Let's see, every game is important, but I think we must expect some below par performances through tiredness... If it were me, I'd prioritise League -> FA Cup -> Europa League in that order. Will be interesting to see Rafa's team sheet for today. Midfielders: Midfield selection is a particular conumdrum. While we'd like to see Mata, Oscar, Hazard perform at their peak for all these games, it's probably not physically possible, so expect heavy rotation in this area. Time for Benayoun, Moses, Marin to step up to the plate as like-for-like role stand-ins. Benayoun is problematic as his age will slow recovery times, so I would not have him play more than 90 minutes of football in any two consecutive games during this 4 game run. Lamps even more so. Mikel should handle himself better re recovery, but I really question his judgement when he is tired - he cost us qualification for the last 16 in the champs league this year giving away Juve's late equaliser, and he also cost us the first goal against City. So for Mikel, I would probably play him against United and Sunderland, missing out Southampton and Rubin Kazan to maintain his freshness of mind more than anything else. Rami - is he fit? - we need him. Finally Nathan Ake. The lad will/must have a baptism of fire sometime in this four game run. Probably not against United, as he's needed for the NextGen final and that might be a baptism of fire too hot to handle. Defenders: The reason why I'm having Ake in midfield, is that I feel we are potentially better 'covered' in defence - providing Cahill is fit..... Terry is probably the freshest defender, but as per Benayoun/Lamps, age will slow his recovery so I would be tempted to leave him out entirely for United, replacing him with Ivanovic. At right back, Azpi and Brana should alternate - Azpi for United and Sunderland, Brana for Southampton and Rubin Kazan. Left back is more straightforward with Cole (United/Sunderland) and Bertrand (Southampton, Rubin Kazan) alternating. Luiz and Cahill should also be alternating as Terry's partner (except for United where Terry should be left out for reasons already given) - if Cahill is unfit however, Ake may have to fill in, which may have an impact on midfield. Forwards: I think we should start considering 4-4-2 formations, in order to give the midfield a rest. Clearly Torres is the shoe in for Kazan due to Ba's ineligibility, which means Ba is a starter against Sunderland. So I would be tempted to go 4-4-2 against Southampton, in order to give one of Mata, Hazard, Oscar a rest.
From a Southampton point of view I'd say you'll need your fittest players against us just because of the sheer amount of pressing. I think 442 would be suicidal as well. It's relatively well known we've got a decent attack and midfield but a shocking defence couple this with the fact you'll be massively outnumbered in midfield if you play 442 and you're in for a tough game. 4231 would be your best shot of maintaining some fitness for this run in of yours and of getting 3 points.
I've just been reading about how Rafa's having nightmares about his fixture schedules! If I was Buck I'd be instructing him to think about nothing other than the Prem. Save all our key outfielders for the PL and deal with the FA and Euro plastic cup with reserves etc! He must not be looking to deliver a Top 3 place AND 2 Cups! If the reserves get lucky in the cups then that will be a bonus!
The thing that worries me is that both Wenger and AVB have vocalised a prioritisation of top 4 whereas Benitez seems confused in this regards. For me, there is no confusion, its top 4 at all costs.
starting today, gooners have a bye with reading whilst us and the spuds have tricky away days. 3 points a must !!
You should have won yours, whilst ours had "draw" written all over it. Just shows you what a funny old game football is. Agreed, though, that the Gooners are never going to get an easier game than against Reading, especially on their own turf, as it proved to be the case.
