Arsenal have kept their fantastic end-of-season run going, and we are now just a few games away from securing Second Place and winning a second successive FA Cup. Arsene Wenger has had practically a full squad of players to choose from in recent weeks, but has miraculously named the same starting XI for four matches in a row, which he has not done since 1996, despite nearly having two star players available for each position in the team.
But now we have started building up a few injuries again, and at least Aaron Ramsey is unlikely to be fit for Monday’s game against Swansea. But now Wenger has hinted that there is a few other positions that could also be changed in this coming match. “I’m ready to change but we had a stability on the tactical front, the confidence was there and I didn’t change recently,” Le Prof said.
“I have no problems changing the players because they are all in very good shape, the players who practice.
“Players like Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, for example, were not completely there in recent weeks but now they are all there on the competitive front. There’s no problem.”
Wilshere and Walcott both came on as subs in the Hull game and may be on the team sheet come Monday, but there are also many other experienced and talented players that may feel they are due a run out very soon to keep in shape.
Should Wenger rest a few of our stars ahead of the crucial away fixture at Old Trafford?
Yes 100% yes. Obviously 9pts from the remaining three fixtures is our target, but realistically we can afford to drop two points which will get us second place.
My point being, at the end of season there is no reason to risk playing our core pieces for three games in a week end of season, right before a cup final. None. Finishing as strongly as possible is a priority, but with our squad and players returning from injury starting the season as strongly as possible should also be a priority.
We’ve got 4 games left- keeping up this unbeaten run is important, for confidence going into next season. I think we can rotate and manage this, but 2 or 3 changes at the very most per game. Would like to see Theo, Jack, Gabriel & Gnabry get some game time in before season ends.
Oh actually my bad. Just looked at the fixtures and thought we had three games this week but that’s next week!
I personally don’t think Gnabry will get a run before end of season. I think Theo and Jack will get priority substitute appearances as they will most likely be more important to Wenger’s first-team plans next season. Would love to see Gnabry secure a season long loan move to a lower table club. Seriously talented, technique and physicality’s there. Just needs first-team experience.
100% No – all they players have had at least a weeks rest, Sure if ramsey is carrying a knock bring someone in, I think giving wilshire his old u21 right wing place will be a great move. I would also either start Theo in place of giroud or at least give him a half as he needs some match practice. I don’t think there is much to choose between monreal and gibbs or mertesacker and Gabriel, but until top 3 is secured, there should be no need to worry about rest until after we have played Sunderland. Then against west Brom I would completely rest my fa cup starting x1 giving them a full 10 days to work together in training and plot Aston villas down fall. So in the next 3 matches I would play an unchanged team other than the 2 changes mentioned.
V west Brom (if top 3 secured)
Szczesney
Debuchy chambers Gabriel gibbs
Arteta flamini
Wilshire rosicky welbeck
Walcott
Martinez bielik diaby zelalem gnabry chamberlain akpom
V Aston Villa
Ospina
Bellerin Mertesacker koscielny monreal
Coquelin Cazorla
Ramsey ozil alexis
Giroud
Bench from Szczesney Debuchy gibbs Gabriel arteta rosicky flamini chamberlain wilshire Walcott welbeck
If players need a breather – then yes. Possible rotations which wouldn’t weaken the team significantly…
Gab for Per
Debuchy for Hector (if Debuchy is alright)
Gibbs for Monreal
Theo for Rambo (Theo can play as a true RW with Debuchy being restraint in his forward runs)
Jack for Santi (Jack to do the Deep Lying role)
Welbz for Sanchez (stick to the right…will support Gibbs on his forward runs)
Rosicky for Ozil (TR7 is still an effective creator and adds bite to the midfield)
Don’t see any major issues with rotations here. Nice to have the depth
I wouldn’t mind seeing Ozil playing Santi’s role.. It’d be interesting. Ozil keep shape and distribute while Santi gets a rest and Rosicky or Jack can press the forward line. It’d be interesting
Coquelin Ozil
Jack Rosicky Sanchez
Giroud
Similar to the way we played vs Liverpool, press the hell out of their back line and force errors. Give and go attack pinging passes off Giroud would be pretty sexy..
Ozil in that position would never work
Santi has a defensive dimension as well, that’s why he’s there. Özil on the other hand, meeh! Leave him upfront to unleash those magical incisive passes
Every arsenal player has a defensive dimension. Sanchez has drilled this into their heads. I would not mind ozil and rozza infront of the coq.
Arsene have to rotate the team at less twice. Once against Swan and the last of our EPL game. Fully squad will be need for Old Trafford game and FA Cup final. COYG!!!!
3 times.
Swans Sunderland WBA 🙂
All home games too.
Where the hell has calum been? Is he hurt or is he playing with the U-21’s?
Frozen in the freezer
Swansea are decent.
2 changes for me.
One change in the back 4.
Then either Wilshere or
Walcott to start.
Against Swansea:
Goalkeeper – Ospina
Defenders – Chambers, Kos, Gabriel, Gibbs
Midfielders – Coq, Wilshere, Rosicky
Strikers – Walcott, Giroud, Alexis
Who is this guy,no Ozil and Cazorla in ur line up,do u think we are playing Fulham????this is Swansea and they can be stubborn…I’m nt sure u watched the 1st leg,if u had watched it,u wnt put Chambers at ryt waiting to be torn apart by Montero..we fans we prove to be Mr know all,if wenger had made dat line,u wud av bin asking 4 his head.
My team against the swans if I’m to rotate :
Ospina
Debuchy Gabriel Koss Monreal
coquelin santi
Walcott özil Alexis
Giroud
Like your choice Mark. Maybe Bellerin to cover Montero’s pace. Gabriel should start and stay. Unable to comprehend Wenger’s fixation with Mertesacker. Missed two crosses against Hull, first led to a goal, the second just after should have been a goal.