Arsene Wenger has confirmed he’ll be rotating his squad for the FA Cup fifth round tie with Liverpool after a tough week which has seen his squad lose to Liverpool and draw with Manchester United.
While the boss refused to be drawn on specifics, the Telegraph have speculated that the Gunners could make as many as six changes to Sunday afternoon’s starting line-up with the likes of Lukasz Fabianski, Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Gnabry and Lukas Podolski all tipped to start. Nicklas Bendtner, Yaya Sanogo and Carl Jenkinson could also be involved.
“We gave a lot [against United] and certainly for Sunday I will have to make some changes,” Wenger said on Wednesday. “But still, it’s a big game for us and we want to win it.”
Given Arsenal host Bayern Munich at the Emirates three days later it’s hardly surprising that the boss is pondering fresh legs for Sunday. That being said he’ll be keen for his squad to exact revenge on Brendan Rodgers’ side for the thrashing dished out last Saturday.
It’s a tough call especially as Liverpool, without European football to think about, will likely field as strong a line-up as possible. For what it’s worth Wojciech Szczesny says he’d rather be in Arsenal’s position, testing themselves against the continent’s best, than twiddling thumbs waiting for the next game.
“I don’t know whether that’s an advantage,” the Pole said after the game with United about the bin dippers break.
“I wouldn’t give up European football. It’s very enjoyable. You can also look at it as gaining experience when you do play in the Champions League. Maybe they will have more energy but I wouldn’t swap it. There are four teams in the title race and it makes it more exciting.”
This is not good news. We should be focusing on the most attainable trophy right now and Champs League is not it. At the beginning of the season, I would have been ecstatic with an FA Cup and a top 3 finish in the league. That should be the priority until we sign a world class striker.
So we’re struggling to beat the big guns in our own league and that has somehow made it even more clear for Arsene to think we have a chance against the continents big boys? Hehe
Don’t dig your own grave Arsene. stop chasing shadows and instead focus on the f.a. it is more prudent and reasonable.
Fielding the strongest side we can, like the players we did put against them last week does not guaranty a win, specially after the two games weve had. I dont think putting a tired Giroud out there would be even better than a determined Podolski or Bendtner. A sharp Gnabry is much preferred on the wing for me. Football in my opinion is not all about stars being on the pitch, its mostly about determination, focus, and then quality. Thats why we see teams like Blackburn win against the higher dogs. If Wenger can awaken that mentality, that lust and… Read more »
Totally agree. We should certainly make some changes, although we shouldn’t go overboard. My line up for Sunday is:
Szczesny
Sagna Per Kos Gibbs
Flamini Ox
Rosicky Cazorla Podolski
Giroud
4 changes from the 5-1 defeat. Ozil dropped because we need Podolski, as we are lacking goals (especially without Ramsey and Theo), and Rosicky, as we are lacking directness, energy and movement. I think Cazorla can currently perform better for us than Ozil in that No. 10 role. I’m sure this will change when we get a pacy striker and have Theo back so Ozil has something to aim at.
I think he’ll play Sanogo and Gnabry. They’ll do brilliantly. We’ll win. Then he’ll bring back the first team and we’ll lose to Charlton, probably on penalties, following an energy-sapping replay.
But is it the most attainable trophy? Fans tend to assume that it must be because it’s the least prestigious of the comps, but perhaps for precisely for that reason we tend not to perform at our best. It was our strongest available team, not kids and second choices, that lost to Birmingham, Blackburn and Bradford. The kids, by contrast, used always do us proud when we left the little comps to them, regularly making the semis or final and outplaying Chelsea’s first team on one memorable occasion. Dunno if there are any teams beginning with B still left in… Read more »
Sorry I disagree mate. Think we all agree the Carling Cup isn’t a ‘proper’ trophy. I’d go so far as to put the FA Cup in the same category. Remember when Robin Van Cuntlips was thinking of leaving us? The journalists’ rationalisation for him wanting to leave went like this: “RVP has been loyal to Arsenal for 8 years however he only has the 2005 FA Cup to show for it which basically means he’s been ‘trophyless’ at Arsenal”. If this season ends with only the FA Cup to show for it the season would not be viewed as a… Read more »
Good. Getting knocked out in the FA cup would complete a perfect week. Well done Wenger.
