Six games left in the league, and then the Big One at Wembley.
It would be very nice to beat Chelsea, but simply securing 2nd or 3rd would be good as far as I’m concerned. Therefore, some players will be looking at selection for the game on May 30. If Arsene were to announce his side today for that game, not many would be surprised were he to announce this lot:
Ospina, Monreal, Kos, Mert, Bell, Coq, Santi, Mesut, Sanchez, Rambo and Ollie.
Thing is, he needs to keep things fresh and buzzing for the important league games, and no better way than giving one or two the wobbles with selective rotation.
I’d say The Wobblers would be Monreal, Bell, Mert and Aaron. The obvious candidates of Gibbs, Easter, Debs and Danny could give them the jitters, but how about a late surge in form from Theo or Jack.
How would you play the run-in if you were Le Boss?
MickyDidIt89
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
First and foremost, City will be back with a vengeance so our taks are clear:
– SECURE 2nd Place
– Win the FA Cup
I would hence play my best team everything single game with maybe one-two changes depending on the opposition/injuries or suspensions…
Ospina – Bellerin – BFG (:-(), Kos, Gibbs – Ramsey, Coquelin, Cazorla – Ozil – Giroud, Sanchez
Now Sanchez needs to be monitored carefully as he is our game-changer and I would say that we need to ensure that Kos, Coquelin, Cazorla and Giroud also need to be kept fit.
I also think that Walcott, Wellbeck, Wilshere and Ox are ready to roar and that Arteta and Rosicky are desperate to play…So all and all, the team’s emulation is there and we just have to make sure that we do not lose against Chelsea and Man Utd. AND WE MUST WIN ALL THE OTHER GAMES so here would be my idea:
Chelsea at home:
Ospina – Bellerin, BFG, Kos, Gibbs – Ramsey, Coq, Arteta – Cazorla, Giroud, Sanchez
Utd away:
Ospona – Bellerin, BFG, Kos, Gibbs – Ramsey, Coq, Ox – Walcott, Giroud, Sanchez
For the rest of the games, our usual squad 🙂
The ones we really do not want to lose are against Chelsea, Utd and Aston Villa.
For A.V, I would play Ospina ahead of PiG…
PiG showed that he needs to be sent away…
MD – thanks for another great post
Crikey, that’s a detailed answer RC
I wasn’t expecting too much botherage what with being Monday and sunny, so thanks.
You say City will be back, and I can’t help think we missed a trick this season what with both Manchester Clubs mucking about, however the days of them simply buying their way back to the top are over (fair play and whatnot). Aren,t they? 😦
RC
Looks like we’re agree the PiG could be out of the cup side.
Isn’t Ox ruled out for the rest of the season?
RC. You would drop Ozil for both games?
Micky I’d rotate 1-2 a game for freshness. 5 wins gets us 2nd, if that number gets lower then I’d give Sz at least 2 games in the league if he is to be cup final keeper.
Just realised I’m driving to bloody Cornwall on FAC Final day arse
MD – PiG is a liability (shame bc he has the potential) and I think Ox is supposed to be back by end of this month
BR – Ozil is my “X factor”. I think Ozil can find spaces and passes later into these games when we have already stretched their defenses. He is also getting better at getting into shooting position – he just needs to find the target more often so I d be happy to drop Arteta or Cazorla (depending on game’s physionomy then) to bring in our German Wizard 🙂 Chelsea and Uts impose this physical challenge and game to their opponents and I think that we can cope with it but Ozil can hurt them once they are getting a bit tired with his skills and runs so I d keep him in my ammo box 🙂
Thanks Micky, it is a conundrum that’s for sure.
I agree with GiE, I’d like to see Sz play a couple of games in the PL because he didn’t look that secure on Saturday – and if not, I’d be ruthless and play Ospina in the FACF.
The same goes for Per (although this definitely won’t happen). I’d give Gabriel a couple of starts in the prem and if he does well, I’d probably start him in the FACF as Villa have pace up front and Sherwood’s rather basic tactics will no doubt hinge on the ball over the top to get behind the BFG.
Exile
Stop off at mine for a Cup Final BBQ. I’ll be wearing shorts
Here’s another thing, Villa could be locked in a relegation battle right to the final
Whereas, had Pool won, they could have rested the whole side and geared up for that one game
Micky
Nice post, though I must admit the content was a slight disappointment to my prurient side after reading the title. 🙂
According to some reports, the BFG left Wembley wearing a protective boot on his ankle, so maybe The Angel will get a few games in his place anyway.
I’d like to see most of the squad get a game or two before the end of the season but without upsetting our current momentum, of course. With it being almost 6 weeks away, lots will change over that period. Let’s hope for only minor injuries and look forward to being able to choose from from a full squad.
