Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Wenger reveals team news ahead of EFL Cup clash

Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest tomorrow in the EFL Cup, and Arsene Wenger has provided the latest team update ahead of the game.

Olivier Giroud remains sidelined with a toe complaint, meaning recent signing Lucas Perez could get a chance to start up front.

Gabriel ‘has a chance to play’, according to the Frenchman, as he shuffles his defence around. Mathieu Debuchy is back in training and could come in at right back in place of Hector Bellerin, while Kieran Gibbs and Rob Holding are also in line for a start.

However, there’s no Aaron Ramsey for tomorrow night, and the Welshman is not likely to return for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday either as he looks to recover completely from a hamstring strain picked up on the opening day of the season.

It’s expected that youngsters such as The Jeff, Chuba Akpom, Krystian Bielik, Chris Willock and Gedion Zelalem could be part of the squad as they joined in with first team training today.

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I Rony

Unleash The Jeff!!!

Too Drunk To Be Offside

Quite excited to see the youngster in action actually. Especially Akpom, Jeff and Zelalem. Holding should also look to make the most of the opportunity.

Also hopefully Vlad Dragomir will be involved. The guy as one hell of a left foot shot on him. Good prospects.

Walcott's left footed curl

Really don’t care about Vlad Dragomir’s skills, with that name he should be in the starting line up from until eternity (I’m pretty certain he’s imortal).

Emad

Hysterical. My coffee break was thorougly enjoyed.

“Certain…immortal” I’m in tears!!!

Ozgunr

Let’s hope he’s not a biter.

tapps

Apparently, he’s frightened of crosses.

Remi vivas

This.

Arsepedant

Tapps! Stop it! I just spat coffee on my keyboard and my boss is giving me a funny look.

Stomboli

Chuckling on public transport after reading, thx

gee

His name should be preceeded by “Count”

Papas

will he ever be able to start a game in daylight? or should he only be brought on for the Stoke games?

NorthernGoon

this wins the internet. you’re right by the way he should be! !

Also a heck of a right canine

Why not

I actually really dislike Akpom. He could be decent at some point. He isnt yet though. And his attidude and overly self focused celebrations when he scores a shite tap in are bas signs for me. But he resembles the petulant arrogance i really hate in football.

Bobbo

Don’t you mean implement the Jeff.

Why not

Implement Jeff.

Trimi

mah name ah jeff

PartyPalour

Didn’t know we still had Debuchy

Newxieland

Question – how much better is Bellerin than Mathieu Debuchy?

From memory when we bought Debuchy from Newcastle he was considered to be one of the most consistent RBs in the league – a right back version of Monreal. An untimely shoulder injury (fuck you Arnautovic) and the rise of Bellerin has meant his career has suffered as a result.

He didn’t help matters by agitating a move away but hopefully he’s settled now and will provide a decent backup to Bellerin.

Too Drunk To Be Offside

MUCH better now.

Double98

He was pantz everytime he played since coming back.

Before his injury you could argue that he was undroppable for bellerin because he was sound at the back and very good going forward whereas Bellerin hadn’t done anything yet.

now though Bellerin has shown his pedigree and his performance and promise mean there is no way to be dropped without a massive loss of form or injury.

So if walcott/campbell teaches us anything “form” is not wenger’s currency.. so debuchy’s only way back is a serious injury and you can’t hope for that,

Bryce G Hauver-Reeves

I dont think that Wenger disregards form. He keeps players in the team when they have good form even if they are not considered as good as the player they are keeping out of the team. (Iwobi last year) I do think he is very loyal to the players he has known for a long time.

Johnny

Good thinking! Despite what has happened I still think Debuchy is one of the best RB’s in PL. We are lucky to have 3 excellent RB’s at the moment. But they all need to play

Holyviper

Fullback positions are the least versatile of all outfield positions a player can commit to. So yeah, we’re lucky, but backup fullbacks are bound to stay disgruntled.

Andy Mack

He needs a run of games to get his form back but that won’t happen while HB stays fit.
If HB does get injured and MD plays 3 or 4 games then he may start to challenge HB for the position, but we can’t risk the games when he’s not up to match fitness unless really necessary.

matthewn5

I still can’t believe there was no action taken against Arnautovic for that push. Nearly ended Debuchy’s career.

