Arsene Wenger has provided the latest team news update ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
The Gunners have some injury worries to key first team players with Mesut Ozil ruled out, having already been given a pass from international duty, and serious doubts over Laurent Koscielny.
The vice-captain has been struggling with an Achilles injury and this is currently causing him problems.
“Mesut Ozil will not be available for Sunday,” said Wenger. “Very short-term. He is not far, but he is not enough for Sunday.
“We have a doubt about Laurent Koscielny unfortunately and he will have a test tomorrow. It’s an Achilles problem, it’s ongoing.
“I think everybody else should be available. Sead Kolasinac had some problems, but he is available. That’s basically it.”
Alex Iwobi is a possibility, having missed the last few games with injury, and the Gunners will be looking for three points as we head into the Interlull.
What’s with our Coq? Shouldn’t he be back soon, too?
Hell bent
Easy decision for the boss. Elneny should retain his place if Ozil is out and Captain Per comes in for Kos.
Elneny played 90 against Doncaster, West Brom, and Borizov, and he was sloppy against Borizov so I think he may need a breather. I’d prefer to see Iwobi or Wilshire starting.
Per playing two games in a week? Though, I suppose, it is the logical move. Think I’d rather see holding come in though because I don’t trust mustafi on the right hand side. Elneny seems the obvious bet with Iwobi on the bench I think.
Elneny is still too soft and gets pushed off too easily.
Ramsey further forward is an option but I don’t half mind seeing Jack again for half the game if Iwobi takes the other. He makes things happen.
surely not? don’t see why we would need multiple defensive minded midfielders against Brighton.
i would go with laca walcott ramsey sanchez in attack with xhaka in front of the back 5.
3-3-3-1 or 5-1-3-1 whatever you want to call it.
if there fitness is doing ok, i would not mind seeing nelson or nketiah given a place instead of walcott. brighton at home is arguabley the most training wheels game they could get in the prem?
Walcott must not start a game in Emirates, closed and locked defense doesn’t suit his lack of technical abilities in shorts spaces. Iwobi is much more useful.
I don’t play fifa, I just don’t see the point on having two holding players in every single game it is predictable and unneccesary. El neny and xhaka offer very little going forward let alone scoring goals el neny is yet to score in the prem. Why would you want both of them , we know brighton will sit back. Iwobi is coming back from injury and is he really any better than walcott? I fancy walcott to poach a goal in a crowded box, whereas i don’t see iwobi scoring at all. I am well aware of Brighton’s ability… Read more »
Jesus
Sadly, he plays for City.
Then you don’t know the EPL if you think Brighton is a stroll in the park.
Random fifa formations don’t tend to work in real life buddy..relax and just enjoy the game
Watch where Elneny has played in the last few matches- he hasn’t been playing as a defensive mid, it’s been more advanced in a box to box role. With ramsey on the right, Elneny often is asked to move into space ramsey vacates when we’re going forward. His job isn’t to be someone who breaks up play or makes tackles, his job is to be the arteta – like metronome and keep the ball moving and make himself available for others to pass to.
Brighton would crush that (lack of) midfield.
I agree with that, but Koscienly’s Achilles ?
This means we’ll have to wait a while before we see the Alexis-Lacazette-Ozil trident on display. I was looking forward to it this Sunday. Looks quite deadly on paper.
Can we call them S-O-L? Because defenses are shit outta luck?
I would give Koscielny the time off, let him rest for 2 weeks. Surely we can beat Brighton at home without him.
…………………Lacazette……………………..
………..Alexis………………Iwobi…………….
Kolasinac………………………………..Bellerin
………………Granit……Ramsey………………
………Monreal…..Mustafi……Chambers……
……………………..Cech……………………….
Then swap Walcott for Iwobi 60mins in.
For the umpteenth time, Chambers is injured
Maybe jack could get the first 45 and AMN the second seeing as Elneny has played 2 back2back 90s
Elneny is also a relentless engine. Its early days in the season and he has been improving.
Keep elneny on i reckon
His ‘engine’ is actually the problem. Like Ramsey, he puts in quite a lot of intensive running in each game. So asking him to play his third game in 6 days will put him dangerously close to an impending muscle strain. I’m no doctor, but Ramsey’s (and el neny’s) intensive running style is essentially the reason why he’s so prone to muscle injuries.
I’ve not read anything concerning Debuchy being injured, if we’re paying his wages, why don’t we use him, maybe in the League Cup at least?
Sometimes, the boss just wants to watch the world burn
The mad king
I’d agree. He has been a decent player in the past. Obviously he’s not the future for us, but why can’t we motivate him to put the effort in for some non-key games – seeing as we’re paying his wages and all, as you mention
Maybe they can’t find his shirt anywhere?
Cech
Holding Mustafi Nacho
Bellerin Kolasinach
Xhaka
Elneny.
Ramsey
Iwobi. Alexis
Lacazette
Arsenal 4 – 0.
Laca and Alexis braces with both setting each other up.
(You can guess who I have in my fantasy team)
You’ve got 12 players there mate …
A bit silly to play El Neny twice in 4 days then. With Iwobi only just coming back from injury, it would’ve made sense to push Ramsey further forward again & play El Neny next to Xhaka. Especially since Brighton are ‘supposed’ to be press-happy, which Xhaka tends to be weak against.
I hope you have all voted for Giroud here:
http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/puskas-award/index.html
Thanks, done now!
Ozil seems to be ‘injured’ and ‘sick’ a lot lately. Maybe it’s the cynic ine, but I think he could be just killing time until his contract is up.
My prediction for the line up as below:
Lacazette
Alexis Walcott
Kolasinac Xhaka Ramsey Bellerin
Monreal BFG Holding
Cech
Subs: Ospina, Niles, Wilshere, Giroud, Nelson, Iwobi, Akpom.
2-0 for the gunner.
Nice Marty Feldman pic.