Arsenal V Ipswich - 2nd leg (KO 19:45 BBC2)

Galvasean

Haven't spotted a match thread yet so I guess I'll fire away.
It's live on BBC 2. Kick off 7:45

Here's where the BBC will be doing live text updates.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9371217.stm

DH2K9

Early goal is so crucial for Arsenal. Get it and it's a stroll in the park, don't and it could be a long night.

Galvasean

I read that Wenger intends to rotate due to Arsenal's 'hectic schedule'. Their next match is in 5 days at home to Huddersfield. I'm sure he wont be playing a full strenght team in taht either. If Arsenal's superstars can't cope with playing a match against a low table Championship side 3 days after strolling against igan I worry for them...

shano_88

Im fairly confident we'll get through this. Id probably play a strong enough side especially with Huddersfield at the weekend.

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schzeny

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--eboue----Djou

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Kos

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Gibbs---

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Denilson

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Wilshere

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Fabregas

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--Bendtner

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Arshavin--

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Chamakh

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Still not too happy about Bentner on the wing but i can see him playing there. Id much prefer to see Walcott get his game out there and play Bendtner against Huddersfield.

DH2K9

shano_88 wrote: »

Im fairly confident we'll get through this. Id probably play a strong enough side especially with Huddersfield at the weekend.

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schzeny

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--eboue----Djou

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Kos

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Gibbs---

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Denilson

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Wilshere

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Fabregas

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--Bendtner

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Arshavin--

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Chamakh

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Still not too happy about Bentner on the wing but i can see him playing there. Id much prefer to see Walcott get his game out there and play Bendtner against Huddersfield.

I actually think he might go for Walcott or Nasri there to make sure of the win instead of Bendtner.

Galvasean

Knowing Wenger the team could be

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Shea
Hoyte---Miquel---Angha---Gibbs

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Eastmond

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Denilson

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Wilshere
Eboué

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Vela

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Bendtner

I know this isn't possible as some of these players played for the reserves today, but Wenger can go a bit mad with the aul rotation when up against on 'weaker on paper' teams.

L'prof

This game should be tougher than the one at the weekend, so I hope we don't rest too many players considering we're kicking off a goal down!

Galvasean

L'prof wrote: »

This game should be tougher than the one at the weekend, so I hope we don't rest too many players considering we're kicking off a goal down!

Yeah, last thing we need is fielding a team lacking the experience to break down a stubborn defense who are holding a lead. Not to mention getting caught on the break!

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Don't think we'll see a major over haul to the squad for this game which is good to hear.

Wenger wrote:

“Over Christmas I did not have much choice because it was four games in ten days and two games in 48 hours.

“I think recently we have gone for a little bit shorter rotation. [It will be] this kind [of rotation against Ipswich].

Royale with Cheese

Wenger would be nuts to play a front 3 of Bendtner, Arshavin, Chamakh, and no Cesc behind them when Arse are actually losing the tie so far.

The game at the weekend is the perfect opportunity to change the entire team. Not tonight.

Frisbee

I'll go nuts if Bendtner and Chamakh start together again, it just doesn't work.

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Woj

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Sagna

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Djourou

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Koscielny

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Gibbs

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Fab

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Song

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Wilshere

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Nasri

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Chamakh

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Arshavin


No point resting big names if it costs us a final, we have Huddersfield at the weekend we can use to rest the big guns, but they need to start tonight. No point leaving the likes of Cesc/Nasri on the bench if we're probably going to end up needing to bring them on with 20 minutes to go to try and do the impossible and save a tie that's beyond us because the second stringer couldn't get it done.

If we don't do something to remedy Ipswich's "hoof it over the top" tactic the we deserve to lose tbh, it was embarrassing to see it being so effective in the last game.

If first team players start I can see us winning by 2 or 3 goals. If we start a team similair to the last leg then I really wouldn't be suprised to see us get knocked out.

iMuse

Team from twitter, not sure if 100% accurate:

szczesny - sagna, djourou, koscielny, clichy - cesc, denilson, wilshere - bendtner, van persie, arshavin

shano_88

iMuse wrote: »

Team from twitter, not sure if 100% accurate:

szczesny - sagna, djourou, koscielny, clichy - cesc, denilson, wilshere - bendtner, van persie, arshavin

I would be fairly shocked if Chamakh didn't start. Though he would be a nailed on starter.

iMuse

shano_88 wrote: »

I would be fairly shocked if Chamakh didn't start. Though he would be a nailed on starter.

Yeah be shocked if Van persie starts, dont want to be over doing it with him

Minstrel27

Galvasean wrote: »

Haven't spotted a match thread yet so I guess I'll fire away.
It's live on BBC 2. Kick off 7:45

The game is on BBC HD also for anyone interested.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Yep it has been confirmed that RvP and Cesc do start. Perhaps we'll see a bit of interchanging in the front three with Bendy going up front and Robin going to the wing for a bit.

