Hello everyone.
We play Southampton on New Year's day and a win will finally see us elevate to the 4th. Moreover, should United drop points on their away trip toMordor Stoke, we'll either be on level points with the Devils or a solitary point behind. So a win can really improve our situation.
Team news
The news is mixed. Rosicky will definitely come back into the side, having been rested during our away game at Upton Park, but there is a doubt over Welbeck:
"We have an uncertainty about Welbeck, who came off with a thigh problem. I think he will be short for Thursday."
Not good, especially since Giroud cannot help us for two more games. However, Theo Walcott is fit to start, if needed be:
"Walcott is involved because he was already in the squad. Of course I judge him a bit short on the competition front but on the fitness front he is ready to play."
The situation with Walcott in interesting. He has been fit for quite some time, yet us still to make an appearance, even as a substitute. If he doesn't start tomorrow, then a start against Hull on the 4th will mean the first start for Theo in exactly a year. As you may recall, the last time Walcott made the first XI was on January 5th against Spurs, where he's torn his knee ligament.
Finally, none of Ramsey, Arteta or Ozil will be in the squad. No word was said on Arteta, Ozil only joined full training today, while with Ramsey the manager is being cautious:
"Ramsey is not available yet. There’s no setback but because he had a setback last year, we have to be very cautious with his thigh - he was out for three months."
I doubt any of the three will be available for Hull, but I quietly hope for all three to make it in time for Stoke. And now, the squad.
The back four
See what I did there? I just excluded the goalkeeper from my usual preview. Get used to it. Szczesny will play if fit and if it's not a cup game. On these occasions I may bring up the subject. For the Premier League and the Champions League, Chezza will start.
As for the defense, I think Gibbs will come in for Monreal and we'll finally see our best back four in action. We'll have the chance to rest Mertesacker or Koscielny against Hull, for now we need both. That means Chambers and Monreal should make the bench, and Bellerin, who is having his best year will likely be omitted. Ah, well. He did well when called upon this season and I'm pretty sure he'll still be involved, as we have a lot of games to play. We may see him in four days, actually.
The midfield
If it was up to me to choose, I'd play a trio of Coquelin, Rosicky and Cazorla. Both because Flamini needs a rest and because I've really liked how Coquelin looked against West Ham. He really outperformed Flam and should be given a chance.
However, as it is for Wenger to decide, I won't be surprised to see Flamini start and not Coquelin. The other two players should remain the same, though: Cazorla, who's having a stormer of a season right now and Rosicky, who was impressive against QPR. Of course, there's a slight chance of Oxlade being reinstated alongside Flamini, but given the absence of Giroud and (most likely) Welbeck, we may need the Ox elsewhere. So Flamini-Rosicky-Cazorla it should be.
The attack
Just how many lives Alexis has? More than nine, definitely, cause he again seems up and ready to start, with Wenger saying:
"Alexis is a guy who has a naturally quick recovery and he has a lot of energy available as well."
He played full games against Liverpool, QPR and West Ham and was spotted waving the manager off during our game against the Hammers. Arsene obviously wanted to take the Chilean off. Alexis protested and stayed on. If he now plays two full games against Southampton and Hull, at a time when he's used to break, I'd be well and truly amazed.
As for who he'll be partnered with in attack, it's hard to guess. I'd say Welbeck and Oxlade, if both are fit and fresh. In case they are not, the Walcott, Pododlski and Sanogo top my list of replacements. Walcott can be a natural solution for both the right winger and the central striker roles, while Sanogo is a good target man, should Arsene decide to utilise one. Podolski is unlikely to start in either scenario. Poor chap.
The verdict
Yes, we have obvious problems in midfield, but:
So come on you Gunners.
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Finally, I wanted to say a couple of words on Podolski. The German expressed his displeasure at not featuring more regularly (once again) and rumours emerged linking him to Inter Milan. Arsene reacted adequately:
“There is only talks. Podolski is a player of Arsenal football club and I want him to stay. Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club. I hope that he will still be an Arsenal player at the end of January. Inter? That is a joke. Inter is not serious.”
That settles it. Podoslki can, of course, be unhappy with his current situation, but he's one of these players who provide depth. He can be devastating from the bench and to see Arsene put his foot down and do what's best for the Club is really satisfying. I'm pretty sure we'll discuss Poldi's situation more in the summer, when all parties will be better suited to say goodbye, but for now, he should stay.
