Eastmond or Coquelin to answer big question as Wenger hints of squad to play Stoke
For the first time this season on Sunday, the name of Arsenal’s right back will not read Bacary Sagna or Emmanuel Eboue.
The confirmed omission of Sagna – due to a shoulder concern from Wednesday – has posed a big question mark over who will play in his role as Eboue remains on international duty.
That means Wenger is set to name an unfamiliar choice as full-back on Sunday and the French tactician has revealed his options are now down to either Craig Eastmond or Francis Coquelin while several of their colleagues from the reserves have also been called upon.
“We have called up Kyle Bartley, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Francis Coquelin, Gilles Sunu, and Craig Eastmond.” Wenger said.
“Sol will be OK to play [after regaining fitness] but, right now, I don’t know if I play him. However it is a big opportunity for him if he does.”
“I have to make a decision at right back too. Eastmond is possible. We moved him from there to central midfield in the past, so we’ll see. But Coquelin can play right back as well.”
Thus, Arsene Wenger’s team selection will certainly be pushed to the limit on Sunday.
Calling for a breather are centre-backs Gallas and Vermaelen while Eduardo has played every single game in all competitions since his return as a substitute at Burnley in December. Andrey Arshavin has also constantly featured in Arsenal’s attack and the Russian may seek another FA Cup rest.
But the manager promises to field a side capable of a fight at the Britannia Stadium.
He added: “I want to pick a team which is strong enough to win the game, without ignoring we are under immense physical demands in every single game right now and the fact some players need to have a breather.”
COQUELIN EVERYTIME ESPECIALL FOR DM
Yes, I’m with Coquelin too.
I think he and Eastmond are both thin and perhaps short of the physical strength of a preferable DM, but Coquelin has more grit than Eastmond.
In fact, Coquelin does it like Flamini. He is not big by any stretch but has the mind of Gatusso. Eastmond is also promising but he seems more like a ‘hold the ball and pass’ player (like Denilson was before last season and this one) rather than the guy who loves to fly in with tackles whether he risks injury to himself or not.
So defensively, Coquelin is the choice!!!
why did he let gilbert go on loan last week he was good enough to play against liverpool in carling cup and why not swap senderos for saha job done
My choice at RB would be coquelin.
Anyway, i think the cup game line up would be:
Fabianski
Coquelin Senderos (or Campbell) Silvestre Traore
Denilson Eastmond
JET
Walcott Vela Merida
Merida is injured.
Senderos is on the verge of a move, and if he wasnt, Why would he play. he played one game this season.
AW can field either of the 2 coquelin or eastbond . but let him play Sol and phil and rest Gallas and vermeln. AW should also give a start to Theo AND Vella with Jay THOMAS AND Gille Sunnu.
Phil is already gone and its one of the best decisions Arsene has taken. Phil wasn’t good for us, No pace, no strength even though big and no football intelligence. One big mistake in a game. He had a lot of chances to develop but it was a false dawn. Remember Swiss Tony no.6? Good riddance. If playerss like Upson, Connoly, Sidwell, Bentley had had such chances that he had, they could probably had made it.
Lets face it Wenger has not been great when it comes to signing central defenders. Cyan
Haven – Look at the number of goals we actually conceded with senderos in the side. Ok, he had a few high-profile errors, mostly against probably the most difficult striker in the league, but actually senderos’ inclusion usually came with long periods of clean sheets.
He was only in his early 20s when he played most of his football with us as well. I dont think wenger is getting rid of him cos he thinks big phil isnt good enough, senderos just wants to play. Good luck to him, he played his part in some tital victories and always gave his all on the pitch.
agreed, he was part of that defence which took us to the champions league final.
Upson, Connoly, Sidwell, Bentley – No, none of them were that good. Look at them now ffs. Of those Id probably take upson back, but still only to play as backup to gallas/vermaelen. Id rather have senderos than upson tbh.
Btw “No pace, no strength even though big and no football intelligence” – You have no clue. Senderos is a pure defender. He’s clumsy but he naturally positions himself better than most defenders out there. Hes not slow or weak either. Perhaps mentally weak cos when he makes a mistake it affects him, but as I said, he was only young when he made most of his appearances. People get better
Senderos deserves our respect. As a man and an Arsenal player. I hope he never felt too hard done by as I’d love to see him back at the club in 15 years coaching in the academy or scouting.
SENDEROS DEAL HAS BEEN AGREED. LINK HERE:http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/senderos-joins-on-loan.html.
where is Watt? Is he injured or what? thought he played well in beer cup
Davi
A good defender? CC finals, CL semi finals, FA semi with Blackburn and many more. A waste of Arsenal resources for bringing him down. He went to Milan on loan and for a permanent deal but Milan didn’t tazke that option. They realised he was not good. False dawn. Arsene wanted to sell him but no one wanted to take him. if he had been good, we could have seen clubs chasing him all over. Nobody wants him except perhaps you, Davi.
When Arsene said he was not going to extend his contract, he knew he needed to surrender the No.6, which really too big a number for him. He just couldn’t make the grade.