Morning all.
Arsene Wenger has said that Lucas is in the squad for tonight’s match against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the team will be a mix of youth and experience, but 90 per cent will be players from the first team squad.
Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gabriel, Holding, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Martinez and maybe Coquelin are likely to start, perhaps Perez will be there from the off too as surely Arsene Wenger won’t risk playing Alexis, especially with Giroud being injured. I hope we don’t see Ozil, or Walcott, Koscielny, Mustafi, Xhaka or Elneny, although I suspect we might.
No idea what’s happening with Sanogo, but if he’s fit, this is the kind of match you’d expect him to play in. The younger players who joined in with training yesterday are Reine-Adelaide, Monreal, Gabriel, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson all trained 1 hour ago Maitland-Niles, Marc Bola, (wonder if his nickname is Tom) Mavididi, Bielik and Bennacer.
Southampton boss Claude Puel has in previous rounds of this cup, fielded a young side but he’s hinted that a little bit more experience may be added tonight as he really wants to beat Arsenal and go on to win the trophy. I’m sure Arsene Wenger and us Arsenal fans would love to win it too, but I doubt it’s high on the Frenchman’s list of priorities.
But a trip to Wembley is always good, especially when Arsenal walk away as winners and there’s nothing better than to continue a good run. Victories breed confidence regardless of who we play and getting to a final and winning it teaches younger players an awful lot. When we won our first FA Cup for a while three seasons ago, I truly believed this side would kick on with their success because win something once, the hunger to win more grows. I also thought back then that Arsene Wenger would build on the squad he did, sign 2/3 top top players and really go for the league trophy and some might suggest he did. In came Alexis Sanchez which excited all of us, Gabriel was snapped up too, as was David Ospina, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and last of all, Danny Welbeck.
We didn’t do well in the League Cup the following season but we did win another FA Cup, thumping Aston Villa 4-0. thanks to goals from Walcott, Sanchez, Giroud and Merts. The fans at Wembley loved it, the players did too, especially Jack Wilshere who gave us all his rendition of what he thinks of the neighbours once again.
So why not really have a go at Southampton tonight and give the team and fans a chance to get to Wembley once more?
Sorry Rico i posted this not knowing there was a new post up but I resprctfully disagree with you about this competition but will be delighted if we win.
Ozil has just spent 10 million on a house in London, it’s just the Red Tops at it gain. I don’t think either he or sanchez want to leave,Sanchez now speaks English and they like the idea that they can go out in London and not get harrassed,
Tonight we we will get a mish mash of youngsters and the od first teamer and by all acconts Perez ,but IMO Wenger doesn’t have this as a priority and could well do without it especially with the top 4 being more competitive than ever.
I really want us to win Kelsey… But with rotation of course..
I have a feeling in my water that the grey haired wrinkly one may well have it in his mind to leave the serried ranks of the Arsenal Football Club. He seems far more relaxed and less troubled than he has been for years. Like he is embracing retirement gladly! Either that or his local GP has stuck him on some kind of chill out drugs to keep him on an even keel. Whatever it is he is much changed.
The Leipzig story may well have some legs! I’m certain that IG and he will have a ‘cunning plan’ already in motion to find a suitable replacement. After 20 years at the club it would be laughable to think that the Board would ignore the man in whom they have entrusted their club for so long.
Ozil says he will re sign if Wenger stays but not if he doesn’t (allegedly). However, if he and or Sanchez can be persuaded to stay and give the new man a chance, it would seem that this German chap is a bit special, then that too would alleviate a lot of pressure on old mr puffer jacket, aka the zip steer!
Time will tell, eh?
Tonight’s team? A mixture of old and new/promising, but who will play is anybody’s guess, let’s just hope for an exciting injury free encounter that we win!
Morning all. Cold and crisp here, frosts gone and its warming up!
Thanks Rico…………………am I missing something here ?…………………………………”We didn’t do well in the League Cup the following season but we did win another FA Cup, thumping Aston Villa 4-0. Giroud with a hat-trick and an own goal late on”………………………..am I in a different universe ? 🙂
Love this cup…………….I call it …………….The No Stress Cup…………….well until we get to the final !
I don’t Wavy, I’m convinced he’s staying put for another couple of years…
I have just spoken to a couple of die hard Arsenal supporters who go to every match and they are not anti Wenger well at least they don’t say they are but they and their friends are bored stiff with the football we are playing this season bar the odd game.Stats tell us we have only lost the one PL game but I for one want to be entertained and we just get the odd glimpse ofit.