So pleased all of that Gerrard swansong nonsense has been killed stone dead.
In that case, Per may be out for some time – we have to pray for no injuries to any of our other CBs in the run up to the final
RC: Gibbs over Monreal? Nacho Man has been splendid, while Gibbs has been, well, Gibbs…..not sure what he really brings to the side, and is prone to the Clichy-like walkabout and inadvertent slip or deflection that costs you a goal (see Saturday at Wembley, see against ManUre at home, etc.)
Micky. Thank you for the post – one I cannot answer because who knows which players will remain injury free?
If TW is to sign a new contract he will surely have to feature in a few games. As will Arteta and JW.
An FAC Final BBQ sounds wonderful. What is the closest airport to Didit Towers?
Chas totally agree.
Micky very tempting, will have to work out timing of journey and the feeding routine of the beast*
(*the beast is no 2 son not my belly 😀 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyqocNPVMDc
The freeze frame on that vid is the pic I took that I thought looked like Ants was in Ashley Bangos StreetDance show looks set to about to go into a Windmill. 😀
Haha.
GIE
Can you put a few more of those George and the beast watching the Liverpool game up on here. Flippin priceless.
Arsenal to enter the chase for Dybala along with Chelsea, Barcelona and PSG…The young striker is valued at 50 Mln EUR while PSG and Chelsea already offered 40….
Here is the most likely summer transfer outcome for PSG:
– Sell Lavezzi for 20 Mln EUR
– Sell Cavani for 50 Mln EUR + bonuses or 82 Mln
– Sell Van der Wiel for 15 Mln EUR
If this happens, we will try to land:
– Reuss, Depay or Pedro to replace Lavezzi
– Dybala or J. Martinez to replace Cavani
– Pogba
– + get a CB
Sirigu – Marquinhos, T. Silva, D. Luiz, Maxwell – Pogba, Verratti, Matuidi – Pastore – Lucas, Ibrahimovic
Douchez – Aurier, CB, Camara, Digne – Rabiot, T. Motta, Cabaye – Bahebeck, Dybala, Depay
Big Raddy, micky asked me to tell you that the nearest airport to Didit Towers is Prestwick . 😀
NG 😀 He fears the damage I could do to the Didit wine cellar. I love Montrachet Grand Cru and he has a few.
Do I take it that anyone without a ticket for the Final is invited around to the inestimable Micky’s for a BBQ.
Excellent! 🙂
I’ll probably get a ticket for the Final but still go to Micky’s for the Montrachet Grand Cru. 🙂
Raddish,
Do I also understand correctly that you are talking about the ’95 Bâtard Montrachet?
And Micky has a ‘few’? Is Micky a rich bâtard? 🙂
NG,
How far is Prestwick from DidHeDoIt Towers?
Can I get a taxi?
If Chas is going to the Final and also to Mickeee’s ‘do’ will he have room for a bottle of Montrachet to himself — will Ant be there?
This could be the greatest end-of-season ever. 🙂
RC78,
You are hereby appointed as the summer player recruitment Manager. All your speculations are really interesting.
With you in charge Je ne vais pas avoir à se inquiéter, et Je peux partir en vacances. I canon tell you how happy that will make me. 🙂
canon = can not.
RA, Micky said it’s a reasonable taxi ride and he has an account with a taxi firm at Prestwick Airport to which you and anyone else wanting to visit DidIt Towers can charge the fare.
Do bear in mind that the Final is after the general election and by then Nicola Sturgeon (or as she is more rightly titled Mrs.Peter Murrell) may have taken over the government of Great Britain, granted Scotland it’s independence and closed the borders.
It might be an idea to start walking to Devon now. 😀
RA – If only…I am waiting for AW to call me…but phone is not ringing…lol
Montrachet Grand Cru, the Mesut Ozil of white wine.
Debuchy or Bellerin against Chelsea? What d’ya reckon?
Great stuff this afternoon from NG & RA.
RA I doubt if Micky has any of the ’95 Batard but I am sure he has a case or two of the Puligny Montrachet left over
Debuchy. Chelsea and Hazard use guile not pace. I think it is a game for an experienced head.
LB,
I don’t like disagreeing with the happy, hoppy Hippy, but Hazard is lightening fast and a genius at ‘being fouled’, so Bellerin to counter the speed – Debuchy for the experience and avoiding giving ‘dubious’ penalties away.
Summary? I simply do not know.
What do you think?
Dear God
There is a reason Exile gets invited, and it’s because like me, he has no idea what a poncey Montrachet Grand Cru is.
So, in conclusion, I think booking the flights to Scotland is a splendid idea, as is the immediate closing of the borders.
Pizza and Ale you shall have, Exile. In abundance 🙂
Sounds good to me Mr DidIt although the ale will be left on shelf as I will be designated driver.
