23 Sep 2013 10:52:36
wed team against west brom. we need to rest our big guns. too many games. too thick and fast.

Ramsey, Flamini, wilshere, Ozil, giroud, walcott, sczesny, Per, gibbs.

These guys should not play on Wed. if at all we have to have any on the bench, Ozil, ramsey and flamini should be kept in reserve.

Emiliano Viviano / Fabianski to duke it out for starting GK position.

Jenks, Kos, Verm, Nacho the back line.

Arteta and Frimpong in the middle.

Gnabry, Zelalem, Ryo

Bendtner / Sanogo

just hold fort, play counter and try to keep it 0-0 until half time. if we can take the game and introduce our super sups we should do it later.

if we have the game wrapped up we don't use them, if we have lost the game, we don't use them.

for me the carling cup would be the best shot at a trophy. but with the from and position we are in the league. that should be a priority. keep as many healthy players as possible away from carling cup games. where tackles fly in left right and center.

1.) 23 Sep 2013
I don't know about you I want to win this cup, so i'd rather we play a strongish team. West brom are no pushovers.

2.) 23 Sep 2013
I agree with the resting of key players, but this has the ingredients to be a potential banana skin.

Feels good to have Vermaelen, Arteta and Nacho back for their first starts ofthe season. These games are ideal for them and the likes of Jenkinson, Cazorla and Podolski (when back to full fitness). For these are the games that will give you the opportunity to earn your place in the startin 11 back

3.) 23 Sep 2013
Well I can understand we want to win the cup. but we can't risk more injuries. theo being out just means we are getting thinner and thinner.

perhaps a blend of both. with Arteta and verm coming in to give some much needed rest for ramsey and per possibly.

with nacho and jenks giving gibbs and sagna some rest.

we know giroud won't be starting. and i'm guessing ozil either.

4.) 23 Sep 2013
23 Sep 2013 14:03:15
It will be good to get a look at Viviano but would like to see our midfield a bit stronger, possibly even start with Ozil as he is still getting up to speed.

Dont want to see Wilshere or Giroud play and whilst Bendtner is still here we might as well see what he's got. Much as I think he has let himself down as well as us, he's in the squad so make use.

At least Arsene will get to see if he really is worth the bother. It'll be ideal for Gnabry to have another start and build on Sunday, he could be great for rotation as the season progresses and in general terms too.

I have a feeling Rambo may be in the starting 11.

5.) 23 Sep 2013
Isn't Zelalem still injured?

6.) 23 Sep 2013
Well I don't believe West Brom will up to full strength either.
Don't they play Manchester United this weekend?

7.) 23 Sep 2013
Always amazed (annoyed) by how little esteem the Arsenal supporters around here have for their own team. Look at Lakerville's so called hold the fort/weak team. West Brom would kill to have any of the 11 in their side - we are going to attack them and hopefully put them away. If anything we have to protect against the counter - c'mon guys grow some!

8.) 23 Sep 2013
Whither Eisfeld? Is he injured? He rarely seems to register on the news or suggested players or as possible squad player.

9.) 23 Sep 2013
Zalalem's out for about 2 months :/

Maybe only about 5 weeks of that left.

Lakerville I know what you're getting at about resting players, but if there's one thing we learned from pre-season, it's that we can carry one or two youth or inexperienced/not great quality players in the starting 11 made up of senior players, but when we go for all out change, not much happens. They don't defend well as a unit, certainly don't put in that extra little bit to get over the line, and struggle to break down senior teams. That team you set out would get torn apart by West Brom! Regardless of the defence. The whole team needs to defend, and every time we changed say 4 or 5 players from seniors to youth we just looked so under par. I wouldn't think they would beat sunderland right now, let alone West Brom!

But I do agree we should see a decent mixture one way or another, just ease them. Like the back 5 of Viviano, Jenko, Kos, Verm and Nacho would be good. Arteta will likely be off the pace so maybe Jack and Flamini to start in the pivot, with Rosicky starting if he's fit? He can come off for Ozil. Arteta can come on for Jack or Flamini, as could Frimpong. But I think we'd be best off starting strong. I don't know, I just have very little confidence in our youth players like Ryo when they're playing strong senior teams. Injuries will probably force our hand a fair bit though. But they shouldn't need resting, a game on sun, weds then sat/sun isn't exactly overloading.

10.) 23 Sep 2013
Lakerville, totally agree with your team selection. good shout

11.) 23 Sep 2013
Yup my apologies. zelalem is still injured. along with sanogo. and akpom

i would like to see verm and kos play CB and see how they pair up.

nacho and jenks for the fullbacks to rotate gibbs and sagna.

giroud should not play unless we are in trouble.

wilshere will definitely get a rest. and i'm guessing Arteta along with frimpong is likely.

the midfield of gnabry and ryo with bendtner upfront is also likely.

so the no10 role will either be Ozil or rambo.