[edit] Strong bench too with Shea, Gibbs, Eboue, Song, Walcott, Nasri and Chamakh

IvySlayer

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Denilson, Wilshere, Fabregas, Bendtner, Arshavin, van Persie. Subs: Shea, Nasri, Walcott, Song, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh.

Ipswich: Fulop, Leadbitter, McAuley, Delaney, O'Dea, Kennedy, Healy, Norris, Edwards, Wickham, Priskin. Subs: Lee-Barrett, Peters, O'Connor, Scotland, Hyam, Smith, Civelli.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

OPENROAD

Anyone watching? very quiet match thread

ctrl-alt-delete

Top quality dive from Fabregas there that time,

Ref should have booked him.

MaxPower89

Some whack on Sagna there.

Quazzie

Every time RVP gets the ball, he looks like he is going to do something good with it. None of them have been effective yet, but it looks like its just a matter of time.

Eboue on for Sagna. I hope its only as a precaution.

Quazzie

Jesus Halsey doesn't want to give Cesc anything tonight.

BrianJD

Quazzie wrote: »

Jesus Halsey doesn't want to give Cesc anything tonight.

In fairness, the blatant dive might have affected the refs decision. It was def a free tho.

ctrl-alt-delete

Quazzie wrote: »

Jesus Halsey doesn't want to give Cesc anything tonight.

Should have been a free on the edge of the box that time, the Ipswich player did get a bit of the ball, but certainly took Fabregas too,

Maybe Halsey had that dive from earlier in the back of his mind, wasn't sure and let it go for that reason.

ctrl-alt-delete

That was brave from Fulop there!!

Offside anyways.

Minstrel27

BrianJD wrote: »

In fairness, the blatant dive might have affected the refs decision.

It's not very fair if his decision was based on something that happened earlier on in the match.

BrianJD

I really hope we don't get any major injuries tonight...it's gonna be a battle.

MaxPower89

Nasri will have to come on, if the goal doesnt come before 1/2 time.

MaxPower89

Very un-cesc like there

Paully D

Come on Arsenal FFS or we (Sunderland) have **** all chance of Europe.

iMuse

Get nasri and walcott on for denilson and bendtner/arshavin

Oranage2

Wenger should take off Denilson, Bendtner and Arshavin before half time!!!

Quazzie

Oranage2 wrote: »

Wenger should take off Denilson, Bendtner and Arshavin before half time!!!

Considering he has already used a sub, and with potential extra time coming up, I can't see him even making one sub at half time.

tony1kenobi

Also, Bendtner is working his tits off. Leave him on.

Oranage2

Quazzie wrote: »

Considering he has already used a sub, and with potential extra time coming up, I can't see him even making one sub at half time.

I wasn't talking bout making subs!

SantryRed

That left full for Ipswich is dirt. Won't take a touch on the ball. Haven't seen him pass the ball yet which wasn't back to the GK.

Minstrel27

Surely Arsene Wenger could get a few million for Arshavin. The lad clearly doesn't give a ****. Get rid of him.

premierstone

wtf has happened Arshavin, he is absolute muck at the minute

L'prof

Bendtner has been very good, but Arshavin is atrocious!

OPENROAD

premierstone wrote: »

wtf has happened Arshavin, he is absolute muck at the minute

Only at the minute?

MaxPower89

premierstone wrote: »

wtf has happened Arshavin, he is absolute muck at the minute

He has been muck for a good while now.

Pity Cesc didnt stick that earlier one away. Id still bring Nasri on for Arshavin.

Pepe LeFrits

Sammy Nas-a-ri, please!

tony1kenobi

Hansen and Shearer showing why they will not be offered a job by sky.

shano_88

Nasri/Walcott for Arshavin.

OPENROAD

Hansen :mad::mad::mad:

shano_88

tony1kenobi wrote: »

Hansen and Shearer showing why they will not be offered a job by sky.

Thats why i turned over as the half time whistle went. Cant stand them.

conor678

Alan Hansen talks some sh***! You'd swear it's only the 'dirty foreigners' diving. Ahem Rooney or Gerard anyone. It's not the continentals who brought diving to the British game. The increased pressure of winning and lack of retrospective punishment did!

tony1kenobi

shano_88 wrote: »

Thats why i turned over as the half time whistle went. Cant stand them.

If it was sky Gray and Keys would have sent them to make the tea and sandwiches while the lads talked man stuff.

efb

Arshavin- Get off!

iMuse

This is embarassing, get arshavin off now

Quazzie

I'm genuinely surprised that so many people think Bendtner is having a good game. He hasn't been as poor as Arshavin but he is far from having a good game.