Arsene Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of the Premier League clash with Stoke this weekend.
After an international break there are no new injury worries to contend with and with Per Mertesacker back in training after illness there’s a boost to the squad that won against Newcastle at St James’ Sports Direct Subway Money Wonga.com Arena.
And after a little midweek scare, Laurent Koscielny is ‘Ok’, according to the boss. Other than that there are no worries about anyone who was away on international duty.
The game has come a bit soon for Jack Wilshere, who has apparently suffered a little setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. We remain to anxious as to how little that little setback is, with Wenger saying his recovery is slower than expected.
Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky remain sidelined after their knee surgeries.
And with pressure on, having yet to score at home this season, the Arsenal manager is calling for fans to get behind the players on Saturday.
“The players we have know what they need to do,” he said. “They have ability, they have ambition and we need to stand behind them.”
Shout on giroud he is our hope.
Will I be returning?
I hope Koscielney is not being rushed back, as Gabriel has proved himself at least a capable deputy.
Agreed. He looks a class cb and hes a Brazilian international now if we dont give him game time even after he has shown himself more than capable we risk losing him. There seems to be a shortage of good center backs in europe so will have many options
I’m okay.
As much as the phrase ‘injury setback’ sends chills down all of our spines, it’s time to focus on the players who are fit and ready to get our season kick-started. Every chance that Chelsea will drop points at Everton in the early kickoff and we need to capitalise in case they do. Going to the Bridge with a little buffer over them next weekend would be very useful. It’s a ‘good time’ to play them. I’d start Walcott and Giroud together on Saturday if I were the manager. Time to start tucking a few away and remove some of… Read more »
If my memory serves me correct the infamous “Get out while you can Joel!” incident happened at Stoke train station.
Would be poetic justice if Joel Campbell came off the bench to score the winner on Saturday.
#Thisyearscoq
…to score 3 of the 10 winners on Saturday.
I would like to see that too. Why bank on one strategy when you can use both the physique and pace up top?!
Stick Giroud just behind Walcott, and Stoke won’t know how to handle it.
But if it goes wrong it could go horribly wrong. I’m having visions of Walcott racing about accidentally getting in the way of a dozen of Giroud’s shots. Do we really need to put extra bodies between Giroud and Walcott right now? 😉
…or, I should have said….
Do we really need to put extra bodies between Giroud and the goal right now?
We have to win…..simple as that.
No word on Mesut Ozil. He should be fit after playing 2 game for Germany. I just want to watch him play; the way he glides on a pitch is a joy to watch.
Ordinarily, we should have enough to dislodge Stoke with minimum fuss. I hope we have a repeat of last season.
Especially the chant at the end, “Three nil, and you’re not going home!”
This is good news.COYG!
Sanchez at CF.
Then who on the left?
John, I’ve been thinking about this, and there’s actually a formation that could really make sense with Alexis up front. Walcott on the left, while still retaining Ramsey as the more reliable defensive player on the right. Bellerin over-laps Ramsey, while Monreal’s more conservative approach will allow Walcott the freedom to be fully involved in our attacking play (similar to the way Sagna used to cover for Walcott’s defensive shortcomings). The Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil axis remains of course. That way you have a nice balance to the side as well as trying something new with Alexis up top, and the… Read more »
It’s possibly worth a go at some point but for me, Sanchez needs space, which he gets on the wing. It’s why Messi and Ronaldo prefer not being central with two centre backs up their arse.
Giroud, on the other hand, can take the two centre backs up his arse and still not have a hair out of place.
Well, in my opinion Ramsey on the right has been a complete disaster, it’s failed both offensively and defensively. He should be on the bench until he show’s he’s better than Cazorla in central midfield to start. All Ramsey’s movement is across the pitch and he offers nothing going behind. Arsenal’s best bet is to play either Walcott or Chamberlain as a proper right winger where they can beat their full back and put in some crosses for Giroud and actually play to all the players strengths. Sanchez coming in off the left into the box as well will also… Read more »
‘Disaster’ is on the extreme talking about Ramsey on the right. He may not have the speed but he has some good games there. Napoli in the CL two seasons ago springs to mind.
I have a feeling that Bellerin functions better (don’t have the stats to prove) when Ramsey plays there because he has more room to overrlap as Ramsey likes to cut inside rather than hug the line.
I am not saying he should be used as a winger; your use of the word ‘disaster’ did not resonate with me.
We haven’t scored a goal at home for the last 5 games Ramsey has played on the right and we scored 4 in the one he didn’t, thats a disaster in my opinion.
On a temporary basis he can be useful but in the long term he looks like a central midfielder filling in.
We have 3 international right wingers in our squad and we should be using them.
I think Ramsey playing on the right is actually having a detrimental effect on Bellerin as i don’t think he’s getting forward as much as he could.
To think that the current disheartening refugee situation in Europe is called a disaster actually puts everything into perspective I guess.
‘5 games there, no goal’ shows everything that is wrong with stats. Why do you think we drew blank just because Ramsey played on the right?
