Team News: Wenger Mixes Cup Philosophies

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.

32 thoughts on “Team News: Wenger Mixes Cup Philosophies

  • September 19, 2011 at 11:20 pm
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    Bummer that Ryo won’t start.

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  • September 19, 2011 at 11:22 pm
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    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.

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  • September 19, 2011 at 11:24 pm
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    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.

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    • September 19, 2011 at 11:54 pm
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      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.

    • September 20, 2011 at 10:51 am
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      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

  • September 19, 2011 at 11:28 pm
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    No true English lads from the academy, then. Shame. Hopefully Jenkinson does well.

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  • September 19, 2011 at 11:38 pm
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    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!

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  • September 19, 2011 at 11:41 pm
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    I hope Chuks Aneke starts or comes off the bench tomorrow. Very promising player, looks to be an all round talent.

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  • September 19, 2011 at 11:41 pm
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    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

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  • September 20, 2011 at 12:10 am
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    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.

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    • September 21, 2011 at 5:56 pm
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      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.

  • September 20, 2011 at 12:22 am
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    No Jernade Meade :(

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  • September 20, 2011 at 12:29 am
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    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

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  • September 20, 2011 at 12:44 am
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    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.

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    • September 20, 2011 at 3:50 pm
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      Is Afobe injured? Also why is Freeman not in the squad?

  • September 20, 2011 at 2:52 am
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    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.

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    • September 20, 2011 at 10:54 am
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      4-3-3 should work when jack comes back

  • September 20, 2011 at 4:16 am
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    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?

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  • September 20, 2011 at 4:22 am
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    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.

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  • September 20, 2011 at 8:15 am
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    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

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  • September 20, 2011 at 9:16 am
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    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!

    Reply
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  • September 20, 2011 at 12:33 pm
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    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…..

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  • September 20, 2011 at 12:50 pm
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    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.

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  • September 20, 2011 at 1:55 pm
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    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!

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  • Pingback: 4-4-2? Oxo and Park to start with Ryo on the bench? | savagegooner

  • September 20, 2011 at 3:24 pm
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    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

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  • September 20, 2011 at 4:46 pm
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    Live footy doctor usually has feeds even for matches such as this

    Reply
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  • September 20, 2011 at 7:38 pm
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    foxy10 it’s not being televised so there won’t be any streams of it.

    Reply

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