Tomorrow evening, Arsenal take on Spurs in the FA Cup 3rd round at the Emirates – a match every Gooner, Goonerette and Spud relishes, no matter the competition.
Despite the FA Cup perhaps not being on top of the trophy order this season, with challenging for the Premier League title the main goal this season, no Arsenal fan wants to see their side fall to Spurs. We couldn’t allow the smaller side of north London running their mouth now, do we? Even though we got one over them in the league earlier on in the season.
But with Arsenal on top of the Premier League table and actually look like genuine title contenders in a long time, what side does Arsene Wenger put out against Tim Sherwood’s Spurs?
Our next league game falls on the 13th, away to Aston Villa, so even if Le Boss decides to deploy his big guns tomorrow they will have a nine day rest bite.
So taking this into account and with some key players still sidelined, and the fact that it’s a game against the side who think they are bigger than us, here is the side I think Wenger should put out:
Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen
Flamini Wilshere
Walcott Cazorla Rosicky
Podolski
With some of the regulars missing, its pretty much an unchanged side which beat Cardiff in midweek.
Wojciech Szczesny remains between the sticks while the only change I would like to see is Thomas Vermaelen coming in for Nacho Monreal at left-back. The games I’ve seen the Spaniard perform haven’t been great to be honest and I think Aaron Lennon could cause him a lot of problems. This is why I would like to see Vermaelen replace him and offer the defence more stability.
Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere should occupy the middle and get stuck in, while Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky should be our wide men for this game.
I’ve seen Santi Cazorla play on the wing and his tracking back isn’t great to be honest and I think the Spaniard operates much better behind the striker. Rosicky has bags of energy and will get up and down the field, helping out our left-back when he can.
With Olivier Giroud out, we have no choice but to put Lukas Podolski upfront.
It’s a more than capable side to beat Spurs and move on to the next round. Here’s hoping!
Does your starting XI match mine or does it differ?
Let me know below in the comments section
Walcott
Podolski Cazorla Gnabry
Wilshere Flamini
Monreal Kos Mert Jenkinson
Szczesny
Viviano
jenks mert kos verm
wallcott flamini wilshere gnarby
poldi
Well done dickhead. 10 players yeah?
Scezney
sagna mertesacker koscielny vermarlen
. arteta Wilshire
Walcott. cazola rosicky
. Podolski
I would not have a single centre forward but would have Poldi and Theo on the left and right (respectively) as wingers/forwards. Santi can play just inside Podolski and Wilshere inside of Theo. The idea would be that as the two forwards (Podolski and Walcott) come in from the wings, the creative central players (Cazorla and Wilshere) can play their clever through balls to put them through to goal and if not the forwards will drag the opposing defenders into them opening space and any pass back into the centre will tee up the central players for a shot on goal. Arteta can disperse the ball from the centre (behind Santi and Jack), knowing that Flamini will protect and boss the back line behind him. I would definitely have Monreal as left back over Vermaelen.
Szczesney
Sagna mertesacker koscielny Monreal
Flamini Wilshire
Rosicky cazorla podolski
Walcott
Fabianski jenkinson vermaelen arteta ozil gnabry giroud
If ozil and giroud fail late tests he will bring in zelalem and ryo
nice line up wenger,keep up 2 win the FA CUP up gunners.
Nice line up i would lyk to see that line up morow inshaallah
Up gunners will take on the advantage and beat spur in the FA Cup.
Valdes
lahm Silva chellini marcelo
Gerrard wilshere roben hazard
messi drogba