Hello everyone.
It's West Ham away today you can't help but feel we'll see a few changes from the Arsenal side which faced QPR less than 48 hours ago.
Team news
Koscielny and Oxlade can both be back, though Arsene was pretty cautious about their respective returns:
"Koscielny has a chance, he will have a test tomorrow. He has a little chance. [Alex] Chamberlain has an even smaller chance."
While I doubt Oxlade will be risked just yet, Koscielny has been propped to return for some time, so I won't be surprised to see the Frenchman start the game. Arsene also touched on Walcott and Podolski:
"He (Podolski) hasn't played much this season and he lacks a little bit of competitive sharpness. He can only find it if I play him."
"Walcott was in the squad on Friday but it was difficult to bring him on when it was tight and we had to defend. He's not far away."
And of course, we'll have Giroud serving his three-game ban. With all that more or less sorted out, let's try to put a squad together.
The back five
Let's just agree Szczesny is our №1, shall we? It's getting a bit repetitive to state he'll play every time. He will play by default, but I still have to mention Ospina's return. The Colombian made the bench against QPR for the first time in several months, something that I've missed. Props up to Martinez, he was solid when called upon.
As for the back, I quietly hope we'll have our best one available. Debuchy, Mertesacker and Gibbs are definitely ready and so I expect them to start, only question is, whether Kos is up for it. If he is, then fielding him instead of Monreal is natural. However, we all know Mert has played a lot, so I wonder whether he should be given a rest and replaced by Chambers. One thing is clear: we'll need at least one senior centre-back, be it Koscielny or Mertesacker, so I'm pretty sure they won't be omitted simultaneously.
The midfield
We don't have much of a choice here, with Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil and Wilshere still injured. And though the first three can even be involved against Southampton, they are not ready just yet. And with Oxlade likely to sit this game out due to his groin injury, we only have three fit midfielders: Flamini, Rosicky and Cazorla.
And I'm pretty sure they will start. Despite Flamini and Cazorla playing quite a lot recently, we have no other option, but to start them once again and keep our fingers crossed they have enough petrol left in the tank to put in a performance. Hope Flam and Santi get their rest against the Saints, with Arteta, Ramsey and Ozil all close to full fitness.
However, I don't think it's a bad midfield. Santi has rediscovered his form, Flamini has been solid and consistent (although his contribution often goes unnoticed) and Rosicky was brilliant against QPR and is definitely fresh enough to play.
The attack
Giroud's suspension complicates things a great deal, but not as much as some would have you believe. It's a shame he's out, we could use his physical presence and the fact he's much fresher than both Alexis and Welbeck, however, it's not like we have no other fit strikers.
Podolski looks the best option to me. We can move Welbeck infield and use him as a target man, while Poldi will slot in on the left. He's full of energy, he is a great finisher and, moreover, The German has a good record against The Hammers, with 4 goals in the last four games. Bring him on, I say.
Also, I'd probably rest Alexis this time. Despite the goal and the assist, he looked less sharp than usual and this showed in a couple of erratic decisions on the ball and turning over possession more often than usual. Give the Chilean a chance to recoup and play him against Southampton on January 1st.
If Sanchez really will be rested, than Walcott is the most natural solution. Him starting is long overdue, besides, he also enjoys scoring against West Ham, netting a goal on last year's Boxing Day. Also, it'd be interesting to see how he links up with Welbeck.
The verdict
This will not be an easy game. West Ham always gives us a hard time, this year they look even more capable of doing so, while we haven't exactly been the model of consistency. The reasons for this are different and aplenty, from constant rotation due to injures to psychological issues.
However, I see no reason why we can't win this one, especially if Koscielny returns to the side. His mere presence has a calming influence on the defense, with his pal Mertesacker benefiting the most from it. And though we are a short in midfield and will probably have to win this one with those who start, it's hardly the question of a lack of quality. Flamini is, obviously, the weakest link, but that's not to say he is weak.
A win will see us leapfrog West Ham in the table and take up the fifth spot and if Southampton loses to Chelsea at the same time, we'll find ourselves fourth. What is more, Tottenham is playing Man Utd, meaning at least one side will drop points. Hope they both will and, in case we bag the three points at Boleyn Ground, we'll be a mere three points off third-placed United. So fingers crossed the results go our way today.
