FA Cup - Time for Retribution or Pragmatism?



Facing Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow  begs the question, doesn't it.  Do we play our very best XI - the very ones that were beaten 5-1 last weekend - or do we rotate and play some squad members?  In the back of Arsene's mind, he must be thinking of the German juggernaut arriving on Wednesday.

 

There is an argument to be made for putting the best out against the Scousers, even in light of the upcoming Champions League match.  We definitely have an axe to grind here.  And a win Saturday would carry confidence into Wednesday nullifying any tiredness we may feel from playing twice in three days.   And we need the confidence.  Bayern are running rings around their competitors in the Bundesliga and remaining undefeated. 

 

The devil's advocate could argue that rotation is key against fatigue, that the FA Cup is the lesser tournament, and that players should be rested.  I think it would be hard to convince someone that no matter what our manager says, he covets the Champions League trophy - the one piece of silverware that has escaped him in his illustrious career.  But, he also has a sense of pride, and I think it was dented in the beating we took at Anfield.  I think that he will rotate, to be honest.  But, I think it will be minimal and he'll go for the offensive.  You heard it here first...or second maybe.

 

So here's what I think the squad will look like.  I think Wenger will keep Szczesny at the back.  Fabianski is leaving in the summer.  I don't think missing one game is going to make a difference there.  The back four will remain the same as against Manchester United.  Apart from Gibbs, they have plenty to account for after the ease with which Liverpool carved them apart.  Flamini is back from suspension and can give a rest to the leg weary Arteta.  The rest of the midfield is an interesting conundrum.  If Jack starts in between the DM and Ozil (yes, I think he will start), then the right wing is up for grabs.  It can be Ox (quoted here as wanting revenge.  Caution:  It's in The Sun) or Serge.  The left is a no brainer for me.  Santi is ill which opens the door for the mysteriously overlooked Podolski who can then continue his great partnership with Giroud.  Yes.  I think Ollie will start over Bendtner.  I can see him begging Wenger to start - again to atone for his poor form last weekend. There's a positivity of spirit that these two players seem to create together.  We can definitely use that.

 

I honestly have no idea what kind of squad Rodgers will put out.  They also played Wednesday, but had a tougher grind against Fulham and expended more energy.  But, Liverpool has no midweek game to worry about before facing Swansea the following weekend, so I could see him putting out a full strength team.  We may be looking at as close to a replay from the 8th as we could get.

 

That's all for now.  I really hope that we vindicate ourselves.  February is notoriously difficult for Arsenal, and 2014 has started out in a similar fashion.  Here's to breaking that tradition.

 

Have a good one Gooners.