Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Capital One Cup tonight, a game that Jose Mourinho is already saying that Arsenal have an unfair advantage because they had one more day to rest than his side. That is just how football is Jose and you just have to deal with it!
It will be interesting to see how Wenger picks his side tonight. I am sure we will not have many of the first team regulars as they will be given a rest as we prepare to face Liverpool on Saturday in the Premier League. This game against Chelsea will give the fringe players a chance to taste some action and show Wenger that they deserve a spot in the current side. One player who will be raring to go tonight is skipper Thomas Vermaelen who is being kept out of the current side.
Looking ahead to the tie tonight, this is how I would like to see Arsenal line up:
I some how think that Wenger will continue with Szczesny in goal as this is a game we would like to win and having our best keep will help.
In defence, Carl Jenkinson is likely to come in for Bacary Sagna at right bck and give the Frenchman a break. Spaniard Nacho Monreal will most likely take up the left back role in place of Gibbs, while Thomas Vermaelen should come in at central defence in place of Per Mertesacker with Koscielny partnering the Arsenal captain. That is a solid enough back four to get the job done.
In the midfield, Arsenal will be without Arteta and Flamini for this match. Flamini has a groin injury while the Spaniard is suspended for this tie. So who then plays in the two holding midfield roles? I would like to see Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey there. Wilshere has been playing wide on the left but this will be a chance for him to play in his preferred central position.
Ahead of those two, Wenger has options aplenty but he should start with Carzola, Rosicky and Gnarby.
Olivier Giroud needs a rest so I do not expect him to start this one and Nicklas Bendtner is most likely going to get a rare starting nod.
So that is: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, Ramsey, Carzola, Rosicky, Gnarby, Bendtner
Who would you like to see starting tonight?
Nice line up, but I don’t think Wenger will start cazorla instead he may likely play Ryo…and then either of Ramsey or Wilshere will be rested for Isaac Hayden to come in and Fabianski for Szczesny…
If by any chance Wenger goes with ur line up, we’re definitely gonna win the game.
Nice line up for gunners
I think you’re being a little optimistic in the number of first teamers we’ll play. Rambo will be rested. Cazorla is still on the mend, may get some minutes but I’m doubtful. Rosicky will probably play. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made a few more alterations though. My thought would be a time more like:
Fabianski
Monreal Vermaelen Mertesacker Jenkinson
Wilshere Hayden
Gnabry Rosicky Ryo/Eisfeld
Bendtner
That would be a fairly typical Arsene line-up in the given situation. On the bench would be:
Viviano
Bellerin
Akpom
Olsson
Cazorla
Ramsey
Ryo/Eisfeld
I’d like to think he’d go out and try to pressure the game by playing more first teamers but if you hear the way Wenger is talking, he wants to rest people. We shall see…
Well that is a nice line up we have there but I don’t think the prof will risk santi to start or even rambo based on the clash ahead with liverpool if he does we will surely beat chelsea