And I'll be back with a review tomorrow.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
It's West Ham away today you can't help but feel we'll see a few changes from the Arsenal side which faced QPR less than 48 hours ago.
Team news
Koscielny and Oxlade can both be back, though Arsene was pretty cautious about their respective returns:
"Koscielny has a chance, he will have a test tomorrow. He has a little chance. [Alex] Chamberlain has an even smaller chance."
While I doubt Oxlade will be risked just yet, Koscielny has been propped to return for some time, so I won't be surprised to see the Frenchman start the game. Arsene also touched on Walcott and Podolski:
"He (Podolski) hasn't played much this season and he lacks a little bit of competitive sharpness. He can only find it if I play him."
"Walcott was in the squad on Friday but it was difficult to bring him on when it was tight and we had to defend. He's not far away."
And of course, we'll have Giroud serving his three-game ban. With all that more or less sorted out, let's try to put a squad together.
The back five
Let's just agree Szczesny is our №1, shall we? It's getting a bit repetitive to state he'll play every time. He will play by default, but I still have to mention Ospina's return. The Colombian made the bench against QPR for the first time in several months, something that I've missed. Props up to Martinez, he was solid when called upon.
As for the back, I quietly hope we'll have our best one available. Debuchy, Mertesacker and Gibbs are definitely ready and so I expect them to start, only question is, whether Kos is up for it. If he is, then fielding him instead of Monreal is natural. However, we all know Mert has played a lot, so I wonder whether he should be given a rest and replaced by Chambers. One thing is clear: we'll need at least one senior centre-back, be it Koscielny or Mertesacker, so I'm pretty sure they won't be omitted simultaneously.
The midfield
We don't have much of a choice here, with Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil and Wilshere still injured. And though the first three can even be involved against Southampton, they are not ready just yet. And with Oxlade likely to sit this game out due to his groin injury, we only have three fit midfielders: Flamini, Rosicky and Cazorla.
And I'm pretty sure they will start. Despite Flamini and Cazorla playing quite a lot recently, we have no other option, but to start them once again and keep our fingers crossed they have enough petrol left in the tank to put in a performance. Hope Flam and Santi get their rest against the Saints, with Arteta, Ramsey and Ozil all close to full fitness.
However, I don't think it's a bad midfield. Santi has rediscovered his form, Flamini has been solid and consistent (although his contribution often goes unnoticed) and Rosicky was brilliant against QPR and is definitely fresh enough to play.
The attack
Giroud's suspension complicates things a great deal, but not as much as some would have you believe. It's a shame he's out, we could use his physical presence and the fact he's much fresher than both Alexis and Welbeck, however, it's not like we have no other fit strikers.
Podolski looks the best option to me. We can move Welbeck infield and use him as a target man, while Poldi will slot in on the left. He's full of energy, he is a great finisher and, moreover, The German has a good record against The Hammers, with 4 goals in the last four games. Bring him on, I say.
Also, I'd probably rest Alexis this time. Despite the goal and the assist, he looked less sharp than usual and this showed in a couple of erratic decisions on the ball and turning over possession more often than usual. Give the Chilean a chance to recoup and play him against Southampton on January 1st.
If Sanchez really will be rested, than Walcott is the most natural solution. Him starting is long overdue, besides, he also enjoys scoring against West Ham, netting a goal on last year's Boxing Day. Also, it'd be interesting to see how he links up with Welbeck.
The verdict
This will not be an easy game. West Ham always gives us a hard time, this year they look even more capable of doing so, while we haven't exactly been the model of consistency. The reasons for this are different and aplenty, from constant rotation due to injures to psychological issues.
However, I see no reason why we can't win this one, especially if Koscielny returns to the side. His mere presence has a calming influence on the defense, with his pal Mertesacker benefiting the most from it. And though we are a short in midfield and will probably have to win this one with those who start, it's hardly the question of a lack of quality. Flamini is, obviously, the weakest link, but that's not to say he is weak.
A win will see us leapfrog West Ham in the table and take up the fifth spot and if Southampton loses to Chelsea at the same time, we'll find ourselves fourth. What is more, Tottenham is playing Man Utd, meaning at least one side will drop points. Hope they both will and, in case we bag the three points at Boleyn Ground, we'll be a mere three points off third-placed United. So fingers crossed the results go our way today.
And I'll be back with a review tomorrow.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
.png "West Ham vs Arsenal")