Wavy, i am an old grey but not crinkley one and I want Wenger out but look at the mess United have got themselves in after SAF and these things have to be planned way in advance.If Wenger signss an extension so be it but if he is going then it wouldn’t surprise me at all that a new man is practically in place,
Which bit have I got wrong Lc? 😉
Your just testing us Rico to make sure we read it all !……………………..but just incase I am in a different universe have you a vid` of Ollie`s FA Cup Final hat-trick ! 🙂
In my universe, he did score a hat-trick against Villa in a 4-0 league game !……………………please dont slap me for being smart ! 🙂
Stupid me, that was the league match where he scored a hat-trick… 🙂
Walcott, Sanchez, Giroud and Merts… 🙂
I love that game, it is one of my all time favourite games where it all came off in a game that mattered. Beautifull football on a sunny Wembley day.
I`ve watched that game more than any other game, just love the FA Cup and that`s why I was so disappointed to lose against Watford last season !……………unlike the CL where I dont give a shit …………..unless it`s a final !.
It was only Villa though… 😉
Have to agree re the football Kelsey, it’s been dire at times….
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico
Not read anything about Sanogo, whether he’s injured, fit or incommunicado…?!
He just seems to have vanished off of the face of the earth…
Where’s Ginge when there’s a mystery to solve…
Afternoon All
Changes all-round again
this cup,that cup and champ cup
plus the league,Arsene must be going dizzy
I’m not sure he know’s his best side..Who Know’s
what’s going on regards contract’s?
I’m staying if he stay’s
I’m going if his going.
Who would be a manager
Oh yes..8 million a year.
Afternoon Kev.
Where Ts is, is a mystery in itself… 🙂
You’re going tonight aren’t you?
Fred, I don’t think he knows his best eleven either…
Southgate confirmed as the England manager…
Quite a strong team selected…
Tonights team
Macey,Jenks Holding Gabi Gibbs (capt)Coq Elneny Jeff, Ramsey Iwobi Lucas.
Subs Macey Bola, Beilik Niles Granit Ox and Mavididi
Hi Rick. Has Puel picked a strong side?
Evening Rico.
I was hoping that Niles would get the nod in front of Jeff and that Mavididi gets a run as a sub.
Both of them are in very good form Jeff is not.
Just my opinion.
From what I have been told he has Rico
I will check.
Good if he has Rick as it’ll test us…
Saints: Foster,Yoshida,Martina,Dijk,Bertrand.Reed,Claise,Davis,Long,Boufal and McQueen
Long is a dangerous player…
True Rico, Davis is a tidy player with plenty of experience,looking forward to a half decent match..
Fingers crossed Rick. I can’t watch so will have to follow on the BBC website..
They are saying he has made 8 changes but 5 of their team played against in Sept
I hope Kev has his Themals on its very cold there,
Played against us.
Its not being shown at all.
Log into the player Rico broadcast live.
Bein Sports have it on
Thanks Rick, I will
And you Bt, I’ll google bein…
1 down
Bloody heck!
I’m off guys, going to listen to the game…
Nighty…
2 down…
Is it Watford revisited?
Only saw the first half, and thank goodness I had to go to work after that lol
Woeful.
Gibbs, Holding and Gabriel did well enough but had little or no support at all.
No player forward of them had much effect at all.
Shocking.
Insipid.
Uninspired-take your pick.
And Jesus wept !!!
Not bothered !………………much weakened side from normal which tells us how much of a priority this cup is for Wenger and it being a quarter final !. I`m with him as the West Ham game is 100% more important and the Hammers fielded a strong side compared to us against Manshafter, lets hope our boys are nicely rested and the Hammers kanackered for Saturday .
Shame Manshafter and Bindippers didn`t draw each other for the two legged semi`s !…..they could have done with extra highly volatile energy sapping games .
rico, true we’d all love another trip to Wembley and I’d love a new ferrari as well lol.
Lucky for Arsene we’re still in November and in the midst of our annual seasonal slump or you can bet he’d come in for a load of stick from the doomers tomorrow……makes you wanna puke.
Unnaceptable.
What waa Adam?
One competition down three to go….. as I’ve said before the only difference in this season to the last 12 is that we’ve finally spent some money in the areas that really needed strengthening.
