Arsene Wenger has provided the latest team news update ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Preston North End.
After two games in 48 hours the cup competition gives the manager a chance to rest some players who have given a lot in recent matches, and give a chance to some fringe and youth players.
Speaking at his press conference today, the manager revealed there may be a problem with Lucas Perez, and that we’ll be without Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez amongst others.
“We might have a problem with Perez, he injured his ankle at Bournemouth so I will have to look at that,” he said.
“Coquelin is out for three or four weeks now. He has a scan today, maybe we’ll have some good news, but I count always three weeks [because of a hamstring].”
He also spoke about Mesut Ozil who missed the last two games with illness and who looks set to sit out this one as well.
“Mesut Ozil is coming in today,” he said, “he will be assessed by the doctor, but he has been in bed for two weeks but I cannot imagine he will be ready.
“I will rest Koscielny because he came off with two problems in his thigh. Of course Ospina will play, Sanchez I will rest certainly, but the rest will play.”
Hoping Welbeck will make the bench for the game Saturday. I’ve missed him!
I’d also like him to rest Xhaka as he is so essential with Coq and Elneny both out now.
Some youth team players like Maitland Niles could be involved as he looked good in the games he was involved in earlier this season.
Unfortunately there is no one else now is there… 🙁 No senior player to stead the ship…
*Wenger stares intently at Parez’s ankle*
But after all, he will say “I didn’t see that” anyway.
Would have been good to see Perez in action this weekend.. Let’s hope he can recover in time!
Just out od curiosity – if either of Granit or Rambo is injured, would it make sense to recall Jack?
There’s no recall clause
Ah Jack you schmuck
can we ask Bournemouth to loan him to us for January or at least until Elneny gets back? haha.
The curse of Lucas Perez…score…get the fans excited…and then get injured. Feel sorry for the lad as I think there is a good player there if he could get a run of games
Come back soon Santi
Letting Jacky go on loan seems like a bit of a boo boo now, be nice if there was a call back clause…
He needed games and he wouldn’t have got enough if he’s stayed.
Like most players, he needs a run of games to get some form.
Season long loans are not allowed to have a callback clause.
One more time The Ox or Ramsey get injured i consider them done at Arsenal. There is no better opportunity for them to prove their quality. We can’t be carrying passengers every season.
I think Wenger is trying to save Perez for PL. He surely has earned the place over Ramsey and Ox. His link up play isn’t great but his strength is his directness. Deserves a run in first team now.
That’s what it seems like now, but it’s almost guaranteed his link-up play will greatly improve with a run of games. Highly intelligent and efficient in movement and technique–he’s a thoughtful guy and a keen observer, that’s about all that will help you blossom into a first league player, let alone be recognized by Arsenal, so late in his career. Genuinely exciting, mature striker. Our strikers have been so great this season, despite recent results. Wenger needs a working midfield back with strong partnerships, and our defense will also recover as a result. It’s only a matter of time before… Read more »
Play Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Zelalem & The Jeff. Start Holding and the Brazilian Cricketer Gabriel. Play Wellbeck and sub Akpom on for him after an hour. See how deep this squad goes, and though Preston North End are a Championship side, they’ll have a real crack. Here’s hoping they in turn crack like they did in the Championship play-offs all those years in a row
I gave you a thumbs up just for reminding me of Gabriel’s skill as a bowler. That is probably the best video on Arsenal’s YouTube page, closely followed by the video where Nacho asks Santi how he likes his eggs.
Ospina
Carl(available?),Holding,Mustafi, Monreal
Xhaka,Niles
Ramsey
Ox,Giroud,RobertPires
Ramsey at CM or the bench for me. No use as a no10.
Pires to score 1 and assist 2.
but you do know what postion ‘no 10’ usually describes?
No10: Playmaker, attacking midfielder or second striker (Wikipedia). = the role Ozil plays for us.
Ospina
Jenks Gabriel Holding Nacho
Ramsey Maitland
Ox Iwobi Jeff
Giroud
Good enough for Preston?
I hope The Jeff could be involved in some shape or form. The boy needs to play some football, not always warming the bench.
Couldn’t agree more. Time for youngsters to step up. Do we know who of the youth team squad is available??
It’s unfortunate that we got knocked out of the EFL Cup so early. I’m hoping Chris Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles can both be involved.
Got a funny feeling about this game will have to play couple of youngsters plus ox ..Ramsey…perez if fit ..holding..Gabriel ..ospina ..wellbeck for 20 minutes is our best chance of silverware
Ox down the middle………
If we have Giroud on top, then why shouldn’t Ox be out on the wings trying to put in a cross?
If he means in central midfield then I am all for that. Put on that storming display against AC Milan a few seasons back…
Premiership in may
1st. Chelsea
2nd .spurs
3rd .man city
4th .Liverpool
5th man utd
6th .arsenal
Do you prefer a crystal ball or crystal meth?
And you a ray of fucking sunshine
are u sure ur an arsenal fan why put as below spurs
Im arsenal fan since 1979 it was my first fa cup final probably the best ever ps I hate spurs ..Chelsea ..utd im just saying it the way I see it hope im wrong
Complete fucking idiot posting here.
At that time of year when new year resolutions are made, when we try and improve ourselves and our lives….remember that you’ll probably have to CHANGE something in the way you’ve done things in the past.
Arsenal and Wenger DONT change…ever.
This is why we get exactly the same bullshit every single year.
If the youth can’t win us these games, we really can’t hope for anything, so let ospina lead the babies
Out squad seems so shallow now, where is this squad depth we all spoke of recently?
Look wenger just spend the money , we get injured players dont know when they are coming back, dropping points players moaning fans moaning please give us something to smile bout and i dont just mean beating chelsea 3-0
Yeah Wenger lend us a 20!
Perhaps the best course of action would be finding a way to recall Jack, I’d imagine it’d be less expensive than a new signing for breaking the loan agreement. Anyone of the quality we need would either be reluctant to move or sorry to say at a better-positioned club in another major league. I believe money isn’t the problem here, it’s the mentality of players and there is clearly something wrong with the Arsenal training regime/medical care. This is a wonderful club, but at times it has been exhausting putting up with a groundhog style season. Wenger has spent the… Read more »
Spend the money on what? Who is realistically available _now_, will add something to the squad beyond the immediate short term, and not already cup-tied out of all the important games we’d want to play them in?
How about theo?
Jack is a good player but its about the team as a whole not just one man.May be bring in some of the younger tream
Ramsay no good at number 10? Try telling Chris Coleman that.
I actually think Ramsey doesn’t play as a number 10 for Wales. He seems to have a very free role. From watching the Euros, the key to Ramsey’s success was the absolute terror with which opposing defenses viewed Bale.
I hope jack will stay fit for Arsenal too when he returns