MrBrain + Ozil's vision

Why is Debuchy not involved in first team trainings since the season began? Was he by any means injured, or relegated to the reserves?

Rob

If jenks is fit I’d start with him over debuchy. The guy has no desire when he featured the last few times, jenks cares and tries his best.

Simon

They call him ‘The Jeff’

Mark

Wenger in recent years has tried to play a more experienced lineup in these cup matches (when previously it would be all youth or first teamers that don’t play much). Will be interesting what he goes with tomorrow.

CB

I hope we have our absolute best defence playing. They can call on TGSTEL, so we must be on top form and have the best players available to stand any chance.

Copperbottom

Disagree. Better to accept the inevitable and ensure our first choice back 4 are spared the drubbing and avoid any psychological damage. Let our backups suffer the wrath of lord Bendtner (and verily his wrath be mighty) so that the others can focus on more realistic challenges (Zlatan, Suarez, Mecha-Godzilla etc.)

Antispuds returns

Good point. We don’t want that Sheffield disaster to repeat.

Gunnerlocutor

Would love to see Zelalem get some minutes in the #10 or #8 role. I still believe he has great potential.

Chinedov

Hopefully we get to see Lucas Perez make an impact today.

Bryce G Hauver-Reeves

My ideal lineup:
Ospina
Gibbs Holding Kos Bellerin
Xhaka Elneny
Ox Iwobi Theo
Perez

Bryce G Hauver-Reeves

Maybe Zelalem at number ten and iwobi instead of theo

Gunners

I’d say that line-up is slightly too strong (Kos, Bellerin, Theo and Iwobi will be need for Chelsea). And swap Bellerin and Gibbs lol

Noblegunner

Really? Risk Koscielny in our 4th choice competition, against Nottingham Forest when our very next game is against Chelsea?

Seriously, Bellerin, Kos, Iwobi and Walcott…None of them is playing (or starting at least) tomorrow.

This is more realistic
Ospina
Debuchy Gabriel Holding Gibbs
Elneny Xhaka
Jeff Ox Akpom
Perez

goonerink

think perez will play on the left, jeff on the right and akpom up top.
but if its like the system we play with sanchez atm, they will all be interchangeable.

AngelGooner

Annoying that our form players at the Euro’s – Ramsey and Giroud, have both already had their season cut short by injury.

I was excited for good seasons from them both. Hope they can pick up where they left off.

Tristam

Yes, but I enjoy the fact that we have the squad depth to give them time to recover completely, even with minor injuries like Giroud’s. Hopefully it means that we can count their absence in weeks, rather than months.

Al Gilmore

I actually look forward to seeing us play some of our fringe players and young players. Some of our fringe players like Debuchy just need game time…and this should be a good test. For me this game should be about that. We played a strong side last season against Sheffield Weds and it was a disaster but there was clearly an injury crisis at that time and some first team regulars just coasted through that match with not much motivation. Better to have a hungry team on the pitch.

Merte Xhaka

My lineup:

Ospina
Debuchy Holding Gabriel Gibbs
Xhaka Elneny
Ox Jeff Willock
Lucas/Akpom

Anup

Did anyone see The Jeff on the Arsenal snapchat??

He was quoting the 22 Jump Street Line (which basically copies Borat btw), “my name Jeff”.

Please can we make this into a chant for him.

Ahmad

Unleash the jeff!

Leonardo

It’s bn a while The LORD!

santori

I guess we will be balancing out giving the youngsters a run out with giving the players that need a bit of time on the ball.

So…

…………………………………..Ospina……………………………………..
Debuchy………….Holding……………Gabriel…………………Gibbs
…………………………………..Granit……………………………………
………….Elneny………………………………….Zelalem……………..
Jeff……………………………Perez……………………………..Willock

Something like that.

Jenkinson also avaialable. Would be great to assess him.

C J

Not sure Wenger would play Holding and Gabby together quite yet. You need top, top fitness and leadership/experience between the two; Holding, although impressive, still lacks that bit of leadership while Gabby is lacking match fitness. More likely to be Holding/Gabby and Kos or Holding/Gabby and Mustafi.

my humble 2 cents.

