Injury problems seem to be quietly mounting, so with a week off next week, this gives our walking wounded a chance to recover but we still have the small matter of this precarious third round tie to get over first. Usually when people say we are spineless, you think of games like Everton, City and Bournemouth away, but this time, we really are spineless, literally, with Cech, Kos, Ozil and Sanchez out or rested, its down to some serious rotation by Le Boss to see us safely through in the cup.
Wenger confirmed that he will start Ospina in place of Cech, but rest Alexis Sanchez after the Chilean dynamo has now started nearly all of our games this season as well as traveling around the world with his national side, and Wenger feels its time for a rest:
Ospina will play, but maybe Sanchez I will rest as well, but everyone else will play.
Wenger thinks Ozil will also miss the game, having been out for two weeks with ‘illness’, Theo Walcott and Gibbs continue to miss out.
He also said Lucas Perez is a doubt after picking up an injury in Tuesday’s frustrating, yet thoroughly entertaining (damn you entertainment) 3-3 draw at Bournemouth, meaning there could be a slim chance of seeing Danny Welbeck.
Francis Coquelin is out for four weeks with the injury he picked up against Palace, while in defence, Laurent Koscielny will be rested after coming off with cramp at Bournemouth. Mustafi and Gabriel should start, but Wenger could shuffle his pack and give Rob Holding a chance.
All good news then Ted?! 🙁