So we have suffered yet another injury to our defence which will cause fresh problems for Arsene Wenger come Wednesday night.
German centre-back Per Mertesacker, who suffered suspected ankle ligament damage against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, has officially been ruled out of the AC Milan by Wenger:
‘For sure he is out for Wednesday.’
It is unknown how long Per will be out for, but I have feeling it is going to be for a couple of weeks, maybe months before we see him back in action, especially given his height and the fact that he left the Stadium of Light on crutches.
However, things are not as bad as they may seem as Laurent Koscielny has done a terrific job in our defence this season. We also have Kieran Gibbs back fit and available and because of this it is now possible for Thomas Vermaelen to take up his familiar role as centre-back.
Nevertheless I don’t think Gibbs, who just returned from a long-term injury, is (in my opinion) ready for such a test. So maybe Francis Coquelin is the way to go. The young Frenchman is another possible option for Arsene to consider, as the defensive midfielder has played in the full-back position on a number of occasions already this season. It would undoubtedly be a big game for Coquelin, but he does look the favourite in my book.
In my opinion, our back-line for the game against AC Milan will/should look like this:
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Coquelin
Koscielny is a certainty and I think Wenger will shift Vermaelen back to the centre for this game at least. The main reason why I picked Coquelin over Gibbs is very simple, the 20-year-old Frenchman, who has been a revelation for us in the full-back role this season, has much more match fitness and game time than that of the 22-year-old Englishman.
How do you think our back four should look like on Wednesday? Would you play Gibbs or stick in Coquelin at left-back? Maybe Sagna should go to left-back and Coquelin does to right-back?
Give us your thoughts on the matter
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With the situation on hand i believe Arsenal back four should look like this:
Sagna(right), Koscielny(centre), Vermaelen(centre), Coquelin(left), while having Djourou, Gibbs and Yennaris on the bench.
Wednesday’s game is so important we have to have the best attacking and defensive option posible for the team. In order to achieve this I suggest to start with: sagna (LB), kichelney and Vermalen (center back) Coquelin (RB), Song, Arteta and Roseky in the mid field, Gervinho (LW) Van persy (center) AOX (RW). If we start with this formation, we will have quality sub as: Gibbs (LB), Theo (CF or RW), Ramsey (MF), Yanaris (RB), Park and Arshavin as needed. Go Gunners!!!!!
the biggest mistake would b 2 play sagna Lb,i hop Arsene goes wit coquelin no DJ too go Arsenal 3-1
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Coquelin
Is a good choice, we need to play at as high a tempo as possible as the aging Milan defense will show cracks late on if we do. Which may be a good reason to sub Gibbs on for Conquelin later in the game.
Another good option would be to move song into CB, put Coquelin in as DMF and keep Vermaelen out on the left. Coquelin though did offer more of an attacking threat than Vermaelen recently but we havnt seen him on the left only Wenger has in training, so your probably right but leave my final judgment with Wenger.
Calesoapkenya, I’d rather sagna LB and Coquelin RB. But if Gibbs is fit enough for the bench he’s fit enough to start. Also don’t be suprised if it’s Verm Kosc Song Sagna with Rambo slotting back in midfield. And blazer Gervinho will not start considering he will be back in London today or tomorrow, i doubt he will even feature on the bench!
I would actually like to see yennaris maybe at right and switch Sagna left either way who ever fills in is gonna be in for a rough time cause they’ll be targeted from the word go
Gibbs ll be too rusty 4 a game of dis calibre,so shld rather be brought on later wen an icing is needed on d cake. Moreova,coq hs playd xcllntly @ LB in 2/3 games dis season. so i prefer (rb)sagna,kos,verm,coq. midfield-song,arteta,rosicky attack-walcott,rvp,arshavin. arsh gt so much xperienc n so gud @ playin d typical european style. subs of ramsey nd pacey ox ll be too much 4 d tird aging milan def.
his going to play donkey djourou in mertesackers place and leave vermaelen at left back
Coq will play LB. and we should be set.
Woj Z
Sagna KOl TV5 LeCoq
Arteta Song
Theo Rosicky Arshavin
RVP
Bench: DJ, Gibbs, Ramsey, Henry, OX Fabianski and Yossi.
Arsenal 3- AC 2. come back home with a litte advantage and expect them to attack so we can destroy them.
However, Milan has so much experience and old heads/quality Woj will have to be alert and not naive like Almunia was against Ibra… That twhat gave Ibra two easy goals….. Le prof has to get his selection right (no excuses — we were tired shit). subs right:- got to be able to change formations, affectiveness both in attack and midfield…..