After a start to the season that has brought disappointment, frustration and more questions than answers, Arsenal kick off their Carling Cup campaign against Shrewsbury Town this evening, looking to banish some demons.
The competition has always been seen as a second class by Arsène Wenger, but he swapped his long running youthful principles for a more committed offensive last term, leading to a final against Birmingham City. The scars of that last minute defeat are still there for all to see, as Wenger prepares to show his hand for this years Cup run.
In terms of team selection, the Frenchman has cooked up a mixture between last years experience driven side, and his favoured policy of young prospects. Łukasz Fabiański, Johan Djourou and Kieran Gibbs all need 90 minutes and all start, as does Marouane Chamakh, who will partner Park Chu-Young in a potential return to the 4-4-2.
Elsewhere, Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both impressed for the Reserves last week, and will offer a dangerous attacking threat on the right. On the left, Ryo Miyaichi’s lack of fitness means another chance for the experienced Yossi Benayoun. Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong will anchor the midfield.
The bench is packed full of Reserve team talent. Second string skipper Ignasi Miquel starts the game, but with Sébastien Squillaci still missing, Daniel Boateng is included. Miyaichi, Nico Yennaris, Chuks Aneke, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Sanchez Watt and goalkeeper Emi Martínez make up a list of exciting replacements.
The action gets underway at 7.45pm.
Bummer that Ryo won’t start.
too bad ryo won’t start. his lack of fitness will take forever to get past if he never gets to play though :(
will be awesome to see Pahk Jhu-Yong (that’s how his name is pronounced hehe) in action for the first time! Hope he gets to take freekicks – very talented.
so, either:
Fabianski
Jenkinson-Djourou-Miguel-Gibbs
Chamberlain-Frimpong-Coquelin-Benayoun
Chamakh-Park
or
Fabianski
Jenkinson-Djourou-Miguel-Gibbs
Frimpong-Coquelin
Chamberlain-Benayoun-Park
Chamakh?
I would honestly rather see Aneke and Ryo instead of Benayoun/Chamakh, and have some experiences heads in the bench to lean on in nessessary, but as long as Ryo will play, I am happy. I havn’t been so excited by a player like Ryo since I first saw Jack Wilshere play for the reserves. and ryo impressed me way more for Feyenoord than Jack ever did before he went to Bolton in my opinion.
I agree, but don’t forget that ryo was playing in a much easier league than wilshere, and to be honest, as successful as he was, he never looked as accomplished as wilshere. Jack was already very good as an attacking midfielder, but I think bolton helped him to become the very well-rounded player he is today.
Sometimes i really despair at the idiocy of some arsenal fans. Miyaichi has never looked better than wilshere, hes never looked anywhere near as good as wilshere even before jacks loan to bolton.
Miyachi is a decent talent though, but he has got a lot of ruff edges atm
No true English lads from the academy, then. Shame. Hopefully Jenkinson does well.
i think that’s much like a 4-2-3-1 rather than 4-4-2, if you look at the bench there is 3 central midfielders a winger and a striker.
With 4-4-2 wenger always goes with 2 strikers on the bench.
By the way good work, keep it high!
I hope Chuks Aneke starts or comes off the bench tomorrow. Very promising player, looks to be an all round talent.
Park plays on the left for his country and will probably play the same for us
So we are not going back to 4-4-2
——— Fabiansnki
Jenkinson – Mertesacker – Djourou – Gibbs
Coquelin – Benanyoun – Frimpong
Alex – Chamak – Park
not a bad lineup but after so many disappointments I will be happy with any kind of win
I think people are putting too much hope in Ryo. AOC has been far more impressive, for me, he beats his man in a more definite way. When I watched Ryo at Feyenoord, he seemed to have to beat his man 2 or 3 times. I’m not saying he is rubbish, just he looked good in a less competitive league and not as good as some would believe he is. He is young, however, and will get better but I don’t think he will be setting the PL alight just yet.
Like I said, Alex is the more exciting prospect. I know it was only Shrewsbury but AOC really looked the part in the second half. He is going to be great fun to watch and will be in the first team pretty soon.
Ryo didn’t have long but even so, failed to make an impression on a beaten League 2 side. I’m a long way from being convinced.
No Jernade Meade :(
Cannot wait for this game, without the negativity of the previous games I am greatly looking forward to seeing players with a point to prove, and maybe a decent result will lift the fams COYG’s
Looks like a good line up, would like to have seen Miyachi start but Chamakh up front but I guess Chamakh needs the confidence and minutes to build on his goal at Blackburn. Good squad though considering Afobe, Hajrovic, Eastmond, Gavin Hoyte and Henderson are out injured.
Is Afobe injured? Also why is Freeman not in the squad?
I doubt we will go back to the 4-4-2 but I would love it. We are not good enough anymore to play the 4-3-3.
4-3-3 should work when jack comes back
Wonder whats wrong with the Sqiullaci, has been injured way too long.
So there is absolutely no way I can watch this live? Even for international gooners?
: (
I’d much prefer Ryo to start over Benayoun. Personally , I think Benayoun was a crap last ditch signing, he was worse than bad against Dortmund. And whats the point of having a 31 yr old Chelsea player on the bench?
The team must settle were quickly and above all keep hold of the ball. They must play like a unit and not allow the opposition time, but close them down immediately. Alertness, courage added to their skills and youthfulness is vital. Frimpong especially must remember to keep a cool head and read the game. Focus, focus, focus!
The Bear hope they have a good game and le Boss got the balance just right.
The Bear will be watching you lads! Especially looking for players that has the ability to think on the ball and maintain 100% focus.
No chance will wenger revert to 442. Park will be deployed on the flank of front 3.
I don’t see this side being particularly good even against lower league. I think we will lose this game quite easily as we have next to zero experience and no composure in front of goal
Jamie, Ryo Miyaichi said on his Facebook account last night that he is starting in tonights game against Shrewsbury, so I’d say he’d probably be in ahead of Benayoun maybe!
Pingback: Shrewsbury Town Preview « Up The Arsenal
This is the kind of game chamakh needs to b honest I feel sorry for him he plays in a formation that don’t suit him… Look at that goal at Blackburn pure quality he needs service from the wingers, bring bk 4-4-2…..
Damn. Wanted to see a front 3 of AOC-Park-Ryo. Serious pace, energy, enthusiasm and dribbling ability.
Hopefully Ryo and Chuks get 30 minutes. Great to see Martinez on the bench too, sounds like another unbelievable talent.
Like the look of the squad, but would of thought Luke Freeman should’ve be included? Good Luck
Watch 18’s highlights the AFC need to find some of the best centerbacks in world ASAP!
Pingback: 4-4-2? Oxo and Park to start with Ryo on the bench? | savagegooner
Overmars of course you can watch it ‘as live’ online here http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/carling-cup-watch-it-as-live-on-player
It’s pretty much the same thing, just ignore other sites, in order not to see the score, until the match starts on player at 10pm gmt.
I’m going into complete media blackout until it starts on Arsenal player.
am so sad that i’ll prefer to se-FABIANSKI-JERKINSON,MIGUEL,BOATENG,GIBBS-COQUELIN,FRIPONG,CHUCKS ANEKE-CHAMBERLAIN,RYO-PARK.In a 4,5,1 formation.i dont want to see any first team player in the Emirate stadium
Live footy doctor usually has feeds even for matches such as this
Pingback: Back to the drawing board « Dar as-Sina'ah
foxy10 it’s not being televised so there won’t be any streams of it.