Arsene Wenger says the players who overcame Bournemouth last weekend should be available for Sunday’s game against Leicester City.
“We should have a similar squad to last week,” Wenger told his pre-game press conference on Friday.
“There are still 48 hours to go and two training sessions. We have to be careful but it should be the same squad.”
With Danny Welbeck on the mend and Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla back running again only Tomas Rosicky is sidelined for the long-term.
“It has a positive impact on the squad. The belief is there that with everybody back we have a better chance in all the competitions.
“I don’t count on Cazorla and Wilshere in the next three or four weeks, but everybody else yes [will be available].
“Fitness wise Danny Welbeck is there. Yes [he will be available against Hull in the FA Cup next weekend].”
On the threat posed by Claudio Ranieri’s squad, he added: “The first game we played against them [earlier in the season] was very open. It’s true that their strength is to transition from defence to offence quickly. We have to nullify their pace.
“We want to dominate the game, to have the ball and to be dangerous. They are certainly more convinced of their qualities, they’ve strengthened their belief. They were top of the table when we played them as well.”
I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s game. Two similar teams, who like to attack on the counter with great pace and precision, playing the game we love the way it’s supposed to be played. I have a lot of respect for Leicester and what they’ve achieved this season; but let’s be honest it’s time to give them a fucking hiding and make a statement!!!
We can make a statement against Sp*rs. I’d be more-than-happy with a 1-0 win against this lot.
Unfortunately the hackers dream ref Martin Atkinson is ‘in charge’ of the game, so we need to be happy with any win…….
pained I won’t be watching the match due to work. COYG
all the way, do it for us who won’t be watching.
You should totally call in sick
Here’s to our strikers earning their huge salaries.
3-4 weeks?! Oh come on… Just hoping Cazorla is the closer one.
I was actually hoping that Santi would be available for Barcelona already. Hopefully he will be back for the return leg to help us qualify for the next round.
I’ve never been so happy to have broken up and spend V-Day alone. Ugh. That sounds pretty sad doesn’t it?
Fuck it. COYG!! Looking forward to a positive display!
I envy you mate. It’s looking like MOTD highlights for me.
Well, my girlfriend when was told about the game at Sunday told me She has to watch it. Feeling goooood.
I’m working all day Sunday but have my iPad with Sky go on it. Probably the 1st Sunday ever I’m actually glad to be working.
Really hope we win otherwise after-work V meal with wifey is gonna taste super bland.
You’ve got yourself a keeper there mate!
My girlfriend once allowed me to skip her birthday to watch Arsenal v Hull. I realised that moment I gotta put a ring on it
I wholeheartedly agree, from one newly lonely single bastard to another, no better way to find solace and love than in our wonderful football club. COYG
My gf booked a 11.00am table at some fancy place for brunch.
Booking has since been cancelled in favour of beer & burger at the pub.
Do I feel bad?… Not in the slightest.. COYG !!!!! TIME TO MAKE A STATEMENT!!
let Walcott start upfront. we always create chances with him as a striker. let eleny pair with coquelin and ramsey play right wing. Thus we can nullify them. Otherwise, am afraid.
Walcott should start upfront to nullify them
Here’s the plan…
Score early. That’s it. For a counter attacking team like Leicester, that’s just terrible. Then when they try to go all out, hit ’em on the break, that’s why i fancy Oxlade Chamberlain to start instead of Campbell. His pace would really come in handy, that is, if we somehow score early.
I trust Campbell more.. His pace is not bad.. and is solidly more defensive then Ox.
You could say that for 90% of our opponents.
We really could do with a convincing win here . Put down a marker . Actually get the feeling we will too .
Who are you? Never heard of you..
I’ve got that feeling too.. Is it just that standard taking-Leicester-for-granted stance though? As long as the boys on the pitch are in the zone we should be laughing.
Big performance from Sanchez please in his hunt for form before the Barca showdown.
Looking forward to this game I can’t think of anything but the forthcoming home match against the Foxes. Hope we score early and make them pay, when they all come out searching for an equalizer that will never come. COYG
The best thing is that there is a mutual respect between the managers, between the players, and I feel even between the fans. I like it.
The best thing is three points for us and Tottenham and City drawing.
The rest is nice but not essential.
The only ‘fly in the oitment’ is that the ref is a mega-cunt!
*ointment
If the Coq doesn’t start I’ll be so upset I will post a mean comment here before the game.
Steady on there – don’t do something you might regret.
‘ Watching highlights of when we did ’em 5-2 at their place, Walcott was playing up-top with Sanchez on the left and they couldn’t handle the pace, we lacerated them!
Might Wenger use Theo again? If he did and Theo scored it’ll do his confidence – going forward- a world of good!
