Next weekend’s North London Derby is looking like a season-defining moment for both Arsenal and Tottenham, and other than being a fierce rivalry, it is also the definition of a six-pointer. If the Gunners win we will be just one point behind Spurs, but if our opponents win they will be seven points clear of us. This is a massive difference.
Tottenham have a few injury worries of their own ahead of the game at the Emirates, but Arsenal are looking like they have a defensive crisis of worsening proportions. It was bad enough before last weeks Man City match, when Wenger was questioned about why he played Francis Coquelin as centre-back, alongside Monreal and Koscielny. “I can explain to you that Mertesacker came in yesterday morning sick and that Holding had a thigh strain,” Le Prof said.
“Debuchy just comes back from a long time absent.
“I don’t see that as a big problem.
“To play in the middle, if you are a defensive midfielder it is exactly the same.
“I don’t think that was a problem in our game.”
Wenger has no problem with playing midfielders in defence, as we have seen with Elneny and Gabriel (before he was sold) earlier this season, but it is hardly an ideal situation in a big game like this. There is still doubt that Holding has recovered yet from his injury, but there is some hope that Mustafi and Chambers have returned to training. But they are also very lacking in match fitness after such long injuries.
But the news that Koscielny has suffered a recurrence of his achilles problem while on international duty is very worrying as well, and if he can’t play through the pain then who should be our back 3 against the Spuds?
I am going to go for a tentative choice of Mustafi, Mertesacker and Monreal, but wouldn’t be in the least surprised if Wenger chose Coquelin again after last week’s display.
Who would you choose?
Admin
I didn’t want Mertesacker in the line up…. but if Koscielny is definitely out then he’ll have to play. I think Admin your choice is about as good as it gets (sigh) but knowing Arsene he’ll stick Coquelin in there again just to do my head right in ?
What exactly has Coquelin even done wrong?He was one of our best defenders in our previous match and I remember him making three important interceptions which also included a fantastic tackle on De-Bruyne to stop a dangerpus counter.He’s always blamed ignorantly despite being a fantastic tackler.It will be annoying to see him on the bench vs Tottenham one again when we know he can defend very well if placed in the midfield.Wilshere is better than Xhaka and Ramsey but will still be benched come this week unless there’s a serious injury.What kind of team at all do we have?
Monreal is not a centre back yet will be played there continually until he becomes average.The guy has absolutely no qualities of a CB and I’ll prefee he plays in his proper position.Our formation is also not helping us at all.
When he came back from Charlton I thought he was brilliant…. i don’t know what has happened but he’s nowhere near that level anymore! So I’m sorry Kev for having an opinion!!!
What Kev is telling you is your opinion is based on sentiment and maybe hatred but not fact. Go back to the game where he was played as defender and analyse his performance. He wasn’t his fault he was played there and if you asked me he should not be first player to be substituted with the way Sanchez played.
I don’t hate him I just don’t rate him!!
“Which available Arsenal defenders can stop Tottenham?”
My simple answer to your question – NO ONE
* NO ONE because of Wenger’s tactics
Cech
Bellerin Coquelin Monreal
Elneny Xhaka Kolasinac
Ramsey Ozil Sanchez
Lacazette.
I don’t see Walcott in that lineup
monreal holding and chambers
Its possible to stop us scoring, Dyche and Hodgson could explain how. We struggled to beat Palace one nil after hammering real Madrid. Burnley held us to a one all draw with about 20% possession. Our Achilles heel is against teams that come to defend, happy to go away with a point. But can Arsenal even play that way ? and if they could would they at home ?
Bellerin,Chambers,Holding,Monreal Give youth a chance for gods sake.Our other centre backs are passed their best and in the case of Mustafi he is simply bang average. When did we last keep a clean sheet against a top team? We have nothing to lose against Spurs who will rightly be favourites to win.
I am sorry but musatfi is not average. You would not be playing for Germany if you were average.
If Mustafi and Chambers then I would definitely play both of them over Coquelan and Holding, even if both are a bit short of match fitness. I am really looking forward to what Chambers can do for us this season. I think technically he is one of the best if not our best defender. Unfortunately his defending is not as good as Koscielny’s or mustafi’s defending but he is a much better defender than holding. If Koscielny’s injury problems continues, I would love to see a back three of Chambers, Mustafi and Monreal.
Neo Malefane” he is one of the best if not our best defender.” “Unfortunately his defending is not as good as Koscielny’s or Mustafi’s defending.” Care to explain which of these two contradictory sentences you actually believe?
Oh don’t make me laugh Neo ?
arsenals iwobi and lacazzete were tearing up twiter last night with their displays…and not one word on that, what a dry blog, if its not moaning about sanchez leaving its questions about wenger, admin get more creative…you love repeating so many dry and dull topics, lighten up man
Who’s moaning? YOU are!
Those games last night meant nothing to anyone except the worry of injuries to our players. Saturday’s defence DOES worry me. A LOT!