What will be our approach to the FA cup this year? Whats the chances of us sticking out a 2nd string line up for all of the games, or just the games against lower opposition? Only time will tell, but we should defiantly take the trophy seriously this year, simply just from looking whats happened in the League cup. It would great to win the ‘double’ of cups after a 5 year drought.
In the pre match interview Wenger said that Gibbs and Eboue will play, and that there will also be a lot of changes. He also confirmed that RVP and Nasri wont play after picking up slight knocks against man city. Thankfully they will recover in days rather than weeks, but even without the injuries i think they would have been rested correctly. Good to give Nasri a little break after playing near about every game so far this season. Also Kosicelny will be rested, raising questions who will partner Squillaci at centre back. Maybe Song? Even though I think Song should be rested for this game. Maybe a youth? Who knows..
It could also be a game of which Ramsey could feature. Very unlikely but he could make the bench, and maybe be brought on to get his playing time up and bring him back to full fitness. A good game for him to be returned into the action.
The line up will likely be: Schezeny, Eboue, Squillaci, Who Knows?, Gibbs, Denilson, Eastmond, Rosicky, Arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh
Predicted Score: 2-1 Arsenal. Chamakh and Rosicky.
Hopefully we aren’t as arrogant to think Leeds will be a punch of pushovers, but with the likes of Denilson, Arshavin and Bendtner possibly starting i hope we dont have a repeat of Wigan etc. I can see Leeds trying to make the most of every set piece they get, and with the infamous Koscielny and Squillaci partnership most likely starting, chances are they will get a scrappy goal. Up to our more experienced players to put Leeds in there place. Hopefully Rosicky and Chamakh decide to take a fucking shot.
A replay would do us really bad, cramming more replays into a fixture packed month, but nevertheless the FA Cup is certainly winnable for us. I can see Liverpool pulling off some FA Cup magic and winning against Man U.
Anyway, till next time.