Hello everyone.
It's Southampton today in what will be a late kick-off and, as always, a win is crucial for us. United, West Ham, Swansea and Liverpool all won yesterday, so that heaps even more pressure on us to deliver.
Injury update
We'll have to do so without a host of players, though. Ozil and Wilshere remain our long-termers, but a lot of others, while close to full fitness, aren't quite there yet. We have positive news on Debuchy and Ospina, however:
"Debuchy is one week away. He is training. Could he be involved next week? Certainly. Ospina is as well one week."
Debuchy's return may finally give us a chance to rest Calum Chambers. The lad has been outstanding for us, but 20 appearances (only three from the bench) out of possible 22 is too much for the 19-year-old. Only Cazorla and Sanchez have featured more (tied at 21 appearances).
There is a worrying bit of news regarding Gibbs, Monreal and Oxlade:
"We have some question marks about Monreal, about Gibbs and about Oxlade-Chamberlain. They have tests this morning."
Losing both our left-backs isn't pretty, though it seems Monreal has trained yesterday and is ready to play. Fingers crossed.
Finally, Koscielny remains a bit of a doubt:
"Koscielny could be a problem because his inflammation of the achilles is not completely gone. He had two tendons which were bad. The left has gone completely and the right is still a little bit there so, if he has no reaction, he can cope with it. If he has a reaction, you have to be cautious."
I sensed there was something not quite right with Koscielny's early return and here it is. January can't come soon enough. Anyway, let's try and guess who the manager might pick for today's game.
The back five
As Szczesny is still injured (as is Walcott, by the way. Both should return against Stoke on the weekend), Martinez will continue in goal. The young Argentine was very solid when called upon this season, so I'm not worried about him.
If Monreal is available, he'll play. Along with Mertesacker, Koscielny and Chambers. If the Spaniard is out, we have two options: Bellerin at RB and Chambers at LB or Flamini at LB. I lean towards the former, cause Flamini is needed elsewhere in the absences of Arteta and Wilshere. Hope Monreal makes it, however and we won't have a headache with who to slot at LB.
The midfield
Again, I don't think we can expect any changes here. Though Rosicky hasn't played in a long, long time, it's unlikely Cazorla will be dropped after his stellar performance(s). Nor should he be. If the little Spaniard has enough petrol left in the tank, few will disagree with the decision to field him. If however, our playmaker needs a rest, then Rosicky is the most natural sub. Moving on.
The attack
Alexis and Welbeck have played a lot and I do wonder how long they'll be able to carry on without some R&R, but, barring an injury, I just don't envisage them not starting the game. Both have had a good game against West Brom, playing off of Giroud to great effect, so both are likely to continue. As is Giroud. Should Walcott return for our next game, then one of Alexis/Welbeck will probably be rested, but not earlier.
The verdict
If we approach tonight's game the way we approached our last two, we can get the three points. Southampton has had a very good start to their season, unexpectedly good given how many players they've lost, but by no means are they unstoppable. The Saints lost three games this season, each defeat came from a more-or-less decent side: Liverpool, Tottenham and now City. And while the first two games were away ones and both were lost by a one-goal margin only, City smashed past Southampton at St. Mary's, with only ten men. This game highlighted the importance of Morgan Schnederlin and the Frechman is out for tonight. Anything less than a win for us will be an underachievement.
So come on you Gunners
An afterword
I also wanted to say a couple of words on Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger.
Regarding Thierry, our ex-captain issued a statement on Facebook, where he thanked everyone related to New York Red Bulls and announced he won't be returning to MLS next season. He also said he needs time to reflect on what he'll do next, but, while his return to Arsenal as a player is rather unlikely, I'd still want him to return in some capacity. Henry's a living legend and his presence at the Emirates will be beneficial to all parties concerned. So come home, Thierry. (By the way, the man has given a very interesting interview, here's a part of it. Give it a go, fascinating stuff).
Finally, Arsene Wenger. Whether he should stay or go sparked some rather ferocious debates on Twitter, but the man himself hinted he's going nowhere till his contract expires and said why it is so:
"Of course," Wenger said, when asked whether Arsenal could win the title during his latest three-year cycle. "We have not started very well but we never had the squad together since the start of the season. It was a post-World Cup start. I think we have what is requested to do it."
That should settle it: Arsene stays. Whether you like it or not, he stays. So get over it. Accept it. Support him while he's here. Arsene said he can win the League, so consider it a promise on his part. He may not win it the way we want it, he may not buy the players we want or make the decisions we consider necessary, but he will win us the title. No "if" here, because Arsene is a man of his word. So stop the negativity and support him. You'll have time aplenty to castigate the Frenchman in two-and-a-half years if he doesn't deliver, but you'll look extremely stupid and ungrateful if he does, even with all the pressure.
