Arsène Wenger is set to rotate his squad for tomorrow’s F.A Cup third round encounter with West Ham United, with a selection of his out-of-favour first-team set to be mixed with a scattering of young Carling Cup talent.
Wenger previously admitted his desire to play his strongest possible XI in a bid to claim the hallowed trophy, but a re-emergence in the Premier League title race has changed the Frenchman’s thinking. Arsenal’s F.A Cup campaign, especially in the early rounds, will now play host to the cream of the crop of Carling Cup talents along with a selection of more experienced players.
Competition will be fierce. Craig Eastmond and Francis Coquelin are both battling hard to be the ‘internal solution’ to Alexandre Song’s absence, while a plethora of attacking talent, which includes Jack Wilshere, Fran Mérida, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Sanchez Watt and the returning Nacer Barazite, will all be vying for potential starting and substitute places.
But who do you think deserves a chance to prove themselves and who could really buckle down a place in the side in the coming months? leave your answers in the comment section below.
Article By – J.Sanderson
how close is bazarite j? Merida and le cog/eastmond for sure deserve a shot. would love to see what jet can do but doubt he’ll be a starter
I expect Wilshere an Merida to start id also like to see JET on the bench and maybe Sanchez to.
fabianski
sagna tv senderos traore
ramsey merida merida
wislhere eduardo vela
oops put eastmond in the middle instead of merida(1)
Barazite is close to coming back to full fitness, he’s a couple of weeks off yet.
Barazite is skilful and technically gifted but has a distinct lack of pace.
Eastmond I don’t rate at all – lacking in physique for the highest level.
no9: nice team of midgets
its not an all young side is it??
most likely.
Fabianski
Sagna Senderos Silvestre Traore
Ramsey Diaby Merida
Nasri Eduardo Rosicky
so is arshavin. doesn’t stop him and eastmond is only young.. give the lad a break
This is the most probable StartingXI I think:
Fabianski
Sagna-Silvestre-Senderos-Traore
Ramsey-Song-Diaby
Wilshere-Eduardo-Rosicky
Wilshere will not play, methinks. He will be cup-tied for his loan to Burnley, they will not want that.
Fabianski
gilbert eastmond senderos cruise
aneke ozyakup merida sunu
eduardo afobe
I pray we never see Marc Randall play for Arsenal again.. The lad is just utter shit
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I would rather see Wenger play another player than Merida in defence, am feeling this is another Flamini with his stalling unfortunately. Though I could be wrong, as I also believe Rosicky will sign and a lot of players have signed new contracts lately. It is better to give more game time to others if it is likely he will not stay.
I pray that Randall plays from the start tomorrow, he is utter good.
This is quite different from the League Cup, the pressure in the FA cup is much bigger. So depends who can handle this. The King agree with a lot of the players, except Nasri and Sagna. Eboue has not left yet and should play, as well Nasri worried me last game so very much would like to see him rested. Sanchez Watt did not impress me the City game. Wilshere I would like to see on the wing like no.9 show
27 Sun
30 Wed
03 Sun
06 Wed
09 Sat
13 days
Henderson is not mentioned by Sanderson as a likely candidate, is this because of his current condition or that the others are seen as better?
This is Song’s last game before he goes so he will play. I think we’ll put out something like this:
Fabianski
Sagna Silvestre Senderos Traore
Ramsey Song Rosicky
Nasri Eduardo Vela
assuming Wilshere does not play because he’d be cuptied.
you’ve known for 3-4 weeks now that a forward is needed, but i’m more worried about the defence. a centre half is required ABSOLUTELY!!!! NO QUESTION!!!!!! the back-up guys cant carry you where you wont to go!!!!! i’d be happy if we brought in sakho and adriano!!!! that would be a dream, and not unrealistic!!!!!
JET and Watt up front?
none of this years fa youth cup players will play
and the bench will be strong imo
why would u play jet and watt upfront, do u want us to lose?
everybody has forgotten about coquellin and have started going on about eastmond, why?
who do yous think is the better player? i say coquellin, i dont understand why wenger is putting eastmond ahead of coquellin!
