Theo Walcott. His improvement is evident this season. He was running up and down the right hand side 90 minutes, tracking back, pressing Chelsea high up the pitch, running behind, looking for his team mates in the box. Basically, becoming a player nobody thought he could ever be. His potential wasn't even about these stuff. This is a new player in the body of a guy who's been here for 10 years now. Absolutely fantastic from him
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Chelsea (h) – A Performance We’ve Been Building Towards Since Pre-Season
When the line up was announced on Twitter, many Gooners were having a fit that Francis Coquelin was starting the game in place of Granit Xhaka. But I think Coquelin was exceptional in the opening stages of the game, he was one of the guys that set the tone he was part of the reason we imposed ourselves on the West Londonders. His injury, picked up close to the 30 minute mark looks serious and could rule him out for a long time. He looked visibly distraught as he limped off the pitch. Arsene has shown incredibly amounts of faith in Coquelin this season when it looked like he may have fallen way down the ladder, we have to hope that the injury is not worst case scenario stuff but it looks bad.
Chelsea (h) Confirmed Line Up: Xhaka & Lucas Start On Bench
So Arsene has gone with the same 11 that beat Hull City last weekend which means a return to the bench of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Perez after their impressive League Cup performances. Many are having a meltdown about our central midfield, I would personally perfer to see how the players who are starting actually perform on the day first. I know, I am a little backwards like that.
Chelsea (h) Thoughts & Predicted Line Up: Xhaka’s Height & Power, Home Goals & A Real Chance For Momentum
The only real question mark I reckon will be that of Granit Xhaka, not because of his thunderbolt shooting but as Clive said on this weeks Arsenal Vision podcast (have a listen if you haven’t already) without Giroud starting (I’d imagine) we lack height from set pieces and power in the middle of the pitch. They have Matic, Cahill, Luiz, Costa and Ivanovic. That could be a little worrying for Arsene Wenger from corners or free kicks around the box, especially as our centre backs are not exactly the tallest in the world. Xhaka would bump up the average number a little
AV Post Match Podcast – EP98: Nottingham Forest (a) – Fitting Your Eye
In today's Arsenal Vision Post Match Podcast: Elliot (@YankeeGunner) and Paul (@PoznanInMyPants) are joined by special guest Clive (@clivepafc) from the Gooner Ramble talk about the victory at Nottingham Forest. Some of the talking points include Coquelin and Xhaka (again!) which youngsters could potentially break through and plenty more in this weeks Arsenal Vision podcast
If The Midfield is not broken…
Whilst the goals of Sanchez have temporarily relieved Wenger of any uncomfortable centre forward questions, resentment surrounding Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder intensifies as fans cast longing glances at the inclusion of Gundongan, Pogba and Kante at three of their closest rivals. Additionally, the two long range efforts that have found the back of the net in both of Xhaka’s previous outings have caused fans to question Wenger’s decision to leave the Swiss midfielder on the bench. Like a Donald Trump rally, it doesn’t take much in this current Wenger era to incite hatred or riot and it feels like both the PSG
Nottingham Forest (a) “It’s refreshing to see us have a different type of striker” – Q&A
I was actually really excited to see that he rotated well this game. I thought the inclusion of Perez was a good way to get him introduced and up to speed but I'd have rather seen him playing up front to get a better feel for what (I hope) is his position moving forward at Arsenal. I'm not sure that even that goal near the end could convince me that the Ox deserves a start in anything but ELC. If AW doesn't start Xhaxa next EPL game though
Nottingham Forest (a) – Lucas Brace While Impressive Youngsters Impress
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has played at right back twice before in his career apparently, he looked like a typical modern day Arsenal right back. Granted he was not tested defensively as he would against better teams but he stretched the pitch and combined very well with the Arsenal players around him. It will be interesting to see if he is played as full back in the youth sides after this performance. Debuchy is almost certainly heading out of the club and Jenkinson’s future is unclear. A path could open up for him to get a place in the Arsenal squad as a back up right back but it’s very very early days. He will need to gain experience and consistency before any of that.
Nottingham Forest (a) Confirmed Line Up: Maitland-Niles & Lucas Perez Start
I thought we would see Mathieu Debuchy as he was training but he is not even in the squad, maybe it's the last we see of him and he will move in January, unless he is injured. So Ainsley Maitland-Niles who was on loan at Ipswich Town last season will be given the chance to show what he can do. Xhaka and Elneny start as expected as does new boy Lucas Perez wearing his new shinny new number 9 shirt.
Nottingham Forest (a) Thoughts & Predicted Line Up: Big Nights For Oxlade-Chamberlain & Gabriel
It is pretty easy second guessing the team for the most part. Gabriel should start his first game since his injury during pre season. He couldn’t have timed his return better could he? You cannot expect Gabriel to be perfect tonight given the lack of football under his Brazilian belt but it’s important he changes the direction of his Arsenal career, after a positive start his performance levels have started to deteriorate a little. He was given a chance to oust Per Mertesacker from the starting eleven but mistakes kept creeping into his game and those mistakes were often costly to the team. Since last season Arsene has added a very promising young centre back in Rob Holding and has also spent big money on Mustafi so Gabby really has his work cut out