Which of these 3 Arsenal midfielders will start v Southampton?

With the Arsenal away game against an in form and high flying Southampton being the third game for the Gunners in a week, Arsene Wenger will obviously have some concerns over the fitness of some of his Arsenal players. But it is a vital game as well so the manager has a bit of a balancing act to perform.

Hopefully there will be no problems with the back four, as Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny should be quite fresh after an extended period on the side, while KIeran Gibbs was given a rest against West Ham on Boxing Day. And it looks like the manager is going to be forced into a change or two in the front line after the news of Welbeck’s thigh problem.

But the big decision, for me, is in central midfield. With no Ramsey, Arteta or Wilshere, it looks like Flamini will start again, but who to play alongside him? Francis Coquelin was very impressive against West Ham, but he has not played too much and Wenger admitted that he was running out of steam towards the end of that match. But if he is fit then he would give the Gunners more stability in a tough away game.

THen you have the Ox or Rosicky, both of whom have had great games in the middle recently. Rosicky has had a full week to rest since last playing, while Chamberlain may be used on either side of the front three. So if Wenger does want to be a bit more attacking of if Coquelin is not quite ready to start in Southampton, I think it will be our little Mozart that gets the nod. Do you agree?

Tags Chamberlain Coquelin ox Rosicky

13 Comments

  1. I’d play a midfield three of Cazorla, Coquelin and Flamini again. With two defensive players and Santi, we have a strong protection in front of the back four as well as technical ability to create chances and retain possession. With Alexis and Walcott/Ox, we’ll have a good counterattack – we just have to stay solid at the back. Southampton will attack and press us, so we can hit them on the break.

    1. I fully agree with you, I hope we get to see a front 3 of Alexis, Ox and Walcott. The pace on the counter will be absolutely terrifying.

      1. To Goldfish27: WENGER knows bugger all mate!!!
        He has had so much talent but does not know how to use them. I do not wish to open up old wounds but the greatest irk I have against WENGER is the way he destroyed the career of an excellent player, Andrea Arshavin! Poor, poor Arshavin; what did he ever do to deserve such treatment? Or should I mention Gilberto Silva who was bypassed for the Captaincy so that he, Wenger, could suck up to that idiot and non-Arsenal-Captain material, William Gallas. I am yet to forgive Wenger for that. He, Wenger reminds me of bungling Inspector Clueso without the end result!!!!

        1. You go and find out why he didn’t play Arshavin, before you expose your ignorance more. Arshavin didn’t want to run, and work hard. Same with Poldi… You can find out more.

    2. My only fear for your front 3 is who scores the goals if not alexis. I would be inclined to include podolski for this one. With either chamberlain dropping back into the midfield in place of coquelin or flamini seeing as southamptons midfield will be missing schneirderlin or perhaps Walcott staying on the bench with a view to coming on in the 2nd half.

      It would be nice for the 3 ex Southampton lads to.all play. How about chambers in for mertesacker, seeing as southampton have no real height and lots of pace. But play debuchy alongside his compatriot and chambers at right back, although bellerins pace might be more useful.

  2. With Welbeck out, who will play as a striker is my biggest concern. With Sonogo, it would be difficult to get goals. I think same defensive approach is not a need in this game as southampton will not play long balls like west ham. I think Rocisky should start. Based on the performance, i would give Couqlan ahead of flamini.
    So my team would be.
    Schezzny
    Debutchy Kosc Mert Gibbs
    Rocisky Couqlan
    OX Cazorla Sanchez
    Sonogo

    If we are one nill up, then we must through Walcott in plave of OX as he is sustaining an injury.Then Flamini in place Cazorla as he needs rest.
    This game we need to domnarte possesion

  3. none of these players should be playing…

    they are just not good enough…

    thanks to Wenger

    Wenger out!!

  4. Podolski as striker
    Rosicky and Chambers behind Walcott, Cazorla and Sanchez

    Alternatively, if no Walcott then OX

    Another option Sanchez up front with 2 of Walcott/Podolski/OX/CCampbell on the wings

    I’m not feeling good about Sanogo against Southanpton. Prefer Podolski or Sanchez up front

    1. Poldi is not good enough to play lone striker…

      go watch his past games of him playing striker….

      no wonder his club got relegated in the German league

  5. Whichever midfield he opts for, I hope he is mindful that Southampton are a far better unit than West Ham and he must therefore get his boys superready for this yet another defining game for us. Nothing less than a convincing win here will do for me. Come on boys, go show them you can play. 1-3 to the Gunners!!!

  6. I don’t think Walcott should start this gamHTMLe against his former club because he hardly does well there whenever he went there to play for Arsenal. He should start in our home Cup game with Hull if the boss wants to start him. I can see the boss plays the 4-2-3-1 style at Saint Mary’s on Friday. Because he won’t have Giroud and Welbeck to play his latest 4-3-3 style. If that be the case, my starts for the Saints game: Szczesny-DebuchyBfgKosGibbs
    FlaminiCoquelin
    RosickCazorlaPodolski
    Sanchez

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