JW left foot, agree with you likely song will play as I think it is still a week till they play. And Vela definitely and Eduardo needs game time because even scoring he is far from good form
oh n i say freeman n afobe shhould get a chance, if one of them impresses then thats the striker problem sorted
Fab
Eboue Senderos Silvestre Traore
Song
Ramsey Merida
Vela Eduardo Rosicky
look at Silvestre interview in skysports today, brilliant attitude! what a guy to have as a back up, really see him as a good role model
I really would like to see Wilshere start, he could be great seeing that this tie is against one of the teams he has supported growing up. But like Haho said that would make him cup tied for Burnley if he is loaned there. It seems like a lot of people think that merida will leave. I’m inclined to agree seeing how Ramsey has stepped up. Diaby is ahead as well, not to mention Cesc. Wilshere might be ahead too in Arsene’s eyes. The thing that bothers me most is that others could follow as well, like Barazite…it’d be too bad that we might not get to see some of them get the chance to prove their worth, but I guess that’s reality and I gotta live with it lol. And anyways, the youth and reserve coaches, as well as Arsene know these players the best. You always wonder about these things though don’t you?? It’d be too bad if Merida jumped the gun ,or any others for that matter.
ADEBAYOR
Eboue has left for the ACN seb.
I would rest Sagna and play Gilbert, with Senderos, Silvestre and Traore in defence, Merida, Song and ramsey in midfield and Wilshire, Vela and Eduardo in attack…
Jack and Eastmond. Since Wenger wont buy a CDM, eastmond should be given chance to play and learn to replace Song. Jack has been a bench warmer for too long and must be rearing to go. Merida has not signed a contract and needs to know that we can play without him.
———–Fabianski———–
Sagna Silvestre Senderos Traore
——Ramsey Song Diaby——–
—-Rosicky Vela Eduardo——-
Subs: Wilshere, JET, Merida, eastmond, Coquelin, Watt, Mannone
Lets not get carried away. Wenger may want to rotate but this is no Carling Cup fixture, Arsenal have a fair chance of lifting the FA Cup and most of our youngsters don’t have the physique to play at the top level. I think this is how we will line up:
Fabianski
Eboue-Senderos-Silvestre-Traore
Ramsey-Song-Rosicky
Rosicky-Eduardo-Wilshere
Bench: Mannone, Vermaelen, Randall, Merida, Vela
Ooops, replace the midfield Rosicky for Merida and place Nasri on the bench.
Eboue left before the Pompey game, hence why he was not in the squad. I think it will be somewhat between the CC team and the regular starting XI. Fabiansky will get a chance in goal. Sylvestre and Senderos might very well get a chance as well with Song playing his last game in midfield. Ramsey is sure to start, probably rest Arshavin, even Diaby and Sagna. My guess:
———Fabiansky————
Gilbert–Sender–Sylve–Traore
———-Song—————-
——-Ramsey–Rosicky——–
Nasri——Eduardo——-Vela
Subs: Mannone, Vermalean, Sagna, Diaby, Merida, Wilshere, Arshavin
That’s my guess, I don’t think he will chance. Would be cool to let Eastmond get a game at RB instead of Gilbert. Or maybe play both and give Traore a breather before all the action ahead. No need to rest Ramsey or Song, Nasri is the kind who can play a lot and Eduardo needs game-time.
Song is clearly going to have one last game before african nations cup. If eboues fit he will play right back, senderos starts if fit probly alongside one of gallas or verm. traore left back, song ramsey merida. wilshere vela eduardo.
Arsenal will put a a strong team out maybe song will play in defence with silvestre so it could be a very young midfield of ramsey eastmond merida with the experience of rosicky helping guys like wilshere and vela
Fabianski
gilbert Song silvestre traore
ramsey eastmond merida
wilshere vela rosicky
Someone mentioned two posts up that Eboue has already left, and unfortunately we only have one Rosicky. :-(
Meh 3 posts since I checked heh
Cheers guys
Wengers going to sign ryan babel.
why eastmond! coquellin is far better
Maybe:
Fabianski
Eboue Eastmond Senderous Traore
Nasri Ramsey Denilson Merida
Vela Watt
thanks for the info Spike,then I would guess Gilbert playing in stead of sagna and eboue
song is denfenately playing tomorrow before he leaves for africa
i dont think eddy will start
he’ll want eddy for the two matchs at home aganst bolton and everton me thinks
our three subs eddy arshavin nasri if needs be
Fabianski
Eboue – Bartley – Silvestre – Traore
Song
Ramsey – Merida
Walcott Vela
Eduardo
JET, Watt and Coquelin to come from the bench.
