Up for the cup (as they love to say on TV). Arsenal v the other end of the M1. « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger in all he does
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By Phil Gregory
After a disappointing result against City despite an excellent performance, all you can really do is shrug your shoulders and go “one of those days”. Some will point to the dropped points as evidence of Arsenal’s frailty and inability to break opponents down, but as the league’s second top scorers I really don’t think we have much to worry about in that regard. Anyone who tries to base any far-reaching conclusion off of one game is frankly a bit of a prat. On another day, one of the woodwork hits goes in we take the three points home, and no more is said.
Onwards with Leeds then. Sanchez Watt was one talking point in the run-up to the game, with the young Gunner performing well on-loan at Leeds in the Championship. Wenger decided to allow the youngster to play against us despite it being the norm to forbid it for loan players due to potential conflicts that could arise. Wenger said he believes it is “unfair” as it puts other teams at a disadvantage, so the pacy wideman is likely to be involved, probably from the bench.
Injury news has less of an impact on the line-up than who gets rotated by Wenger. However Diaby, Vermaelen and Almunia are out for this game. Gibbs is in but Van Persie and Nasri are carrying very short-term knocks while Wilshere and Koscielny were specifically mentioned as going to be rested.
Szcznesy
Eboue Squillaci Djourou Gibbs
Denilson
Rosicky Ramsey
Walcott Bendtner Vela
With rotation a certainty, it’s with a good dose of guesswork that I put together my predicted line-up. The nearer certainties are largely in defence. Sagna is suspended, but likely would’ve been rested anyway so Eboue starts at right back. Gibbs is back fit so will likely deputise for Clichy at left back. Centre back is a little trickier, with Vermaelen out and Koscielny mentioned by Wenger as a likely restee (patent pending Phil Gregory) , leaving us with Djourou and Squillaci. The former is still treated with caution after his long-term injury, and having seemingly won a first eleven slot, I can’t see Wenger wanting to play him there. Nordtveit would be an option, but is on his way out. So seems unlikely to be involved I went for Djourou but perhaps Song may be used there (there’s a lot less running involved so it is still kind of a rest compared to defensive midfield).
Denilson is surely a dead cert for the holding role while Rosicky too will likely get some game time in the middle. The final midfield slot I was a little less sure on, but plumped for Ramsey in the end. My reasoning is simply that he went to Forest for Championship games on loan, and now he’s back at the club, we have a game versus a Championship side so it all fits quite nicely. Whether it’ll be too much too soon will likely be the deciding factor, but it would be fantastic to see Aaron back in Arsenal colours.
Further forward it’s again tricky to predict. Van Persie and Nasri are definitely out, while I expect Bendtner to get the nod ahead of Chamakh, who may come in off the bench. With ten clubs interested in Carlos Vela, he was my pick get a start on the left though Arshavin may yet get game time with a point to prove.
Last but not least, I went for Theo on the right. While he’s arguably a first choice now in his position, given his injury trouble earlier in the season and rotation over the Christmas period, he might be a first choice who remains on the team sheet. Leeds are notoriously vulnerable on the counter so it could be worthwhile starting with his pace.
Substitutes could include youngsters such as, Eastmond and Emmanuel-Thomas, while “just in case” options will likely include Chamakh, Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas.
As for the ninety minutes, Arsenal have every reason to be confident. We’re doing well at the top of the Premier League, and have a deep squad so rotation won’t limit the ability of the side we can put out much. Even the team that I’ve put out above, with a second choice in nearly every position, would in my opinion finish comfortably in the top eight in the Premier League. Leeds are flying high, and should be applauded for being in the play-off places after just begin promoted. While that’s not quite as big an achievement as coming up and being in the top six in the Premier League as the Championship is a much more even competition, but it is an achievement nonetheless.
Leeds are a peculiar side: 5th in the league but top scorers and with a goals against statistic worthy of the bottom three. While my lack of knowledge of Leeds United is disgraceful for a student of that city’s University (the proper one), such numbers suggest an attacking approach and a suspect defence. An article on Arsenal.com talks of “attack-minded defensive midfielders” which would have the AAA in fits if that was what our holding players were referred to as. Frankly, I expect the back four I went for to soak up the pressure without too many difficulties and for us to cut them apart on the counter, when we do allow them the ball, that is. If they leave space our attacking players are going to have a field day.
Points of concern are the “we’ve got nothing to lose” mindset of the Leeds players (it won them the game 1-0 at Old Trafford) and the fact that our team is much-changed, so may lack the fluidity that familiarity brings. Few expect them to send a weakened side out, which would frankly be suicide and risk a double-digit scoreline. Anticipating a team no weaker than the one I put out above, I‘m going for 4-0 to the Arsenal, double that if Leeds rotate.
Enjoy the game Gooners, we’ve got a bone to pick with the woodwork . Unfortunately there won’t be any updates from the Facebook page, as I’m out and about tomorrow.
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