24 Jan 2017 12:44:31
With Xhaka facing a 4 game ban, Cazorla injured long term and Elneny set to miss another couple of weeks as Eygpt will definitely progress to ACON knock out we are looking very light in midfield. Ramsey and Coquelain our only two available CMs. This isn't down to lack of depth i mean having 5 players to cover two slots in starting XI and one on the bench is very reasonable.
So for the next 4 games how do we rotate? Ramsey is starting to perform a bit better but is always rathe injury prone and Coquelain himself has been rushed back from a muscular injury. So do we give Ox a run in CM in the FA Cup or maybe Hull at home? I think he's more than capable of playing box to box role and he's been putting in decent performances when played this season. Apart from him not much else, Maitland Niles at CM? Or Coq and Ozil CMs in a 4-4-2 allowing Sanchez and Giroud upfront?
Also on Wengers FA Charges, I don't hold it against him in the heat of the moment anyone would be royally p! $$ed off. There was definitely shouting and swearing in my living room when the pen was awarded. Hopefully its only a hefty fine and a 2 game ban meaning he'll be back for the Chelsea game. Alan Pardew pushed the 4th official afew years ago and recieved a £20,000 fine and a 2 game ban so hopefully its something similar.
Ed - Any idea what ban he's likely to recieve? Cheers
24 Jan 2017 13:43:30
Have to play Ramsey and Coquelin against Hull. Chelsea found them difficult and I think we will too. Their new manager is having an affect
24 Jan 2017 14:23:56
I would say coq and Ramsey for Hull with Ox replacing coq depending on score. also if we are comfortably winning, maybe a good game to bring gedion on incase he's needed over the next few games
24 Jan 2017 18:29:47
We still have a "midfield" of Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez, Coquelin and Ramsey and if we needed to it would good to actually use some of our "one's for the future" who get so little opportunity to shine these days. Reine-Adelaide for example. With Welbeck and Giroud available up-front, we are hardly down to the bare bones. Is Theo due back yet?
Do you notice how when Koeman signs Ademola Lookman, he immediately puts this "one for the future" in his first team squad and - hey presto! - he scores on his debut!
If Wenger had signed him, he'd have been consigned to the reserves for two years and disappeared!
For the love of Arsenal, Wenger Out.
24 Jan 2017 18:56:11
Max that could well be one of the most stupid comments on here. You expect wenger to sign young players and throw them into the first team? And no disrespect to Everton but there's a massive difference in pressure getting thrown into the first team for arsenal and Everton. For starters people like you would crucify him if he plays poor then moan at arsene for playing him
24 Jan 2017 19:40:54
Seriously, take a look at the performances of youngsters elsewhere in the league before questioning Wenger's capacity to bring them through. The likes of Bellerin, Iwobi and Fabregas before that show Wenger knows a thing or two about when young talent is ready for promotion to the first team.
Chances are he knows a darn sight more about when to promote youth than most of us on this page. Oh and let's not forget he sees things about those young players in training that inform his decisions and could never inform ours!
24 Jan 2017 22:32:47
Gibbs, Jack, Coq, Clichy, ( Anelka ) could be added to the list also
I saw a sky table that placed us top for youth players making appearances in the first team. At least we topped one table but like Spurs, it was mid season and meant nothing! 😉
25 Jan 2017 08:03:40
What concerns me is how many thumbs up that got says a lot really.
25 Jan 2017 10:24:53
D16, I agreee. Such as when everyone got all uppity when Wenger tried throwing Sanogo into the first team straight away.
25 Jan 2017 11:24:35
To be fair sanogo has always looked poor. So that baffles me why he got a chance lol. But that being said it's a Perfect example of how patience has gone from football. Especially with our fans. There's so much pressure to succeed now rather than build
25 Jan 2017 14:46:12
Am I the only one that thinks Ramsey is playing like junk? can't pass and no end product. Run and run all day but god he is tiresome!