Arsène Wenger has key decisions to make ahead of tomorrows Carling Cup Quarter-Final with Wigan Athletic. Injuries plus the return to fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia leaves the Frenchman needing to make difficult choices.
Wenger has chosen a largely experienced side to compete in this years Cup campaign, with fringe Reserves proving the exception and not the rule. However, the change in fitness to some of the expected squad means important decisions in key areas need to be made.
Wojciech Szczęsny impressed against Newcastle United in the last round, but Manuel Almunia has since returned to fitness and is pushing to reclaim the right to be Łukasz Fabiański’s back up. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Eboué has been ruled out for a month so Håvard Nordtveit could take his place at right back.
Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are all expected to form a front line, but options on the bench are still yet to be decided. Carlos Vela has been doing extra fitness work, along with van Persie, but he faces competition from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who would also add versatility.
The biggest selection issue comes in central midfield. Craig Eastmond played against Newcastle but has looked shaky in bigger games. Alexandre Song would preferably be rested, yet questions marks still remain over Eastmond.
You can follow the build up to the game on our Twitter feed.
I’ll be disappointed if Szczesny doesn’t start but we can relax a bit with him now he’s signed a contract so we might see Almunia a few times before he surely goes at the end of the season, if not in January.
Szczesny
Nordtveit Djourou Koscielny Gibbs
Eastmond Denilson
Walcott Rosicky Bendtner
Van Persie
Vela, JET, Nasri, Wilshere, Clichy, Sagna, Almunia.
my guess is
szczesny
djourou
koscielny
eastmond
gibbs
denilson
wilshere
rosicky
vela
bendtner
walcott
subs….
almunia
squillaci
sagna
song
RVP
JET
Nasri
the GK dilemma is very interesting. Personally I’d like to see Szczesny remain in the CC team.
Something like this would be good
Szczesny
Nordveit Koscielny Djourou Gibbs
Denilson Song Wilshere
Bendtner VP Walcott
Bench:
Fabianski
Sagna
Clichy
Eastmond
Nasri
JET
Chamakh
Szczesny
Eastmond Djourou Koscielny Gibbs
Rosicky Denilson
Walcott Van Persie Vela
Bendtner
Will be incredibly disappointed if Tec9 is pushed out of the team for Almunia. This competition is for blooding youngsters and integrating them with the first team, not keeping previous 1st choice players who have lost their place happy. Woj deserves to play, he hasn’t done much wrong since coming in.
I’m surprised that Vela doesn’t make either of your squads (above), i’d have him starting instead of theo. We dont know how RVP is either so maybe JEt and Vela can both start.
I’d like to see Veal start. When he came on against braga he showed a willingness to harass defenders, surely its time to give him some starts. For that to happen id ne happy to leave Bendtner on the bench.
I’d like to see:
Tec9
Nordveit Kos Djourou Gibbs
JET Denilson Wilshere Theo
Bendtner RvP
(not enough CMs to play 433)
Thought Eastmond looked very very suspect in his last game for us, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t put out a nice attacking team. JET deserves a start, his reserve form has been good and I get the feeling he needs to start a senior game to help him push on.
It’s funny how i came on here to display how pissed i would be if Almunia was selected ahead of Tech9, only to see all the previous comments have beaten me to it. Don’t be surprised when AW opts for Almunia instead though my fellow Gooners. In fact, something tells me he will select a team that i won’t like with players who don’t really deserve their shot. I’m used to it now.
Would rather see JET given a chance ahead of both Vela and Theo. How will we ever find out if he can perform as well in the 1st team as he does in the reserves if he isnt given a chance. Eastmond done a job last year when we was low on numbers but has looked extremely shaky this year. Walcott never looks great when starting but in fairness when he is on his game he’s worth his place. Far to hit and miss tho. Vela just doesnt impress me at all.
The Wigan boss was on sky earlier saying he would field a severely weakened team, he practially conceded the game. I dont normally say this but this one really should be a walk over whoever we play
This might be a stupid question but I don’t know..
Why do people refer to Szczesny as Tec9?
Is it his nickname because his name’s so easy to pronounce?
Formation 4-4-1-1.
