It's Borussia Dortmund tomorrow and I honestly don't know what to expect anymore. One thing is for sure: we are off form, yet there is a long season ahead, a lot of points to play for. So we need to somehow start performing and start winning games. Our style is based on confidence, now we are shorn of it and to get it back we need consecutive wins. A win tomorrow isn't crucial to our hopes of qualifying, I think a draw will see us through, yet it's vital to our confidence. From a psychological point of view a win is essential.
I think our squad needs a shake-up. This current crop is drained both physically and emotionally and a bit of rotation won't hurt. Arsene will probably disagree, but we can dream, right? Let's see what can be done to refresh the current side.
The back five
I think it will stay the same and perhaps it should. I'd still be very interested to see how Bellerin would fare at RB and Chambers alongside Mertesacker, but, as both Chambers and Monreal were solid against United, maybe not changing our back four can play into our hands. They are as exhausted as everyone else, though.
The main issue going into this game is who will be our goalie. With Szczesny out, the only viable option we have is Martinez. Not that it's a bad option, but, having entered the season with two world-class keepers I never thought we'll require Damian's services. As you may remember, Fabianski only featured in the cups last year. Both him and Szczesny were fit and available the entire season. And now Martinez is our only shot-stopper.
The Argentine did well against Anderlecht in the first game and looks rather solid overall, so I'm not particularly worried. Just an observation that it's very unusual for us to have to rely on a third-choice keeper.
The midfield
Here only Arteta looked the part against United and, with Wilshere very likely out, I'd suggest some new blood needs to be injected.
I'd drop Ramsey and play Cazorla as the second anchoring midfielder. It's an unconventional choice, however, I remember the little Spaniard blossomed there early on in the campaign. He was especially effective in the second leg against Besiktas, so giving Santi another go in the heart of our midfield may not be such a bad idea. I'm pretty sure Wenger will keep Ramsey, though, and use the Spaniard higher up.
In the absence of both Ozil and Wilshere and with Cazorla (hopefully) deployed closer to Arteta, I'd be willing to play Rosicky under the striker. He mostly possesses the same qualities Wilshere does, so I'm all for letting the Czech loose. He should do well in the number 10 role.
The attack
Right now Oxlade-Chamberlain seems the only definite starter. There is, of course, Sanchez, though I'm a) not sure he'll start on the flank b) not sure he'll start at all, as the Chilean may need a rest.
Another question of utter importance is whether or not Giroud is available. If he is, I'd start the Frenchman in a heartbeat. He seems to be a more clinical finisher than Welbeck and is also a lot fresher, having not played for three months.
If Ollie is ineligible, than Welbeck will most likely play. I say "most likely" because reports emerged that Danny, together with Walcott, didn't train today.
In the worst-case scenario (no Giroud, Welbeck and Walcott), Sanchez will probably play up front with Podolski on the left-hand side. And we'll still have a very capable attacking trio. If either Giroud or Welbeck is up for it, then it's Sanchez on the left.
The verdict
Our main rival these days is ourselves. We should cut out the mistakes in the middle of the park (this will be easier to achieve with an Arteta-Cazorla-Rosicky trio) and make sure we help the defenders.
If we build this game around not trying to concede we may well win it. We have an array of capable players up front, we just need to provide them with a good defensive platform to build on.
So c'mon you Gunners. Start performing already.
And I'll be back with a customary review, most likely on Thursday.
Until then
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UPDATE
Giroud is NOT in the squad:
“Giroud was supposed to be unavailable for the qualifying group stage and we put him out. He is coming back early and that is good news, but of course he’s not on the list of the 25 selected players.”
Unfortunately, Szczesny, Wilshere and Walcott are also out, something that opens the door for Martinez, Cazorla and (hopefully) Rosicky:
"Wilshere is out, Walcott is out for the same groin problem he came back with from England and Szczesny is out as well".
Welbeck's in, however, despite sitting out a training session today, so that probably means we'll see the same attacking trio which started against United. Big news is, Koscielny is back and available:
"He’s in the squad for tomorrow. It’s very good news because he was out for a while now and we are short in numbers defensively. It’s good to have his quality back."
It's super-mega-suscpicious to have the Frenchman back at least a week earlier than expected, but maybe that's Shad Forsythe doing his magic. Even if Kos is fully fit I don't expect him to start tomorrow. For me the real question is whom Laureant will replace. Bellerin looks the weakest link, but it can be more than a tad risky to have only Kos on the bench.
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