This is not a game I’m hugely looking forward to…
Arsene talks about picking a side capable of winning. I have no doubt the team he’ll pick is statistically capable of victory, but he’s made it very clear it’s not his priority, and when a manager does that the players often respond with a lacklustre display. A few weeks ago he spoke of going to win this game and subsequently the group. Now, with our league form faltering, he’s taken the opportunity to rest a host of key players ahead of the game with West Brom on Saturday. It’s a decision I’m in favour of: I’m not sure that winning the group brings with it a sufficient advantage to warrant persisting with a drained first XI.
There are reprieves for neglected members of the squad…
The likes of Arshavin and Chamakh haven’t even made the bench in the last couple of games, and are now set to start. Even though both are clearly heading to the exit door, you have to think there’s a chance for them to show they have something to offer in the remaining Premier League games before January. Some players, however, are in purely because of a lack of alternatives. Somehow, I don’t foresee it being a problem that Sebastien Squillaci is about to become cup-tied in the Champions League.
There are a couple of obvious youngsters missing from that squad…
Thomas Eisfeld and Damian Martinez are closer to the first-team squad than many of the players who will be involved tonight, but due to a quirk of the registration process are not actually available for Champions League selection. Eisfeld is likely to get a further chance to impress in next week’s Carling Cup tie with Bradford City. Nevertheless, it’ll good to see youngsters like Jernade Meade get a run-out – I was impressed with the quick left-back’s cameo at Reading. Keep an eye out too for Chuba Akpom – the 17 year old may not make it off the bench, but is highly thought of among the coaching staff and a nifty goalscorer at youth level.
Get well soon, Peter Hill-Wood…
While I’ll admit the Chairman might’ve made the odd PR gaffe, it’s impossible to question the distinction and commitment with which he has served Arsenal Football Club. He represents an important connection to the club’s history – a connection that is growing ever thinner – so I hope he recovers fully and is able to return to his post as soon as possible.
We have no key players.
I always believed in Arshavin. Though the manager has relagated him down the pecking orders. Today he will prove a point.
Firstly,wat is d use of resting players,when it is d same result dat will come out on saturday,either we are defeated or wbrom draw us.wenger dis season in two matches rested players,we were eventually defeated or drawn.D only way wenger can change d poor performance is to change d formation back to 4-4-2 formation two strikers upfront nt a striker and an attacking midfielder upfront. Arshavin is a good player bt wenger has killed his game by using on d wings,why dont wenger play him behind a striker than d wing.hope wenger start using d players rightly in there position
“A chance for Arshavin to show what he could offer?”
Are you serious??
He’s been at the club for 4 YEARS?? What do you not understand about this statement?
He’s had far more chances than any footballer has any right to. Get rid of him and replace him with someone who WANTS to play for the club and can DO A JOB for the club.
And who says Arsenal fans aren’t deluded…
Weve qualified fir the knock round once again. All hail wenger and the wengenese.football club
I don’t get why Arsenal-fans were so up in arms about this game last night. The match didn’t matter, it was a formality. Yes, the team is underachieving in the league but is punishing them by making them fly to Greece for a formality really the solution?
Maybe it is the fact they could have won the group…
Maybe it is the fact that it highlights the depth of our squad is shite…
Maybe cause it is embrassing for the world to watch us lose yet another game…
I get all those concerns. Out of the three though, the only one that matters is that you could have won the group and didn’t. But even then, Wenger clearly prioritized that chance a step lower in importance than giving the first team a rest before the weekend. C’est la vie.
Yes and when we lose or draw at the weekend we got short in both options. Great. One game at the time never gets old.
I am in shock!!! No Gervinho??????? Why????
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20257457
Chuba Akpom is highly thought of and scores goals at youth level so watch out for him?
Yeah right, the last time i heard that from you GS was Jay Emmanuelle-Thomas and look how good he turned out, banging goals in wasn’t he? Or no, he got shipped off to Ipswich who are bottom end of Championship and still he cant get a look-in, sat on the ebnch every week.
I’ll watch out for Chuba Akpom’s name in the Championship over the next 2-3 years, might have to check the bench first.