Why would Wenger plan Fran Merida as he is now free to dicuss terms with other clubs and has never shown a desire to sign the contract offered him by the club???
Why not give Benik Afobe a try in a big game?
If Merida leaves then so be it. Wenger rarely gets this wrong. He’s always done what he thinks is best for the team and the club, so any egos that need massaging will stay needy if that is for the greater good.
Wenger loves players with the right attitude which is possibly why Eastmond has found himself in contention recently. So if Merida wants to play silly so-and-so’s with contracts he will just get rid of him. If that is the case then Merida will learn to regret leaving us, just like Flamini and Hleb did. Whatever happened to them…?
Give Merida a go before he leaves for Spain. Think of it a a nice parting gift.
I could see this team playing:
Fabianski
Sagna-Silvestre-Senderos-Traore
Ramsey-Song-Merida
Wilshere-Vela-Rosicky
With the bench a mix of experience and youth:
Mannone
Bartley
Eastmond
Diaby
JET
Watt
Eduardo
————–Fabianski
Gilbert—Senderos—Silvestre—Cruise
—————-Coquilin
——–Ramsey———-Merida
—Watt———————Wilshere
—————Afobe
Bench:Rosicky, Vela, Eduardo etc…
Goonerrez mentioned Afobe and i think it’s worth a shot.
What is the point in slagging of youth players such as Mark Randall. If he as bad as everybody claims he wouldnt still be at the club.
Vela and merida should definitely start.
Id like to see barazite get a chance as well, even if it’s from the bench. he plays well every time I watch him.
Wenger shouldnt play too many youngsters in an FA cup game.
To the person who suggested Freeman and Afobe to get a chance: FAT CHANCE (!) How on Earth would these two, who have only just become reserve players, participate in an FA Cup tie against West Ham??
Nevermind the team I posted earlier, I think it’ll be:
Fabianski
Gilbert-Song-Silvestre-Traore
Ramsey-Eastmond-Merida
Rosicky-Eduardo-Wilshere
Bench: Mannone, Vermaelen, Randall, Arshavin, Vela.
Am I right in thinking that the rules haven’t changed, and FA Cup benches only include 5 players and not 7?
Did you not see Randall’s unbelievably good chip in the Carling Cup v West Brom. Hit the bar, and I think Sanchez Watt or Vela scored from the rebound. Classy. He’s also rated as 70 on Fifa, and Wilshere is 73 so he’s not that bad.
Merida is too good. He will become a great player whether he stays here or not. It’s just a matter of time for him.
That’s not to say we need him more than he needs us. We have other great players in the making. Id just like for us to hold onto as many as possible. Injuries and outside means can hinder the progress of the others, and it would be beneficial for a group of talented young players to progress together.
I wouldnt think him egotistical if he decided to leave. Lets face it. Walcott has had a free ride getting into the first team when he hasnt been any better than merida really until recently (perhaps). Its unfair the way wenger has just selected his favourite to receive all the extra playing time (and 60k pw contract) when hes not actually any better than the other youngsters. Id be pretty annoyed if i were vela or merida. Even randall was more deserving of 1st team football than theo 2 years ago. His understanding of the game was years ahead of walcott.
we need to rest player for mid week and the coming weekend so
Fabianski
gilbert senderous TV Silvester
rosicky Song Eastmond
Merida Vela Watt/jet
Is there any chance that merida will sign a new deal?
He has had three monts to sign the dam thing. Cesc should have had had a word in his ear about messing Wenger around. This so-called superkid cost us £2M remember as he was found guilty of breaking his contract with Barca. As he could not afford the fine, the club paid it for him. Players need to think a little more before they think the financial grass might be greener in the land of La Liga (which is where he will go).
My god have ppl not noticed Wenger has played eastmond in the carling cup and has been on the bench he must be performing ahead of frimpong and coqulin im glad wenger is given him a chance hes a north london lad we need more local players coming through. They care about the club more and will give everything
Stop putting Eduardo in your line-ups, you assholes!
