Carling Cup Quarterfinals: Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: Match Preview
A Strong Side for A Strong Cup Run?
Sheesh. I mean the Carling Cup really? I actually have to write something? Well, like I said in the last round, if Arsene can give a damn I guess I can too.
In this round of the Carling Cup our opponent is Wigan Athletic, they of the relegation zone. It’s a shame really, because I do like their manager Roberto Martinez because he is trying to build a club that plays football “the right way.” He is also a manager who consistently hails Arsenal as the ideal model on how an EPL club should be run (whether you agree with that statment is irrelevant.)
Wigan come to a place that hasn’t been too friendly to the home side this season. In a turn around of fortunes, Arsenal have been outstanding on the road, sporting the league’s best record but their home form is frustratingly worrisome. For a team fighting off relegation, as Wigan is, the cup tie is a welcome distraction from that. Given what they’ve probably seen of Arsenal at home this season they may be liking their ability to score an upset. However, this could be a challenge for them as one of the talismanic players, Hugo Rodallego, is set to serve the second match of his three match ban. Plus there are some injury issues coming in to this match for Wigan that could make it hard for this squad to get going.
But, we are at home and well we haven’t been exactly the most convincing squad here.
What makes this Quarterfinal tie so interesting, I guess, from an Arsenal stand point is the inclusion of some major talent in the squad. By the looks of it the attack will be lead by Walcott, Van Persie and Bendtner. In the EPL and even in the Champion’s League that is a good front line some teams would want. Interestingly all three have something to prove. For Walcott and Van Persie that they can get into form after long injuries kept them out disrupting promising starts. For Bendtner, who in this blog I have called a loud-mouthed non-productive lout, he now has the chance to prove to the manager and the fans why he shouldn’t be shipped out to Bayern Munich in January (or Juventus – it all depends on the press report).
The midfield will likely be a mix of bench and first teamers and reserves. Look for Rosicky to wear the Captain’s arm band and be the focal point of the attack. I’d also suspect that Denilson will get a go out. The other DM is a bit of quandry. Alex Song needs a rest. If I am Wenger I am leaving him off the squad and letting him get that rest. Which would leave Craig Eastmond as the other DM role (Diaby still out injury). Now to be honest, I rate Eastmond and think there is a talent to be developed there, but in his last outting he was less than convincing. I will chalk that up to lack of playing time but he is another player that needs to start pressing the competition for the DM roles in the squad.
As for the defencive line, the central backs will likely be Koscielny and Djourou. Koosh needs the playing time as I think this whole year is about getting him aclimated to the league. he has shown great promise but as we have discussed on numerous occasions, has been prone to the big gaffe that results in either a goal or a solid chance. He is solid in the air and some of his tackling has been match saving. It has been some of his other tackling that has been match damning (if you will) if he gets that under control and works a little on his strength, I think he could form a nice pair in the middle with Vermaelen for the next few years. Djourou in my opinion is sitting the bench for a reason, I cannot understand. Sure he will get the run out here but frankly his last two premier league starts have been solid. Especially against Spurs he was phenomenal all match. It is clear that playing is making him better and given the shakiness that Koscielny has shown in the league. Only one the left back is a known for me. Kieran Gibbs will get the start and spell Clichy some rest. On the other side I am not sure yet who will start. Press reports claim that Emmanuel Eboue is not going to be out for six weeks and that he could be fit for today. The other likely candidate would be Havard Nordtveit. I would like to see Nordtveit as the RB in this match for a couple of reasons. First, I am sadly disappointed in Eboue. His speed forward and the threat he posed off the bench last season, seems to be missing. I don’t know if it is lack of playing time or the fact that Eboue seems to be benefitting from the tasty goodies that are on display in Arsenal’s pressers. Either way he just hasn’t been a viable option for us this season. To me that means Nordtveit should be it. Give the kid a chance to show that he is Sagna’s heir apparent.
In goal, I don’t care how healthy he is but Manuel Almunia should not feature between the sticks for Arsenal ever again. The future is now and Wojicech Szczesny needs to get his playing time. Wigan will be mostly first team Premier League side. And he needs to face squads like this to see how he handles them. He has been outstanding so far in the previous rounds. Now is not the time to make a bone headed move and take that away from the kid who just recently signed a long-term extension with the team. Szczesny must start.
So my line up (in case you weren’t keeping track): Szczesny, Nordtveit, Gibbs, Koscielny, Djourou, Eastmond, Denilson, Rosicky, Walcott, Bendtner, Van Persie
My prediction? 3-1 to the Arsenal
[donate]
