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Predicting The Starting 11 For Arsenal When They Take On West Bromwich Albion
By Callum D'Souza
(Arsenal Featured Columnist) on September 23, 2010
Michael Regan/Getty Images
Having defeated rivals Tottenham 4-1 in a nail-biting encounter midweek—after succumbing to a 1-1 draw in the dyeing seconds against Sunderland—Arsenal now face the less daunting task of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The Gunners are in form despite their recent Premier League stalemate and will look to continue that trend against Robert Di Matteo's men. Arsene Wenger and his men are unbeaten in the League and sit in second, four points behind leader Chelsea with Manchester United in third breathing down the Gunners neck.
Due to the midweek Carling Cup fixture with Tottenham, several key players were rested and should return to the starting lineup. However key players Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Frimpong, and captain Cesc Fabregas are all still absent due to injury.
None the less let's retrieve a possible starting 11 for the Gunners.
Goalkeeper
Manuel Almunia will be reinstated after deputy Lukasz Fabianski endured another disappointing performance in the Carling Cup.
The Polish shot stopper is in desperate need of a loan spell as Fabianski currently looks incapable of even playing in Cup competition.
However Almunia has been in impressive form and will hope for a relatively quiet outing against the Baggies.
Defenders
Arsenal will be severely boosted by the return of Thomas Vermaelen from injury. The Belgium centre half is expected to return for the clash from an achilles problem and should slot to the left central role and lead the backline.
Emmanuel Eboue performed for 120 minutes in the Carling Cup encounter and should return to the bench whilst Bacary Sagna returns to right back. Sebastien Squillaci should replace the inform Laurent Koscienly who also played strongly midweek.
Kieran Gibbs picked up a foot injury against Tottenham and is expected to be sidelined for up to a month which sees Gael Clichy return at left back.
Midfielders
Captain Cesc Fabregas will miss the clash due a hamstring injury whilst Abou Diaby is expected to return from an ankle injury sustained against Bolton two weeks ago. Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Jack Wilshere, and Samir Nasri all played against Tottenham and it is expected that Rosicky will have the attacking midfield role alongside Diaby whilst Alexandre Song continues with the defensive duties.
Forwards
Andrei Arshavin received a shot stint, in which the Russian scored, against Tottenham and should continue as the left winger. Marouane Chamakh will return too, as the main striker. The Moroccan has been outstanding as the lone striker scoring, moving and created chances well.
On the right wing Samir Nasri could start, the Frenchman had a superb outing midweek in which he engraved his name on the score sheet twice, both from penalties. However Emmanuel Eboue is also competing for a start despite also contributing heavily in the League Cup. However there is some talk pacey youngster Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who failed to appear against Hotspurs, may be given a call up.
Substitutes
Lukasz Fabianski will have the deputy honours with Laurent Koscienly and Johan Djourou the back up defenders, whilst Denilson, Jack Wilshere, and Emmanuel Eboue should also receive spots. The deputizing forward should be Carlos Vela.
By Callum D'Souza
(Arsenal Featured Columnist) on September 23, 2010
Michael Regan/Getty Images
Having defeated rivals Tottenham 4-1 in a nail-biting encounter midweek—after succumbing to a 1-1 draw in the dyeing seconds against Sunderland—Arsenal now face the less daunting task of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The Gunners are in form despite their recent Premier League stalemate and will look to continue that trend against Robert Di Matteo's men. Arsene Wenger and his men are unbeaten in the League and sit in second, four points behind leader Chelsea with Manchester United in third breathing down the Gunners neck.
Due to the midweek Carling Cup fixture with Tottenham, several key players were rested and should return to the starting lineup. However key players Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Frimpong, and captain Cesc Fabregas are all still absent due to injury.
None the less let's retrieve a possible starting 11 for the Gunners.
Goalkeeper
Manuel Almunia will be reinstated after deputy Lukasz Fabianski endured another disappointing performance in the Carling Cup.
The Polish shot stopper is in desperate need of a loan spell as Fabianski currently looks incapable of even playing in Cup competition.
However Almunia has been in impressive form and will hope for a relatively quiet outing against the Baggies.
Defenders
Arsenal will be severely boosted by the return of Thomas Vermaelen from injury. The Belgium centre half is expected to return for the clash from an achilles problem and should slot to the left central role and lead the backline.
Emmanuel Eboue performed for 120 minutes in the Carling Cup encounter and should return to the bench whilst Bacary Sagna returns to right back. Sebastien Squillaci should replace the inform Laurent Koscienly who also played strongly midweek.
Kieran Gibbs picked up a foot injury against Tottenham and is expected to be sidelined for up to a month which sees Gael Clichy return at left back.
Midfielders
Captain Cesc Fabregas will miss the clash due a hamstring injury whilst Abou Diaby is expected to return from an ankle injury sustained against Bolton two weeks ago. Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Jack Wilshere, and Samir Nasri all played against Tottenham and it is expected that Rosicky will have the attacking midfield role alongside Diaby whilst Alexandre Song continues with the defensive duties.
Forwards
Andrei Arshavin received a shot stint, in which the Russian scored, against Tottenham and should continue as the left winger. Marouane Chamakh will return too, as the main striker. The Moroccan has been outstanding as the lone striker scoring, moving and created chances well.
On the right wing Samir Nasri could start, the Frenchman had a superb outing midweek in which he engraved his name on the score sheet twice, both from penalties. However Emmanuel Eboue is also competing for a start despite also contributing heavily in the League Cup. However there is some talk pacey youngster Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who failed to appear against Hotspurs, may be given a call up.
Substitutes
Lukasz Fabianski will have the deputy honours with Laurent Koscienly and Johan Djourou the back up defenders, whilst Denilson, Jack Wilshere, and Emmanuel Eboue should also receive spots. The deputizing forward should be Carlos Vela.