LOWER CASE GOONERS GETS CHANCE TO SHINE IN CAPITAL ONE CUP

😐

That’s for the header.

Don’t punish me na. Are they not our lower case players? 😀

We host Coventry today in what was known as Carling Cup or League Cup. The Cup We Should Have Won Until We Ran Mad Against Birmingham And The Rest Is History.

Wenger has promised to field a strong side. Wenger has also promised to play his youngsters. Put two and two together and you realize  that the youngsters are the ones that would make up the strong side. Smart man. Wenger is.  Smart man, I am.

The only sign of strong I see in the 19-man squad named for the game are the likes of Giroud, Ox and maybe Arshavin. There’s a certain semi-effective WINGER that has refused to sign a contract extension because he wants to play as a striker also named in the squad.

No matter what he says, we expect Wenger to name a second string side. It is usually a chance for the guys trying to get into the team, or the ones on their way out of the team to show the manager why they should get into the team, or why they should get back into the team, or why they should be kicked out of the team, as the case may be.

He said;

“We want to put out a talented side that has a good chance to win the game. We will give a chance to some players who have not played as many games recently. The players that did not play on Sunday [at Manchester City] will get a chance and it’s a good opportunity for them to show they can do well.”

I am not trying to be boastful, but this should be sure victory for us. Why do I think so? Well, for one we are at home, we are in form, we have some exciting talents named in the squad for the game, we have some old heads that want to push for a recall to the first team. Most of all, we are the all-improved New Arsenal, that can’t put a foot wrong.. till we put a foot wrong.

It’s a sellout crowd at the Emirates today. The good start the team has had this season plus our impressive and promising performances have renewed the faith of the supporters and the Boss wants us to repay the faith.

“… we want to give the supporters back what they expect from us – and that is total commitment and complete resilience for the 90 minutes we play. I am sure the boys will do that on Wednesday night.”

I feel confident about the game, as long as they obey the boss and play with total commitment and complete resilience for 90 minutes (we won’t need extra time), we will be alright.

With the squad released, I expect a starting line up like;

MARTINEZ

YENNARIS DJOUROU IGNASI SANTOS

COQUELIN EISFIELD OX

WALCOTT CHAMAKH ARSHAVIN

You want something fairytales are made of? Yes? Introducing Nico Yennaris, he was Arsenal’s mascot against Coventry in September 2000 and today he might be starting at right-back for Arsenal against Coventry in September 2012. Isn’t that just sweet?

Eisfeld and Yennaris. Likely starters today

I look forward to seeing Eisfield and Chamakh play today. I have a soft spot for the Moroccoan and I think Wenger would have done a better job boosting his confidence this season by throwing open the top-9 position for Chamakh and Giroud to fight for, even if it’s just to restore some confidence in the lanky African. As for Eisfeld, I liked what I saw in the young German during pre-season.

Coquelin is a name on the first-team now. He should play the Arteta role in midfield without much fuss.

Does Walcott get his chance to play up front? After the public outburst, I seriously doubt that. I won’t be surprised to see him start from the bench, and Gnabry starting ahead of him.

Speaking of Gnabry. Wenger reckons he could play for the first team this year. I’ve not seen much of him, but the few minutes I’ve seen him play he seems to me as some hybrid version of Walcott and Ox…. facially too!

The Capital One cup already has casualties like Manchester City and Everton, both of them jaboed yesterday.

Hopefully the other threats like Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham get beaten by other lesser teams for us. Lets save our strength for Champions League and Premier League abeg.

I’m not ashamed.

Fingers crossed for an easy win today. Let’s go all the way in this competition and banish the memories of the Carling Cup we have.

IN OTHER NEWS, Guess who’s back? Dench is Back!

Yes. Emmanuel Frimpong is back. Hopefully, he’d get a few minutes today.

To a 3-0 thumping of Coventry today!

Victoria Concordia Crescit

Errrmmm.. did someone mention Squilacci?