Arsene Wenger has revealed that Danny Welbeck is a doubt for the trip to Southampton with a thigh problem.
His absence would bring into sharp focus the ridiculous red card and three game ban Olivier Giroud picked up against QPR. The obvious option is Alexis Sanchez, but the Chilean has looked tired at times in recent weeks.
If Welbeck is forced out of the game, it might mean a return to first team action for Theo Walcott against his former club.
The England winger hasn’t started a game for the club since the FA Cup clash with Sp*rs during which he tore his cruciate knee ligament. There have been two brief substitute cameos this season, but a groin injury picked up on international duty put him out at the time he should have been eased back into first team action for the Gunners.
Speaking at his press conference today, Wenger said of Walcott, “On the fitness front, he is ready to play”.
The other option might be to start Yaya Sanogo, but with the young Frenchman on the verge of a loan move away from the club, the manager might be reluctant to do that.
Oh noes! Blogs you jinxed it on the Arsecast Extra. 🙁
Chubby Atkins!
Fanfuckingtastic!
Well, I just made post on the other thread praising Welbeck stating I find it dubious anyone questions his role.
I have a feeling some with calvalier views are going to be re-assessing after this particular update.
I am sure Giroud feels like an utter tool at the moment.
Aye, it’s a bullshit rule but so established by this point that you shouldn’t make the mistake of staring too intently into someone’s eyes.
Umm..you know there’s always someone name Lu, what’s that? Lukas?
As a centre forward? Nah. Not an option.
Wenger would play nacho as CF instead of giving some minutes to poldi
Or we could go Alexis up top, Podolski on the left and Campbell on the right. Give the young boy a chance!
But Lucas Podolski stays on Bench!
that sums up arsenal
Podolski starts, Podolski scores. Then he can also play against Hull in the FA cup.
Front 3 of Podolski-Sancez-Walcott and midfield of Cazorla-Flamini-Rosicky.
Without Schneiderlin I think we should win this
By the time we play Hull, I kind of hope Schneiderlin is an option for us rather than Southampton.
Ditto!
Time for Poldi to show what he can do when he starts.
His name is Lukas, he lives on the subs bench…
Fucking great.
Joel Campbell and Lukas Podolski are on the payroll for what?
Campbell is still pretty raw but Podolski is an option, except he will have to run onto through balls as he won’t be able to do his usual lurking near the box act (at which he is f’ing brilliant BTW).
Theo is a better option than Giroud for this game as Koeman likes the high line but Theo thrives on them.
Szcz
Deb – Per – Koss – Gibbo
Coq – Rozza
Theo – Santi – Poldi
Alexiss!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe it’s just me but I’d prefer if we started with 11 men not 10.
Aaaaah!!!
Why can I not delete my above statement?
What about Poldi? Any chance for him???
Hope Podolski gets a chance! I’d like to see Rosicky back as well.
If he’s out of contention I’d play a front three of, from left to right, Podolski, Sanchez and Cazorla with Rosicky, Ox and Flamini behind them. Walcott from the bench.
You need to work hard to beat Sotton and I don’t think Poldi is the man to start a game like that (OK to sub on later). Also Poldi and Santi aren’t very quick, so I think JoelC could start (RW) and TW could sub on later.
Hard work needed in this game so no room for Poldi. Same D as West Ham if Gibbs not available then Flam,Coq, Ox,Caz,Alexis,Sanogo (if no Welbeck). Bring Rosicky. Theo and Poldi in to freshen up for a poor Hull side in the cup.
If Rosicky is fit, I’d start him to control the possession. And stick with Cazorla at #10, Ox and Alexis on the wings. Those three can switchy-swap as best fits the match. Poldi on at 70′ for a goal and to rest Alexis, and Theo can have a chat with Schneiderlin then sub on for some late minutes.
It’s going to be a tough one.
Remember the home game ? We had many attempts but somehow, had to rely on Alexis late winner to grab the 3 pts.
We could actually use Yaya and crowd the midfield as they’re not known to be strong in the air and will miss Schneiderlin.
Welbeck will be a big miss if he’s out but he has looked like one who needs a rest anyway.
We are well stocked in the attack. Poldi is not a bad option. Walcott is available. Alexis looks tired but just one more game and he will have his rest till the Stoke game. Ox is in the mix and the maestro himself – Santi Carzola – we have enough in our armoury to shoot down Soton who looked tired by the 2nd half against Chelsea.
I get the sense that Walcott has been ready for a while now, but with all the “hanging on” we’ve been doing at the end of games recently Wenger hasn’t been able to use him. A front three of Walcott, Ox and Sanchez would be quite something – and throw in Cazorla and maybe rosicky in midfield that’s a decent team. If we make it through this run of games with maximum points, Giroud will be one relieved handsome fool.
