Interesting to see who plays next weekend, and in a few cases, where they play.
Assumed squad
Szczesny, Ospina (Martinez)
Debuchy, Chambers, Jenkinson
Gibbs, Monreal
Vermaelen, Koscielny, Hayden, Miquel
Arteta, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Diaby, Coquelin
Alexis, Ox, Campbell, Rosicky, Cazorla
Giroud, Sanogo, Akpom
That is 25 players, without having to dig too deep into the reserves.
But how much football will the recent returnees be given?
Think we could well see a "false 9" starting line up for one game, although interesting to see how Alexis and JC will be utilised. Think Giroud will start one game, but Akpom or Sanogo could start the other.
CB again will be an issue, will Monreal repeat his CB role from yesterday at some stage?
Also, eyes will be on the keepers. High expectations for Ospina already, so pressure on Szczesny.
It will be an interesting two days, even if the performances may not reach expectations.
Squad for the Emirates Cup...
posted on 27/7/14
Zelalem is better off with his own age group.
posted on 27/7/14
As in Akpom, Hayden and Chambers?
posted on 27/7/14
comment by 'Bats' (U18355)
posted 17 seconds ago
As in Akpom, Hayden and Chambers?
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We have a lack of strikers and CBs, hence the need for Akpom and Hayden. Ideally we wouldn't have to use them, but Germany's World Cup and lack of signings means we will probably have to use these two in some capacity.
Chambers has a fair amount of first team football and is being signed as part of the first team squad.
Zelalem plays in a role we have lots of options for. Plus he has had a terrible season with little progress. Needs to get his head down and work hard at the level he is at before being pushed up.
Would be bad management to try and force him into the first team before he is anywhere near ready.
posted on 27/7/14
Who is forcing him into the first team? He flourished with them last pre season and supposedly has been poor playing with his age group who you claim he is better off with. A run out in pre season is not going to harm anybody, better using him than somebody who has no future at the club ie Coquelin.
posted on 27/7/14
Zelalems pre-season last year was not all that special. Nowhere near the impact Wilshere, for example, had at the same age.
We have multiple choices in Zelalems strongest positions, so why have him in the first team squad for this when he could be playing at the level where he will throughout the season?
posted on 27/7/14
Another Emirates Cup we'll lose with that team.
posted on 27/7/14
comment by WengersNearlyMen™ (U5041)
posted 1 minute ago
Another Emirates Cup we'll lose with that team.
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You have us down for relegation this season, WNM?
posted on 27/7/14
I doubt Sanogo will recover in time from his 'injury' to feature next weekend.
posted on 27/7/14
NO do you?
posted on 27/7/14
comment by Mikel Ar-tiki-taka-teta (U14196)
posted 6 minutes ago
I doubt Sanogo will recover in time from his 'injury' to feature next weekend.
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Was only a minor thigh strain. He is off to Austria with the squad this week, I am led to believe.