As expected Arsene has made plenty of changes to tonights team while keeping an experienced spine in the team. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Petr Cech and Oliver Giroud are the only three to keep their places after the 2-1 victory against Everton on the weekend
Oliver Giroud's impact off the bench on Tuesday night has given him a surprise start this afternoon as Theo Walcott has dropped down to the bench. Per Mertesacker is also absent through illness (again) so Gabriel who has just returned himself will partner Koscielny in defence. As expected Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces the injured Aaron Ramsey on the right.
Arsène Wenger has kept faith with the 11 that beat Watford 3-0 only a few days ago. The only real questions pre match was whether Giroud or the returning Gabriel would come in but Arsène resisted to start with either
Well this article is kinda redundant isn't it? It didn't take a rocket scientist to work out what our line up would be this afternoon. Petr Cech is restored to the line up with Aaron Ramsey replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right. In form Nacho Monreal also returns at left back in place of Kieran Gibbs.
Per Mertesacker and Aaron Ramsey who played in our last two games have been rested and in come Gabriel and Alex Oxlade-chamberlain. Kieran Gibbs has also come in to replace Nacho Monreal at left back so it will be interesting to see if Gibbs has a more withdrawn role today or if he will push on as he usual tries to do. As expected David Ospina has come in for Petr Cech.
As expected Arsene has selected the same team that defeated Stoke City last weekend. Hector Bellerin and Aaron Ramsey missed the midweek defeat in the CL but have been restored to the line up in place of Mathieu Debuchy and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It looks to be a ding dong battle in midfield so it is great to see both Aaron and Francis Coquelin back in the side. It should be an interesting match, let us hope we can take the points this time.
Arsène Wenger has shuffled his pack a little bit as the Gunners prepare to face a Dinamo Zagreb in hot form, with the Chelsea game looming around the corner, Arsène has been forced into making a few changes to the team that dismantled Stoke City on the weekend. Arsène Wenger had already shown his intentions before the game by leaving Hector Bellerin and Aaron Ramsey at home.
I thought changes would be made to freshen up the team today but I kinda thought those changes would have to include Alexis and Cazorla who have not looked sharp in recent weeks but the boss has stuck by them today and has made changes in other areas. Oliver Giroud is one of those who look to be firing on empty so it's great to see him rested ahead of Wembley. Koscielny who had flu recently has also dropped out as has Aaron Ramsey. Interesting to see Ospina continue in goal, I have a feeling he will be called upon in the final. Anyway here is to a good performance today.
Per Mertesacker has overcome his ankle injury to keep his place in the starting 11. The German was hurt in last weekend's clash against Reading but has won his fitness battle. Gabriel is not in the squad so perhaps it is the Brazilian who is nursing an injury. Hector Bellerin has been given a huge vote of confidence as the young Spaniard has been brought back into the team ahead of the experienced Mathieu Debuchy. The Frenchman takes a seat on the bench and will be both right back and centre back cover. Aaron Ramsey keeps his place on the right of attack while Oliver Giroud replaces Danny Welbeck in attack.
There is of course the slight possibility that Mesut Özil will shift to the flank allowing Ramsey to slot alongside Cazorla but I think that is pretty unlikely. Mesut Özil has kept his central role for many weeks now. The good news for Ramsey is that the German loves to drift into wide positions and chances are that Ramsey will seek to fill those positions.