As requested by Chas
https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A1GFssfGJ16ZK0;2CA0CE0C-E0F4-46A3-8065-882A2B8B44B2
I’m ready
In my defence, i haven’t the faintest idea what a Montrachet Grand Cru is but didnt want to appear thick. GiE can testify that i drink Fosters, Strongbow or anything with suitably feminine undertones if drinking on the train.
According to LB, it’s The Mesut Ozil of white wines
German? Eyes on the sides of its head?
Isn’t white wine only for the ladies?
Some of them like to mix red and white together and get rosey
A mate of mine says “give ’em anything with a bit of fizz and it’s jobs on”
He’s a sexist pig I think
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/20/britain-criminally-stupid-race-immigration
I like a woman who likes to get rosey.
No reason I can’t have work finished by about 10 this morning 🙂
http://www.eyeballhq.tv/surfcheck/saunton/
Those photos are majestic, ta.
Definitely 97th percentile.
https://twitter.com/fumbucker/status/590048268895313920
Another rest day in the surfing?
Who’s in the Semis?
Haven’t you been tempted by a dawnie?
Here’s the up to date results
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/mct/1226/drug-aware-margaret-river-pro/results
Thank you.
I was looking for them yesterday and still can’t make that site out at all.
The Airbender
ha ha ha that’s brilliant
“you want the holy ghost…take it” ROLFING
Ok
Offski
Oh, I get it, Micky, just trying to protect your bounteous wine stores from the proletariat – and the next thing is you will say ‘don’t bother coming – we only have veg burgers – no beef – except for Cool Beer Chas. Yeah, right – bâtard!
And Good Morning. 🙂
Hello
Newbie here. Anyway, what could be the most radical way to beat Chelsea assuming that Hazard will capitalise on a mistake by us and score a goal? I guess with our pace we could set up to counter press and go all out and force mistakes from their midfield. Ramsey or welbeck on the flank is another difficult question and not just bellerin or debuchy. What if Alexis were to be moved to the right flank and Ozil to the left flank with Ramsey in the middle. Alexis can help out the full back. And our play is most likely to be forced out into the flanks by Chelsea defence so that our possession becomes useless. However putting Ozil wide and Ramsey as no. 10 gives us the advantage of better flank play and Ramsey can feed on Giroud’s flicks to take more shots.
Ad1994
Your comment is well over my head tactics-wise.
Maybe the best way to beat Chelsea is to let the tyres down on the bus they will surely park. 🙂
Morning All,
Ad1994. Welcome.
I think the pace and fast feet of our attack will confuse and ultimately humiliate the two lumps in the centre of the Chav defence.
You make a good point about OG and Ramsey.
Chas. That pic at 4.50 is very very weird. I assume they are Americans.
BR
The caption for that 4.50 photo was something like ‘how Halloween used to look in the 1960s’, which would mean America since that was where that malarkey began.
I thought it might represent those attending Micky’s barbie. 🙂
Much more interesting than spoilt little children banging on you door demanding sweets and money, dressed up by their parents to look like little ghouls because the “tradition” is entirely dreamed up by marketing men from U.S. sweet and card companies.
I give them short shrift (says the grumpy old man!),
And then there are Fathers and Mothers Day created by Hallmark cards. And Valentines Day etc etc.
Now I am on a roll
Mmmm. Cross gender porn.
Raddy,
We clearly have mis-labelled you as a happy Hippy — you are clearly not very happy – and your views are frequently not those of any hippy I have known. 🙂
RA. I am an EX- hippy. Became a capitalist running dog when I realised how much a season-tikes at Highbury cost!
Offski
Raddy @8:31 – spot on!! My sentiments exactly. Last year I was approached by parents of the kids on the street asking if they can come begging for sweets and coins. I said yes, but explained that I hate that custom and think it is shameful to teach children to beg. I made some little bags with sweets and coins, but nobody came 🙂 🙂
Thank G some parents have more sense. I bought some toys for my godson last week. His mother asked me to take them back and keep until his birthday (December!!!). She explained that Didi doesn’t get any presents for nothing. He has to learn to appreciate things.
Morning all……
….. ‘they call me the Pavlova of the parallel bars’
I don’t believe it, even when I use my code phrase for ‘we need a post’ you lot all go scurrying off 😕
Rasp – issues with my mail…
Here are few ideas:
1. Which faces should leave our squad this summer?
2. What is OX’s best position on the field?
3. Do we get enough assists and goals from our midfielders (excluding wingers but including our playmakers like Santi and Ozil)?
Hope this helps
…. New post ……
Just want to win the FA Cup!!
Start Szcz with the regular winning combo back 4, Bell, Mert, Kos and Monreal, that’s it. No makeshift, no shuffle, just the same winning combo Ospina has had almost every game for goodness sakes.