That’s Mr Wenger to you indo goon. See me after the match
Don’t know how i feel about this…. I imagine liverpool will play the exact same team that battered us at anfield.
That was a one off. Never will happen again.
You know what? With the team full of Bendtners, Fabianskis and such, it just might happen again. This is their only chance for a trophy this year and you can bet they won’t hold back.
Fabianski kept goal against Bayern Munich. This is the chance he’s been waiting for, don’t write him off just yet. Same with Bendtner… maybe…
Want to put some money on it?
I never bet on a match involving Arsenal.
is it!!! we play the same vs MU we got lucky they are really shit. if we dont step up get ready for another one
They seem to be forced to play the exact same team due to injuries. The only possible change I reckon is Joe Allen taking spot of tired Gerrard. I would love to see Podolski, Gnabry and Bendtner starting upfront with Nacho and Jenkinson and Fabianski at the back. Gnabry will add some width to our game which we desperately lack recently – he is dynamic, self-confident player we really should have in our starting line-up. Having no real wingers gives us no threat and makes our play so predictive and slow. Podolski on the other hand does not give the… Read more »
I want to see Sanogo! I may be a little optimistic sometimes—but I think it would be really nice if he would come on and score 15 or so goals by the end of the season.
15 Goals this season? Ok then, why not 50?
Bit optimistic. 5 goals is optimistic too
I would like to see Zelalem. He is the most exciting prospect amongst the young players IMO
We’re hyping up this Liverpool team like it’s Barca 2009!!….the same team we surgically dismantled three months ago..they had a very good day on saturday but c’mon, we’re talking about top quality replacements, with fresh legs, with a point to prove and a place tom play for on Wednseday…The Ox, Podolski (46 international goals) Flamini, Gnabry…these aren’t donkeys…….Well be fresher than them for sure, and we have a point to prove, I am damn confident we’ll put the scousers back in their place…plus we’ll have pace in the team for a change…this has 3-0 written all over it…UT frigginA!!
Could see this coming after the lack of subs on Wed. Giving up on FA cup to go for CL. Not sure that’s the right decision.
I think this game will prove how stupid Flamini was to get sent off right before the run of games where we needed him the most.
Yeah let’s field a weak team so scousers hand us our ass once again after one week and save the good team so that they can be pasted by Bayern during the week. Out of two competitions in one week, brilliant. Arsene, get your priorities straight.
We can’t go out of two competitions in a week even if Munich beat us 12-0, we still have the second leg
This has to the most stupid comment I’ve ever read!? Really, 12-0 down with an away tie in Munich to win by 13 goals and we wouldn’t be out of the tie…..I mean come on! Sense check please. I agree we need some changes – but not too many. Flamini is key, always has been all season. Ox as CDM, but as RM – no. Gnabry – yes, we need his pace and strength. Flapianski – no, sorry – but he’s just not up to it. End of. Sanogo – he’s a prospect only at this stage. He might turn… Read more »
Flamini will kill and eat Suarez and Sturridge right in the centre circle. Sterling will flee.
It’s the competition we’re most likely to win and I hope he takes it seriously
Is Arteta suspended for the Bayern game? He got sent off vs Napoli.
OH MY GAWD. That means Wilshere starts against Bayern…screwed.
Well, well, well…
Arseholes flapping,
No time for napping,
When sturidge scores a goal,
He likes the hip hop rapping,
Man, I love to, slap him,
Tie him to the post,
Then cap him… Bang!
Wenger is just plain naive now i think. It’s a volatile year for the fans, we’re sick of chasing unattainable European success. Any manager that can asses his team would be able to gauge his squads capabilities and i think even Arsene knows the UCL is beyond us this year, we simply cannot with the big guns.
So put your best team vs Pool Arsene. we’ve been down this road too many times…..GO ALL OUT FOR THE F.A CUP!
Yaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn
Liverpool won the champions league with players like biscan, smicer, baros etc so it can easily be done
It’s moved on since then. Be realistic. Winning the F A Cup would be a great start, we build again in the summer and have a real go with a more in depth squad next season. Think clearly with your head not your heart.
Wenger is just plain naive now i think. It’s a volatile year for the fans, we’re sick of chasing unattainable European success. Any manager that can asses his team would be able to gauge his squads capabilities and i think even Arsene knows the UCL is beyond us this year, we simply cannot with cope the big guns.
So put your best team vs Pool Arsene. we’ve been down this road too many times…..GO ALL OUT FOR THE F.A CUP!
Didn’t we beat Bayern, at their place, less than a year ago? what is all this fear bollox? Man, we have to at least show some self respect in ourselves and believe we belong on the same pitch as bayern munich…Wenger, over the years has pulled out result after miraculous result in Europe….5-1 at inter (heaviest defeat ever for inter in europe), 2-0 Ac milan (first English team to beat them at home in 40 years), 3-1 Juventus, 1-0 away at Madrid, when they were on a 9-game winning steak, 2-1 Barca, 2-2 Barca… come on WE CAN DO THIS!!
oh shut up with your f.a cup. we got much bigger fish to fry.
a volatile year for the fans? ahahaa
GROW A PAIR !
That was even worse the second time around.
Happy with all those names bar Monreal. Might get some thumbs down for this but he is a real weak-link in the team at times. Cost us the points at Southampton in my opinion. Either way, COYG.
Yes and you know why? no European commitments whatsoever meaning they will always have play same strong team.
To them this is just like a prem game as they will have a full week to recover. so expect Suarez and his teeth to be running all over the park sunday.
i just can’t handle being beaten again by the mugmashers and whatever team Wenger puts out there. don’t let us down!
forgot Liverpool also played midweek did you?
You are a precious little flower aren’t you Herold?
Arsene Wenger is stupid. Proper stupid, egotistical, always mindlessly chasing the ideal. If we get knocked out, it’s completely his own fault, even if Bendtner himself walks the ball for an own goal.
sounds like you’re a real genius
@chair, and what did the “Strong” line up do against liverpool and Manure? I say we mix things up for freshness and some players who want to prove their worth.
Imagine what a not so “strong” line up will do then..
Every player wants to prove his worth, if not they should not be in the team anyway..
Mixing it up with what players…most of them are players back from injury..
I’m sure he’ll play the strongest squad available. It’s just that the strongest squad will probably include fresher players. He played a full strength team against Coventry; you can’t say he doesn’t take the FA cup seriously.
OffT:
City game was called off because they were scared all of their plastic fans might blow away?? is this info correct?
Let me help you out here:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+did+the+Manchester+City+game+get+postponed%3F#seen
Why does anyone think this club would prioritize the FA Cup over the CL? Even if you think you might go out to Bayern, you play your strongest team in the CL. They’re the best team in Europe, if you have any faith at all in yourself you give it a go. Ozil and the rest came to Arsenal to play in the CL, not the FA Cup. If they were content with that they would have signed for Liverpool. I actually think Gnabry can do them. He’s as good as Sterling and Sturridge. Hope he plays against Bayern too,… Read more »
Gnabry as good as Sturridge lol. Only one of Arsene Wenger’s rim lickers could possibly say something that daft.
@ AndyP, thumbed you up by mistake…you should still be sitting on a big fat egg…just so you know……
Should’ve checked the weather before I came on here–forgot to bring my cuntcoat!
I agree with you AndyP, Sturridge is not as good as Gnabry
Although the way AndyP put it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the idea of Gnabry being anywhere near the quality of Sturridge is preposterous. People need to get real. The frustration we are directing at Wilshere at the moment is testament to the pitfalls of expecting too much from a young player too soon. Gnabry is a promising young player, nothing more nothing less. Remember that at his age, Cesc and Jack were controlling games. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the lad.
One’s a striker……one’s a midfielder/winger…….why are we comparing the two??
If our supposedly best squad was not good enough to beat the shittiest united team in a decade. yes, we do need to make changes to the starting eleven regardless of the competition.
