please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Venue: Emirates Stadium Friday, December 26th 2014 KO Time: 17:30 BST please log in to view this image Head to Head Against QPR: Played: 47 Wins: 21 Draws: 13 Losses: 13 Goals For: 62 Goals Against: 43 Goal Difference: 19 Last 6 Meetings: QPR 0-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-0 QPR QPR 2-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-0 QPR QPR 0-6 Arsenal (FA Cup) QPR 1-1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Starting XIs: please log in to view this image
Based the prospective line up on info. I saw stating that Monreal, Podolski, and Coq would be drafted in to give others a rest. Opted for Theo over Welbz because his pace could be key and Welbz could just be an impact sub (plus some rest) if necessary.
I'd anticipate Welbeck will start but Theo will be given half an hour. Rumours that QPR will play a weakened team as they're prioritising the game 2 days later. A good opportunity for Coquelin to get some minutes and if Pod is off then a good chance to put him in the shop window.
I'm not really a fan of playing a weakened side. I'd much rather we score a couple first and then take players off to rest them. We seem to be making such hard work of our games this season and I don't want us to make this game any more difficult than it has to be.
We never seem to play well against QPR. All of our wins in recent years have come by the margin of a single goal.
Id worry about Coquelin in the middle, but maybe if we played rosicky next to him it would be ok. Then we csn play oxo on r wing and bring theo on for last 30mins
Chez, Debuchy, Monreal, BFG, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky, Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud are the starters Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Campbell, Podolski, Walcott, Coquelin are subs
Would have rested Sanchez & Cazorla for Pod & Coquelin for this one. As they're starting, would like to see those subs plus Giroud for Theo at 60 with Welbeck going up top.
Wow very surprised Podolski doesn't get a start, seems the writings on the wall with him leaving...I would've started him ahead of Sanchez, the West Ham away game is the bigger of the two, followed by Southampton, there's no way Sanchez can start all 3 and perform properly, Wenger should have rested him today and played him against West Ham and Southampton away.
I think playing a weakened team, sends out the wrong message, it could leave us with egg on our face. This game is a derby game, and games with Harry v Wenger are usually a tight affair, start with your best 11, and if all goes well then make subs. No point in giving the opposition a boost and have to chase the game.