Wenger remains the constant that is holding Arsenal back, I expect the annual capitulation to commence soon….in fact expect us not winning any major silverware and you generally won’t be let down!
Hi BT. I was referring to the performance last night.
Morning Lee, Adam and all.
What a load of rubbish result that was, and performance by the sounds of it….
Morning Rico and all. Even Wenger knows it was pathetic. As a club we have grown somewhat stale I think.
I read his comments Adam. But it’s his team, his tactics etc etc…..
Perhaps a few of our players are rather over-rated…
Agreed Rico.
I’m not even surprised we lost….. Or played badly.
Glad I keep Micko so entertained.
Without me, he’d have nothing lol.
Morning all.
So many players let themselves down badly.
Are they good enough?
Well, the errors they made would be terrible in a game involving 10 year olds, so that’s not down to coaching, but the lack of effort is down to everyone at the club.
Saying that, I’m glad we didn’t have Alexis out there killing himself agian, as he’s in dire need of a break.
Lack of effort from the players, or lack of motivation from above Scott?
Or maybe, some of those players really aren’t good enough for this club, or don’t care enough about it…
Puel didn’t seem to have a problem motivating his young crop…
Morning all.
As I`ve said, you can judge Wenger`s love of this cup by the team`s he always fields, it`s an execise for some youngsters and lesser squad members to get game time and if we win a bonus, he would have played a similar side in the semi`s had we reached them.
It will be fully justified when we beat the Hammers on the weekend with players having had a rest.
Wenger understands that to have a chance of EPL or CL glory he has to bypass the league cup .
Be honest !……….a win on the weekend or last night as a priority ?
Very cold and frosty out there this morning as I peel my tongue from the window !.
Rico !…………your 7:00PM last night was tongue in cheek right ? 🙂
Good morning Rico and all
Watched the game last night. We were pony 1st half and not bad in the 2nd half. The saints deserved it, but what i dont get is the stick the youth got . I thought they played well, and was more disappointed in Ramsey and Coquelin. We could have played for another 90 minutes and still not force Forster into a save. We were dire up front. Lucas decision making is somehwat baffling, he geets into a great position and is then scared to shoot and looks for a pass sideways. Coqulin will never score for us, Elneny, why he was partnered with Coq beats me, How Adelaide was preferred over the impressive maitland niles…another odd choice…why the ox (although he really cant shoot to save his life ) didnt start was all too odd.
If you see the hihglights of our 17 shots in the game, most were aiming at the passing planes from Heathrow….
Holding and Jenkinson look out of their depth, Gabriel was average and Iwobi only took the game to them in the 2nd half. Martinez wont make it as a Arsenal No 1. He is nowhere near Ospina level..
Not entirely Lc, no… 🙂
I’m not fussed about going out of the cup but it’s more than that for me. It’s our level of performance, same as in the PL, it’s dropped. Where’s the effort and desire gone to do well…
Many of those playing last night were first team players, yet they hardly set a good example…
You weren’t impressed then George… 😉
Morning to you….
Dont quote me but I think Arsenal have the record for reaching the quarter finals of the League Cup, trouble is we are then like a Totnumb fan who gets a fit looking woman into bed…………we dont know how to go any further !.
Not a record to be proud of though Lc.
I guess we`ve all (especially Obi 🙂 ) been worried about the availability and whereabouts of our super star postman …………no need !…………he`s not dying !….well, according to the last but one sentence ! 😆
After last night’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton in the EFL Cup, Arsene Wenger was asked about the whereabouts of Yaya Sanogo.
The Frenchman has been nowhere to be seen this season, not even in this particularly competition, and it seems fairly obvious that injury is the cause.
However, the manager’s comments were a bit odd. He said Sanogo has a calf problem but explained it in a rather odd way. Here’s what he said verbatim:
“He had a real medical problem, you know, that I cannot explain to you here because it’s a confidential problem.”
“Not a secret problem, but it’s medical. I cannot speak about that medically but it’s no life threatening problem.
“He had a long-term injury and I am not specialised enough to explain to you what it is in his calf, but we had to rest him completely.”
It`s still a final Rico !……………..albeit just a quarter of one ! 🙂
I saw that and laughed…
We’d only muck the final up if we got there anyway Lc. Just like against Birmingham…
New post up now…