Arsenal v Man City
Sunday 13th January, 2013 01:06 Comments: 1
From 4PM Arsenal will attempt to extend their unbeaten league record against Man City, currently 27 games/since October 1975. With Giroud (apparently) claiming to have passed a late fitness test, we have pretty much the entire squad to choose 11 players from (to be honest, Gervinho's absence for the African Cup of Nations is a blessing).
I expect see the following formation:
Szczesny
Sagna Mertersacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Cazorla Arteta Wilshere
Ramsey Walcott Podolski
I'd expect the following substitutions:
Diaby on for Wilshere.
Giroud on for Theo.
Oxlade Chamberlain on for Diaby when he picks up an injury after 15 minutes ;) (okay, maybe he'll replace Ramsey).
However I'd love to see the following team:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Mertersacker Koscielny Gibbs
Cazorla Arteta Diaby
Walcott Giroud Podolski
This would (hopefully) provide Giroud with good service from Theo and (most likely) Gibbs. Diaby will use his height and strength to bring the ball up in midfield, as Cazorla floats around the box like a butterfly and stings like a two footed abeja (that's Spanish for bee).
I would then make the following substitutions:
Wilshere on for Diaby (when he's inevitably injured, around the 30th minute?).
Rosicky on for Cazorla (when he's run himself ragged, perhaps partly covering for Theo if he fails to play on his wing, around the 65th minute).
Oxlade Chamberlain on for Giroud, playing on the right wing, allowing Theo to move into the CF position (as his pace might be more effective against a tired Man City defence by then, perhaps around the 70th minute depending on injury time). Alternately, if Podolski looks tired, we could bring him off and let Theo and Ox play left/right wing, swapping sides to keep Man City on their toes.
This won't happen because Sagna is Arsene's first choice (despite making mistakes, although there are mitigating circumstances - I'm looking at you Theo), because Vermaelen is the captain and you must have the captain (when fit) in the big games (especially if "the interweb" is correct that our vice captain might not play - much like Theo's contract, I'll only believe it if/when I see proof). I also think he'll choose Wilshere over Diaby because of Jack's form (and only start Diaby if necessary). I suspect Giroud will stay on the bench because of his knee injury, coming on as a "super sub" to score goals like he did against Newcastle. This also gives Theo another chance up front, which might convince him to sign a bit sooner (even though Arsene claims that isn't the sticking point).
Of course, if Arteta doesn't start, who knows what will happen (I would hope that forces Diaby to start, but I doubt it). I'm not sure Coquelin is ready to start such an important position in such an important game given his lack of starts so far this season. Basically, we're still lacking a world class defensive midfielder. Arteta's not bad, but he's being played out of position.
On an unrelated note, I'd love to see Gnabry and Eisfeld get some action in the first team (but not beginning with Man City). Jenkinson improved dramatically when he was asked to regularly play right back, earning himself a place in the England squad in the process, and I think the experience would help Gnabry and Eisfeld get where they need to be (and perhaps give us some decent depth to the first team). Both look like they have great potential, and could challenge other players (e.g. Ramsey, Diaby) for a regular place in the team in years to come.
I expect see the following formation:
Szczesny
Sagna Mertersacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Cazorla Arteta Wilshere
Ramsey Walcott Podolski
I'd expect the following substitutions:
Diaby on for Wilshere.
Giroud on for Theo.
Oxlade Chamberlain on for Diaby when he picks up an injury after 15 minutes ;) (okay, maybe he'll replace Ramsey).
However I'd love to see the following team:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Mertersacker Koscielny Gibbs
Cazorla Arteta Diaby
Walcott Giroud Podolski
This would (hopefully) provide Giroud with good service from Theo and (most likely) Gibbs. Diaby will use his height and strength to bring the ball up in midfield, as Cazorla floats around the box like a butterfly and stings like a two footed abeja (that's Spanish for bee).
I would then make the following substitutions:
Wilshere on for Diaby (when he's inevitably injured, around the 30th minute?).
Rosicky on for Cazorla (when he's run himself ragged, perhaps partly covering for Theo if he fails to play on his wing, around the 65th minute).
Oxlade Chamberlain on for Giroud, playing on the right wing, allowing Theo to move into the CF position (as his pace might be more effective against a tired Man City defence by then, perhaps around the 70th minute depending on injury time). Alternately, if Podolski looks tired, we could bring him off and let Theo and Ox play left/right wing, swapping sides to keep Man City on their toes.
This won't happen because Sagna is Arsene's first choice (despite making mistakes, although there are mitigating circumstances - I'm looking at you Theo), because Vermaelen is the captain and you must have the captain (when fit) in the big games (especially if "the interweb" is correct that our vice captain might not play - much like Theo's contract, I'll only believe it if/when I see proof). I also think he'll choose Wilshere over Diaby because of Jack's form (and only start Diaby if necessary). I suspect Giroud will stay on the bench because of his knee injury, coming on as a "super sub" to score goals like he did against Newcastle. This also gives Theo another chance up front, which might convince him to sign a bit sooner (even though Arsene claims that isn't the sticking point).
Of course, if Arteta doesn't start, who knows what will happen (I would hope that forces Diaby to start, but I doubt it). I'm not sure Coquelin is ready to start such an important position in such an important game given his lack of starts so far this season. Basically, we're still lacking a world class defensive midfielder. Arteta's not bad, but he's being played out of position.
On an unrelated note, I'd love to see Gnabry and Eisfeld get some action in the first team (but not beginning with Man City). Jenkinson improved dramatically when he was asked to regularly play right back, earning himself a place in the England squad in the process, and I think the experience would help Gnabry and Eisfeld get where they need to be (and perhaps give us some decent depth to the first team). Both look like they have great potential, and could challenge other players (e.g. Ramsey, Diaby) for a regular place in the team in years to come.
Robert - Sunday 13th January, 2013 10:11 Heard a rumour that Arsenal might be interested in Lucas Biglia. The good news is he's a defensive midfielder. The bad news is he's older, not as versatile, not as experienced, and not as tall as Alex Song (our last DM). He's considerably cheaper compared to what we got for Song, but it's frustrating to see Arsene replacing good players with cheaper/lower quality ones. Maybe I'm wrong and he'll be a bargain. Or he'll be a backup because we plan on selling Coquelin.