Match Preview

Alexis Sanchez Injured! Mathieu Debuchy Returns & Young Guns Fill The Bench….

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

The FA Cup draw took place last night and we have a repeat of our Cup Final last season. Thankfully it’s a home fixture and not until the 3rd January. Arsene might have signed a couple of players by then….

Looks like Arsene Wenger has accepted second place and to be honest, none of us expect Dortmund to lose tonight do we? Well I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they do as Anderlecht have nothing to lose having already qualified for a Europa place. Perhaps they’ll just relax and play a good game and sneak a win…

Arsene Wenger has named his side ahead of tonight’s game which is very unusual. Mathieu Debuchy is set to make his return among a first eleven consisting of:

Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin, Ramsey, Flamini, Chamberlain, Campbell, Sanogo, Podolski.

Six youngsters make the bench:

Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem, Glen Kamara, Stefan O’Connor, Alex Iwobi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Alexis Sanchez has a groin injury according to the manager:

Not because of the game on Saturday, but Sanchez had a groin problem for some time, and he has played 27 games. Cazorla has played many games, it is more just the number of repetitive games we have.

I’m saying nothing!!

So finally, Alexis Sanchez gets a rest, as does Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs. Hector Bellerin will play at left-back but lord help us if Szczesny picks up an injury and there is no keeper on the bench.. Martinez surely..

Tell you what though, the return of Debuchy is great news, it really is. As much I love seeing Bellerin play there, until our midfield has strength, height and a lot more organisation, players like him and Chambers will be hung out to dry. Same on the left really, especially if our full backs are bombing forwards like they are wingers.

Anyway, let’s hope the squad has a good night, play well and get three points but more importantly, no more injuries and certainly no setback for Debuchy.

And let’s hope Anderlecht can get one over the German club….

COYRRG’S!!

Have a good day folks….

rico

193 thoughts on “Alexis Sanchez Injured! Mathieu Debuchy Returns & Young Guns Fill The Bench….”

  8. rico says:

    Things like what AW has said about Alexis really cheese me off. If Alexis has a slight groin injury and has done for a while, why flog him to death each week?

    But the bigger question is why tell the media and set himself up for yet more criticism…?

  13. oz gooner says:

    can any body tell me why Kos and Giroud need a rest ?? And as for we might have signed a couple of players by then. Are you Tottenham in disguise ?

  19. BT62 Gooner says:

    Sorry Rico, it’s my gift to you….it’s all about the sharing…

    AW, I’ve managed 180 CL games, most with Arsenal……and?

  21. rico says:

    Oz gooner – Giroud is not registered and Koscielny has a slight injury. That’s why both are having a rest..

    Not sure what you mean re the other part of your comment..

  23. rico says:

    🙂 Bt, you don’t need to share everything….

    Good re Martinez, I guess whoever released the squad details have updated it….

  24. rico says:

    Wenger came in for criticism over the weekend after the Gunners lost 3-2 to Stoke.

    And while the French tactician has sometimes been slammed for being set in his ways, particularly when it comes to transfers, Winterburn believes times have changed at the Emirates.

    “It looks as if the club has got some substantial funds now and I think Arsene Wenger needs to look at the situation and decide if he can get reinforcements in.

    ‘My take on it is we are in a new period for Arsenal, particularly since the signing of Mesut Ozil’.

    “The squad is too thin and there are certain areas they know need to be improved if they are going to challenge for the title next season, which Arsene Wenger is telling us is going to happen.

    “I’d like to see him in charge simply I because I’d like to see, with the money I believe is now available, whether he will change and look to bring in new players, and it is looking like he will.

    “Arsenal have never spent £40milion before like they did with Ozil and £30million like they did on Alexis Sanchez. Now, if he went out and did that on a holding midfield player and maybe another centre-half then people would start to say Arsene Wenger is changing his ways.”

  25. scottfromoz says:

    Rightly or wrongly, it’s lovely to see ex players of that stature supporting Wenger on these dark times.
    The man needs to know the entire world isn’t against him.

  27. scottfromoz says:

    I know, Rico…….their opinions tend to be dismissed by plenty, though.
    Adds a little weight to the argument that Wenger isn’t the real problem, but let’s not start that one up again hahahaha

  28. Wavy says:

    It’s a measure of how much Wenger has lost it. He probably thought it was match day yesterday, and the game was at home!!
    The
    Ack of naming a Gk is so telling, he can clearly remember having Seaman but who is this Martinez??? And where have Adams and Keown gone? Are they injured? Denis is not playing because he does not fly!