Please Arsenal, tear Leicester a new one; just for me.
If you get a chance, then give the Arsenal vision podcast a listen, specifically the moment where tim stillman talks about our season “passing the eye test” (being good to watch). The way he sees it is that Wenger will probably stick with the more direct approach of Giroud up front, and that Walcott won’t actually get many more minutes for the rest of the season. The reason he points out is that we simply don’t have time at this point to make the Walcott thing work, whereas Giroud up front, though the less remarkable, is a formula that’s proven… Read more »
Agree that Giroud is the safe option right now but Walcott will almost certainly get a few starts as CF in the FA cup or maybe even Barcelona home/away (where you need him for the counter attacks). It’s up to him to prove himself in those matches. Giroud is a stable performer but tends to be played too much, it would be good to rest him in some games and bring in a fresh walcott. Also teams have often found a way to neutralise Giroud by placing 2 CB around him, that’s why Walcott could be useful by being a… Read more »
Nice looking out with reference to the Arsenal vision podcast, much appreciated – that Paul podster sounds just like Eddie Jordan.., scary.
Stillman does make a convincing argument for Giroud predominantly leading the line. However I still believe walcott has a big role to play for the remainder of the season, but he has to start scoring when he gets his chance, to give both himself and the manager confidence that he can be a reliable option for the cf role. I won’t give up on him just yet.
Leicester like to sit back so we need to smoke them out like bees. The key to this strategy will be Flozil. Flamini can go down Green Lanes and get some flares from the Galatasaray fans to smoke out Leicester. Then Ozil can use his vision to play the perfect ball through the smoke and Giroud will score as the smoke clears.
I’m a cynical bastard so I can’t stand this Leicester optimism.
Let’s burst their balloon and march onto the league title.
I hope Gabriel, Coq and Campbell start. We’ll need a lot of pace and industry against Leicester. COYG
Campbell didd’t look too good against Sothampton tbf. Would prefer the Ox as he seems to be building some confidence and usually ups his game in bigger matches.
I think we underestimate just how much we’ve missed having Welbeck available. His energy and pace give the opposition more to think about which gives the other players like Alexis more room.
Be good to have him back against Hull.
It’ll be a different game to the previous match as Leicester won’t be so open away from home. Best bet is to be just as cagey as them as they struggle when they can’t counter.
Their astonishing record against big teams and rise to the top is purely based on resolutely, intelligent defending and sucker punching. They’re actually a better away team than home because of this.
But we are a very good home team as well. Tasty.
I am only praying that the real Arsenal shows up on Sunday. One thing I can only say these days that characterise our team, is their unpredictable nature. In other words, a team of two extremes. They can win the best team and loose to the worst team. Sometimes it appears like our boys do not know what is at stake. Sunday will give us a clearer picture if we really mean business or continue to chase our 4th position (trophy). Like I have always said, If we did win this league this season, Wenger should go. Lastly, I do… Read more »
I was with you until you came up with the 4th place wank and the WOB shite.
I would love to see a convincing win for three reasons: One it would be awesome, two it would improve our goal difference and belief, three it would dent Leicester City’s goal difference and belief!!! However, I would also take one nil to the Arsenal with the winning goal bobbling having hit Theo’s noggin on route!!!
Thanks for stating the bleeding obvious.
Coquelin being fit to start this game would be huge imo. We need someone with great positional discipline to block their quick passes out that start their counter attacks.
Fingers crossed we see Coq and Gab in the starting line up. If we have Flam and Mert I fear for us.
Definitely need Coquelin in there this match and Elneny on the bench to come in late and provide a second DM. I think I’d prefer to see Gabriel and his pace in there, but if Per plays his positioning and experience can be key too. Hopefully it will be like the United match where we dominate the midfield early and ram it down their throats. Will be great to see Welbeck back next weekend in the FA Cup match. Nice to have another option up to should Giroud need a break or if we need to work defensively to kill… Read more »
….what i meant to say was “if we did not win the league, Wenger should go” not the other way round:)
i believe we are going to deal with their counter atacking and beat them, but pls no ox from stat bcos he looses the ball too often,we need to be very compact.
Cannot believe how fucking annoying these Uber ads are. Can’t scroll down to the comments without opening the App Store 3 times!! Wouldn’t mind but I’ve already got the fucking thing.
We can easily outsmart this Leicester team.. we destroyed them at their manor . Early goal and close them down. There’s no way we’ll give them the space city did.
They beat Liverpool, they beat City. Good, that means we’re warned and won’t make the same mistakes. We put 5 against them on their ground, it’s got to be in their head.
I hope coquelin and Gabriel start on Sunday..3 points hopefully up for grabs
Yes win arsenal fc pts needed gd to hear of team players returns from injuries happy valentines gunners babe