Surely we all knew it would happen. Him and Alexis are workhorses, I feel like we should give him a bit of a rest too.
I would be happy to see us experiment with Ox, Walcott, as well as Podolski/Campbell, and let Akpom get some minutes towards the end for Theo.
I’m grateful nothing of misfortune has come up about the defense and midfield. Yet, at least.
Sanogo has played very well in the 3 big matches (Liverpool, Bayern, Dortmund) that he has started.
Sanogo has a shit ton of potential which shines through when you least expect it, unfortunately people look at goalw
Wenger needs to rest Sanchez for the next two games or risk losing him to a bad injury I think.
Poldi would play rubbish but probably get two wonder goals!
Szczesny
Debuchy mertesacker koscielny Gibbs
Coqulien
Rosicky cazorla
Walcott chamberlain
Sanchez
I hope that we see Coquelin start again, as he performed well against West Ham. I like Coq and I hope that Wenger gives us more of a taste of Coq as the season progresses.
Coq? You alone?
Might be a long shot, but maybe Podolski? I’m sure he does exist
Today’s blog made me smile. thanks for always trying to find that shred of light in between all the gloom. I know it keeps me coming back.
Poldi
Poldi – Poldi – Poldi – Poldi
Poldi – Poldi
Poldi – Poldi – Poldi
Poldi
And we lose 22-24.
Where is Bendtner when u need him?
It’s a good thing you never need Bendtner.
If sanogo can start against bayern I can’t see why akpom can’t get a chance
Start with Campbell. If he seems poor, bring in Poldi on 46th minute or 60th minute. Poldi has failed whenever he started the match up front.
———–Joel————
Alexis—Santi—-Walcott
——Rozza—-Flam——
Monreal—Kos–Per–Debu
———-Szczes————
Ox is a must if fit.
I hope welbz can make it, he scored a goal and that boost his confidence, and he is the only out and out striker available against soton ( except sanogo) but i don’t think sanogo should start at this vital game for us. If welbz pass the fitness test play him, the rest him, sanchez and cazorla aginst hull city for the fa cup game, and kos of course.
CHUBA AKPOM!
We loose players almost every game. Can’t remember when was it last that we came out intact from a match. But we are the Arsenal. Come on lads. Another win will do just fine.
Based on what we know now re availability, I think my starting XI would be: Szcz Debuchy – Per – Kosc – Gibbs Coquelin – Flamini Ox – Cazorla – Podolski Alexis Rationale: I think Southampton need to be respected, they’re above us in the league and held Chelsea 1-1. At West Ham we showed the value of defensive stability and we could create chances without being too gung-ho (that we didn’t finish them is another matter). If Kosc can start I think we need him then rest him for the FA Cup. If he’s not good to go then… Read more »
very well thought through. I was planning to make a case for Coquelin, but you covered that and more well enough. Now let us see to what extent this thinking matches Arsene’s. Apropos nothing, does anyone feel again that when everyone is fit Wilshere does not make the starting 11? Also, does anyone see Wilshere playing on the right again when he is fit? IMO there is no way Wilshere keeps Ozil out of position in this team—not the same vision or the same style of keeping the ball and doing team oriented (not dribbling) things with it. I’ve been… Read more »
I hope Welbeck is passed fit. We need his presence and work rate. That said, we can cope without albeit just brings focus to the nonsense rush of blood to head that Giroud had at QPR. Ideally I feel we should line up : …………………………………..Welbeck………………………………………. Alexis…………………………..Santi………………………………………Ox …………………Rosicky……………………Flamini…………………………. Gibbs…………..Monreal……………..Per……………………..Debuchy ………………………………….Szsc………………………………………… If Welbeck is not fit, maybe Podolski at LW with Alexis up top. Otherwise I feel Walcott should come on maybe at the half depending on fitness of either Ox or Alexis (or Podolski or Welbeck) Also room for Coquelin in closing stages in lieu of Rosicky. All dependent on how… Read more »
A couple of good scenarios outlined above. As regards sitting back – it’s has to be coupled with true intent to break quickly when the opportunity arises. Against most teams we have had few off-sides- against West Ham I believe we had one, for instance. Nobody wants to see off-sides because strikers display a lack of position, but in Arsenal’s case it illustrates we have not been playing the ball fast enough to try to get in behind defenses. I am sure the fact we have been so weak in defense (from midfield back) has inhibited a faster outlet. However,… Read more »
Alexis the Sanchez is always the right answer.