The lad hardly plays that many games in a week. He was one of those Wenger said is “on the edge” and may be rested.
Up steps Vela!
Yay 4 Eastmond,
Fabianski
Gilberto, Bartley, Silvestre, Traore
Merida, Song, Ramsey
JET, Vela, Rosicky
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Arshavin, Watt, Eastmond, Randall, Ayling
Eduardo has been crap lets be honest hes needs games he looks slow, weak he looks like a sunday league player atm
We should give Carlos vela some games but we need to play 2 up front if we play him or its juz going to get isolated
Fab
Eastmond sende verm silves rambo song rosicky
wilshere edu vela
Song should play for sure! We play bolton in mid week and until now a DM hasn,t been found to fill in for song. I think diaby is the obvious candidate. Although he is more attacking minded in a defensive role his stature, experience and most importantly current form could carry our team while the likes of fab,song,denilson are out.
fab
gilbert,song,senderos,silvester
diaby
ramsey,rosiky
nasri, vela, merida
Jamie do you know the 19 man squad that travelled?
I’m hoping JET, Ramsey, Wilshere, Vela get starts, and maybe even Bartley will get a chance.
Merida is on the verge of signing a new contract and id love to see Kyle Bartley play.
vito mannone,silvesta,song,sagna,vela,merida,ramsey,eastmond,rosicky,eduado,traore,arshavin.information 4-4-2.
So, Sean, you sort of proved (or lucked out, which I do not hope) you are the man in the know. Anything else to tell us?
I think a lot of people are confusing the FA cup with the Carling Cup. Wenger rotates in a few fringe first-team players in the FA, but it isn’t a complete Reserves team squad like the Carling Cup.
Here’s the starting lineup for our first FA Cup game last season (against a weaker opponent in Plymouth):
Fabianski
Sagna-Djourou-Gallas-Silvestre
Eboue-Ramsey-Diaby-Nasri
Van Persie-Bendtner
All of those players had many Premiership appearances at that point, except for Ramsey (who though did have 11 Champions League and EPL appearances at that point).
Translation: Players like Vela and Senderos will likely start, not players like Afobe or Watt.
Who the hell is this imposter talking absolute bollocks in my name?
Afobe? Freeman?
Do one.
Anthony if you are implying that to me did you interpret that I think Freeman and Afobe stand a chance of playing against West Ham, or vice versa?
———–Fabiwanski———–
Gilbert-Senderos-Silvestre-Traore
————-Song—————
———-Ramsey-Merida———
Walcott——————-Rosisky
————-Vela—————
Subs: Mannone, Vermulaen, Gallas, Sagna, Diaby, Arshavin, Wilshere
*Eduardo comletly rested.
**Sagna may start instead of Gilbert with Nasri takeing his place
this is the FA cup not carling cup, so why is everyone hoping we play a team like we did away at olympiakos when nothing mattered, if we lose tomoz thats it, its over, play a strong team with mix of youth e.g vela, merida, maybe eastmand, not too many changes, this is the FA cup and im sure its high on wengers priority list
To be honest, i think Benik Afobe should get a chance from the things i hear about him, and Chucks Aneke,even if its just on the bench.
Also, i would love to JET playing a full game. I watched him play a few times for Blackpool and he looks like a Vieira – AND HE’S ENGLISH!
Gavin Hoyte i think should get a little game in too. Give Sagna a rest – i dont rate Gilbert at all, too old now to be considered a ‘Future Prospect’.
Hopefully Sanchez Watt will get on the bench at least because i saw him at the WBA League Cup tie and hought he was more than useful.
Finally, i think it would be fantastic to see Luke Freeman because i havent seen him play before but ive heard good stuff about him!
PS. Im 16 years old and i think this website is fantastic, keep up the good work Mr. Sanderson!
Man this Sean guy loves to tease doesn’t he?? As soon as someone asks him a question he screws off. He’s kinda like Deepthroat during watergate!! LOL It’s kinda funny.It’d be cool if Merida did sign a new contract but like someone said earlier, there is no room for players who play guessing games with Wenger or need to have their ego stroked
Have you ever seen Sean and Wenger in the same room? Coincidince i think not
hahaa, Sean can you tell us which 18 players will travel at least?
