Hello everyone.
We face Middlesbrough in the last sixteen of the FA Cup tomorrow and it's a game that will require complete focus from our players. Firstly, because any team which has beaten City at the Etihad should be reckoned with. Secondly because of our last year's exploits in the cup. Do you remember how everyone thought we've done the hardest bit by knocking out Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool only to then be pushed all the way by Wigan and Hull?
Luckily, this isn't our first game after the North London derby. It would have been psychologically very hard to deliver a performance in the cup straight away, so thank God for Leicester. We've beaten them ugly, but the win was very important for our mentality. We've overcome this hindrance and can now breathe easier.
Team news update
As usual we've a bit of everything. Ramsey is definitely out, with the boss confirming the Welshman has suffered a grade one hamstring strain. This means two weeks on the sidelines and that would have been a big blow had Wilshere not returned. However, it's not the injury itself that worries Arsene:
"We haven’t found the underlying reason (to Ramsey's continuing injuries). There is an underlying reason that is certainly medical or bio-mechanical because he is a guy who is serious, works hard, has a controlled and disciplined life, so there’s no obvious reason why he should have muscular problems."
A third hamstring injury in a season definitely hints at some underlying reason. I only hope we find out what it is quickly enough. Fingers crossed on that one.
In further news, Sanchez may be short to take part, but even if he can make it doesn't mean he should play. I'd keep him wrapped in cotton wool till our clash with Crystal Palace next week. We have enough players up front even without the Chilean and Oxlade.
Wilshere, Szczesny and Gabriel, on the other hand, are all likely to be involved, the Englishman probably from the bench only:
"Jack Wilshere's back in normal training but has been out for [more than two] months and misses competition. He worked very hard and is focused, committed, but it will take him a while to get back to competitive level."
Szczesny and Gabriel are likely to start, on the other hand:
“He (Szczesny) is ready to play. At the moment I feel I left Ospina in because he has done well but Wojciech is completely ready and has impressed in training."
“[Gabriel is] a player who has the ability and likes to defend - it’s more and more difficult to find people like that. He’s a player who has good qualities - he has good pace, he’s good in the air and is good in one against ones."
On the overall, Wenger promised to make some changes to the squad (apart from the aforementioned, I guess), but promised to take this game seriously:
"Some players will play who have not played recently, but we treat this game exactly the same as a Premier League game.”
With all that finally sorted out, let's try guessing the squad.
The back five
Szczesny will start, that bit is certain. I'm really interested to see whether he keeps his place in case he does well tomorrow, but that's a debate for another day. By the way, if you want to gain some useful insight on the goalkeeper situation, you can check out this article from Tim Stillman. Quality stuff as always.
I'm also pretty certain our back four will be heavily changed. Chambers and Gibbs should come in for Bellerin and Monreal respectively (both have played quite a few games lately, Bellerin especially should be carefully managed, he's 19 after all) and it looks likely Gabriel will be handed his first start, though for whom is a question I really like to know the answer to. My completely uninformed hunch tells me Gabriel will come in for Mertesacker after being lauded for his aerial prowess. We'll see.
The midfield
Is Jack ready to start after spending ten weeks out? Personally, I'd start him and then sub with Rosicky around the 60th minute. It'll be a like-for-like, only the Czech is at a better fitness level. No point risking Wilsh if he isn't at 100%, which he obviously isn't.
Coquelin has become so integral I'll be surprised a great deal should Arsene drop the Frenchman for Flamini. However, the question of who plays at ten is more interesting. I wouldn't start Cazorla, the Spaniard looked knackered against Tottenham and only marginally better on Tuesday and with Rosicky likely to be deployed elsewhere, my money is on Ozil to finally getting his hands on the number 10 position. Mouthwatering prospect.
The attack
With Alexis and Oxlade out and Ozil (hopefully) utilised under the striker our best trio is Welbeck-Giroud-Walcott. Looks a nice one, plenty of power, speed and hardworking guys in it. Akpom should make the bench in this case. Can he get a start? It will certainly be against the odds, but then Sanogo was thrown in at the deep against Liverpool last season and Akpom, at this point in time, looks better than the Frenchman.
The verdict
In the end, a lot will ride on how we take the game. If we start well, score an early goal and continue pressing then we have more than enough to come out on top and get into the last eight. If we fail to make our pressure count and give Middlesbrough the opportunity to hurt us on the counter, there's no telling how this game might end. I no longer feel confident with Szczesny between the sticks, so those in front of him should really put in a shift to ensure the ball won't get to our keeper.
Come on you Gunners.
Back with a review on Monday.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)