Starlets To Get Champions League Game, But Who?

Arsène Wenger flew out to Greece this morning with a selection of fringe first-teamers and the crème de la crème of the club’s youth players as Arsenal conclude their Champions League Group against Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Wenger has already confirmed that Mikaël Silvestre will captain the side while Jack Wilshere will feature along with Fran Mérida. A further selection of other Reserves will be handed opportunities to impress with the team set to have a ‘Carling Cup feel’ to it. Aaron Ramsey, scorer at the weekend, should play while Kyle Bartley may also get minutes with Philippe Senderos missing out.

So, like we did for the Manchester City game, we’re opening this one up and asking you to provide your predicted team below.

Article By – J.Sanderson

88 thoughts on “Starlets To Get Champions League Game, But Who?

  • December 7, 2009 at 2:08 pm
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    I think Wilshere and Vela for sure other than I am not too sure. Denilson, Fabianski for sure.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:09 pm
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    Fabianski

    Eboue Bartley Silvestre Traore

    Coquelin Eastmond

    Wilshere Ramsey Merida

    Vela

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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    i think he should give conor henderson a debut and luke freeman should get a game too

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm
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    fabianski
    gilbert
    bartley
    silvestre
    traore
    wilshere
    merida
    ramsey
    watt
    vela
    eboue or either sunu or afobe hopefully

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:15 pm
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    Fabianski;
    Gilbert, Senderos, Silverstre, Emmanuel-Thomas;
    Eastmond, Ramsey, Wilshire;
    Merida, Vela, Watt;

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:22 pm
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    What has Philip Senderos done to Wenger?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:32 pm
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    my team is

    mannoe
    gilbert
    bartley
    silvestre
    traore
    ramsey
    henderson
    merida
    wilshere
    vela
    freeman

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:35 pm
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    I think we will get a few answers in tomorrow’s reserve game. If the likes of Eastmond, Bartley, Coquelin, Watt, etc doesn’t play, then they surely are heading for Greece.
    Could be a really young reserve team tomorrow.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:35 pm
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    Olympiacos v Arsenal

    Fabianski
    Gilbert – Senderos – Silvestre – Traoré
    Ramsey – Randall – Wilshere
    Walcott – Vela – Mérida

    Substitutes: Mannone, Bartley, Frimpong, Coquelin, Eastmond, Sunu, Watt

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:36 pm
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    bench almunia eboue vermalen watt afobe randall eastmond

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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    Senderos won’t play cos that will make him cup tied and scupper his chances as he desires to play for another Euro team in La Liga.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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    Senderos probably won’t play in order to keep him free to join clubs with european commitments after january tranfer window; should he play Wednesday, he is not able to play in UCL or Europa League if he transfers to other club.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:50 pm
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    Think we may see JET or Couqulien at right full back with there being no point in risking Traore and Gilbert not being of the standard required.

    Bartley at CB? Ummm… a bad experience here could prove a real step back, he perhaps would be better integrated at FB. Anyway here is my team

    Fabianski

    Couquelin Fishface Bartley JET

    Eastmond

    Wilshere Ramsey

    Vela Watt Merdia

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:54 pm
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    Fabianski
    Gilbert Silvestre Senderos Traore
    Eastmond Merida Ramsey
    Wilshere Vela Watt

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:58 pm
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    but why is senderos missing out?? honestly what has the poor lad done to arsene? he’s kept faith with several players who have in my opinion had worse performances than big phil.
    anyway i’d like to see freeman, the cog and bartley get a go at some point atleast. would be nice to see how they perform.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 2:59 pm
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    The CL squads have to be named before the start of the season and there is a limit so I would be surprised if people like Coquelin, JET, or Bartley are in there.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:07 pm
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    Freeman won’t play. He’s yet to break through in the reserve team. Watt and Sunu are ahead of him in the pecking order.