Fabianski
Eastmond Senderos Silvertre Traore
Ramsey Song Rosicky
Walcott Eduardo C.Vela
I believe we will start with a team like this. If senderos doesnt play I expect Bartley or Eastmond to play CB with Gilbert RB. Might even throw Jet in at Lb to rest Traore
Merida is what? 19, if Atletico offer him a hefty pay check and sun and “the sweet life” and arsen offer him an ok pay check, to battle for a starting place and stay junior or backup for another two years in one of the worlds best clubs, what would you do? How many teenagers that think they are best would be willing to wait? Thats right only the ones with good abilities both mentally and playwise. Wheter Merida is overconfident or will see the “light” non of us can judge until he eventually leaves or signs. I hope for his sake he stays, as everyone knows Wenger is fabulous with young talents. And merida may be good but he is not that good. Good example of young cocky arrogant kid is boothroyd and Pennant. Both had potential, where are they now?
To Matt: Gavin Hoyte is on loan at Brighton and played 90 minutes in their FA cup match today (which they won), thus he can’t play tomorrow and can’t play in this season in the FA Cup for Arsenal as he’s now cup-tied.
You hardly need to “travel” to West Ham away, so the travelling party is unlikely to be announced.
my guess:
RB: eastmond (played in that position for most of last year) and traore at LB. silvestre and senderos at CB. song, merida and ramsey in midfield. with eduardo leading the line with vela on the left and rosicky on the right
quite a few young comments on this site –
How close is Clichy really –
If he’s out for 2-3 weeks still there’s only Sylvestre as cover that I can see – so therefore play him LB tomorrow move Song CB where I believe he will end up and put in the guy you think will be internal back up – Eastmond came on against Pompey so I’d go
Fab
Sagna Song Senderos Sylvestre
Eastmond
Ramsey Rosicky
Wilshere Vela Eduardo
Actually the more you think about it the more open it is.
You know what i really dnt understand, is people coming on here critising our young players have u nothing better to do than to come on this website about our young players juts to slag them off save that for a first team website. How do you think our players will develop if dickheads like you carry on doing this crap, for example people getting bent out of shape becuase wenger is starting eastmond instead of coquelin, you should be happy for him instead asking questions and calling him shit. If wenger is happy with him we certainly should be too as he knows a lot more about these players than we do. Earlier on i just read a stupid comment about eastmond being shit becuase he doesnt have the physique to make it at the top level, like your some physician expert u imbicle. And all this sudden critism of mark randall i will never understand becuase a couple years ago the same ppl was saying hes the future of arsenal. I think jay should ban all negative comments about our young guns becuase if they are aware of this website im surprised that its not been reported to the club and been shut down.
silvestre better have an excellent attitude if i’m paying him 40k a week.
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Quite confident the mid and attack will be: song, merida, ramsey, wilshere, vela, rosicky. I think Fab will be in goals. The def will depend on how much rest Sagna and Traore need. If they play then senderos/silvestre will man the middle. Otherwise eastmond/Gilbert on the right with Bartley coming into the centre and Silvestre going to the left.
——-———Fabiansky———————-
Gilbert–Senderos–Silvestre–Traore
——————Song—————————
———Ramsey——–Rosicky———––
—–Merida——Eduardo——-Vela——-
Spike has it spot on the rest of the post after this were pointless.
CJ is spot on. It wouldnt suprise me at all if some of the younger players follow this website. You have to remeber that they are just kids and they are at arsenal for a reason
yeah cj
jay you should remove all comments criticizing young players
if they do read this site and some muppet is bashing them it can’t be good for morale
like with the under 16s they have no league no pressure
a ban on negative coments please
i see your point about removing critisism but would you rather have strong minded players how can perform despite being critised as will inevitably happen in their career, or weak players incapable or handling it and likely to be incapable of handling the big stage?
tkr thats pathetic, we dont live in korea do you realise.
I agree no9, very pathetic comment.
Calling players shit and claiming that they shouldnt play again is just destructive. Look at all the abuse Alex Song took and now we dont know what we are going to do without him