenger) is still around next season.

  6. I have belief that we can beat Sutton
    But belief we can win the FA Cup is not there for me and more important the team doesn’t seem to have belief either
    We aren’t playing well enough at the moment
    United, Spurs, Chelsea, City are all still there too

  7. Play the reserve team, at least they will try their best. Play as a team and their enthusiasm might just win us the game.

  8. It’s not too late for this Arsenal team to turn things around if they desperately want it. If PSG can hit Barca with 4 goals at home, home, we can do the same. We just need to switch to that form that hit 3 goals past Man United and Chelsea in the 1st half at the Emirates.
    We can go ahead to do pretty at the end of the season… Chelsea haven’t won the league yet. It’s not all over. I don’t walk away from my team when they lose. Surely change is need after this season but it not all over till its over. Arsenal can revenge the loss at Allianz with a good solid asswhooping for Bayern at the Emirates. Nothing is Impossible!!!

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors