Arsene Wenger says that one of the club’s strengths at this moment are the attacking options available to him.
Having seen Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil plunder three goals and two assists in the 5-2 win over Everton, the manager is set to rest all three knowing he’s got the likes of Puskas Award winner Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi ready to come into the team for tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup tie against Norwich.
Speaking ahead of the game, Wenger said, “That’s the luxury I have at the moment and the difficulty I have as well. All these players do well, play well and they deserve to play.
Fortunately, we have important games every week, so I can give competition to everybody.
“We have so much offensive force on the bench as well. It’s really a strong point of the club at the moment.”
And he admitted the way he selects his team for this competition has changed somewhat.
“I always focus on winning trophies in the Premier League and FA Cup domestically, and always used the League Cup as an education for our young players,” he said.
“But with this team I have the squad to go further, so let’s see. Let’s focus on winning the match against Norwich and then we’ll see where we will go.”
We’re due a league cup win.
Hopefully it opens up nicely for us.
The last time we won it I wasn’t even born so be nice to see us lift the only other major domestic trophy we haven’t won in 20+ years. Also lifting it could give us the confidence to maybe end the season well.
Please don’t let Tony Adams anywhere near our goalscorers if we do win it!
Yes it would be nice to win it (and every game/trophy etc) but the TinPot Cup isn’t a Major Trophy. It’s pretty much on the same level as the Emirates Cup.
I still nearly cried in 2011. A trophy’s a trophy. Finishing in the top four may be like a trophy but a trophy’s a trophy.
Over summer a Sp*rs fan tried to tell me I’d prefer to finish second like them than finish fifth with the FA Cup like us.
Naturally I told him to shove his potless second place up his Aristotle.
I agree @Rich
Would be nice to see us go all the way this year, and for the first time that I can remember we genuinely do have a second string team strong enough to win it.
I know in previous years Arsene has just left it mainly to the youth prospects, but this time around we do have some seasoned first team players in there that actually have to perform because they know that its their only way to get back into the Premier League squad.
We should easily have enough to beat this lot tonight
If the lads given the chance in EFL Cup or whatever its called now can play well, progress and give the boss something to think about, I think it can keep the starting 11 on their toes as well. Apart from Man City I don’t see many other sides that have the strength in depth that we have. The likes of Giroud Wilshere Walcott Iwobi to call upon is a nice option to have.
All our attacking options will come in handy as we progress thru all competitions. No mention of That Guy Welbz too as he’s injured but tough to pick even a bench when all fit. We’re truly spoiled offensively but it means nothing if we can’t win any major trophies. So lets do just that. COYG
Arsene doesn’t like it to be luxurious! Does he?
Must be scratching his nose..
Would we be happy with a treble consisting of the League Cup, Fa Cup and Europa League? If the combo of Ozil, Laca and Alexis is prolific to the point that Ozil and Alexis are happy to stay are we happy with that? Is that enough progress?
I think that’s a very realistic target, and furthermore I think if we can remain mostly healthy we can finish in the top four in the league. We have such a deep squad right now that we can rotate 100% for the Cow Cup and Europa League matches. Everyone should be rested, no matter how many games we play.
Ive always been fine with not winning the league as long as we really compete for it.
No shame for united when they lost on goal difference to city that year or Liverpool when they finished 2 behind city.
The manner of how we completely bottle 4 or 5 games in a row in February is what drives me mental
Why not go for a clean sweep?
My word, how the views on this site can be changed by beating 2 lower teams with 10 men?
I had my tongue firmly in my cheek
It’s a common view among fans that we should be winning the Europa League, we’ve also an expectation to win the FA Cup after recent seasons success, so adding the League Cup isnt that much of a reach as I don’t think we’ve any real expectations to compete for the league this year. Only a question anyway.
So why do Arsenal have to play Tuesday & everyone else involved in a Sunday game plays Wednesday? Obviously it won’t matter as we rotate the whole squad but it’s just another way that Arsenal get screwed.
So we beat a pathetic Everton side and all is fine and dandy with the world again. Lah dee dah.
Maybe we have enough attacking options to tell Theo to find a new club
A few of those luxuries are running down their contracts though.
Giroud and Wilshere repeat please.
As beautiful as his goals are his assists may be even better our OG a thing of beauty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3bAybGZOT0
Superb attackers on the bench is nice, but I am worried that we had to play Elneny as CD and youngsters as out-of-position wingbacks.
When did you stop to give this Cup funny names? Always had a good chuckle, about them 😀
You’re talking about the reindeer* cup I take it?
*aka the caribou.
They beat fucking Everton and now can’t stop talking… Jesus! Hopefully we won’t get to see yet another hard landing in the next few weeks.
Dont be silly, ofcourse we will. We’ll probably win all our games and we’ll all be in a great and optimistic mood until we play City. We’ll get tonked, act like its the end of the world and then start the whole healing process again 🙂
A lot of people will be surprised……Arsenal will win the EPL
I feel like that every season and every season, im left disappointed 🙁
At the moment we do have a fantastic attacking lineup to call on.. unfortunately we will lose Sanchez and Ozil in January or definrely the summer. Let’s also remember it was lowly Everton we bear with 10 men, the toffies are playing the worst football in the EPL..its a step in the right direction and hopefully Sanchez and Ozil play there hearts out to attract the big clubs. Ozil did ally had a descent game but we all know why he’s stepping his game up , it’s in there best interest to play well and this only helps arsenal this… Read more »
We do have good depth up front once Welbeck is back with Giroud, Welbeck and Iwobi being able to come back in. I really wouldn’t put Walcott in that group as he seems even more like a square peg in a round hole in the current formation being played than previously. I would love to see Nelson get an opportunity as one of the attacking 3 at some point this year instead of always at wing back.