Arsene Wenger says he hasn’t yet decided whether or not to hand Mohamed Elneny his debut in the FA Cup tomorrow, but says it’s a possibility that the new boy could make his first start for the club.
The Egyptian international has been on the bench for the last two games, and a home tie against Burnley does seem like a good chance for him to make his bow.
With Francis Coquelin also in line to make his return from a two month injury lay-off, the manager may be a little cautious about blooding a completely new midfield partnership, but hinted that the new boy could dovetail with the Frenchman.
“He is naturally a box-to-box player but a bit more defensive-minded than usual,” he said.
On the game itself, he said, “We have to earn the right to qualify. I will make some changes for the game.”
He confirmed that David Ospina will start in goal, while there could be game time for Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sanchez and, perhaps, some of the younger members of the squad.
If Wenger says it’s “possible”, it’s nailed-on
Even when he was No.1 Ospina made me nervous. I still have nightmares about him palming the ball over the line.
You’re being harsh. Sometimes palming the ball over is the only thing you can and should do. That’s not to say Cech isn’t an obvious improvement btw.
get behind your players!! can’t think any of the negativity in the stadium towards him will help his confidence now will it!!!
Wise words George.
Don’t follow the press who make him out to be a flop because of one (admittedly awful) mistake.
Thought he had a very good first season with us last year.
highest save percentage in the league last year if I’m not mistaken.
We have to give Cech a break at some point too.
COYG!!!
The maan had a great season for us last time! He calm and had many clean sheets when he got into the team. That’s why the crowd was all about OOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNAAAAAAAA!!
Boss GK and still much better than many of the hyped ones out there in the league even though they are taller.
I’ll be there and doing my best to ensure he gets the support he deserves.
OOOOSSSSSsspinnnnaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Nice to see the coq back. We really missed him.
Wouldn’t mind to see a Coquelin-Elneny base in midfield. Could work well against bigger teams, good opportunity to test it out tomorrow, give Ramsey a rest.
I agree i think we could be looking at a future partnership.
We haven’t had a hairstyle this good in our squad since Alex Song circa 2008
true.
think Arteta might disagree with you ? ; )
To be fair Alex Song has nothing on Elneny. Elneny keeps it natural and seems to have more bounce in his locks than song. 😀
Really hope he does start. At home to lower league opposition? Perfect game for him to get some experience playing with his new team-mates. Based on what Wenger’s said about him, he could make a really good partner for our Coq.
Well if he will not get a game in the FA cup, what is the point buying him now in January if he wasn’t sure of his qualities.
I’d imagine to not leave us short again if (a very real possibility, knowing Arsenal) injuries wipe out our midfield again..
Maybe Elneny making his debut and Coquelin returning from injury (so good to have him back!), might just be a step too far for a starting line-up? However it’ll be good to see our new signing finally get some game-time.
Wonder if Elneny starting alongside Artetta might be best, get the Coq out for a stretch towards the climax. If Coq is to play against Southampton the two are too close together after so long on the sidelines. I like the idea of having somebody as experienced as Artetta in what will be a line up with a lot of changes too
Hope we control the game enough to sub the guys and help the returnees get match fit without playing an exhausting cup tie.
This is a game where the players who come in HAVE to prove their worth. Not saying they don’t deserve their place in the squad. But at a time when we ought to be pushing for the title, we definitely don’t need players who need more than a push from 10 other players on the field on that day. I’m really hoping for Wenger to play Theo. Just to see if he can impact the game in a better way. I would be glad if he turns in goals and put fear into the defense of any teams. But more… Read more »
Moving forwards, I can’t help but drool at the attacking carnage an El-Neny-Coquelin midfield two will enable. Just imagine any four of Alexis, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud, Welbz, Rambo, Santi, Tomas, Jack + The Ox wreaking havoc in the final third, safe in the knowledge that a solid pair of actual defensive midfielders, an in-form back-4, and Petr Cech are holding it down behind them….exciting times
I have a feeling we are going to unwrap a gift – Elneny – that will make us happy for many years to come. Another masterstroke from the best manager in England?
I wonder if Arteta gets a start. He hasn’t got much game time since he’s back.
well 90 minutes against Joey Barton will tell us if Elneny can handle the wind up merchants and dirty thugs of the English game.
Wenger better play him. Whats the use of buying a player if you don’t play him.
The fm said he would buy 2 players but these are for the future. The most important
thing is for Arsenal to fight and win the epl.
Would love to see Elneny and Coquelin together (if Coquelin is fully fit and ready to go of course). Wenger has to see how Elneny peforms with the squad in a live match before he’d be comfortable using him as a sub in a league or CL match so this really is the only time for a while he can do that. I wonder where that leaves Chambers for this match, whether he starts with Elneny and Coquelin comes in or he starts on the bench.
ospina
belerin kos gabiel gibbs
elneny ramsey
rosicky
ox alexis
walcot
Bellerin needs a rest big time.
Chambers will be the RB unless Debauchy decides he actually wants to stay
No we are not risking that in this competition! imo
I would liken the Elneny and Coquelin partnership to the Gilberto and Viera partnership. If it works then they are interesting times ahead! Arsene should develop this partnership and use it in all the games. Our back four are so exposed because they are not protected by defensive minded midfielders. we seem to be good to go!
Again too many people simplistically getting their hopes up unecessarily and will tear down Elneny as soon as they think he has not met their expectations. Give him a chance. he needs to sync up with the squad first. Elneny has a possibility to play in the FA cup round. Likely it will be Coquelin coming in and we need him to start to get back into it. Ramsey or Elneny could start next to le Coq but there is also Rosicky who could come in to give Ozil a break later. Plus there is the need to also get… Read more »
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160129/wenger-per-has-saved-us-so-often On Per. As mentioned, Flamini and Per get criticised so often even if it wasn’t their fault. By same token conveniently, people who simplistically use them as scape goats turn a blind eye when they put in good tackles. Flamini covered 13.2km against Chelsea with us down to ten, the highest in the squad but some would still pull out the old mantra that he is not ‘dynamic enough much like Per is too slow but he put in 6 or 7 game saving blocks and tackles/clearing headers against Liverpool Now there are some who want to bug up… Read more »
Elnenny please Boss! would like to see him play soon, he might start rusting on the bench ?
Elneny* hehe