Gunners Looking To Down Some Clarets In Cup
Jan 29th, 2016 by 'holic
“We have to be humble enough to think it’s not because we turn up at the Emirates and play against Burnley that we will win the game. We have to earn the right to go through this round and qualify. If you don’t do that, we’ll have a bad surprise.”
The COCup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday is in the back of Arsene Wenger’s mind as he prepares his squad to face Championship high-flyers Burnley this weekend. The clarets are in a rich vein of form, winning on their last four starts and scoring fourteen goals in the process.
I watched them beat Championship promotion rivals Derby County 4-1 on Monday night. They were particularly impressive in the second-half having gone into the break level at 1-1. However it is a sign of the times that both sides will look to rotate players for this FA Cup fourth round tie. Sean Dyche, Burnley manager, admitted his focus is elsewhere.
“We will look to pick a team wisely because it’s quite obvious our biggest challenge is to be back in the Premier League. Every game is a big game in the Championship and we have two big games next week and we have to be ready for them. I’m not suggesting, for one second, that the FA Cup is not big. It’s massive and I have had my own experience of it in my lifetime as a player, let along as a manager. It still means a lot, but we have to look at the bigger picture and find that balance, as we did in the last round at Middlesbrough.”
There is a delicious possibility that our old friend Paul Robinson may make an appearance between the posts. The former Leeds, Tottenham, and Blackburn ‘keeper was signed last week to provide cover for the visitors. He holds an unenviable Premier League record of conceding sixty goals against the Gunners in just 21 matches. It is a surprise that his back has recovered from retrieving the ball from his net seven times on his last visit to the Grove in 2012.
Swapping players around has been made a little bit easier for Arsene with Francis Coquelin and Tomas Rosicky fit to return and Mohamed Elneny set for his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt.
Listener’s to this week’s Arsecast will know that Arseblogger himself expects Calum Chambers to deputise for Hector Bellerin, although I am a little concerned he may be lined up to accompany Gabriel in the centre of the defence. Gabriel’s inclusion is enforced by Per Mertesacker’s red card last weekend and the temptation to rest Laurent Koscielny may be strong for the boss.
It’s possible that new boy Elneny and the returning Coquelin could strike up a new partnership anchoring the midfield and it would not be a surprise to see Alex Iwobi given another cup start in behind the front man, possibly Theo Walcott. For the two wide roles perm any two from Alexis, Joel Campbell, Tomas Rosicky, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?
The ‘holic pound
Two sides packed with players who have a point to prove, and two managers who will not want a draw due to league commitments, suggest both teams will go for it. I’m tempted by the promise of a reasonably high-scoring exchange, and the generous offer of 30/1 against a 3-2 home win has attracted my pound (or two).
As I type the BBC weather page is forecasting a sunny spell to coincide with the match, so all who are going should have a full waterproof layer on. I shall be behind the sofa with a case of Bass watching what could well be a roller coaster of a cup tie.
Have a good one ‘holics.
82 Responses to “Gunners Looking To Down Some Clarets In Cup”
Boom!?
😀
Well in BB
anf a fine piece too.Tempting as 30-1 is, I’d be inclinrf to go for s 3-0 scoreline.
COYG
TTG get out of my keyboard.
As you mentioned in your fine preview Holic, Burnley are a team in form winning by big scores in their recent Championship matches but just to give a perspective, they have also lost recently to Hull by 3-0 and we all know what we did to Hull in the the last two editions of FA cup. This is not to say that we approach this game with any less seriousness than we do an EPL game but somehow Burnley does not appear too formidable. Watched their match against Derby and felt that the scoreline flattered them. They bring a lot of energy and combativeness to their game and their forwards Andre Gray and Vokes are dangerous, especially in set piece situations. It is absolutely essential to win and reverse the draw/loss rut we have got into over our last three games.
Players returning from injury, Coquelin, Rosciky etc., and the likely introduction of Elneny gives an opportunity to rest some of our regulars. This is required as we will be meeting a well rested Southampton on Tuesday evening, which will be a very tough but must win game for us.
COYG?
So it might come down to which manager rotates better.
You could spin a coin on that one.
I’ll get my coat…
Paul Robinson has conceded 69 goals in 24 matches against us (all clubs, all competitions), keeping a clean sheet only twice and being on the winning side just four times. His next best (worst?) is 41 conceded in 25 against Aston Villa. His only FA Cup appearance against us was in the third round in 2003/04 for Leeds, who lost 4-1.
Pangloss
A bad workman……….
Having reached senility officially on Monday a ‘ friend’ has invited us to a special 70th birthday party which starts at 6 bleeding pm. Other than leaving at half time which is not outrageous or unusual behaviour where I sit , I cannot get back in time and make myself look beautiful so I have given my tickets to my neighbour. I have a bad feeling about this game but Burnley will have to rotate do I may be overdoing it.
