At the Stadium of Light this weekend, Arsenal were reduced to having only Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny as our recognised central midfielders to face Sunderland, with Jeff Reine-Adelaide on the bench as emergency backup. But for tomorrow’s game in Bulgaria Wenger will be boosted by the return of Ramsey, Xhaka (and hopefully Cazorla) to the squad, giving him many options to rotate ahead of this weekend’s visit of Tottenham.
Ramsey has been out since the opening day of the season and Wenger has hinted that he will be cautious on bringing him back too quick, but he is well aware of the qualities the Welshman has. He is a player who is box-to-box so overall he pushes the team forward,” Le Prof said. “That is what we want in our side. He can play in holding midfield, he can play if needed on the flanks as well. That’s where he is not happy but he can play there as well.
“He has a tremendous drive, he’s a bit Lampard-ish you know, where he likes to get in the box, likes to shoot from distance and has similar quality.”
But will he start Ramsey tomorrow night? “I don’t know,” Wenger said. “I will have to analyse all that now, with Xhaka back. We play now in the Champions League and then we play Tottenham.
“So I have to see who I rest and who I play without diminishing the chance of the team to win the game.”
I think it is a no-brainer that Xhaka will play after having an enforced rest, and hopefully learning how not to commit silly fouls, but who would you pick to be his partner tomorrow night?
Admin
ramsey…ramsey…ramsey…m sorry but I hope he doesn’t come in and spoil the season for us… we were already enjoying the unselfish attitudes of all our midfielders so I hope he doesn’t bring in his personal pursuit for glory and shifts the team’s ambition aside…ohhh carzola…how we love ur selflessness…
sometimes the selfish ones are the missing ingredients to 3 points 😉
ospina
Jenkinson Gabriel holding gibbs
elneny xhaka
ramsey
Walcott Giroud ox
Carzola should be rested for Sunday`s crucial game.
@Admin, thanks for the overview. Tommorrows game has been billed as very important. However, we must realise that all our players are as equally if not more important. I am sure AW will travel with a string squad except Czech. I expect to see Xhaxa back in the midfield. Ramsey will play as well. This you can take to the bank. He will be a sub. I have a feeling that Gab might be on the pitch on tesday from the start. Kos needs a break-he isn’t not in the 20s anymore. I would love to see what Gab/Mustafi can do?what y’all say? Additionally, i hope Bellerin rested for Jecks and Monreal rested for Gibbs?
With the big boy back upfront, the question is whether he should start or come off the bench? I wish Ozil can be rested to(but he likes 3goals against this team) to give room to try another midfielder
All in all, I am hopeful for a scoreline of A 3-1 Lug.
Good luck
LUDOGORETS
Xhaka and Ramsey or Eleney at the back
Ozil in front of them
SPUDS
Coquelin and Cazorla
Ozil
I think if the team are flying like last time against Ludogorets, Ozil should be brought off early (like around 60 minutes) to get him proper rest for spuds.
Some part of me says he shouldnt even start, but at the same time, he is confident right now and a goal (or a few) would keep that confidence high. He is such a weapon when he is confident.
rest cazorla/coq/walcott/sanchez/monreal and bellerin. We have a big game on Sunday that is a must win for us to keep up with the pack, at some point wenger has to prioritize Pleague or CL. We should be able to comfortably beat a bunch of farmers with Jenko/gibs/mustafi/gabriel/elneny/xhaka/ozil/iwobi-ox/giroud
Youvmade my day. You mean we shall play a bunch of farmers not footballers
After that last win, Wenger spoke about the possibility of 4-4-2. If it works, it will be just like the golden era from a decade ago.
I don’t know if this is perfect timing for experiments but I think that there is no better opportunity to take the rust out of 442 in the match against Lug. If it works, players will be confident to use it when needed, especially with spuds around the corner
Xhaka- because it’s been a while he played and needs to be match-fit.
Elneny- cos he could do with the game time considering with Xhaka returning from suspension in the league, Coquelin, Cazorla and now Ramsey back he won’t start till we face Southampton in the league cup and after that he is away.
also Ramsey should still be coming from the bench as he only just recovered. but against Ludogorets he should come in the 2nd half for Ozil.
so to start in CM- Xhaka and Elneny
elneny deserves more credit, standout performers ahead of all others in mid are coquelin and cazorla.
If I remember correctly,spurs also have champions league game to play,we shouldn’t take tomorrow’s game lightly,the only youngsters I would put in the team are iwobi and holding. Then I think elneny needs to step aside for cazorla if he’s fit. Ramsey should be on the bench. Le Coq/xhaka and Carzola for me in the deep lying midfield role.