    Same goes to Afobe and Henderson.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:07 pm
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    good question ds goon. It would only be speculation to ask why. It could be about a proposed move, or personal issues, or lack of form…Senderos is a man of incredible dignity, and despite struggle he never tried to catch headlines in the media. He is a man that command great respect with me

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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    I would like to see Emmanuel-Thomas get a shout. He is big and powerful, which is something we are missing at the moment.
    If he is not going to going to be on the fringes of the first team then he might as well go back out on loan till the end of the season.

    Eastmond
    Bartley
    Ramsey
    Wilshere
    Merida
    Sanchez Watt should also be in the squad.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:23 pm
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    Has Phil made any appearances in champs league so far this season? There could be verbal agreement between him and Wenger that means he will remain un-cup tied. The likes of Wolfsburg may be looking into buying him in january? If this is the case I’d go for this team.

    Fabianski

    Gilbert Bartley Silvestre Traore

    Ramsey Coquelin Merida

    Wilshere Vela JET

    Mannone, Cruise, Ayling, Randall, Eastmond, Watt, Sunu

    JET will provide a physical presence up front plus playing on the left hand side he can benefit from the long diagonal balls Bartley loves to punt forward. I get the feeling Eastmond and Watt will get the nod instead though.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:31 pm
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    —————-Fabianski
    Gilbert—Silvestre–Senderos—????
    ————–Coq—Eastmond
    —————-Ramsey
    —-Wilshere—————Merida
    —————–Vela

    would also love to see jet involved but not quiet sure in which position. also would love to see Frimpong start ahead of eastmond, i know this is harsh but i dnt fink hes good enough for arsenal.

    i mean hes does not possess strength like e.g song, essien hes not exactly a tough tackler like mascherano, flamini and hes recovery pace is non-existent.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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    I would love to see Bartley given a shot at the spot in defence. I have heard so much about him, but unfortunately never had a chance to see him play. Him or Ayling in defence would be really exciting, but as no opportunity to see him play I am in no position to comment whether they are ready or not

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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    nah i would love to see ayling play.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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    Do you guys think it is likely for Traore to play left back? Wonder if Wenger has the courage to risk him now with Clichy and Gibbs out. An alternative could be to play one of the defensive/ holding midfielders out left, or Silvestre…but the latter option unlikely in my opinion

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:48 pm
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    Players that are under 21 need not register right?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:51 pm
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    fully agree with you sebjob. big phil is a guy who gets my respect.
    anyway i hope arsene doesn’t risk traore since there’s no need to. plus we have the mugsmashers on sunday. hopefully another young lad gets a chance at lb instead

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:51 pm
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    Players u21 do not need to be registered for the CL to play. Meaning any youth or reserve team player can 100% play if needed.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm
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    Jax, thanks for the link to the registered players list.

    Does anybody know if all players at the b-list, as mentioned below on the list of registered players; can all of the players on the b-list play?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:56 pm
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    ok, Ben Jones…seems that answers my question

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 3:59 pm
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    nobody mentions Barazite, any particular reason for this?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 4:02 pm
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    He’s injured sebjob…..yes, you guessed it…..while on duty for Holland. :)

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 4:07 pm
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    Barazite is out for months with injury..

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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    fabianksi
    gilbert bartley silvestre traore
    ramsey eastmond merdia
    watt vela wilshere

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 4:12 pm
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    haha…yes, unfortunately not hard to figure out that one.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 4:17 pm
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    Fabianski…Eboue…Traore…Silvestre…Bartley…Wilshere…Ramsey…FMP…Denilson…Vela…Walcott

    JET…RANDALL…SUNU…WATT…EASTMOND will be some of the subs

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 4:18 pm
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    isn’t there a 25 man squad named by each club for the champions league so really fringe players like watt may not be allowed to play? does anybody else know about this?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm
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    to b honest i qould go 4

    fabiamski

    gilbert silvestre bartley cruise

    coq
    ramsey merida
    wilshere walcott
    vela

    the only reason walcott should play is 2 get him match fit.
    no player who is going 2 b in the starting line up 4 sunday shouldnt b on that plane

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:04 pm
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    Fabianski
    Gilbert Bartley Silvestre Traore
    Eastmond/Coquelin
    Ramsey Randall
    Wilshere Merida
    Vela

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:04 pm
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    WTF is Wenger doing, I want us to have a Win, so Clubs are scared of us instead of taking us as a Joke.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:06 pm
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    fab-
    gilbert- le coq- bartley- grandpa-
    Ramsey- eastmond- wilshire-
    Jet/sunu- vela- merida
    But then bench would b a prob.. I’m going 4 sunu over jet..

