Why Arsenal should field strong XI for Red Star Belgrade

Although it is clear to everyone that by far the most important of the next two games that Arsenal will play is the second of the two away to Man City in the Premier League, I still think that Arsene Wenger should be selecting strong Arsenal line-up to face Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday, for a few good reasons.

First of all Gooners, we all know that players in the modern world of football are superbly fit and should have no problem whatsoever in playing two games in the space of three days. There is perhaps a small risk of a key player picking up a knock and being ruled out of the trip to Manchester but that can happen at any time and should not stop the boss using his players if it is the best thing for the club at the time.

I am not saying that the Frenchman should play the same 11 that he plans to start on Sunday, but he should pick a strong side that is very likely to win on Thursday. We are at home, after all, so there is none of the travel time involved as there was going to Serbia or Belarus.

I also think that we need to get the job done this week and all three points will guarantee progression in Europe and thereby allow Wenger to field a weaker team in the final two games. The next is away to Cologne and is followed by a tough trip to Burnley. The last is at home but the kick off time on that Sunday, which is another away game against Southampton, is stupidly enough set for midday.

Let’s get the job done against Red Star and get the form and football flowing ready for Man City shall we?

Bob.

7 Comments

  1. The EL team has a 100% record so far. I would think it is good enough to beat anyone in the group when playing at home.

  2. Start the same team that played against Norwich at home & Belgrade away. Win, draw or lose in the Europa, we can’t afford to risk our key players if we want to stand a chance to get a result at the Etihad

  3. As the team moves forward in the Europa and League cups it becomes more important to maintain momentum and continuity and therefore start blending the first and second string together.
    Certainly the central defence and the central midfield need to impose themselves more in a game setting.They all need to maintain greater discipline in their respective roles and stop making mistakes.This will only come from practice in match situations.Wenger also needs to see whether some of his favourites should in fact make way for the so called second string.Can Bellerin be replaced if he has stopped improving and in fact has regressed recently;is Wilshire a better option than Xhaka or Ramsey;what is the best back three partnership?. ..It’s only through a blending of these players that answers can be found.

  4. Agree let’s not play the first team but a mixture of 1st team and younger players. We are at home and should get past them at Emirates. I think both Ozil and Alexis must play against City at weekend though.
    Interesting stats show Ozil is as good as De Bruyne this season. 1 goal each, 4 more assists for De Bruyne, 30 chances created each but Ozil has a better pass accuracy and better shot conversion. DB has better stats in defensive duties though. Encouraging or a case of ‘damned lies and statistics’?

  5. replace Wilshere with Iwobi in d Europa league XI.
    he is needed against City.
    for City play, 352 with xhaka,Ramsey,wilshere in midfield.
    Ozil comes in 2nd half.

  6. Ospina
    Debuchy Holding Chambers
    Niles wilshire elneny coquelin
    Walcott Giroud iwobi

    That team will be good enough
    Bench
    Macey, Da Silva, sheaf, willock Nelson, nketiah, akpom.

    That will mean our “first x1” is rested up for city. Likely sub offs chambers, coquelin, wilshire who will join ospina, iwobi, walcott and giroud on the bench for city.

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