please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Venue: Selhurst Park Saturday, February 21st 2015 KO Time: 15.00 BST please log in to view this image Head to Head Against Crystal Palace: Played: 33 Wins: 22 Draws: 9 Losses: 2 Goals For: 70 Goals Against: 25 Goal Difference: 45 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal Arsenal 5-1 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal (FA Cup) please log in to view this image Team news: Ox, Ramsey, Flamini Arsène Wenger has revealed the following team news ahead of the Crystal Palace game: on the team news... Ramsey is still out. The two other injuries are Arteta and Debuchy. Apart from that we have some uncertainties about Flamini and Bellerin - they are doubtful for Saturday. Everybody else is OK. on the doubts... Bellerin is his ankle and Flamini has a tight hamstring. We’ll see. We’ll have tests tomorrow [Friday]. on Ramsey... He is nine days into his three-week rehab. on Wilshere... Jack is fine. on Oxlade-Chamberlain... He is close. He will join in normal training today. Starting XI: please log in to view this image Bench: Szczęsny Gibbs Bellerín Gabriel Wilshere Rosický Walcott
Could be a good game - id swap ozil and rosicky. I think ozil is enjoying interchanging with sanchez and giroud from the flanks and drifting into space. Santi should be in the 'hole' with tomas replacing ramsey. Hope wilshere is fit enough to get 30 mins off the bench
Monreal hasn't done enough to lose his place. Having said that, Gibbs was fantastic going forwards, and against palace maybe that's what we need more than defensive stability. Cazorla in the hole, Ozil on the wing. Wouldn't be surprised to see Flamini start in midfield. Wenger doesn't seem to trust Rosicky to start games for some reason.
I'd go with that line up, but more likely than not, Wenger will deploy Ozil outside, and Rosicky in the middle. Or if Wenger is feeling attack minded, start Walcott ahead of Rosicky, but that's a bit of a risk, Ramsey-Rosicky often provide that extra stability defensively to our midfield, helping with some of the defensive burden, but then again as well C.Palace aren't exactly Real Madrid, so if Wenger's feeling frisky and confident, he could do it.
Likewise. I'd have the same starting line up but Welbeck over Rosicky. Monreal can't lose his place unless injured as I think that'd send an awful message out. He's played really well recently and as well as Gibbs played on the weekend it would be wrong to drop Nacho. Hopefully it will keep him playing at the very top of his game though. That line up leaves you a bench full of pace and energy should it be required so I'm hoping for a good performance. Media saying Jack is on the bench for this. Good to get some squad depth.
I've got to say, I'm surprised by some of the comments, I'd have Rosicky (or Walcott) over Welbeck everytime.
It's because we need defensive cover for our wing backs. Bolasie and Zaha are tricky customers. Walcott doesn'r provide that. I prefer Tommy central. If Ox was fit he would get the nod. But I think Welbeck would do nicely.
Well I'm no Theo fan, as I've made clear a few times, so it's a no brainer for me. Rosicky I adore but I prefer him centrally and he'd not usurp Santi or Özil for me. Also, he's a great sub to bring on, as is Theo in fairness. Meh, all subjective innit.
To be honest, I am skeptical about Ozil. Its great to see that him putting in consecutive performances. Based on that I will start him. But because of his old ways I would trust Tommy. So I can see him coming on for Ozil at some stage. I hope Ozil continues his good form.
As u say its all subjective tho for me walcott, when he gets rid of the rustiness, works really hard and tracks back, he also inhibits the opppopposition full back from getting forward as they are wiworried about his pace and movement. Rosicky i love, he works really hard, is tenacious, keeps the ball and can play a great pass. With a coq between him and santi in the middle i reckon we can afford ozil on the left, especially against palace
I should say that while I like Welbeck, I think in comparison to the other players the only thing he has going for him is his work rate (and because of that his defence) and his attitude. I feel he loses the ball too much, doesn't offer much of a goal threat (unfortunately) and is movement isn't particularly intelligent, or when he does run into space, he panics and his touch lets him down.
Ozil has been brilliant! Since he is a confidence player I wouldnt mess with that. I would start Welbeck over Rosicky as he offers more power and pace even thou Im a big fan of Rosicky!
Ozil-Cazorla-Rosicky can all start together, has everyone forgotten Ozil is being pushed out wide? So it doesn't really make a difference if Rosicky has to play centrally, Ozil is already playing out wide to make way for other players, so it's not a problem
For the team news, jack and OXO are both no longer injured, though OXO just started training on Thursday so might be a bit short for Saturday, and there are tests for both Bellerin (ankle) and Flamini (tight hamstring). And Ramsey is 9 days into his 3-week rehabilitation program, so that puts him 11 days away, so he could be fit for the United game.
Looking at our fixture list we're going to need some rotation going in for these next 5 games. Nothing too drastic but the extra bodies back will probably all see time soon. Glad Oxo is back. While he lacks Theo's end product he's much more involved in the play and does the defensive duties more, though Theo is still getting back into it.
Palace have been playing really well under Pardew and they have some really dangerous players in Gayle, Puncheon, Bolaise and Zaha. They've stalled a bit at home recently though and I think we need to go for the jugular today. That said, I agree with the comments about making sure our fullbacks have cover and that would suggest playing either Oxo or Walcott who both track back well
