Hello everyone.
Our rather busy Christmas period starts tomorrow with an away trip to Liverpool and it's extremely important to pick up the points at Anfield. A win will over what is, on paper at least, the toughest opponent we'll face in the next five games can set the mood for the upcoming matches. It will also ensure our baby steps upwards become more pronounced and, as I'm sure the top four teams will lose points over the next fortnight, we can do a bit of catching up. After Liverpool we play QPR, West Ham, Southampton and Hull (West Ham and Soton being the only away fixtures) and this is a real chance for us to bulk up on points.
Team news
It is not so bright, unfortunately. Ospina, Koscielny, Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky and Ozil all remain out, while there is "a slight chance" Monreal and Walcott will travel with the squad. We are also sweating over the fitness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, the Ox stands a better chance of recovering in time for the game. Rosicky and Ospina are due back next week, while the others are progressing "according to plan". I have no idea what that might mean. Only Ramsey's return at the end of December was mentioned.
The back five
Szczesny should stay in goal, but who will constitute the back four to protect him is an altogether different and, for the first time this season, even slightly exciting dilemma.
It's Gibbs on the left, obviously, as Monreal may not even make the squad, and even if he does Gibbs remains our first-choice full-back. Mertesacker is another player certain to start, but who will he be paired with and who will play right-back?
I think we should field the same back four as against Newcastle. I see no reason to fix what isn't broken, also, this back four may be better suited to cope with Liverpool's threat (ahem).
The Mertesacker-Chambers partnership really hasn't clicked this season when called upon, while Bellerin looked sharp against Newcastle for the first time. Debuchy, meanwhile, looked really solid alongside Per and the same applies to the German himself. Our vice-captain didn't have to worry about guiding his fellow centre-back through the game and thus could concentrate on his performance entirely. Worked pretty well for everyone involved. Bellerin's pace, meanwhile, can be highly useful against the threat of Raheem Sterling. I'm not saying Chambers will do a worse job, he probably won't, but Calum deserves a bit of a rest, in my opinion.
The midfield
Our trickiest place at the moment. Only Flamini and Cazorla are well and truly fit and thus we have no other option but to field them. I say "no option" not because I'm dissatisfied with their performances, but rather because both have played a lot and could use a rest. With Rosicky back next week at least Cazorla should get some, while Coquelin can also play here and there, deputising for Flamini. However, I'm pretty sure the Frenchman will play the bulk of games. Coquelin looks more of a sub.
Who will complement Cazorla and Flamini tomorrow? That depends on Ox's fitness. If he is fit, he starts and that's how most of us like it. Oxlade was phenomenal against Newcastle and if can replicate that performance we should be up for it in the middle of the park.
However, if Oxlade is out the only option we have is play Sanchez under the striker. I highly doubt Arsene will want a midfield of Flamini and Coquelin, so Sanchez looks a likelier option. And look, its not a bad option. Sure, the ball doesn't hold as well in the opponent's half when Sanchez acts as a playmaker, but his best performances came from this position (Sunderland and Burnley), so for some pain we'll have lots of gain. However, let's hope it doesn't come to that and Oxlade is available for selection.
The attack
Again, I'd leave it unchanged (presuming the Ox plays). The trio of Welbeck, Giroud and Sanchez was devastating against the Magpies, who, as you may recall, shut out Chelsea a mere week before. This attacking trio has pace, technique and physicality to cause trouble to just about any defense. In other words, it it is so versatile and all the players complement one another so well that I'd really like to see it in action again.
Should the Ox be sidelined, then Poldi is the natural solution. His main strength is, of course, his devastating left leg and it can be useful against a shaky Liverpool's defense and even shakier goalkeeper. Having Poldi close to the goal with Giroud by his side can be really useful.
The verdict
"Over the Christmas period we play four Premier League games. Over Christmas we’ll come back strongly I’m sure in the league."
Well, we'll see how we start this run tomorrow. A win, and we look more or less in control with easier fixtures coming up. On the alternative we'll have time enough to speculate if we don't win.
Honestly, though, I think getting less than three points will be an underachievement. While we are not exactly on top of our game right now, Liverpool look even less the part. Without Suarez and Sturbridge they do not pose a threat like they did last year. Even the modicum of a trouble Balotelli could cause (I'm more worried about his violent behaviour than his goalscoring record here) will be gone, as the Italian serves a one-match ban. So we should, by all accounts, take the three points.
Come on you Gunners
And I'll be back with a review on Monday, most likely.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
Update: Monreal, Oxlade and Walcott all travelled. Most likely means the Ox will start. Finally, good news
