So the winter transfer window closes for another year, with Arsenal signing Spanish left-back Nacho Monreal from Malaga for an undisclosed fee. Not exactly a ‘busy’ January like Arsene Wenger said it would be then.
On Saturday, The Gunners host Stoke City at The Emirates – a game in which they must pick up all the points having only earned a point against Liverpool in midweek – a result which left many Arsenal fans frustrated for not closing the gap on fourth placed Spurs.
Arsenal still sit in sixth place, still four points adrift of Spurs and games are quickly decreasing as the weeks past – squeaky bum time indeed!
Arsene Wenger played his strongest side against Liverpool but is highly likely to be without Kieran Gibbs for the Stoke game after the athletic left-back hobbled off holding his thigh.
So with The Gunners in urgent need of a win to pile more pressure on those above them in the Premier League, who should be in our starting line-up on Saturday afternoon?
Well here is how I think Wenger should play it:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen
Ramsey
Wilshere Cazorla
Walcott Podolski
Giroud
If we had a decent back-up goalkeeper then I would drop Wojciech Szczesny following a poor display against Liverpool, but we don’t, so the Pole has the start.
As for our defence, with Gibbs out, I would like to see Thomas Vermaelen shift to the left-back position rather than Andre Santos coming in or Nacho Monreal put straight into the side. Laurent Koscielny should partner Per Mertesacker, while I would also drop Bacary Sagna for Carl Jenkinson.
Aaron Ramsey impressed me against Liverpool in the anchorman role so he should continue to play in this role, even if Mikel Arteta is available.
The top five remain the same, and rightly so.
So, who do you guys reckon should start for us against Stoke City?
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Surely Diaby must start providing he’s fit, of course.
I had read sumtin abt Odemwingie. It seemed dat we bidded for he. Is it thru?
Szczesny
Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal
Ramsey
Wilshere, Cazorla
Walcott, Giroud, Podolski
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Diaby, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Arshavin
It´s rather easy; keep Santos away, give Sagna a break and the rest of the players in the first team squad are either on loan, ACN or injured.
Vermaelen and Kosieiny pairing with Jenkinson and Monreal as full backs. Baptism with fire for Nacho.
Jenk-Kos-Verm-Mnl vs Stoke.
Sagna-Kos-Verm-Mnl vs Sunderland.
Jenk-Kos-Verm-Mnl vs Blackburn Rovers.
Jenk-Kos-Verm-Sagna vs Bayern Munich.
Szcezzer-jenkinson-koscielny-vermaelen-Nacho-diaby-wilshere-cazorla-walcott-podolski-giroud
Time to play at the strength of the squad
——————Szechy
Jenkinson, Matsacker, Konsienly, Monreal
—————-Coquelin
—————-Carzola
——Wilshere ——Podolski
————Giroud
———–Walcott
Coquelin never disappointed when brought in for Arteta. I would bring in Arteta at the 70Mins mark. Monreal because Vermalean is not fully match fit in my view.Carzola with a free role to play either flanks. Walcott teaming up with Wilshere at advanced CAM roles. Giroud and Walcott are in red hot forms at the moment and they are deadly together. it time they paired up Berkamp- Hendry style. 4.1.3.2 is my system of play.
SzcezneyJenkinsonkoscielnyvermaelenmonrealdiabywilshere Artetacazorlawalcott podolski giroud would plsy right into stokes lumbering hands so rotate him tomorrow mobility is key
Szczesny
Jenks mertesacker vermaelen nacho
Diaby arteta
Walcott wilshere cazorla
Giroud
Subs
Mannone kos sagna coquelin rosicky chambo podolski
The coach will decide.but i want to see diaby arteta wilsher cazorla giroud walcot metsacker koscielny vermaelen sagna.this is a gud team