Noblegunner

It’s an EFL match against Nottingham Forest. It’s the exact type of match to play them both together.

C J

good point

Andy Mack

I’d really like to see Akpom started but also I want to see Lucas started….. Confused…. 😀

Gunners

We should try 4-4-2 again (at least for this comp, since Ozil won’t be playing), we haven’t used that formation in ages.

Andy Mack

Remember they’ve got Bendtner, Lansbury and Traore. 3 Former Gunners that will want to show well.

Paul

My starting lineup:
…..The Jeff
Jeff Jeff Jeff Jeff
Jeff Jeff Jeff Jeff
……Jeff Jeff

Holyviper

Great team selection! I’d still like Ospina to keep though, if you don’t mind me changing that one bit.

Paul

Hmmmm…the Jeff could kick the ball further that him though….however I would be happy to put him on the subs bench which would look like this:
Jeff Jeff Jeff Ospina Jeff Jeff.
Happy with that?

Paul

*than 🙁

Anonymarse

A team of Alexis’ would be any opponents worst nightmare. They’d just be getting harried constantly by a pitch full of hyperactive nutters.

If only we could figure out how to clone him.

Anthony

Not sure about Alexis’ pedigree in goal mind you….

Anonymarse

They wouldn’t get near the goal

Leo Messi's London flat

That’s why you put the Ox/Gibbs in there

Xhak Fu

Jeeeefffffspinaaaaa!

westy

Great squad depth even with injuries:
Ospina
Debu,gab,holding,gibbs
Elneny, xhaka
Oxe, zelalem, jeff
Lucas

Beach- martinez? Jenkinson, bielik, akpom, sanogoals? Wilock, fittest cm from a team.

Corona X

Not a bad lineup, but I struggle to understand why you’d want to send some players to the beach…?!

Clins

I hope Maitland Niles get a chance. I think he will be the next breakout star from our academy. Similar to iwobi he is under the radar but probably one of our most rounded academy player.
Zalalem and Jeff are talented but they are still raw and have known weakness

Antispuds returns

I sanogo’s celebration. Just awesome

Lord Bendtner

I worry about Sanogo because i really don’t understand his role at the club. Does he show up for practices etc? Is he vacationing on a private yacht in the North Sea? Is he even in the UK? Like someday ur dining at a fine restaurant in Milan and you see Sanogo at a table across the room reading his daily morning newspaper in his khaki colored shorts ON A GAME NIGHT!
….hmm nvm actually why would I be out dining on a game night?

Andy Mack

We’ll find out when he’s not injured….. If that happens whilst he’s still on a contract to us.

Wes

Wow, we al sound like happy Gooners. Weird

Clins

Considering there are many experienced players not playing regularly not many youngsters will get chance .
My lineup
Ospina
Bellerin holding mustafi Gibbs
Xhaka elneny
Maitland-niles iwobi ox
Perez
Bench Martinez bielk monreal cazorla akpom

No. 8

Bendtner for a hatrick!! Third goal will be a penalty and I wanna see all those camera phone lights, please. It will be like it was at home to Porto!!

In all serious though amongst the bad the Lord did have some moments and games for me that will long live in my memories. And that night home to Porto will be one of them

Anonymarse

A hatrick of own goals would be helpful

Arsepedant

That 93rd minute penalty cost me a 600 pound payout. I’d put a fiver on 4-0 for Arsenal with Bendtner scoring first, at 120/1. Then he had to go and make it five. Bastard. Would have paid for my whole trip to London.

Park chu young and recreation

Jeff it up arsene!

Denis

No one mentioned Yaya Sanogo.. what happen to him?

Andy Mack

Injured of course…

SuchAnArse

The year of the Lord 2016

OneBeatOff

More than anything, irregardless of the eventual line-up, we have to take this cup seriously if the ‘fringe’ players are to get minutes this season. Everything else, EPL, CL, FA Cup even, are so damn important … and rightfully so. To that nd, I hope AW goes with an effective mix of youth and experience.

Bryan Clayden

You all have the line up wrong. Martinez is EFL goalie this season, Ospina gets CL and FA Cup

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