In ideal circumstances a home tie in the third round of the FA Cup would allow a manager to rotate his squad a little bit, especially after the hectic festive schedule.
But beyond bringing in David Ospina to play in goal, injuries mean Arsene Wenger has little choice but to keep the same squad that played at Southampton on Thursday.
They’ll be without Lukas Podolski, in Milan to finalise a loan deal until the end of the season, but there are no other returnees, meaning the tired legs will have to dig deep against last year’s finalists.
“The two keepers, Ospina and Martinez, will come in,” said Wenger. “After that, we will see. I cannot rotate too much either because we need stability. Who comes back? We have the 18 players that played against Southampton – nobody else will play.”
The Arsenal manager was hoping that home advantage would play a part as his side look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat at St Mary’s.
“At least we play at home after the Christmas period. That’s not bad, because you play on December 26, 28 and on New Year’s Day.
“At the moment, we have a decimated squad, so that means everybody will have to contribute very well and a lot. The fact that you play at home can be an advantage.”
We’ll see. Hopefully it’s a more routine win than the last time we played them in the cup. Glorious as it was in the end, it wasn’t a whole of fun during it!
Oh well, a win will be do nicely but I have a funny feeling that it will be not easy! I am hoping another FA cup this year! COYG!
“A more routine win”. Since when this season have we done that?
a couple of 4-1 wins and the community shield…not many, but a few 🙂
If only we had a German attacker with a powerful left foot to come in to attack…
Even if he wasn’t in Milan, he’s injured. He wasn’t in the squad at Soton and was never going to be in the squad for Hull.
He’s “injured”.
It’s still not likely we would play an ‘injured’ Podolski either.
All our 6 defenders are fit, right? Instead of talking rubbish tell us what is your plan for Jan TW? Do you actually have a plan or players identified since the summer? Or just waiting for a cheap buy in the last week of Jan? Maybe waiting for Diaby to get fit and to fill that much needed DCM? I bet my life he has no clue and will just react to the last week of the TW and see how it goes, just like last year KK Broke Back signing. With 8 million a year wage, we demand a… Read more »
He has already said he plans to buy in January, on several occasions recently. What more do you want? Should he just tell the world all the intricate details of his plans?
Yeah Rectum, good job he didn’t tell anyone of his transfer plans this time last year. He kept it secret and waited until the last few hours of the window before swooping for a player with a broken back that we didn’t need. If he had told people of his plans, Kallstrom would have been stolen from under our nose by Barca, Bayern or Madrid. Pull your head out of your arse and realise that you support Arsenal FC not Arsene FC. Arsenal was around for over a hundred years before Arsene showed up and will be around for hundreds… Read more »
Ah right so the issue is anyone showing any support for arsene then? No other opinions allowed other than Wenger out. Because its me who has my head in the sand, and you with a list of available centre backs last January, wondering what the fuck Wenger was doing. Cool.
Rectum, of course you’re allowed your own opinion, everyone is. But it seems that your opinion isn’t very popular judging by the thumbs down your posts are receiving.
In response to the comment of last January – we needed a top striker. Why didn’t we get one? Wenger chose not to. Our latest accounts show cash balances of £177m, I’m sure with that sort of money available you can buy some decent players if you need them.
the same reason we didn’t get a DM this summer. the right one wasn’t available.
so we didn’t get some 2nd rate striker last january, instead we snapped up Alexis Sancehz the second his world cup was over. and you’re complaining? this is bad news? a bad way to manage a football club?
I’m tired of the rubbish and excuses. Take some responsibility for the situation. You make all the decisions.
Arsene, thanks for memories but it’s time to say goodbye.
What kind of Cinderella world must you live in? You think another manager will come in and it’ll all be okay? What manager is there right now that can change our fortunes rapidly? Yes they might be less hesitant in making signings but there are other aspects that makes a good manager, not just the ability to make a signing. There are many things to consider when signing a player too e.g. squad harmony, youth development (you don’t just think short-term, we might have a gem in our academy).
What top four world you live in, Goon? With 8 million a year wage and 160 million players wages, I am sure there are out there a manager that can beat Mouhrino, have balance squad, holds player and himself accountable and actually tell the players what to do.
Your blind faith is so strong, if it was a player it should have won us the league.
What manager? Name him. Relegation struggling Klopp? Before this season you might have said Martinez. That’s going well. Within reason, what manager could we get? Who’s available who could absolutely do better than Wenger?
