Posted on Friday, 20th April 2012 by Tony Merakli
So having been beaten by relegation threatened Wigan the other day, we have the tough task of getting back on track and overturning our London rivals Chelsea, who recently beat Barcelona in midweek, tomorrow afternoon at The Emirates.
Needless to say, with four games left to play and sitting just five points ahead of both Tottenham and Newcastle and seven in front of Chelsea, with all three teams still with a game in hand over us, this is undoubtedly a massive game for our side.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea are in good form going into tomorrow’s game, with the former picking up a total of 12 points in their last six Premier League outings, while the latter has racked up 11 points from a possible 18.
Chelsea will undoubtedly have their tails up, having smashed Spurs 5-1 in the FA Cup semi final last Sunday and narrowly beating Barca at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, and will more than likely have to beat the Gunners if they wish to claim a top four finish come the end of May.
The last time these two sides met, Arsenal bagged all three points with a superb 5-3 victory. This was our line-up that day:
Szczesny
Djourou Mertesacker Koscielny Santos
Arteta Song
Ramsey
Walcott Gervinho
Van Persie
Now of course a few names on that team sheet are either out-of-form or are being overlooked (Aaron Ramsey and Gervs), and two are currently out injured (Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta. But the spine of the side remains available for selection tomorrow afternoon.
With a win a must, Arsene Wenger has some massive choices to undertake, especially in midfield.
This is the line-up I hope to see when I switch on for the game:
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Santos (Gibbs if fit)
Chamberlain Song
Rosicky
Walcott Gervinho
Van Persie
With Arteta apparently out and Ramsey receiving stick from several Arsenal fans, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be given the nod. He has expressed his desire to play in the centre of midfield and this is, in my opinion, the perfect stage to show us what he can do in this position.
Johan Djourou needs to be benched for the return of Laurent Koscielny. I would pick Kieran Gibbs (if fit) over Andre Santos at left-back to give us more pace down that flank.
Gervinho has to come in for Yossi Benayoun, who is ineligible to play against his parent club, Theo Walcott keeps his position on the right and of course Robin van Persie leads the line.
That’s how I would set out the team, but probably Mr. Wenger has other ideas.
Who do you guys reckon should start for us against Chelsea tomorrow afternoon?
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Tags: Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andre Santos, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Chelsea, Gervinho, Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Robin Van Persie, Stamford Bridge, Theo Walcott, Yossi Benayoun
Posted in View From The Sphere | Comments (18)
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April 20th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
[...] Who’d be in your Arsenal XI to take on Chelsea tomorrow afternoon [...]
April 20th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Ramsey in for rosicky,diaby in for arteta,gibbs for santos and koscielny in for djorou.
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April 20th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
I’d agree with most of your team selection, barr starting with Gervinho.
I’d like to start with Diaby there and move Ramsey up onto the right.
Keep Gervinho for when Diaby tightens up ( for he will ).
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April 20th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Oh, sorry … and I don’t want to see djourou unless we’ve not choice at all. I would take Santos over Gibbs as well – he has something about him that adds some extra depth to Arsenal’s attack. I think the break has given him an extra yard of pace on his return which will help with his defensive pace, I feel.
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April 20th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Totally agree with your line up. I thought Gervinho was becoming more and more influential before he went to the African cup of nations. Since he got back though, Wenger seems to have completely overlooked him. Let’s see what he can do if he starts. Definitely want to see the Ox take on Arteta’s position. That’s what we want, but it is irrelevant. I absolutely guarantee that instead, Wenger will start Ramsay for Arteta and Benayoun left midfield. And because of this we will struggle against Chelsea.
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Paul Reply:
April 20th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Benny can’t play mate as we loaned him from Chelsea
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April 20th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
It’s simple
4-4-2
Scz
Sag,kosh,tv5,Gibbs(if fit)
OX,gerv,song,rosi
RVP,Theo
Ramsey has had a dog shite season and needs a good rest now and have a good pre-season…. Diaby is defo not 100% fit so we can’t risk having a player who can’t give his all in such an important time of the season… When we smashed them at the bridge Theo basically played along side RVP and lol what happend there.. Espicially after chelski ha such a tuff match agaisnt barca they will be nakered and the last thing they would want is a super fast arsenal team stepping out agaisnt them
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April 20th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Arsenal lineup is ok but should include djorou in number 4 then vemerleen should b deployed in midfield 4 more strength n AOC should start in left wing n we wil see many goal n good defending.lineup should b as:zscsney,sagna,gibbs,djorou,kos,vermaleen,walcot,song,rvp,rociskey,aoc
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April 20th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Benayoun can’t play against his parent club, it’s in the rules.
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April 20th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Seszny, sag,santos,song,chamberline,rosky, vaminator,kosceny,walcot,gevinho and PFA Winner.
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April 20th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
gk – Szczesny
rb – Sagna
cb – Koscielny
cb – Vermaelen
lb – Gibbs hopefully if fit
cdm – Song
cm – Rosicky
cm – Chamberlain
lw – Gervinho
st – Robin Van Persie
rw – Theo
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April 20th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Kinda missing our little Russian now! I bet if he stayed and got a few games Arshavin would have had a few assists and goals. More than Gervinho anyway!
It’s simple. If we start Ramsay we will lose or draw as our attack is pretty much useless when he plays, therefore, it just depends on how our defense plays. Thank god Kosc is back!
I don’t know who’s worse for our game. Walcott, Gervinho, or Ramsay. Ramsay = so slow I swear his legs are bags of sand, Walcott = Legs so fast his brain can’t keep up, and Gervinho = Well… Average in all areas.
Song – Rosicky – Chamberlain could be our saving grace tomo. Maybe Coquelin could slot in there?
Sagna needs a good game after ‘that’ Wigan performance.
Djourou needs to go back in the fish tank. Terrible player.
RVP = Deadliest striker in the league. His team = Unable to provide anywhere near the amount of assists he thrives on. He should have 50 goals this season!
We’ve got the base, and it seems we are making the moves in the market already. I’m excited for next season.
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April 20th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
I agree Gibbs if fit but Santos will be fine. I’d rather start with Ramsay, bring Ox in later in the game, along with Diaby. Diaby might not be ready to start h game but only as a sub. Glad Koseilny is back, by far our best defender. Gervinho will have a good game, he must start.
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April 20th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
look hw is ma X1
SNY
SAGNA….KOS…VERMA…GIBS
SANTOS…SONG
WELLCOT…ROSESCKY….GERVINHO
V,PERCE
be know that
1- we have 3 wingrs now 14,27 and 15,so we must play 2 of then and keep the other 1
2- santos can play LB,LW and DM,so he can play wilshrs postion and he kan attack he can devend
thats all thanks
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April 20th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
I would like to start with Diaby and move Ramsy on to a firing squad !!
Hopefully one of them shoots him on the head and ends the suffering of the 30 million arsenal fans !!
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April 20th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Good news is that Ramsy end is near.
Plans already under way to end his life !!
Hopefully within 3 weeks he will be finished.
This is NO joke !
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April 21st, 2012 at 12:00 am
Dats d parfect 4matn we alex ox, songinho and rasaky in d midfied. 4wad teo, gervinho and d senior man rvp
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April 21st, 2012 at 12:49 am
I think Gibbs should be left back & santos should be left side of the midfield, santos is better in the box than most & I reckon he’d get alot of goals if we played in midfield!!
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