This article suggests Ozil needs a rest: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9161356/why-is-ozil-fading I reckon we can rotate a fair bit and still put out a strong team. Fabianski in goal of course. Gibbs over Monreal, because Gibbo is just coming back from injury, so he should be fresh. Vermaelen might not be ready in time, so our CB pairing will stay. Sagna probably needs a rest, so Jenkinson might come in. This may be a problem area. Flamini for Arteta, like for like swap, no problem. I’d like to see Chambo back in the other DM position. Give the man the backing to make… Read more »
That pretty much sums it up, yeah.
Yes, let Podolski or Bendtner have a shot for once. Giroud got a in the team freecard, and it does not matter how he performs. Imo this in the long run will only hurt his performance. A little time on the sidelines might be just the medicine to get him going again when he realise he is not untouchable. It helped Alot with Szczcesny, and i dont see why it would not help with Giroud. Give Podolski 5 games up top and lets see what he can do. More goals is guaranteed, but we might miss Giroud on Set Pieces… Read more »
Scousers were extended at Craven Cottage right to the very end. Point is with the same lineup as what faced us they will be knackered, and unable to press us like they did at Anfield. Maybe they can for a few min but we should be smart at the start. The longer it can go nil nil then we’ll have chance to expose their weakness in the back. Yes to Ox, Gnabry, Flamini, Vermallen if fit, Poldi, and Bendtner. Giroud must rest.
That why this cunt called mourihno said scousers are favoured. Why cant he start with strong team and finish mugsmashers early so he can make those changes he want. We need this trophy mre than anything. COYG!!!!
wont make a difference whatever players you pick arsene, everyone just needs to stop talking , everytime before big games everyone comes out and starts saying blah blah and how they will win games and are confident , just want to see our guys give their all, they cant even blame the fans , our away fans are the best and home fans as far as i know get back really badly behind the team arsene risks being trophyless again which i dont want to. I ve been supporting for past 14 years seen us win 2 league titles and… Read more »
yeah there’s been that.
last death Run we made all sorts of noise about standing up to be counted and we failed.
This one is panning out quite similar.
Best do the talking on the pitch now.
wont make a difference whatever players you pick arsene, everyone just needs to stop talking , everytime before big games everyone comes out and starts saying blah blah and how they will win games and are confident , just want to see our guys give their all, they cant even blame the fans , our away fans are the best and home fans as far as i know get back really badly behind the team arsene risks being trophyless again which i dont want to. I ve been supporting for past 14 years seen us win 2 league titles and… Read more »
This sounds even more worrying.
So do we have Bendtner leading the linw then plus the return of Monreal?
OTOH maybe Chamberlain, Gnabry and Podolski can do something different?
I’d like to see Podolski play.
Too many changes though may risk our fluency (well what there is at the moment)
There is something to be said with having the team responsible for the disaster come in to redeem themselves. That said I suppose, some will have to be rotated to keep the squad fresh for Bayern.
Arsenal’s £24M signing in the January window is proving yet again in the BiG games and comes the Business End of the season his thinking is second division. Wenger has to learn to delegate responsibilities and to listen. Bringing back Dennis and Henry to his coaching team would have been his smartest move. Having failed to bring in Fire Power AGAIN when desperately needed he should have kept hold of Afobe n Aneke. Not only do these lads know how to play the Arsenal system, but their hunger and desire could prove the engine when players like Giroud and Bendtner… Read more »
I want us to focus on the PL. The FA Cup would be great. The CL is probably beyond us to be fair.
Giroud and Mertesacker need a rest. That is looking obvious. Wilshere looks a bit knackered despite not playing that many games. I think we’ll see this:
Fabianski
Jenkinson Vermaelen Kos Monreal
Ox Flamini
Gnabry Cazorla Podolski
Bendtner
that’s what I would pick, but with sagna and gibbs if they are up for it.
Neil – agree with entirely. We have a squad let’s use it. These guys are good enough to step up and take some of the load – it will give the needed recovery (physical and mental) to Ozil, Giroud, BFG, Sagna, etc..