    You can hear it all, can’t you? It’s a shame but is all part of the aging process!

    Morning all and what a white world it is here. Jack has weaved his wand yet again, beautiful!

  29. rico says:

    Scott, if by some magic he signs a Cdm and CH in Jan and both well over 6′ – then things change on the pitch and we play much better, he’d even have my support again…. 😉

  46. allezkev says:

    Rico, there was a road fatality close to Tower Bridge yesterday, a motorcyclist.

    I wonder if it’s down to overwork at this time of the year, leading to fatigue and therefore accidents on the road…?

  47. Lee says:

    I had to do the school run this morning and there was a fatality on the A120 at Marks Tey….stuck in the traffic for over an hour!
    Wenger buy a DM and CB in Jan??? More tobacco with it Housers……..

  50. Lee says:

    Actually Wenger is probably beavering away at signing two players to rectify our defensive frailties as we speak…. both to be announced on 1st Jan!! Half full today…..

  53. rico says:

    Just half full Lee?

    I wonder if Nigel Winterburn knows something we don’t…. Hope his prediction is right and we get at least a Cdm and Ch next month….

  60. Nickie says:

    According to reports we should have Cavani, Schniederlin and Hummels lining up against Hull. We should win that game easy

  62. BT62 Gooner says:

    Nickie, my man, how’s it cuttin’?

    If i see those 3 lining up, i might start believing……in fairy tales…lol

  63. Nickie says:

    It’s going good Bt, I didnt look at any blogs, twitter, or motd until today since Arsenal lost. I felt wonderful not a care in the world.

    Ps. Did anyone chuckle when Bojan scored the fourth which was disallowed. I thought, “how bad can this get” lol

  64. BT62 Gooner says:

    Good to hear all is well, Nickie….

    My mate watched the game with me, he cracked up that much, it wasn’t until 5 mins later that we realised it was only 3…lol

  65. Nickie says:

    The run of “good” results almost put me to a level where I was going to buy a couple of Newcastle tickets. My head was scrambled but the Stoke result made me see sense lol

  66. Rick says:

    Good afternoon Rico and the House.
    In the midst of all the doom and gloom our U19 team are putting in a great performenc in their game
    at Galatasary and at half time with goals from Mavididi and Robinson are leading. 2-1

    If you look at the team that we have put out at the moment this is with out doubt
    one of their best ever games. In the home game the lads won 5-1 but no fewer then 7 of that team are missing. Both fullbacks and 1 C/H are injured ,C/H oconner mid field Niles and Zelalem and the team captain Iwobi are on the bench tonight. The team which is playing is a mixture of schoolbays and first year students with most of them playing out of position and and playing in this compition for the first time.

  71. Rick says:

    No mate it is’nt This is turning into a great performance
    . It is being played on an articial pitch where Galatasary are undefeated and our team are playing on one for the first time . Eyoma has made it 3-1 and our make shift defence are in complete control, thats what I am being told.

  77. Rick says:

    By winning today we have qualified for the last sixteen.
    The last group game is tomorrow when dotmund are at home to Anderlect.
    A Dortmund win we will top the group and will have a home draw A draw or away win we finish 2nd and will be drawn away.
    As you say Kev now its up to the Seniors

  78. allezkev says:

    Joao Moutinho could be on offer, at a snip, for £30 million…

    Apparently Chelski, ManUre and the Arse are interested in him…
    So says his Agent, ‘no Super Agent’ Jorge Mendes…

    Well anybody that takes any notice of that snake, must need an appointment with a psychologist….

  79. Wavy says:

    Some of those seniors on the bench are pretty junior! Let’s hope for a similar outcome. We all need a boost, not least the manager!! It will keep the boo boys at bay too.

  81. frednerk says:

    Afternoon All,
    So wenger buys a centre half and defensive mid,
    will that be the turning point,
    will he then be back to the manager he was 10 years ago,
    Kosser on the bench saturday,nowhere to be seen to nite,
    Debuchy not fit for the bench saturday,starts to nite,
    Wonder what the players are thinking

    Me…………..confused yes
    Must be at least one on here who has the answer?