Szczesny
Sagna – Squillaci – Djourou – Gibbs
Denilson- Wilshere
Walcott Rosicky
Van Persie
Bentdner
Subs
1.Almunia
2.Koscielny
3.Clichy
4.Nasri
5.Arshavin
6.J.E.T
7.Vela
I dont think Eastmond is good enough actually I dont really rate him full stop I would like to see Wilshere start and Rosicky come on. Its important that if you get a good start we rotate wisely especially with all the matches coming up. The likes of Vela, Jet and Eastmond coming on when the game is won hopefully by half time.
———— Sczcensy————-
Nordveit— Koscielny Djourou —-Gibbs
Denilson Wilshere/Rosicky
Walcott ———– V Persie
———-Bendtner
john i cant see Bendtner “shut your mouth and perform” will make it at Arsenal!!! Afobe is the future!!
Eastmond’s had a couple of shaky games but he needs to play. It would be daft to make Wilshere play yet another match at his age, AND deny Eastmond a good run out.
Eastmond needs a loan spell soon, and a CC game against Wigan is absolutely perfect to put him in the shop window.
Would love for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to get 90mins to see what he can do.
I would give Ignasi Miquel a chance
Miquel? yeah right, we what to win the game.
It is a tricky affair trying to select a team for this game. For sure Wenger is serious about winning this game, but he must also have another eye on the weekend fixture. The carling cup side has actually not performed admirably despite winning. Against Spurs the team was struggling until the introduction of Arshavin and Chamakh. Against Newcastle the first half performance was not good enough and the fortunate own goal change the complexion of the game and then the introduction of Fabregas turned it completely. Basically the same team played against Braga and Donetsk in the away games and failed to spark. Wenger should have this in mind when he selects his team. In my opinion the problem was in the mid field-Jack, Denilson, Eastmond do not make a good combination. My preferred team would be:
Szczensy
Nordtveit Djourou Squillaci Gibbs
Denilson Jack Rosicky
Theo Bendtner Vela
Subs: Koscielny clichy Sagna Van Persie Arshavin Aluminia Nasri
What a load of nonsense.
The CC games at Spurs and Newcastle were two of our best performances this season. We were struggling against the Spuds?? We completely bossed the game, which only went into extra time because of Keane’s blatantly offside goal.
I agree that our second string is not as finely tuned as we’d hope, and it’s bereft of proven match winners (esp. creativity going forward). But Wigan are not in the Champion’s League! There is a bigger gap between Wigan and Braga than there is between our first and second string. Especially given the form of our center backs and especially given that Wigan will rest players, too.
Eastmond does need to play. Just not for Arsenal at the moment. He does seem a completely different animal in reserve matches and i think its more of a psycological thing than the gulf in class between 1st team and reserves. He seems like he is unwilling to take a risk in the 1st team and everytime he gets the ball it goes sideways or backwards where as in the reserves he is a lot more forward thinking.
“Eastmond does need to play. Just not for Arsenal at the moment.”
Uhm…. for who then?
Szczesny
Eastmond – Koscielny – Djourou – Gibbs
Rosicky – Denilson – Wilshere
Walcott – Bendtner – Vela
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Nordtveid, Song, Nasri, JET, Van Persie
Szczesny
Sagna Djourou Koscielny Gibbs
Denilson Wilshere
Walcott Van Persie(c) Vela
Bendtner
Subs:
Almunia
Clichy
Song
Rosicky
Emmanuel-Thomas
Nasri
Arshavin
all i want to see is chesney and JET in the starting line-up
that comment could came from me! JET in the squad and I will be happy. At least 30 min play for JET and its fine. I really really wanna see if he can handle the premier league teams.
AW cannot “blood” the younsters in CC anymore. Why you may ask?
The arsenal fans are calling for blood. tey want trophies or heads will roll. So Arsenals fans have forced the club to go strongly for CC this year. Meaning most fans dont want to see youngsters thow away tis oportunity for a cup. They want to win and then blood youngsters next yers if that is what it takes to win.
Arsenal fans are silly no?
I reckon it will be:
Almunia
Eboue – Djourou – Koscielny – Gibbs
Denilson-Eastmond(unfortunately)-Wilshere
JET – Bendtner – Vela
Subs:
Szczesny, Sagna, Clichy, Song, van Persie, Walcott, Rosicky
Wouldn’t be too shocked if Vermaelen or Diaby made remarkable comebacks to be in the squad tho to be honest!