I'll be back with you tomorrow with a review.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
It's Southampton today in what will be a late kick-off and, as always, a win is crucial for us. United, West Ham, Swansea and Liverpool all won yesterday, so that heaps even more pressure on us to deliver.
Injury update
We'll have to do so without a host of players, though. Ozil and Wilshere remain our long-termers, but a lot of others, while close to full fitness, aren't quite there yet. We have positive news on Debuchy and Ospina, however:
"Debuchy is one week away. He is training. Could he be involved next week? Certainly. Ospina is as well one week."
Debuchy's return may finally give us a chance to rest Calum Chambers. The lad has been outstanding for us, but 20 appearances (only three from the bench) out of possible 22 is too much for the 19-year-old. Only Cazorla and Sanchez have featured more (tied at 21 appearances).
There is a worrying bit of news regarding Gibbs, Monreal and Oxlade:
"We have some question marks about Monreal, about Gibbs and about Oxlade-Chamberlain. They have tests this morning."
Losing both our left-backs isn't pretty, though it seems Monreal has trained yesterday and is ready to play. Fingers crossed.
Finally, Koscielny remains a bit of a doubt:
"Koscielny could be a problem because his inflammation of the achilles is not completely gone. He had two tendons which were bad. The left has gone completely and the right is still a little bit there so, if he has no reaction, he can cope with it. If he has a reaction, you have to be cautious."
I sensed there was something not quite right with Koscielny's early return and here it is. January can't come soon enough. Anyway, let's try and guess who the manager might pick for today's game.
The back five
As Szczesny is still injured (as is Walcott, by the way. Both should return against Stoke on the weekend), Martinez will continue in goal. The young Argentine was very solid when called upon this season, so I'm not worried about him.
If Monreal is available, he'll play. Along with Mertesacker, Koscielny and Chambers. If the Spaniard is out, we have two options: Bellerin at RB and Chambers at LB or Flamini at LB. I lean towards the former, cause Flamini is needed elsewhere in the absences of Arteta and Wilshere. Hope Monreal makes it, however and we won't have a headache with who to slot at LB.
The midfield
Again, I don't think we can expect any changes here. Though Rosicky hasn't played in a long, long time, it's unlikely Cazorla will be dropped after his stellar performance(s). Nor should he be. If the little Spaniard has enough petrol left in the tank, few will disagree with the decision to field him. If however, our playmaker needs a rest, then Rosicky is the most natural sub. Moving on.
The attack
Alexis and Welbeck have played a lot and I do wonder how long they'll be able to carry on without some R&R, but, barring an injury, I just don't envisage them not starting the game. Both have had a good game against West Brom, playing off of Giroud to great effect, so both are likely to continue. As is Giroud. Should Walcott return for our next game, then one of Alexis/Welbeck will probably be rested, but not earlier.
The verdict
If we approach tonight's game the way we approached our last two, we can get the three points. Southampton has had a very good start to their season, unexpectedly good given how many players they've lost, but by no means are they unstoppable. The Saints lost three games this season, each defeat came from a more-or-less decent side: Liverpool, Tottenham and now City. And while the first two games were away ones and both were lost by a one-goal margin only, City smashed past Southampton at St. Mary's, with only ten men. This game highlighted the importance of Morgan Schnederlin and the Frechman is out for tonight. Anything less than a win for us will be an underachievement.
So come on you Gunners
An afterword
I also wanted to say a couple of words on Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger.
Regarding Thierry, our ex-captain issued a statement on Facebook, where he thanked everyone related to New York Red Bulls and announced he won't be returning to MLS next season. He also said he needs time to reflect on what he'll do next, but, while his return to Arsenal as a player is rather unlikely, I'd still want him to return in some capacity. Henry's a living legend and his presence at the Emirates will be beneficial to all parties concerned. So come home, Thierry. (By the way, the man has given a very interesting interview, here's a part of it. Give it a go, fascinating stuff).
Finally, Arsene Wenger. Whether he should stay or go sparked some rather ferocious debates on Twitter, but the man himself hinted he's going nowhere till his contract expires and said why it is so:
"Of course," Wenger said, when asked whether Arsenal could win the title during his latest three-year cycle. "We have not started very well but we never had the squad together since the start of the season. It was a post-World Cup start. I think we have what is requested to do it."
That should settle it: Arsene stays. Whether you like it or not, he stays. So get over it. Accept it. Support him while he's here. Arsene said he can win the League, so consider it a promise on his part. He may not win it the way we want it, he may not buy the players we want or make the decisions we consider necessary, but he will win us the title. No "if" here, because Arsene is a man of his word. So stop the negativity and support him. You'll have time aplenty to castigate the Frenchman in two-and-a-half years if he doesn't deliver, but you'll look extremely stupid and ungrateful if he does, even with all the pressure.
I'll be back with you tomorrow with a review.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)