  84. rico says:

    Not long ago the papers were saying AW doesn’t rotate enough, now he has they write ‘he may regret his decision’… Planks!!

  85. frednerk says:

    We pay a club record for a world class player..Ozil,
    What happens,
    Wenger plays him out of position,on the wing,
    and gets slated again.
    Its getting very hard to have any faith in the man.

    Wenger says our home form stands up with the best,
    I agree………..
    But the way he hid under that dugout saturday,
    makes me think its the home support,
    that gets the team ticking along,for us,
    Not him.

  86. rico says:

    I was surprised on Saturday. The last few games he’s been out of his seat a lot more yet when the team went 1-0 down so early and needed a voice, he nor Bould were anywhere to be seen….

  87. Lee says:

    I caught a bit on SSN this morning…. wenger moaning about fans getting the hump after one bad performance and that he should be judged at the end of the season! How many times has he said this shit? Judge me in in May….. what fucking May????

  88. allezkev says:

    Fred, what do you think of O’Conner?
    Only seen him once on TV, but he looked a very assured defender…

  91. frednerk says:

    Not seen him live yet Kev,
    He looks a big boy aggressive in the tackle and confident,
    what I have seen.
    I liked Kamara,very aggressive loves a tackle,
    puts himself about a bit,centre mid.

  93. Wavy says:

    Fred, he stayed hidden in the dugout because of what the Stoke fans did to him a couple of years ago. Every gesture he made, every word he spoke, every ball he kicked etc they mimicked and thought the game very funny! They took the piss big time. They repeated the performance the next time we met and next, so the old stubborn one stayed hidden out of view so the crowd couldn’t get on to him! But they would as soon as he stepped out, if he had stepped out. Intimidation or what? But, where was Steve Bould? Has Wenger given him a touch line ban too? Bouldy came from Stoke he should have been able to deal with the pottery potters! I mean when do we ever see SB out and shouting instructions? Even Paddy had a shout from time to time! Do you think AW is scared SB may offer some tactical advice from the touchline thus usurping His majesty’s instructions?

    Give me a few minutes and I’ll come up with another of Wenger’s bizarre behaviour and its possible cause!

  94. allezkev says:

    Fred, I saw O’Connor in a Youth Cup game vs Chelsea, and he stood out among an uninspiring Arsenal performance…

    I like the kid…

  95. frednerk says:

    Playing away from home is very scary for some young players,
    when things go wrong,you look to the bench for…….help
    Surely wengers been and got the T-Shirt,by now..Wavy
    No pun intended…
    But that waving the other year was funny.

  96. Wavy says:

    I know Fred, I laughed a lot too, but it is incredibly annoying, simply because you are rendered completely impotent, you silly can do nothing, not a thing about it! Except turn and take the piss out of the crowd, orchestrate their own stupidity, somehow. Or would that be considered incitement?
    As a manager you are in a no win, no win situation, except of course you can play the I’m ‘considerably richer than yow’ card! Wenger’s £8m p.a. To the average Stoke supporter’s dole money or minimum wage or £30k p.a. And cock a snook to the lot of them!
    Wenger should man up and be big enough to ignore the lot of them and get on with his job without worrying that they are extracting the michael!

  97. Rick says:

    Fred your 2.30pm ref Kosser and Dubucy .
    Has Arsene used a bit of common sense for a change?,
    With Chambers banned and Monreal still injured its important that
    Koss ( and Gibbs) can play on Sat. Has he left them at home so they do not get injured tonight, and they can spend time on their fitness.

  99. BT62 Gooner says:

    Lee, i’ve had the Perfect Storm with MS a few times, have you tried Kraken rum before, if so what’s it like?

    The Perfect Storm + some Bitters….

  106. Micko says:

    So it’s Campbell, Podolski and Sanogol up front is it, I hope they’ve all been introduced to each other !

    Scousers on the box tonite….come on Basel !

  117. Micko says:

    BT,I’m gonna take a leaf out of Scott’s book and be positive tonite, it’s not like they’ve got a Crouch or Walters up front to run us ragged is it.

    rico, all this typing in my name after each comment is very tiring at my age you know.

  125. scottfromoz says:

    Did anyone just see the reaction from Campbell when he didn’t get the ball from Ramsey???
    That’s his issue right there…..attitude.