You can’t play too many returning or new players together
My team would be
Ospina
Chambers Gabriel Kos Gibbs
Elneny Coquelin
Rosicky Ozil Ox
Giroud.
Subs – Cech, Monreal, Flamini, Iwobi, Walcott, Arteta, Campbell
3-1 to us I think
I forgot Alexis! He will start and I think Rosicky will replace Arteta on the bench
Let’s see how close this is…
Ospina
Bellerin Chambers Gabriel Gibbs
Elneny Coquelin
Oxlade-Chamberlain Iwobi Sanchez
Walcott
Subs Cech Kos Monreal Rosicky Rambo Flamini Giroud
Evening H
Quite why you feel the need to be behind the sofa for Burnley,is a bit of a worry.
There is a reason they are in the 2nd tier,because they weren’t good enough to stay up.
Well as they are playing at the moment,they have only one priority,getting back to the top level and the riches it contains.
So they will treat this a s a nice day out,with no real belief that they can beat us at our place.
They have 2 big league games coming up in the next 7 days,so i expect quite a few changes to their run on side.
A comfortable win for us,then just pray for a home draw in the 5th round against another lower division team,particularly as that match will be played only 3 days before we host Barcelona in the CL.
Good one holic.
I think a mixture XI of your and TTGs lineup will probably make it. TTGs back four and your front four 🙂
I’ll go with TTGs version of the defence line because we need some stability in our defence with Kos, now that both Per and Cech will be missing.
Eitherway, I wish us all a good game and a tidy win. I’ll go for a 2-0 to the Arsenal
So, this really is the time to ask what Arsenal team will turn up this week? Who knows?
Like many I think there will be several changes but have no idea how many. But in very much with The Sweeper. There should be no excuses. We should be more than strong enough to get this one home.
A crate of Bass you say??? Now you’re talking.
The Lotus position, Trev? In a manual car? If you could manage that your knees must be in better shape than you have implied lately.
Sorry I was asleep when you needed asparagus tips. In case you’re still struggling I find a good tin opener solves most cooking problems, including asparagus. My preference is to eschew the fancy electric devices and stick to traditional hand-operated wheel types such as my trusty OXO Good Grips Locking Can Opener with Lid Catch (Google it).
Never ever attempt cooking ‘fresh’ asparagus from raw unless you grow it yourself. The way supermarkets are these days the product will almost certainly not be fresh and will be prematurely cut with stalks tougher than bamboo requiring cooking to death while the tips disintegrate.
I hope this culinary advice proves more useful to you than my football theories.
Oskar
Burnley may have beaten Derby County 4-1 in the Championship, ‘holic, but the latter have just lost to Manure 3-1, so that form doesn’t say a lot.
Oskar
A case of bass? I like fish occasionally, but I prefer a packet of crisps and a beer watching football.
Oskar
Fine preview Guvna. I hope your bet comes in.
I hope we don’t make too many changes and would much prefer the opportunity was taken to give Kos and Gabs some more game time together while Elneny and Coquelin open a pivotal new relationship.
No underestimating the opposition fellas. Their focus may be on promotion but the 11 they put out will see this as their cup final.
I will be on a train from Zurich to Chur whilst we are playing but my thoughts will be focused on THOF.
COYGs
Nice one, Holic.
No wonder you are full of trepidaciousness with that back four – or TTG’s for that matter !
I will not have the luxury of a sofa in Block 91 but I should bleedin’ well hope it won’t be necessary anyway. As Clive and Steve T said, we should not be fretting over Burnley at home.
Misses Robinson in goal for the visitors should ensure a more than adequate 6-0 home win. Are there odds on such a festival ? I bet there are !
Oskar,
Merely “more useful” ?
You underestimate yourself, old chap. There are no words to describe how useful I find your football theories !
?
TTG @9,
I think you’re right but in which minute do you think Rosicky will replace Arteta on the bench.
I’ll keep my eyes peeled !
?
Evening chums. Just to clarify that is not the side I would pick, but it is my stab at trying to think like Le Boss.
I would play Kos with Gabriel. I would get Giroud on for Theo after twenty minutes if we weren’t entrenched in the Burnley half. I would have Rosicky in for Mesut because he always looks to get us moving forward.
Who the fuck am I 🙂
LJW’s return to the first team put back until mid- March. Sounds eerily familiar
What year was that, TTG?
Oskar
Somebody get help !
Holic can’t remember who he is ! ?
🙂
Top 25?
2 pounds are braver than one but it could be nervy if they can score 2 goals. I wouldn’t want to be in a position of having to score 3 times with a makeshift team of players trying to learn how to play together. Koscielny needed to provide defensive stability?
