Arsene Wenger has provided the latest team news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final with Lincoln City.
The Gunners face the non-league side at the Emirates looking to respond to Tuesday night’s defeat to Bayern Munich, and to put themselves within two games of a trophy.
There are still concerns over Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi who missed the Champions League game through illness.
“We have two uncertainties,” said Wenger. “Welbeck who had to come off after the warm up for sickness. The other is Iwobi, couldn’t turn up because of the same problem.
“Everybody else should be available.”
Wenger was asked about Mesut Ozil, who is recovering from a bout of illness himself, and his possible team selection.
“He still felt not too well after the game,” he said. “I will see in training how he feels. I haven’t decide yet about the team for Saturday.
I always play a team who has a good chance to qualify, and I will continue to do that of course.”
It was also put to him that there might be an issue with players who are picking up illnesses.
“We have a little problem on that front,” he said. “It could be a bug, I don’t really know.
“It’s the job of the doctors, I have enough to do!”
Could be a tough match, disaster if we lose, let’s hope the lads are up for it.
Why are people suggesting we play anything other than our “first” team, this is all we’ve got to aim for. I thought he had sensibly rested Iwobi on Tuesday but he’ll probably drag him out of a sick bed.. I still think not as much has been made of the dive for the penalty as should have, if we had got another goal, had been given our own penalty, we might have done a Barcelona (ha ha ha).
Hopefully Wenger will leave soon, fingers crossed.
I think that the board leaks make it pretty clear the board want him to stay. The board doesn’t want to bring in a big-name replacement who will expect a big war-chest. They’d much rather have Arsene carefully spending their money as if it’s his own. So the decision as to whether Arsene stays is entirely his own.
What would the motivation be for the board to hire a manager who expects a “war chest”? If the board wants a manager that wants to spend money they will hire that type if not they will hire a manager who fits what they need.
No big surprise to be thumbed down on here for failing to praise The Emperor but has no-one been watching Arsenal these past years???
It’s really just that your comment is pointless, well worn, tedious, and was put together in the style of a clumsy child. Did you think you reinvented the wheel with your insight?
I was only saying I hope he leaves soon. As most non-sheep Arsenal fans will agree with.
When you dismiss fans who have a different opinion from you as sheep, you don’t do yourself any favours.
I for one would like to see Wenger given £200m to spend for one last hurrah! My wish is for him to leave on a high… sanchez and ozil need to go if they don’t want to be here.
Oh bore off
“I have enough to do.”
Yes you do. But you should be sitting somewhere far away in retirement instead.
As a temporary escape from the doom and gloom of currently being a Gooner can I just applaud Barca…
No u can’t
On that note, isnt it funny how psg fouled saurez in the box one on one with no other defenders around. Penalty. Yellow card? Mind blown.
If there was contact it was minimal. He took a dive.
Yep, just like Lewandiveski did.
Don’t just read the narratives. Watch the game. You will see why they are called uefalona. Piss poor refereeing again.
Don’t know who UEFA will support when it’s Barca v Bayern.
I think deep down we actually all know who.
Barca…. #teamphelps
Barca cheated . I read this morning the match ref Is under investigation. Anyway I don’t care. Arsenal beating Lincoln today is all that matters.
I hope he plays a first team team and not youngsters.
These players need some confident booster..this game could provide it.
My team for Sat:
OSPINA
GABRIEL MERT KOS MONREAL
PEREZ RAMSEY XHAKA OX
OZIL
GIROUD
I can see Holding playing in this game, which would be OK I think. Would love to see Perez get a start as per your team.
Too much work for one man. The board need to impose a Director of Football on him. If he doesn’t like it, and leaves, so be it. But the next Manager MUST work with a DOF!
We need one for the next manager either way, would be nice to get one in by Monday. Not holding my breath though.
I don’t know enough about how other clubs are structured. Would a Director have a seat on the board?
The board needs one imposed on them just as much as Wenger does (they both do).
Kinda feel sad for him
Ospina
Bellerin – Holding – Mertesacker – Gibbs
Ox – Ramsey – Xhaka
Perez – Welbeck – Alexis
Dominate those Red Imps with a solid 2-1 come from behind Victory Of Glory.
Give Mertesacker a start on Saturday, PLEASE. It breaks my heart to think of him not starting a game this season. Also my love for him was rejuvenated when he was asked a question about the boss at the press conference the other day and laughed in their face.
Cech
bellerin holding Kos monreal
ox xhaka ramsey
walcott alexis lucas
4-3-3 with xhaka deeper than ox/ramsey for me, team needs a good win here, nothing less will do!
I will be sad when he goes. His limitations are being exposed, but the abuse he has been getting is embarrassing and vile. I think he should announce his departure and then those that abuse him can cease. Then get behind the team. Stan doesn’t care about anything but money, Gazidis is unskilled. So a big name is unlikely.
Chelsea, Man UTD, Liverpool and Man City have all under performed in recent seasons but none of them get the media attention we do. Arsenal fans jump on social media and the traditional media jump on our fears causing a storm of our own making. Will this season be a disaster? no, it will be bang average, like the team. I am not happy with the season but we are not going the same way as Aston Villa. Champions League is a distraction, should a team that finishes outside the top two be in it anyway? (I know we finished… Read more »
First person I have heard making sense in these times. Everyone else seems to be too influenced by the media and some social media no bodies.
Even though Ospina did not do anything wrong, as a GK you have to think letting in 5 against Bayern (again) must have dented his confidence, so I hope he can have a safe clean sheet this weekend. If the BFG is fit, give him some game time. I found it interesting to see Xhaka play as a CB after Kos was sent off against Munich, and that Wenger chose not to bring on Gabriel. And if the BFG is fit, play Holding alongside him to learn for someone with experience. Upfront, Welbeck if he is well to continue his… Read more »
There must not be any room for prima donnas at the Arsenal football club. play with passion or get out.!!!!
Problem with that – Sanchez plays with mad passion, but can also be a total prima donna. Is he in or out?