Ancelotti
Koeman
Or any f###er with fresh ideas
Not saying right now to look for a manager, we have still some respect for Mr Wenger, we mean in the summer. Has should have some respect for us and leave as he can’t not move us forwards any more. BTW, Do you remember (Arsene who?) when he arrived to us?. I bet then you didn’t know who the hell Arsene was. Open your eyes there are a lot of up and coming new young managers me and you never heard of abroad with new ideas if I tell you about you will be scratching your head and thinking who?.… Read more »
Thierry Henry.
So name him, this manager out there who can beat Mourinho to titles (with the reduced financial clout Arsenal has), that is available and would come to us.
Because right now, notwithstanding the annoying flaws, there isn’t anyone I can see who’s available that has as successful a record of consistently competing with teams with far greater resources than Wenger.
I know people are fed up because the flaws are the same, but every manager has flaws – and most of them are far greater than Wenger’s.
So its Wenger or no one at all huh? Ok get him a cryogenic chamber when he passes on so that he can coach the team from the after life as well.
Yes that was exactly his point, well deduced.
Who is going to replace George Graham?
See Rectum – you’re point is not valid.
I’m not making a point! I’m asking who was ready to take over in the summer.someone said koemen. Amazing call. Before the saints every time he managed outside of Holland he lasted 30 games max. Bit yeah, that person was a visionary and knew he would do well at Southampton. Lets wait till the end of the season and see how it pans out. Sam allardyce is having an equally impressive season with west ham, add him to your list? I don’t blindly support Wenger. But I don’t blindly criticize either. All the injuries aren’t actually wengers fault. Maybe chambers… Read more »
Rectum – if you’re not making a point then what the fuck are you commenting for? Actually one of your points is, that you do not blindly support Wenger. I disagree with this point, my opinion from reading your posts is that you do blindly support him. Your original question of ‘who will replace Wenger?’. Are you so blind that you would stick with continual underperformance than risk giving someone else an opportunity? Wenger gets paid £8m per year. Arsenal’s annual wage bill is now higher than Chelsea at £166m. Our latest accounts show cash balances of £177m. I’m sure… Read more »
just re-read the second sentence of my last post there for your answer. it was all in there for you. i read the comment policy again (i really actually did) and there’s nothing in there saying people can only comment if they are making absolutist ‘points’. i think general questions and conversations and debates are allowed also. even if people want to say bullshitty vague useless things like ‘theres an unknown manager out there somewhere who can do better than wenger is now – hire him!’ we’re essentially all on the same arsenal supporting side, which means by default we… Read more »
Don’t be afraid of the future
Arsene is not to blame. It’s bloody owner Kroenke’s fault. The guys is least interested in AFC’s success as long as he is getting his dividends. Arsene previously said that he must earn around 20-30mn a year. This is what kroenke requires. Of course arsene will try to save on signings and salaries to yield that. We must get rid of that bastard kroenke and welcome usmanov. We would win CL under him
What dividend? AFC doesn’t pay a dividend and hasn’t for many many years (although it could in the future but it would have to be successful to get a good profit after the debt repayments.
I’m pretty sure Usmanov publically said he wanted a dividend and that he would treat AFC as a business investment if he could take control.
Don’t know why Wenger has mistreated Poldi like this? It doesn’t make any sense. He’s basically done a “park” with Podolski. Then he sits and bitches about how thin we are on the ground. The sooner Wenger fucks off into retirement the better. This season is all about damage limitation already.
Its a Manager’s job to select the best players to do the job on the day. Wenger’s decisions to not play Podolski were due to his perception that Podolski did not offer enough defensively where we have obviously failed this season so far (ultimately Wenger’s fault, of course). So I wouldnt say Wenger “mistreated” him but when its all said and done, the way Wenger set up this squad by both action and inaction, meant that Podolski had little chance to do what he does best: finish clinically.
a very nice frenchman who played for us hardly tackles and track back at all too. but he played all the matches.
robert pires.
it’s ok for a frenchman to be lazy but not ok for a german or the russian captain?
SG Gooner,
Are you comparing our GREAT Bobby to Poldi? Who said Bobby was lazy? him and Cashly was the best left sided in the league for several season, and he was lazy????
Come on, Poldi is a nice guy an ok player but to compare him to Bobby you are taking the p***.
I said Pires was lazy.
When we started to crumble towards the end of Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira’s era, his lack of defensive work became more telling.
Wenger took him off at Paris.
He is great, undeniable. I loved him too. I hated Dabizas for that attempted tackled which tore his cruciate. Lucky for us Ljungberg came came back and banged in the goals.