Can’t personally see RVP and Bendtner on the pitch at the same time. Like to see Nordveit possibly.
Szczesny
Sagna – Djourou – Koscielny – Gibbs
Wilshere – Denilson – Rosicky
Walcott – RVP – JET
This sure is tricky. In my last post i said i wanted to see Vela start then someone mentione JET and that got me thinkin i ALSO want to see JET start but u=im not sure we should play both and still expect to win. At the mo Vela is ahead of JET in terms of deserving a start. Also i heard rumour JETs been out boozing his talent away at night clubs so im not sure he’s in the right frame of mind, pity that.
O.K. so I’m going to ask a question that’s already been asked but overlooked. Why is Ches called Tech 9? I’ve googled it and couldn’t find an answer so I figure if anyone knows it’ll be you good lads and lasses. If I’m not mistaken a Tech 9 is a semi-automatic hand gun, strange thing to call a keeper.
unless Szczesny has been under performing in practice, I would be very surprised if he didn’t start. And Eboue is back. Squillaci is injured so I doubt Wenger will risk Koscielny for this tie since we are VERY short in central defence at the moment.
Szczesny
Eboue – Nordveit – Djourou – Gibbs
——–Eastmond———
—-Denilson – Rosicky—–
Walcott—-RvP——Bendtner
Subs: Almunia/Shea, Miguel, Djourou, Wilshere, JET, Vela, Nasri
Jimi. RvP and Bendtner started last season together up front alongside Arshavin before van Persie injured his ankle. And they did very well, so they are definitely capable of playing together.
I would like to see nordtveit and jet given a chance, unfortunately i think eastmond will start and they wont
I’m jumping on the bandwagon here and demand to know why Szczesnys called Tech-9!! Or does no one actually know…? I cannot ever bring myself to call an Arsenal player Tech-9,why not good old Wojjy!?
bit harsh on eastmond you guys give the bo y a chance always been thrown into the away fixtures maybe if he played along side the more experience players in the team he might have a chance
I know this is random and I don’t mean to sound gay, but has anyone else noticed how darn big Lansbury’s feet are?? I know he’s a tall guy, but even so, they look big even on him!! I just watched the highlights of his match against Ipswitch and I noticed that hahahaha. He reminded me a lot of David Beckham in those highlights. I know he can play centrally, but he reminded me of him when he was playing out there on the right. I know I’m not the first person to have noticed this am I?? I’m sure I heard someone else make the same comparison!!
I love how about half these line ups posted seem to think Wenger is changing his formation for this game lol. I think I even saw a 4-4-2 posted up there.
I noticed that too. I don’t know if we’ll ever go back to 4-4-2. Or even 4-4-1-1 which is a variation on 4-4-2. the closest we have come to plaing 4-4-2 this season was when we played 4-5-1 in a couple of matches. We played with 4 defenders, 4 midfielders across the middle with Cesc in front and then we played with Chamakh as the lone striker. That is the closest we have come to playing 4-4-2 and I don’t see Wenger actually switching back.
We clearly are playing a 4-2-3-1 at the moment (which I hate for us to play) but Wenger is not 1 to change his formation game in and game out.
I hate the 4-2-3-1 because I don’t think it is necessary and it makes us more predictable in attack not to mention, it seems to get us disorganized a lot. I prefer the 4-3-3 where Song sat in behind then you would have Wilshere and Fabregas both there for attack and defense. Also Fabregas keeps wanting to drop deeper and deeper anyways in games. Also Fabregas is being taken away from what he is best at. Controlling the tempo of the game. There are hundreds of attacking midfielders but there are not a whole lot of players that can control the pace of a game.
O yah, I was glad to see Arshavin move into the middle of the pitch finally. He is much better there and he has less defensive responsibilities which really just tires him out. I am a little upset that it took this long to put him there when it has been his best position for ever now but still.
I don’t like the 4-2-3-1 either. It just causes too much confusion between the lines like you said. I have always maintained that Cesc plays best when coming from deep. He is more like a Xavi or Guardiola than an Iniesta, Nasri, Ozil etc. Like you said, he can control the flow and pace of a match, and the only way for him to do that is to take the ball from the defence like a Xavi or Guardiola did. Arshavin was waaaaay better playing in the middle. The problem we have is that we have a lack of depth for the left wing position, so he has had to play out there a lot. Wellington Silva can play there too but he isn’t really an option right now hahahaha. We also have Vela, but that isn’t his best position either. RVP can play there as well, but then again, that isn’t even close to being his best position. I admire Arshavin for silently going about his job on the left wing. He hasn’t really complained about being played out of position. He only did when he was being played as a central striker last year, which was necessary, but ludicrous all the same!!