Aaannd it’s my birthday today. Seeing us get hammered by the smashers and held to a draw that was more tepid than week old piss by the mancs hasn’t made it the best of weeks so please Arsene, go ahead and gimme something good and revenge-y in this match!
Fab
Sagna Verm Kos Gibbs
Flamini Ox
Cazorla
Gnabry Bendtner/Podolski Podolski/Rosicky
From an outside perspective, it seems that playing Poldolski upfront seems like the obvious choice over Oliver Giroud, who looks absolutely cream-crackered at the moment.
But, the overall message here basically seems that we’re prioritising the CL over the FA Cup.
Hmm. I can’t help but feel there might be some mind-games at play here. Arsene perhaps lowering expectations of pundits and the scouters…. because how can our lads NOT be gagging for some revenge? They’ll come out swinging from the first whistle and want to run riot all over Skrtel’s stupid bald head!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Coming out “swinging from the first whistle” is probably the worst thing we could do. I expect Liverpool to attack early, so we should keep it tight at the back and play them on the counter attack. If we throw our full backs forward from the off, we’ll get murdered again.
Zelalem to score
This should be interesting
I think Wenger needs to be realistic – we are without two keep goal creating and goal scoring players in Theo and Aaron, one is out for the season – so the champions league is unrealistic! A win against Liverpool in the cup would leave us and one other big team left. Whereas even if we somehow beat Bayern Munich there will be a potential the top teams to contend against – assuming we got to the final!!! Bearing in mind we have just struggled against one top team (liverpoo) and on mid table team (manure) how is the champions… Read more »
So…..beat a decent scouse team to lift morale…then filed a weakened team against the best team on the planet to get a season going……hmmmmm
………..Szczesny
Sagna Mert Kos Gibbs
…………..Flamini
Rosicky OX Cazorla
……………….Podolski
………Bendtner
I think big Bendt will start up front, flanked by Podolski and Gnabry with Rosicky in the middle.
And i think Bendt and Podolski will score too.
Ox, Flamini and Monreal will probably start too, with Fabianski in goal.
Say what u want, but its definately a team capable of beating Liverpool!
I just don’t get the sentiment of some people commenting here. We don’t aspire to play CL football just to turnup against Bayern with a weakened side because we reckon we don’t stand a chance in hell. If that’s the feeling then we shouldn’t have bothered qualifying from the group stage in the first place.
If he’d bought some fuckin players, this wouldn’t be an issue. Total mismanagement of the team….we’ll see our season fall away. Our season was as predictable as the sunrise.
why have we become so negative suddenly?? I am sure the same announcement wouldn’t have given worries to us a week back. We have a strong squad and the players coming in for tomorrow are all more than capable enough to dispatch the scousers. Poldi, Gnabry, Chambo, Fab and Bendtner, all are good players not like the deadwood we used to dread so much.
Have a feeling we’re gonna witness a Sanogo sighting against the Mugsmashers
I would rather challenge for the premier league title than win the FA Cup.
Absolutely agree with most Gooners on here.
The scouse muppets will already be massively on a high and will almost certainly not rotate. Just think of how up for it they’ll be (if they aren’t already!) when they see us rest so many players.
Selection is crucial, as is that ‘reaction’ that was meant to come against Manure last weekend.
A few games back Wenger started Ox in the center and the young gun scored 2 brilliant goals. Arseblog mentioned how much like a true striker he looked in those moments, and I agree. I wish Wenger would give Ox a run at striker. It wouldn’t be the first midfielder converted, I’m sure. The kid works hard on his game, as they all do of course, but the work seems to have polished up what might be his best innate traits – an ability to strike. Of course it would take time for him to settle in. Hell, Suarez’ first… Read more »
We need to mix it up a bit as there’s claearly a confidence issue running throughout the team at the moment. I was surprised by just how we capitulated against the mugsmashers last week but even more surprised at the fact that the warning signals were there against Southampton, but for whatever reason Wenger didn’t consider them. Liverpool play with a very potent, fast and energetic attack. The brilliance of Suarez complimented by the quick thinking of Sturridge, aided by the speed of Raheem “Beep-Beep” Sterling and sown together by the very talented Coutinho are an attacking force as good… Read more »