Arsenal are preparing to face Brighton in defence of our FA Cup, and if the Gunners play as well as they did at Man City last week then this game will be just a formality. Many people have described our performance at the Etihad as “perfect” but Arsene Wenger is convinced that Arsenal can still improve on that performance.
“I don’t think it was perfect,” Wenger said on Arsenal.com. “On the spirit front and in the attitude and solidarity, it was a perfect performance. On the technical front we have room for improvement and we want to focus on that.
“But it was a very satisfactory performance because we were questioned about our ability to win big games away from home, especially after last year’s experiences. Also the way we controlled the game convinced people and gave some credit to our performance.”
“Beating Man City raises the belief and the confidence of the team but it also questions your ability to repeat that kind of performance, and to keep that consistent tenacity in your concentration,”
“That’s what will be questioned on Sunday at Brighton. Let’s show that we can produce exactly the same level of focus and the same dynamic in the team.”
Many of our top players have earned a little break to recharge the batteries, and Wenger admitted that there would be a few changes for Brighton. “As you saw on Sunday, I had a very strong bench,” he said. “Many of these players will play, but it will absolutely be the first-team squad, a top-level squad. There’s big competition at the moment for places in the team, and some players will have an opportunity to show that they are ready to play again.”
Even with the changes Arsenal should have no trouble disposing of Brighton, who we have beaten every time we have met them in this competition and, surprisingly, our last away FA Cup tie was at the same venue two long years ago.
Theo Walcott scored the winner that day, and with both him and Ozil set to start together I wouldn’t bet against that happening again. Would you?
Wenger talking about competition for places, strong bench. It feels nice to hear such words from him after such a long time. Upwards and Onwards Arsenal.
According to reports, Arsène Wenger has approached BVB for Kevin Großkreutz & made a firm £3.7m bid not sure if we will get him for that but would be a good addition he is an arsenal fan as well
buzzyfootball/metro rumours?! come on bro- your better than that
I dont follow Bundesliga, so pardon my ignorance, but who is Kevin Gro….Kreutz?
dortmund defender, can cover all defensive positions,usually a rb but can do lb
hes good- not great, handy to have rather than team changing signing
all talk aside that man city game gave me one thing: hope.
hope that wenger an this team can achieve something big, alot of people want us to be man city an splurge silly money on big names only- that for me is not what we should be about.
simeone,mourinho(porto), klopp an wenger made teams from unknown players that became world beaters.
i wait in hope- COYG
I agree Muff. Big names are necessary but not always. Team chemistry is also important. Look at Man Utd at the moment. However Chelsea have found a good balance.
I wouldn’t put Maureen on a list of financially astute managers who find unknown players, he has bought practically every title he won.
Spends a lot of money at every club.
I agree with that….
Just add a fit and firing Walcott and
The Ramsey that turned up against Galatasaray a few weeks ago
and Man City could have been terribly embarassed in their backyard.
____________Giroud
_____Sanchez Cazorla Walcott
________Coquelin Ramsey
Monreal Koscielny Mertesacker Bellerin
____________Ospina
I hope to see this standard lineup for the remaining games of the season.
change mert for paulista- an i will go for that
It doesn’t work that way muffs. Just ask Falcao, Torres, and even our own Ozil. Being a star in your previous team, doesn’t mean you work straight into the starting line up in another team of a DIFFERENT league. Paulista will have to work his way up (that’s if Utd don’t even sign him ahead of us 🙂 )
So Gabriel Paulista is left out the Villarreal game tonight which is positive news for us. Let’s hope we get the deal done.
Also lucas silva will sign for Real Madrid on Monday Hmmmm. Khedira or illarramendi joining us perhaps??
Khedira joining us or Diaby?
Illarramendi is just not good enough….another bench warmer…
Prefer young Illarramendi.
Khedira or illarramendi, no thanks … they are players out there better than them and might be cheaper …
@No G.. Cheaper players… Have you caught a silight dose of Wengergitis?
To allow him find a house in London I presume?