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:07 pm
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    le gaffer is doing wats best 4 d club.. Thats wat hes doin

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:08 pm
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    olympiakos:
    fabianski,
    gilbert, silvestre, bartley, cruise,
    eastmond, coquelin
    ramsey,
    wilshere, vela, merida,

    subs: mannone, ayling, evina, sunu, watt, henderson, randall,

    fulham reserves:
    dunn
    obed, senderos, boateng, miquel,
    ozyakup, JET, henderson, aneke
    freeman, deacon

    subs: meade, byles, afobe, hajrovic, brislen-hall

    ne1 agree? this is wat u call no 1st teamers

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:12 pm
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    actually swap randall for eastmond or coquelin i can c dat team goin out

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:19 pm
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    Fab, wilshere, merida, ramsey, Silvestre and Vela is certainly start so the rest is up for grabs.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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    Guessing for le boss:

    Wookash
    Gilbert Bartley Song Silvestre
    Eastmond
    Ramsey Wilshere
    Watt Vela Merida

    (Eboue and Traore got hurt at the weekend so I am assuming they aren’t available)

    My choice:
    Wookash
    Eastmond Bartley Ayling JET
    Coquelin
    Ramsey Wilshere
    Watt Vela Merida

    It would ridic young and most probably lose, but I would be so proud of Wenger for it.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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    Fabianski
    Coquelin-Bartley-Silvestre-Traore
    Ramsey-Frimpong-Merida
    Walcott-Vela-Wilshere

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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    would like to see fab gilbert send silv traore randall ramsey wilshere sunu vela merida subs mannone song bartley denilson coquelin nasri watt but think randall and sunu will miss out to eastmond and watt

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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    Who the **** is Wookash

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 6:06 pm
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    Wookash is fabianski, thats how you pronounce his name in poland

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 6:07 pm
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    sky sports quoted wilshire sayin he wants to go on loan to a premier league club.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 6:38 pm
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    GOLDEN RULE – you cant play senderos in the champions league if he is going to be bought by a potential CL team. You can however play him if he isnt.
    He must have pissed off the boss, or he could be injured? Or only God knows.
    I would like to see Vela lead the attack.

    Fabianski
    Gilbert Bartley Silver vest ???????
    Eastmond
    wilshere Ramsey
    Watt Vela Merida

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:01 pm
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    No, Wookash is Szczesny, not Fabianski. And Wookash can not play, he is on loan.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:17 pm
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    fab-traore,bartley,silvestre,gilbert-coquelin,ramsey,merida,wilshere,watt-vela

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:39 pm
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    ok this the team thats registered

    Goalkeepers
    No. Name
    1 Manuel Almunia »
    21 Łukasz Fabiański »
    24 Vito Mannone * »
    49 James Shea *
    53 Wojciech Szczęsny *

    Defenders
    No. Name
    3 Bacary Sagna »
    5 Thomas Vermaelen »
    6 Philippe Senderos »
    10 William Gallas »
    18 Mikaël Silvestre »
    20 Johan Djourou »
    22 Gaël Clichy »
    27 Emmanuel Eboué »
    28 Kieran Gibbs *
    30 Armand Traoré *
    34 Kyle Bartley *
    36 Thomas Cruise *
    37 Craig Eastmond *
    39 Cédric Evina *
    42 Kerrea Gilbert »
    44 Gavin Hoyte *
    46 Luke Ayling *

