Can Arsenal get a win against Bolton tomorrow? The answer of course should be a resounding yes and it is the most likely outcome. But the way this season has gone so far and the morale sapping time the club has endured make anything possible.
The win against Shrewsbury was pleasing, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and others showing their potential. But beating Shrewsbury Town isn’t really what we’re here for.
A lot of fans are calling for AOC to be drafted straight into the first choice line up now and I’m sure he’s going to get games this season. But let’s not forget the story of Jack Wilshere who clearly played too often last season and now we’re waiting on his return to fitness.
Kevin Davies and Tuncay Sanli will be the biggest threats to deal with, Ivan Klasnic is out on suspension after headbutting a Norwich player.
So who will play tomorrow?
For most of last season this is the point where we would dive straight into a debate about Almunia, Szczesny and transfer speculation. Later adding Lehman to the debate.
At least we have this spot sorted now. Wojciech Szczesny still has stuff to learn, particularly about distribution, but he is now the first name on the team sheet without hesitation.
Who is definitely out? Vermaelen, Squillaci, Diaby, Benayoun, Rosicky and Wilshere are not fit. So Arsene Wenger’s options are still limited. Plenty of jokes mid-week about Yossi Benayoun’s true Arsenal style start – he scores his first goal, he’s out injured! But I don’t think we really expected him to start every game.
The debate really is the same as last week: who will play either side of Robin Van Persie; and who is our first choice left back?
Santos didn’t have a dream debut last week, playing a Blackburn player onside before a goal, but I can’t believe he’s here as back up. I’m guessing that he starts.
I also believe Gervinho will start, so it comes back to Walcott or Arshavin? Last week Arsene Wenger opted for Arshavin and I think he will do again, though its a bit if a guess really.
Walcott is making more noise these days about playing a more central role. But he won’t get in against RVP. Unless Arsene Wenger is about to tinker with formation, that leaves him out wide. Just hope he doesn’t get his head in the same place as Bendtner did.
Anyway, unless Arsenal are holding something back on injuries, and we’ve not heard much about Rosicky or Sagna, I guess we’ll see a team like this:
_______ Szczesny _______
Sagna _ Merte _ Kos _ Santos
________ Song _________
___ Arteta ___ Ramsey ___
Arshavin __ RVP __ Gervinho
What do you think?