Yah, it just irritates me when i hear so many people giving Arshavin shit even though he is clearly played out of position and it is not like he does not put in effort, he simply does not have the endurance to track back all the time and still have energy for attack. Anyone that saw him for Zenit knows how also he is at that Center attacking midfielder or in the whole right behind the striker.
Benik afobe has family relatives on this blog posting lol at first i thought benik afobe actually looks at these blogs no he doesnt someone has grassed me up
I would love to know who they are or is. Cause ppl are telling him what i have said about him
Maybe wrenny, KC gunner, tj da goon, or even JS have told him wha i have said
Give credit where credit is due you imbecile
HaHaHa! Wow boy, you really are all foam and no beer aren’t you!
My feeling is the people you listed (including myself) call’em as they see’em, simple as that.
However, if I knew Benik Afobe (which I don’t) I would absolutely have him read your comments. They may be youngsters, but any Arsenal youth player still experiences a lot of pressure…they can all use a big laugh now and then, I would imagine that includes young Afobe.
But I would preface his introduction to your commentary by explaining to him that you are so dumb you couldn’t pour water out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel.
“Hey Benik, read this…this is the dude who thinks Samir Nasri isn’t Arsenal quality…”
HaHaHaHaHahaHaHa!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Team i’d like to see:
Chesney
Nord/Eboue Djorou Kozzer Gibbs
Denilson Eastmond Wilshere/Rosicky
RVP/Vela Bendtner Walcott
BTW Lansbury’s excellent performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=sub&hl=en&v=PGKTi1Sk5PI&gl=US
I’ll be astonished if Almunia plays, unless it’s to regain match fitness. As soon as he’s fit, he’ll be back in the first team, I expect.
http://this11.com/boards/1291091885177565.jpg
likely team news for the WBA game
would love to see:
—————–chesney—————
nordtveit – djourou – koscielny – gibbs
——theo – denilson – JET – vela—–
————-robin———————
——————bendtner————-
Benik afobe played well against Maccesfiled town a league 2 side below league 1. Yh hes done terrifically well.
For a 17 hes done well but i just cant see him making it with the strikers arsenal have got atm.
For god sakes samir nasri is quality hes just not a first team player in my eyes.
Aaron ramsey, jack wilshere are more effective than samir nasri.
Nasri he passes the sideways, shows nice touches, keeps the ball well but he hardly creates chances he hasnt got the vision like what fabregas, arshavin, rosicky, ramsey, wilshere have got
I personally feel abou diaby is more effective than samir nasri in midfield.
Bet some off you havent even been to a game to see for yourself. Always condeming players. Write note to Wenger and tell him whos rubbish in your eyes i am sure he will listen to you Ha Ha Ha.
Before putting down the young ones who only play carling cup games you need to look at the more exsperance players in the team that look like they cant be bothered
Nasri has been our best player this season, its one of the reasons Theo isn’t getting a look in. I hope JET plays and hopefully will see another reserve lad get some decent minutes.
I think John watches the Arsenal team that plays in Argentina, Arsenal de sarandi and not the Arsenal that plays in England.
Not only do i watch arsenal i actually go to the emirates and watch games live.
In my opinion samir nasri is a good player but there are better players ahead of him.
Samir nasri isnt ruthless enough, he shows off takes the mickey out of teams as well like the villa, spurs game thought the game was won and decided to take the mickey.
Nasri is wasted playing wide where we could do with some quality wingers
How could Wenger play Walcott in midfield in a 4-3-3?? That just seems really weird to me.
Ahhhhh I get it!!They’re actually playing 4-2-3-1, not 4-3-3. Walcott is playing on the right of the 3 in midfield. That makes more sense!! hahaha.