That's it for today. Wishing you and your families a very happy New Year and I'll be back here with a customary review either tomorrow on in two days.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
We play Southampton on New Year's day and a win will finally see us elevate to the 4th. Moreover, should United drop points on their away trip to
Team news
The news is mixed. Rosicky will definitely come back into the side, having been rested during our away game at Upton Park, but there is a doubt over Welbeck:
"We have an uncertainty about Welbeck, who came off with a thigh problem. I think he will be short for Thursday."
Not good, especially since Giroud cannot help us for two more games. However, Theo Walcott is fit to start, if needed be:
"Walcott is involved because he was already in the squad. Of course I judge him a bit short on the competition front but on the fitness front he is ready to play."
The situation with Walcott in interesting. He has been fit for quite some time, yet us still to make an appearance, even as a substitute. If he doesn't start tomorrow, then a start against Hull on the 4th will mean the first start for Theo in exactly a year. As you may recall, the last time Walcott made the first XI was on January 5th against Spurs, where he's torn his knee ligament.
Finally, none of Ramsey, Arteta or Ozil will be in the squad. No word was said on Arteta, Ozil only joined full training today, while with Ramsey the manager is being cautious:
"Ramsey is not available yet. There’s no setback but because he had a setback last year, we have to be very cautious with his thigh - he was out for three months."
I doubt any of the three will be available for Hull, but I quietly hope for all three to make it in time for Stoke. And now, the squad.
The back four
See what I did there? I just excluded the goalkeeper from my usual preview. Get used to it. Szczesny will play if fit and if it's not a cup game. On these occasions I may bring up the subject. For the Premier League and the Champions League, Chezza will start.
As for the defense, I think Gibbs will come in for Monreal and we'll finally see our best back four in action. We'll have the chance to rest Mertesacker or Koscielny against Hull, for now we need both. That means Chambers and Monreal should make the bench, and Bellerin, who is having his best year will likely be omitted. Ah, well. He did well when called upon this season and I'm pretty sure he'll still be involved, as we have a lot of games to play. We may see him in four days, actually.
The midfield
If it was up to me to choose, I'd play a trio of Coquelin, Rosicky and Cazorla. Both because Flamini needs a rest and because I've really liked how Coquelin looked against West Ham. He really outperformed Flam and should be given a chance.
However, as it is for Wenger to decide, I won't be surprised to see Flamini start and not Coquelin. The other two players should remain the same, though: Cazorla, who's having a stormer of a season right now and Rosicky, who was impressive against QPR. Of course, there's a slight chance of Oxlade being reinstated alongside Flamini, but given the absence of Giroud and (most likely) Welbeck, we may need the Ox elsewhere. So Flamini-Rosicky-Cazorla it should be.
The attack
Just how many lives Alexis has? More than nine, definitely, cause he again seems up and ready to start, with Wenger saying:
"Alexis is a guy who has a naturally quick recovery and he has a lot of energy available as well."
He played full games against Liverpool, QPR and West Ham and was spotted waving the manager off during our game against the Hammers. Arsene obviously wanted to take the Chilean off. Alexis protested and stayed on. If he now plays two full games against Southampton and Hull, at a time when he's used to break, I'd be well and truly amazed.
As for who he'll be partnered with in attack, it's hard to guess. I'd say Welbeck and Oxlade, if both are fit and fresh. In case they are not, the Walcott, Pododlski and Sanogo top my list of replacements. Walcott can be a natural solution for both the right winger and the central striker roles, while Sanogo is a good target man, should Arsene decide to utilise one. Podolski is unlikely to start in either scenario. Poor chap.
The verdict
Yes, we have obvious problems in midfield, but:
- the state of our midfield is still better than it was was in our last game, with Rosicky coming in
- we still managed to beat West Ham with that midfield and the margin should have been greater, in all fairness
- the Saints have problems of their own, with Schneiderlin and Clyne both unavailable, due to suspension and injury respectively
So come on you Gunners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, I wanted to say a couple of words on Podolski. The German expressed his displeasure at not featuring more regularly (once again) and rumours emerged linking him to Inter Milan. Arsene reacted adequately:
“There is only talks. Podolski is a player of Arsenal football club and I want him to stay. Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club. I hope that he will still be an Arsenal player at the end of January. Inter? That is a joke. Inter is not serious.”
That settles it. Podoslki can, of course, be unhappy with his current situation, but he's one of these players who provide depth. He can be devastating from the bench and to see Arsene put his foot down and do what's best for the Club is really satisfying. I'm pretty sure we'll discuss Poldi's situation more in the summer, when all parties will be better suited to say goodbye, but for now, he should stay.
That's it for today. Wishing you and your families a very happy New Year and I'll be back here with a customary review either tomorrow on in two days.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)