Arsene Wenger says that Danny Welbeck is in with a chance of starting Arsenal’s FA Cup 4th round tie with Southampton on Saturday evening.
With a Premier League clash with Watford on Tuesday night, the manager is set to rotate his squad a bit, and the England international could be given the nod to start his first game since last April.
The 26 year old made his comeback earlier this month, and has come on three times in total as he makes his way back from injury.
Wenger admits he still has some way to go to reach full match fitness, but is considering him from the off at St Mary’s.
“He has a chance to start or to come on, yes,” he said. “He looks sharp, he’s worked very hard. Maybe it will be an opportunity for him.
“In training he still lacks a fraction of zip when he start, but overall he looks quite fit. What is the most important is that he doesn’t look scared.
“That’s the biggest hurdle when you come back.”
Fingers crossed his injury woes are behind him, it’d be great to see him get a run of fitness and games, because he adds something to an already potent forward line-up at the club this season.
The Gunners will be without Wenger on the bench tomorrow, of course, after he was handed a four match ban on Friday by The FA.
Scores the winner at Chelsea…? ?
And two more after the winner…
And scores winner against united because fuck mourinho
and celebrates the goal against United 🙂
Fa Cup mate. Buried it.
We need to win or next two, Southampton, then Watford, then we can think about that scum
I’m nervous about central midfield without Xhaka and Elneny, but we can’t really complain about our options going forward. Walcott, Ox and Lucas will be hoping for some game time too in the coming weeks. It’s definitely the business end of the season now, no room for error. COYG!
Worst Case Scenario
– Bielik
– Ox
– Change in formation
For now, Ramsey and Coquelin will play until Xhaka returns.
The boy is good
Play Lucas Perez at striker. He’s very good and deserves a start. Welbeck on one of the wings.
With them swapping positions.
I think we should be playing our strongest team. We should be aiming to win the FA Cup again.
Delighted to see Danny back he adds something special to the team trys as hard as Alexis always chasing and working hard right up to the last minute.
Looked rusty to me when he came on last. Like Welbeck but id rather not rush his return with a start but use Perez instead.
Play Welbeck if he’s ready to go but we do owe Southampton one in a cup tie. We have to knock them out this time, we just have to
Pinpoint
I’d start Welbeck. We need to get him up to speed. I’d also maybe let Iwobi have a run in central midfield (Naturally the more experienced pairing of Coquelin-Ramsey should start but if we should sew the game up, should try to give Iwobi a bit of exposure so we have back up) The other player I think Wenger may consider in midfield (till we get Elneny and MORE IMPORTANTLY Granit back) could be Debuchy. He’s good on the ball, defensively minded as a Rback and started his career in midfield. Experience counts and he may just be a good… Read more »
Debuchy at midfield, really?
Debuchy wont be ready for another 2-3 weeks as he only just started in training again.
Maitland-Niles is more likely than him at the moment i think.
Nothing to add see you lads in the field, I know tonight we must win. People think wenger being out of touchline we can’t win
we have bouldy on the touchline. we’ll be sweet
May God forgive FA for imposing four match ban to both Zhaka and Wenger…. Although one of them earned it. But at least give Wenger 2 match if u can’t even do with just ordinary paying a fine.
Southampton’s turn to taste the bitterness of defeat in a cup