Im just stating he was as lazy defensively as Poldi.
Are you seriously suggesting Podoloski and Pires are comparable.
Jeez.
By your logic, we will end up buying strikers to defend? And that because we either don’t have sufficient (or the correct) defenders… With respect, that is an absolute crock! Strikers are there to put the ball in the net – plain and simple. Goals win games – yes, those conceded can lose ’em too, but to allow you striker policy to be dictated by whether they defend well is getting dangerously close to ‘arses’ and ‘faces’ imo. Pods’ record as an impact striker is exemplary – both for Arsenal and Germany. Quite frankly, I don’t believe any of us… Read more »
On an Arsenal level this is bad. On a human level, I’m taking my six year old to this and it’s cost £40 for him because they don’t give a fuck about considering the concept of charging less for kids unless its for the twelve seats they designate for kids. On that level I’m pleased my son will see a few players that adorn his walls.
I’m going to the match from Dublin with my best mate! So Fecking delighted! Best Xmas pressie ever up the gunners
I hope you have a top day out.
I’m numb to all this injuries and below par performances. I’m to a point where I just expect it. I would love Wenger to win one last leauge title and a first champions leauge with us but at this point I’m no longer disappointed with what I’m seeing. I’ve come to accept it
So it’s confirmed, we’ll get a new injury on Sunday. Hurray.
Looks like a move to cut the wage bill. Love Podolski’s finishing but he’s not the game changer. Hoping this will enable a big wage earning central defender/ midfielder.
It’s unbelievable that AW says he can’t rotate, while he has/had Rosicky, Campbell, Podolski, sitting on the bench, while loaning out Jenkinson, when he didn’t trust the backup Bellarin unless his hand was forced!
My two wishes for this bad season – somehow we make fourth and AW beats Mourinho before setting off into the sunset!
Going to miss his unbelievable left foot and positive attitude, can’t help but think this will have a negative impact on the dressing room in the short term…all the best Poldi!
She’s a m*fher fcuking Bigfoot, Gus!
My Rotating Gunners Starts: Szczesny (Debuchy Bfg Koscielny Gibbs) (Flamini Coquelin Cszorla) (Zanchez Akpom Oxlade) I know the boss wants to give Ospina a gsme time with this FA Cup tie. But I am preferring Szczesny to start in my own starts. The boss may start Welbeck ahead of Oxalade if he has recovered from his injury. But I prefer Oxlade to start in my own starts. I am confident the Gunners will gun down at least 3 tigers during their Emirates clash with the tigers devouring no Gunner. If Flamini is not okay to play. I will start Chambers… Read more »
Tired of Arsene’s excuses, does he believe what he’s saying?
He looks tired, hopefully we can get 4th and then someone with fresher and newer ideas can take the realm.
Not spending so that yank cunt can’t take money out of the club makes me sick!
Stan Kroenke fuck off you leach!
Do not like the fact that we will be without Flamini.
This will be the biggest issue.
Again I felt Coquelin is better served with Ox and Rosicky near him than the talented but still inexperienced Chambers.
Also feel we should have Walcott AND Alexis up top with Santi floating between them and the deeper central mids.
……………………Alexis………………….Walcott………………………….
………………………………….Santi…………………………………………..
……………….Rosicky………………………….Ox……………………………
…………………………………Coquelin………………………………………
Gibbs………….Koscielny………………Per…………………….Debuchy
………………………………….Ospina………………………………………
Just don’t think we got a good balance against Southampton.
Get Walcott in, for fuck sake…
Tough time to be a Gunner right now but hopefully we can defend our FA Cup with a spirited performance! Campbell will come good if given a chance and we have seen what our Coq can do!
I forsee a situation that if Wenger walks away in May and we get a newcomer in, the new manger could do well for a season or two (example: last seasons two flavours of the month Martinez and Rodgers) but then revert to shortcomings and see us drop out of the champions league and become a smaller club. I garuntee you when Arsene leaves we will never see our solid consistency as a top club again. This is just my opinion .