Lansbury has done the right thing.. go out on loan (it was his choice)..to sit there like JET and Eastmond and get 5 to 15 mins every Carling Cup .. how is that going to improve their game and train with the reserves (kids) the rest of the time…they will only go backwards.. they need to be brave enough and get out and test themselves (i appreciate JET has last year..but needs to carry on improving)
Obviously it has improved JET because he is still getting better. Playing championship or training week in and week out with the quality players at Arsenal…tough call.
John, do you not like Nasri at all or do you just not like him out on the wings?? As for him not being decisive enough, i think that’s rubbish. He is a better dribbler than Cesc, so of course he wouldn’t have to pass everytime he comes to a defender. Instead he can go past the defender on his own. I have seen him make some lovely goals over the past 3 years and I think he is improving all the time. The only thing I don’t like about him is that he is a bit theatrical at times, and dives too much for my liking. If he could cut that out he’d be an even more effective player!! Hopefully as he matures, he will learn this lesson!! But overall I feel he more than deserves to be on our starting 11. He offers something unique to our squad. He can dribble and pass and even score. He might not be great at all 3 but e is good in all areas of attacking play and that is something you need to have present in your squad. I THINK YOU ARE DEAD WRING ABOUT HIM JOHN!!!
I meant Wrong lol,
I think this whole Nasri thing is insane. I have never been the biggest Nasri fan (up until this year) but it is madness to say he is not Arsenal quality. I was never a huge fan because he didn’t really do anything in my eyes. He was just average at everything but this year he has clearly been pissed of by France and took it on his shoulders to live up to that “new Zidane” hype. It amazes me how much quicker he is now, which earlier in his Arsenal career, he was way to slow for the wing position. Also how clinical he is in front of goal. Also how he just glide past defenders like it is nothing. He is still pretty poor at seeing and picking out that final pass but at the rate he is improving, I see no reason why he would not add that to his game. To be honest, considering we have the top french coach, I am excited we actually have landed the new top french attacking midfielder following the Contona’s, Zidane’s and Platini’s. John will eventually be forced to admit he is wrong so no real point in arguing with him anymore. Some times you just have to admit when you are wrong. I admit I was wrong about Nasri.
Nasri is not slow at all. The main difference this year is that he makes decisions faster and does not dwell, which is why he LOOKS faster.
In past couple years he was too enamoured of his dribbling skills and taking touches on the ball: tap, tap tap, hasnt made a decision and looking to dribble too much. This year he is much more like Pire was: see what he should do BEFORE the ball cames, so when he gets it it is one touch and accelerate or pass. It all looks faster. But Nasri never had a problem running. And he always had the ball control flawless, kills it with one touch.
If Theo could actually train himself to control the ball flawlessly like Nasri can, he would be twice the player. Its not Theo’s decision-making that lets him down IMO, he is a smart guy and makes good decision once he has the ball under control. But key problem is that he does not have the ball under control and therefore does not have sufficient TIME to make decisions in when in traffic, like he does when on the open field. Control buys you time to make deciions.
Also on Nasri not that he was previously playing in Cesc’s position in France. So to come here and become and inside-forward/winger, which is a position that exists almost nowhere else in the world, is very hard. Even Arshavin, who is older and more experienced, has not been able to adapt to the position any faster than Nasri. But both are warming up to the task now.
I truly believe that Wenger is only delaying Cesc’s departure in waiting for Nasri to be ready to play central. I think Wenger would simply put Nasri in there and pocket the money. There is a lot more to come from Nasri. He is one spiky bugger, who truly believes that he has to prove something, not just by glorifiying himself but by uplifting other players with his passing. That’s the kind of attitude that produces champions.
I don’t think Wenger has any plans whatsoever to move Cesc on. Who’s gonna buy him? Only Man City and Real Madrid can afford him at this moment in time and he won’t play for neither. Inter have wanted him for a couple of years now, but they have no chance at all. I don’t think people realise just how much Cesc would cost in the current climate. The word ‘derisory’ doesn’t begin to describe Barca’s bid for him in the summer. I bet that bid alone hurt Cesc.
As for Nasri – he’s a born winner. Arsenal need a couple more players with that attitude. He never gives up. He obviously has a couple of things he needs to improve on but time is on his side as he won’t reach his peak for another 5 years or so – something people shouldn’t forget is true about half of our squad members.
I’ll tell you something else too – there isn’t a better dribbler anywhere in the PL than Nasri. Amzing dribbling ability.
why is chensy nickname tec9?