Cheers H!
Morning all,
Bit fresh this morning, innit?
Morning all,
It’s a leetle bit the brass monkeys even here in the balmy south west.
With Ospina in goal, would like to see some experience in front of him. My choice for back four would be Chambers, Gabriel, Kos, Gibbs.
Good time to test a wall of Le Coq & Elneny in front of them, attacking midfield 3 of Alexis, Iwobi, Theo, with the HFB up top. Plenty of options on the bench for change if we’re either coasting or struggling.
My money’s on a 2-0 but any confidence inspiring win will do very nicely.
Enjoy the day Holics.
Wouldn’t think that both Le Coq and Elneny would start. 60-70 mins for the new boy alongside an old head like Arteta or the Flamster; then a 20-30 min runout for Le Coq.
Ned…at least we have some feasible choices to discuss for a change!
Cheers H’.
No idea what team AW will put out this afternoon, but whoever plays we need a good performance as we’ve been pretty poor lately. This cup is ours, let’s keep it that way.
COYG
Indeed, Uply. And not just who gets to deal the first hand in the Colney Infirmary…
Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Kos, Gibbs, Coq, Elneny, Iwobi, The Ox, Alexis, Giroud
Subs Cech, Monreal, Hector, Arteta, Super Tom, Theo, Campbell
No Ramsey, Flamini or Ozil in squad.
I was two out. Kos and Giroud start. Before the event I am saying that’s good enough to see us through. No criticism of that team from me, except in the case of ‘benefit of hindsight!’ 😉
I got ten of the team right. He’s resting Ozil completely. Giroud had a rest on Sunday so I expected him back. The key/ gamble today is that we are to throw in two guys , one returning from injury, one making his debut in midfield so it’s a calculated risk but we have real experience on the bench. It’s a decent team but I am always worried by Ospina
Cheers Esso. Also suggests the boss values Rambo as highly as Mesut in terms of the title challenge.
Esso – Ozil & FlimFlam off for mates away day 😉
Ned @ 32 – at least AW can now shuffle the pack instead of playing Patience 😉
AW suggests Elneny is more a box to box style – not long to see for ourselves. Suspect he will be replaced by MA around the 70 min mark.
Just two changes for Burnley, one of whom thankfully Joey Barton. Sadly Robinson is on the bench! 🙂
Lily White Cunts strolling it. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Holic….good move resting Ramsey. He’s played a lot of late and form struggling a little…but not the effort of course. Opportunity to try some other formations in MF but without unduly weakening the team.
breezy an freezin
balls fer ear rings weather
last night
10% sure one o mine
froze off the vine
down me trouser leg
unwittingly deftly curled into top left hedge
outside of me right foot
textbook
torch dropped
dance done did
walk home
spuds counted
the tune of two
fuckin wanker
?
now
come on , you reds
fer fucks sake
UP THE ARSENAL
Hah! Classic CBA! 🙂
COME ONnnnnn!
😀
Chambers!!!’
How col did he take that shot 🙂
GET INNNNNNNNNN!
“Cool” of course
Great goal Chambo!
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Shit, shit,shit
Come on Arsenal!
Everybody is on 3-2, right?
I’m on the lager right now.
I’m on the couch. not behind it, and no bass.
Have a snap of my Bass and the first-half report while we wait for Paddytanta to recover the feed.
All streams down. Listening on Arseplayer
Alexis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nice break, welcome back Alexis!
Cleared off the line! Nearly 3.
cheers, holic, inspiring snap :). I think a dram of macallan will have to substitute.
Get in there
Cashout for £25? Nah. Come on 3-2. 🙂
We certainly look hungry for the third ?
Joey Barton is warming up. Someone break the cunt’s leg if he comes one.
I don’t understand, H. I thought you had a quid on 3-2 at 30/1. Why on earth wouldn’t you take £25 now?
I think it might be more than 1 quid!
Ah, so “the ‘holic pound” is, how you say, ironic?
No not ironic, just used as a term for having a punt I think.
Iwobi off – Super Tom on!
Welcome back Rosicky
I decided on Kentucky coffee, with maker’s 46 and raw sugar…
I’ll save the whisky for the burns dinner tonight.
well done Alex and welcome back Rozza!
Theo on for Alexis.
I would like us to score our third before they get their second.
well played Alexis.
Barton…. you C…!
Ox always never shoots along the ground which makes it easier for the goalie to deal with. Shooting along the ground will make him a lot more effective and a goal scoring threat. That and passing accuracy are what are missing from his game.
Nervy last few minutes. Come on.
gaak, what does it take, theo? chip him, fer chrissake.
game won, job done.
Job done.
Yeah, over the line. Bring on Southampton.
It would awful if they would have scored after Theo’s one on one he lost his mojo there!
Job done as above
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