please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Venue: Emirates Stadium Sunday, February 15th 2015 KO Time: 16:00 BST please log in to view this image Head to Head Against Middlesbrough: Played: 124 Wins: 61 Draws: 32 Losses: 31 Goals For: 238 Goals Against: 144 Goal Difference: 94 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 0-0 Arsenal Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 2-1 Arsenal Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough please log in to view this image Starting XI: please log in to view this image Bench: Martinez Mertesacker Monreal Rosický Walcott Coquelin Akpom
That front three won't work, all three of those would be better playing through the middle. No need to rest Walcott, he actually needs more games if anything.
No to Akpom, this isn't a game or the time to start playing youths, we need a full strength team, and need to win this game, this tournament represents our best chances of winning a trophy. Walcott should start again, he's been out for a year, so it's not like he's tired, he needs as many games to get sharp and fit.
Walcott, Giroud and Welbeck up front for me. Honestly not much room for manoeuvre there unless Sanchez is given some game time or Akpom starts. The midfield looks far too lightweight, but we don't really have much of an option really.
I agree with that front 3 - Walcott, Giroud and Welbeck. Don't think Gabriel will start, probably still bedding in, learning our system, the language and the like. Maybe Chambers instead? Be nice to give Merts a game off considering how much he's played since before the WC.
Just like that our injury list doubles and we have a lack of options in a few areas. It's ****ed up really. We might actually have to start with Flamini and Coq in midfield, while it may sound defensive, it will give us a strong base,and give our attacking players a platform. Or Cazorla can play CM, but even against a championship team, that is risky.
Chambers and Kos were pretty good together at the start of the sesson, a better combo than Mert and Chambers for sure.
Totally agree on not playing Gabriel, this would be a risky move considering he hasn't played a competitive match in our team. Play Kos or if you want to rest Mertz, play Chambers as Sanj said. We can tweak our front line but not risk it with Paulista. Also I'd also go for a Walcott, Giroud and Welbeck front three, Akpom can come on as sub. Midfield looks good with Rosicky.
Well there is some good news, Sanchez was out training with the boys, and Wilshere as well. There was also a shot of OXO with the training group, so that might be some good news too, hopefully he can be back by next week.
Hope Sanchez is on bench and we don't need him, and hope Akpom gets his first senior goal today as I will be there to witness it. Coyg
Err @TheOXOCube:5pur2 - your "head to head" section says we're against Aston Villa and not Middlesbrough! Think that needs to be changed
Id prefer sanchez rest up and concentrate on training to get back to match fitness, rather than sit on the bench. The team need to approach this properly, and if we do then we wont need sanchez.
Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.
Hmmm...not sure about Chambers as a fullback or Flamini playing deeper as he is a passenger in most games and offers nothing. Other than that, it's a decent side, but you get the feeling they will target Chambers as a weakness as well as our central midfield pairing.
After Wengers comments in midweek about Alexis, I'm really surprised to see him starting. Just hope this doesn't bite us in the ass...
That's one strong ass team, but would have liked to have seen Walcott start, maybe ahead of Ozil, he needs as much game time as possible to get as match fit as possible, home cup game would have been another good opportunity for him, and 2nd start in just a few days. Wellbeck needs a big game today, really needs to start proving himself, and this is his opportunity.
Strong start. Looking bright and full of options. Chambers doesn't look very confident though, some strange touches from him.