    Midfielders
    No. Name
    2 Abou Diaby »
    4 Cesc Fàbregas »
    7 Tomáš Rosický »
    8 Samir Nasri »
    15 Denilson * »
    16 Aaron Ramsey »
    17 Alex Song »
    19 Jack Wilshere * »
    32 Fran Mérida »
    33 Nacer Barazite *
    35 Francis Coquelin »
    41 Emmanuel Frimpong *
    43 Conor Henderson *
    48 Mark Randall *

    Forwards
    No. Name
    9 Eduardo »
    11 Robin van Persie »
    12 Carlos Vela »
    14 Theo Walcott *
    23 Andrei Arshavin »
    47 Rhys Murphy *
    51 Gilles Sunu *
    52 Nicklas Bendtner * »
    54 Sanchez Watt *

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:47 pm
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    #

    No, Wookash is Szczesny, not Fabianski. And Wookash can not play, he is on loan.

    haho said this on December 7, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    NOOOOOOO, Wookash IS Fabianski. Szczesny is Chesney. Almunia is the Spanish waiter and Mannone is Don Vito. :)

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:49 pm
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    hmmm.. I see a lotta ppl going 4 bartley n grandpa at centre back.. I dont really lyk that 4 one reason.. 2 left footed players at that position is something that i dont think works particularly well.. Left footed centre backs r quite d rarity.. So when they’re available, they’re almost always played on d left of d 2 cbs.. Silvestre is experienced enough 2 move 2 d ryt, but i believe it’d make a whole lot more sense if he plays left back.. One of d def mid ll slot in as cb, most probably le coq.. I dont have d squad list, but if ayling is also there, i wouldnt b very surprised if bartley n him r our cbs.. I’m sad 2 say, but grandpa is important cover 4 d first team.. Ouch, it hurts 2 even think such a thought.. Come on, everyone reading this site must think they’d b able 2 do better than grandpa..

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:51 pm
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    Bartley is right footed, yaniv, he’s a right footed, right sided centre back.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 7:55 pm
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    Fabianski
    Gilbert Bartley Silvestre Traore
    Eastmond
    Ramsey Wilshere
    Merida Watt
    Vela

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 8:45 pm
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    J do you actually know what players travelled out today for the match, is Theo and Diaby included

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 9:03 pm
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    how has eastmond leap frogged coquelin?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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    ok, i know this might not happen, but i think the safest squad in terms of saving first team players from injury would be:

    Fabianski(to get some playing time after injury)

    Gilbert-Bartley-Senderos-Silvestre

    Ramsey-Coquelin-Merida

    Watt-JET-Wilshere

    Subs: Mannone, Randall, Sunu, Eboue, Vela, Freeman, Frimpong.

    It would be exciting to see how our reserves get on in europe, just to get a glimpse off the possible future, with a touch of experience at the back and on the bench if times get rough.

    What do people think?

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 9:54 pm
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    why does wenger pick silvestre? he is absolutely shocking, probably wengers worst ever buy. Senderos is twice the player!

    Reply
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  • December 7, 2009 at 10:30 pm
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    it would be stupid to risk Traore for this game. We need him for the Liverpool game, especially with Eboue doubtful. So I would leave him out, rather giving JET a game there. I would like to see Eastmond in the middle with Coq at RB. The front four will surely be Vela, Merida, Wilshere and Ramsey. Only change could be if Watt gets a game, then Ramsey and Merida would occupy the midfield along with Coq/Eastmond.

    Where did you see Senderos wouldn’t play? If so then Bartley will surely get a game. Wenger isn’t so stupid to risk the Verminator or Billy. The full back slots are in question but I think Watt might very well get a game up top. That would make our midfield Eastmond/Coq, Ramsey and Merida, a bit similar to Song, Cesc, Denilson. The only problem being that Merida and Ramsey haven’t learn to divide their time between attack and defence yet.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 10:49 pm
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    No one for sundays game plays on wednsday

    Reply
  • December 7, 2009 at 11:02 pm
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    mannone
    gilbert, bartley, silvestre, cruise.
    ramsey, coquelin, randall
    wilshere, vela, merida

    subs: shea, senderos, traore, eastmond, eman-thom, barazite, watt

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 12:14 am
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    http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1898322,00.html

    sg1 said this on December 7, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    haha…that was funny reading. Some short highlights of quoting the text;

    It was with ONLY 10 minutes left on the clock that the hosts took the lead. Freeman beat Clifford on the left flank, broke into the box and FINALLY beat Haxhia who could ONLY watch as the ball SLIPPED over his line.

