We’re in FA Cup motion this night, after we tackle Oxford United within the third spherical.
The house facet sit fifteenth in League One proper now, and I absolutely count on Mikel Arteta to make quite a lot of adjustments for this sport. Not merely due to the marginally weaker than ordinary opposition, however as a result of it’s an opportunity for among the gamers on the fringes of the primary crew to get necessary minutes into their legs.
Even when there’s some reluctance on the supervisor’s half to rotate or introduce a few of them as subs, because the schedule will get busy, likelihood is we’re going to wish one or two of those gamers so nights like tonight are helpful. Relying on the health of Emile Smith Rowe and whether or not he’s match sufficient to begin, we might see a really totally different beginning XI from the crew that lined up in opposition to Newcastle.
This can be a potential beginning XI: Turner, Cedric, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney, Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Marquinhos, Nketiah.
That stated, I wouldn’t be massively shocked if Tomiyasu began at right-back and one in all Gabriel or William Saliba began at centre-half. Cedric has been linked with a transfer away this month, and wasn’t even on the bench for the final Premier League sport. It might need been because of a small harm but it surely’s additionally potential {that a} deal to go someplace else is shut and we don’t need harm to scupper it.
Utilizing Eddie up entrance isn’t actually an enormous subject for me. It’s not like he’s performed hundreds this season and if he can seize a purpose or two this night then it might be of some profit. The one query mark is the truth that he’s our solely recognised centre-forward, and if something occurred to him, we’re not precisely replete with inner options. I don’t even suppose there’s a younger ahead prepared to begin, however maybe there’s one who might come off the bench for half-hour if we will get ourselves into a good lead.
And look, these of us with a little bit of Arsenal expertise underneath our belts know effective nicely that the FA Cup third spherical can throw up a shock or two, so it’s not taking something as a right. Nonetheless, it’s bought to be one thing that the supervisor has to contemplate. With a North London derby up subsequent, then Manchester United, we have now to consider the probabilities.
I don’t know a lot about tonight’s opposition, however that is principally a free hit for them. At house, underneath lights, potential big killers and so on and so on. They do have a former Arsenal man of their ranks too. Marcus McGuane left us for Barcelona some years in the past, it didn’t work on the market, however he’s an everyday for Oxford now, and that’s all the time an fascinating sidebar.
The opposite facet is that the draw for the following spherical was made yesterday night, pitting us in opposition to the winners of the Man Metropolis/Chelsea sport. And it was clearly Man Metropolis, who thrashed Graham Potter’s facet 4-0. Which means a visit to the Etihad on the finish of January if we win this night. We additionally face Metropolis within the league in mid-February, and once more in April. I do know there’s lots happening behind the scenes by way of making an attempt to strengthen the squad, however this draw would possibly simply hammer house how troublesome it’s going be to compete throughout three fronts with what we’ve bought proper now. Keep in mind, the Europa League kicks in once more quickly too.
On tonight, I do know there’s a difficulty of precedence for some followers. Our league place is much extra necessary than the FA Cup, and I get that fully. In the event you requested me know which I’d reasonably win, there’s just one reply, and that’s to not dismiss the cup. I like the FA Cup, however there’s no contest, is there? Nevertheless, it doesn’t need to be one or the opposite. It may be each. We’ve performed doubles prior to now, and whereas I believe it’s unlikely, I believe we additionally know that Mikel Arteta is a person who needs to win each sport, and that may inform his strategy to cup ties as this season progresses. He was very irritated at our third spherical exit final season, so I believe he’ll wish to take this one fairly significantly.
So, let’s see what we get tonight. As ever, we’ll have stay weblog protection for you, and all of the post-game stuff on Arseblog Information. For Patreon members, we have now a little bit of a preview podcast for you too, so test that out right here.
For now, take it simple and I’ll catch you later for the sport.