  132. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, little signs have been there the last two or three games.
    A few goals is exactly what he needed.
    Funny, but he And a few others have been in shocking form, yet we tend to find it easier to blame others 🙂

  151. rico says:

    Sure would Bt. I really don’t like them….

    Potter, I doubt it and let’s not forget that many fans would have sold him by now….

  164. Lewis says:

    Really really bad Rico. I the the refs we get in the prem are awful but they look great compared to European refs

  177. rico says:

    At least we can all go to bed happy after a good result……

    Times might be tough but the team did good tonight and the manager did too….

    Night all….

  180. potter says:

    Seems that Arsenal stewards confiscated the ” thanks for the memories ” banner tonight. They are creating a free speech problem.

  182. BT62 Gooner says:

    Hardly surprised by that. Potter….

    I was wondering how long they’d get away with it, thought it might have happened at home….

  184. potter says:

    Apparently it was picked up by the media and returned after the match.I Expect to see reference to it in the morning papers.

  186. George says:

    Hi all

    Good result. Assuring performance and a good run out for debuchy, Campbell,sanogoal and podolski.

    We also saw a glimpse of the young players…

    I thought there were some very good performances yesterday. I liked what I saw from podolski , Campbell and bellerin. Also thought maitlandniles looked good. Ramsey and the ox bossed it first half and merts was very assuring at the back.

    Podolski and Campbell did enough to warrant more minutes next few games. Welbeck needs to know these two are up for it.

    We looked limp in midfield 2nd half but you can expect that from the subs he put on. Disappointed with zelalem, he promised so much last year but looked very raw and not ready as did o Connor.

    Debt hey looks short of match fitness, and we need to watch how we handle him. Like said earlier , Melo was trying to break him last night..

    Overall, job done….let’s see how we fare against Newcastle

  187. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Bonjour ducks and chicks.

    How are you all??? weather still bad???

    I saw the game yesterday and I was happy with what I saw. There were some pluses and also some negatives, however on the whole I enjoyed it.

    I will begin with the negatives. First of all it is clear that AW is using only a small percentage of the potential he has in attack. Podolski and Campbell should be given more time and not just a game here and there. Podolski infact should play much more. He scores and is lethal and I believe that what AW says with regards his fitness is bollox. its not true. Podolski should have been used to rest Alexis or rotated with him.

    It is clear that Aaron plays better when he is surrounded by the right types of players. He is the main man and its no coincidence that he is finding his form when Jack is not playing. The Ox complimented him as well and one can simply say that even though Galatasaray are not Premiership material on yesterday’s showing they are still as dirty as Stoke were. Just look at Melo when he was intent on injuring someone. Plus they have Sneijder as well.

    It is evident that at the end of the day Sanogo is not up to scratch. Yes I will support him, but hey, he should play only when OG12, DW23, AS17 LP09, Campbell and even Akpom are injured. I am still not convinced.

    I liked the look of Bellerin at LB. If he develops in both positions of RB and LB then its good for him and for the club.

    Chambers and Mertesacker looked assured together, but I still feel that Chambers and Koscielny will work better, in the same way that Mert and Kos function. Chambers is still on a learning curve and now that he is suspended for two games will mean that he will get a good rest. Bellerin will play RB while one of Gibbs/Monreal will play LB with Per and Kos at CB.

    The one positive that AW did not buy a DM and a CB is that it allowed players like Bellerin and Chambers to develop with playing times. It still irks me that Jenks is on loan when he should have been at AFC. He would have got playing time as well with our injuries.

    I liked MAitland-Niles but was disappointed with Zelalem. The latter has not progressed much.

    15 mins is not much for me to pass judgement on O’Connor, but enough for him to use as part of the learning curve.

  188. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Only seen Arsenals first three goals…

    Great finish by Podolski, calm finish for Ramsey’s first but his second was the perfect example of timing, he couldn’t have hit the ball sweeter if he had tried all day.
    Fantastic goal…

    Can’t comment on the kids, but it’s a shame that Akpom didn’t get a run-out….

  189. rico says:

    Morning George, Devil, Kev and all…

    Ramsey – what a stunning stunning goal…..

    And Podolski’s first was all about power and placement, awesome….

  190. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Lack of creativity in team selection, diversity in tactics and being stubborn in his philosophy is proving to be AW’s downfall.

    Imo….. adifferent manager would have got different results with what we have

    The problem is that AW cuts his nose to spite his face.

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