    Within five minutes the lead was doubled. This time a TIRED Haxhia failed to hold onto a MEDIOCRE Henderson shot and the ball went into the back of the net

    ONLY a SLIP :-)

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 12:53 am
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    JET is still on loan. correct?

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 2:49 am
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    Fabianski
    Coquelin Bartley Silvestre T.Cruise
    Ramsey Eastmond Merida
    Wilshere Watt JET

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 2:57 am
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    Fabiański
    Gilbert Bartley Silvestre Cruise
    Ramsey Eastmond Merida
    Wilshere Vela Watt

    No point in risking Traore at all.

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 3:48 am
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    Sorry about my post above. As I now see finnbl has pointed out (I found the link myself after seeing somebody elses objection) young players can be registered the day before. If this was the rules last year it wasn’t anywhere near as clear in their document!

    Still, the prospect of a young team for this one is making me more excited than for any of the other group games!

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 3:50 am
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    if Traore plays and gets injured then Wenger can’t complain about injury troubles anymore. I blame Le Boss for Bendtner’s absence, he should never have played against Spuds.

    Reply
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  • December 8, 2009 at 7:29 am
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    —————————fabianski————————–

    gilbert———bartley—————–silvestre———eboue

    ———ramsey————eastmond—————merida——-

    wilshere———————vela————————thomas

    OR

    —————————fabianski————————–

    gilbert———bartley—————eastmond———silvestre

    ———ramsey————Conquelin—————merida——-

    wilshere———————vela————————thomas

    OR

    —————————fabianski————————–

    gilbert———bartley—————eastmond———silvestre

    ———ramsey————thomas—————merida——-

    wilshere———————Watt————————Vela

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 8:35 am
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    mannone
    sagna song vermaelen silvestre
    eastmond
    ramsey merida
    walcott vela watt

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 8:36 am
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    sorry, wilshere instead of watt

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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    merida, eastmond,silvestre, wilshere, cruise, jet, vela,sunu, ayling,ramsey, bartley, gilbert, coquelin, song, walcott, fabianski, randall, mannone official team list for olypiakos

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 1:52 pm
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    fabianski
    gilbert–song–bartley—-silvestre
    eastmond/coquelin
    ramsey
    wilshere
    walcott–vela–merida
    subs: mannone, jet, sunu, ayling,randall, cruise,coquelin/eastmond.

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 1:54 pm
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    from wot the pics show on arsenal.com, the team i am expecting is;

    Fabianski
    Gilbert Song Silvestre Cruise
    Eastmond
    Ramsey Merida
    Wilshere Walcott Vela

    subs: mannone, JET, bartley, sunu, ayling, randall etc

    for some reason sanchez watt has not travelled, im very surprised by that as i thought he would of been one of the first ones the plane.

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 2:12 pm
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    spoke to sanchez and he’s gutted, doesn’t know why he’s not going…

    agree with WK on the team tho maybe JET for cruise and wilshere central and merida out wide

    Reply
  • December 8, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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    i think coquelin should play ahead of eastmond cos eastmond struggled against city and coqulein deserves an opportunity. i think JET may have some part to play in the match as our attack lacks real physical presence. i would of liked watt to have travelled as i believe he works hard on the pitch and never stops running, though its not as if we lack pace up front :)

    Reply
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  • December 9, 2009 at 8:41 am
    Permalink

    _________Fabianski
    Gilbert__Song__Sly__Cruise
    _______Ramsey__Eastmond
    _Walcott___Jack19___Merida
    ___________Vela

    Reply

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