You don’t need to worry, then, because Wenger has no intention of walking away. He has told us repeatedly that he honours his contracts and will never leave us, regardless of results. This would sit better with me if he didn’t sound as though he imagines he’s doing us a favour. Arrogance and out-of-touch-ness aren’t reassuring to me. I’d prefer a manager who came across as humble, hardworking and open to criticism and new ideas. There’s no shortage of candidates who are doing a pretty good job for a lot less than the 8m a year we’re paying Wenger to… Read more »
Personally think this is a chance to rest BFG. With the option of Debuchy, Monreal or Chambers to fill in. He looks like a broken man atm and could well do with a day off
It truly is a shame that people still support Arsene and for the obvious fear of change. The decline of my beloved club seems to have coincided with a lack of ambition from the club and 70% of our supporters. One FA cup in 10 years is unacceptable; remember Bale, Van der Vaart, Modric played for Spurs; I mean no offence to our friendly rivals but there’s no reason they wouldn’t chose us over them. Also, Lloris should be at Arsenal and in as much as my fellow deluded Gooners boast about finishing about Tottenham; it is so obvious where… Read more »
£35m Alexis Sanchez, £42m Mesit Ozil. Yes no ambition. Good points. Bale. Modric. Lionel Messi. Pele etc. Yes. Fear.
Yes ozil and sanchez…wow world class players, world class squad; truly man…and then you glance over and look at arteta/ flamini alongside them, oh shit…what a waste of talent….
Yup, more than 100 mil spent in the last two summers and this is our worst season since Wenger arrived at Arsenal. This is for you all that wanted to see what Wenger will do with some money. Here’s what he did. We’ve regressed. FA Cup the only positive.
it is truly a shame you still support your beloved club after wenger took your declined club up top and has kept it there consistently for years. Your presumption seems to coincide with a lack of 70% of brain activity. Your aloof opinion and your unmet demands are frankly ludicrous and you seem to be standing still in terms of arguments. Who gives a shit about vanthefart, bale, modric? who said we had these kinda wages back then? whos delluded and living in the past…
gimme a break
Sell Diaby
Those calling for Wenger to get the sack should realize a managerial change will only come at the summer. Changing managers midway through a season will only hinder the squad (and likely our finishing position).
I would like to see Wenger move to Director of Football next season and a new manager brought in.
Trouble with that idea badaab is nothing will change having wenger as director of football . I’ve gave up on wenger going mid season because it just won’t happen with the current board setup . But for the club to actually become serious trophy contenders it would be better for wenger to step down at the end of the season . Love him or not this club has become stagnant
You want him to be director of football, controlling his successor’s spending? This is because he’s currently doing so well in the role, never making any expensive mistakes like leaving players on huge wages to rot on the bench for years until their resale value is zero or they’re able to walk on a free? Once upon a time there was no one more innovative or better in the transfer market than Wenger. We used to live on our transfer surplus. In recent years, however, his activity has too often been an expensive shambles (remember Arshavin, not to mention Podolski).… Read more »
I agree, BFG needs a rest. He looks like running on reserve. God, how I hope Wenger will get a couple of players in quickly.
just win the next game arsene, no matter how! it won’t be an easy one; the tigers will be looking for revenge.aw appears clueless.
good luck to poldi, he will hit the ground running at inter for sure!and scores a lot.should do a gervinho who has reboosted his career at roma under a coach who know how to use him, in a league known for its defensive and tactical know how. that says a lot about what aw has become…
I know he described their bid as a joke but it strikes me as ironic that despite our great need, we’re the club who will probably wait 2-3 weeks to do anything, whereas Inter has at least moved early in the window to address what their squad needs.
Good luck to Poldi there and best of luck to the team today. Looking forward to seeing replays from that glorious day back in May before game!
If Inter did the usual Italian opener of a free loan where they pay 50% of his salary, then it would have been a joke. By saying it publically (without going into details) he forced them to make a move.
We don’t know if we’ve made any offers yet and will only find out if something happens.
Hopefully we have.
Didn’t Santi have to play deeper along side arteta or flam at one point in a 4-2-3-1? He did alright. Maybe rest per and put debuchy beside Kos. With bellerin as RB? Coq and santi, with rosicky central in the 3?
I feel another evening of Wenger bashing is on the cards
Hope i am wrong but 4th is better than the FA Cup too some
Surely we can rotate, Ospina, Bellerin, Monreal, Akpom, Walcott and Campbell could all come in.
Give big Chuba Akpom a start! #COYG
He doesn’t want to risk Walcott, will probably get him on for 20 mins grrrr when we are losing 2 nil, we definitely need Giroud in, we need his presence tmw otherwise Hull will bully us all day long 🙁
Fuck it.
Sell Alexis Sanchez for a profit.
Look at where we are.. Pathetic.
We are all worried about tonight’s result against hull.. When will we get back to the days where we were beating Manchester utd, Chelsea and Liverpool for fun wondering how many Henry would score today..?
Can’t do much but pity ourselves these days.
Rotate? What does that mean?!