A legitimate goal ruled out, a stone-wall penalty denied, glit-edged chances missed by Giroud, Alexis, Walcott, Cazorla and Ox; yet all down to Ramsey on the right.
In context yes Arsenal not scoring in 5 home game’s is a disaster, in a humanitarian context don’t be ridiculous, thats a cheap argument!
Yes, i do think Ramsey playing on the right is why we’re not scoring, our whole game has been squeezed in to a very small area of the pitch and the pace has been all but removed from the team. I don’t believe we’re creating the same quality of chances with him there.
Whatever; at least we all want Arsenal to win. On that point there can be no dispute. My duty is to support the 11 on the field at any point and hope for the best. Ramsey right or centre is actually up to the manager. He sees these boys on a daily basis and I must confess he knows more than I do. I’d rather trust him than my opinion.
Ox plays on the left.
Own goal to send the orcs home with their tails between their legs
Santi! And then put Ramsey back where he belongs.. next to Coq
Did you miss the game against West Ham?
Everyone was shit in that match.. Cazorla did very well at LM for us in the past.. Did you miss the entire 13/14 season?
This is 15/16!
Two full years down the line.
Teams change, players age.
Can’t be the same.
That it worked then doesn’t mean
It will work now.
So in your opinion Ramsey is now a winger and cant play cm ever again ?
In my opinion Cazorla can’t play left wing
I think most will agree that both Carzola and Ramsey play best in the spot alongside Carzola. Wenger’s problem is both cannot play there at the same time so to get both in the lineup he needs to determine which one can operate on the wing better when need be. The fact is that when Ramsey is at RW he really does not play there, he comes into the middle and has freedom to go all over which gives Bellerin more space to go up and down the sidelines. At times Ramsey will venture there as will Ozil, but we… Read more »
I know Arseblog feels this way as well, but I simply don’t agree at all. To get the most out of Alexis, he can’t be the focal point of our attack; he needs to roam. His greatest strength is his incredible work rate, both in offense and defense, and we shouldn’t limit his natural urge to run around like mad. I’ve seen comparisons to Aguero, but the two are very different – Aguero is clinical, calculating, runs when he has to. Yes, he works hard, but he’s nowhere near as rabid as Alexis. Alexis is chaos incarnate, running around the… Read more »
It’s a good point.My nephew is from Barcelona and saw Sanchez a lot and chaotic was exactly his description of him.
I just hope we score early.
I fear the atmosphere in large chunks of the Grove will turn poison if we miss a few half-chances without finding the net. I haven’t paid a grand to hear angry blokes shout endless variarions of sarcastic comments about Indonesian mobile phone companies.
This is our biggest obstacle on Saturday. Our fans are becoming increasingly more temperamental, and the support at home games is abysmal.
I have only ever been to one home game at the Emirates with a real atmosphere. That was Man Utd at home a few years ago, and that was because everyone was taunting that dutch skunk!
Been a season ticket holder for 22 years and the atmosphere at the grove absolutely sickens me. I find peace in when the team aren’t doing so well, the leaches leave.
God I miss Rosicky.. was so good last year when we played Stoke at home 🙁
What a player.
I’ve got no doubt he could have played the central role Cazorla’s been playing.
I’ve seen him live four times and he’s looked the best player on the pitch each time. The scampering ball-playing beauty.
“after their (plural) knee surgeries”……..Only here at my Arsenal only here 🙁
Really don’t understand why he was given a new contract at the end of last season.
He was relatively injury free and only started 8 games last season, thats a historic low and even for Rosicky with all his injury problems his worst total was 11 previously.
He is a very good option to have.. and if i was Rosicky i’d rather play 8 games for the Arsenal than 50 for some other cunt thats for sure!
I disagree, all the players should be legitimately fighting for their place in the first 11, not kept around for when the inevitable injury crisis to hit. Rosicky will not be starting any matches this season unless all other options have been exhausted.
“unless all other options have been exhausted.” hey its happened before.. would you then rather have an untested youth player next in line? Or Rosicky?
On reflection for only a few games a season i’d go with the youngster
*Weather guy from Family Guy*Everyone Dead!
West Ham at home was also meant to be easy
Richie, pessimism will not be tolerated here. Another strike and you will be dressed as a spud and walk the whole length of Drayton Park. You’ve been warned
Are there any Syrians camped out somewhere who could slot in at Left Midfield? Arsenal should do their bit
“Get behind the team” you say?
Not sure many of our fans know how to do this anymore. All I see is abuse and so and so is sh*t…. We have the most underrated team in the country right now, going from favorites for the title, to top 4 hopefuls after 1 bad result!
Support the team and cheer them on until your voice has gone gooners!
COYG!
Well said mate. And for all those with banners and them train station hecklers: you risk being mistaken for chavs or worst spuds. So a bit of dignity please
Well said Chris
I really hope to hear: “Na-Na-nanana Giroud!” COYG!
For whatever it is, it’s our team and needs unconditional support. So fellow gooners, no more whining. Get behind the players. COYG! Tomorrow we start our season.