I'd like to see Serge Gnabry start.

It'd be nice to see Akpom, but I'm not sure we will.
Frimpong too.

He hasnt been very effective for the U21s, and i very much doubt he will start tonight

Martinez, Gnabry and Miquel will be only non 1st teamers to start. Who comes on depends how we do.

Ps, definitely dont see Eisfeld in the Arteta role. Or the Wilshere role, short term at least.

I could be wrong, but from what I've seen of him Eisfeld strikes me as more of a Ljungberg type.

One thing about your article I've been thinking just lately too:

"...at 19 years old, he's really got to start getting more opportunities in order to develop you've got to feel"

Are we pushing and expecting too much of our youth players too soon to their own detriment? Why is it so important for our players to be first teamer before they turn 21-22?

Is the homegrown rule doing more harm than good?

Lexington

I think it's more to do with players getting signed up younger and younger these days, therefore if you don't have the all important first team experience by the time you are in your early twenties you are at a disadvantage to those that do.

you very often here commentators comment on how a player compares to another 'at his age' for example

Some spots in the team really are completely up for grabs tonight.

Chamakh can't be match fit so I really doubt he'll start.
Cazorla, Wilshere and Ramsey will surely be rested and Ox is out so who will play as the advanced midfielder?

Martinez
Jenks Kos Djourou Miquel
Frimpong Coquelin ??
Arshavin ?? Gnabry

Defensively, we look really solid for tonight. Good to see.

Theo will start, leaving one spot completely up for grabs.

I love the C.O.C my dad always took me to games when I was younger and you got to see all these exciting players.

I watched Fabregas and Wlishere's first games and even at 16 you could tell they were both something majorly special they stood out so much

Just goes to show how things have changed. Wasn't so lang ago that it was still quite unusual for a teenager to break into a first XI.

Now it's more a case of if you're not a regular by the time you're 20, that's your lot.

Arshavin may play as our playmaker, didn't Wenger say that that's the only place we would start him as he is allergic to tracking back??

With regards to expectations of young players, I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that the club were spoilt. Fabregas, Wilshere and to a degree Ramsey (pre injury) were playing at an exceptional level in their teens.

As touched on here, it's rare that 'prospects' play at such a high level consistantly in their teenage years. Experience is key in being a top player, the likes of Fabregas and Wilshere are feaks in that they're blessed with an awareness and confidence in their own ability that you can't really teach a young player, it'll come with experience, or it won't come at all.

Chamakh is nowhere in the pics as well, 99% sure he won't be involved tonight. Maybe this is Theo's chance to impress upfront

Moistthighs (U3249)

Very true.

Also interested to see Arshavin tonight, I still feel he has something to offer, and am very disappointed in how his Arsenal career has fizzled out

We'll need Theo at OT, so i doubt he'll start today, might be on the bench and will come on if required tho