Arsenal will host Premier League leaders Chelsea at the Emirates this Sunday, with the two sides 10 points apart at the top of the table.
The manager made a few high profile changes to the team, which reached a second consecutive FA Cup final at the expense of Championship side Reading on Saturday, but Wenger should look to rotate again for Sunday’s big game.
GK: David Ospina
Wojciech Szczesny had another unconvincing outing as the team’s “cup ‘keeper” against Reading, but the very capable, decisive and commanding Columbian is expected to return between the sticks, for this weekend’s clash.
In typical fashion, the manager rotated his goalkeepers for a cup competition, but it’s fair to say that Szczesny has visibly lost a whole lot of confidence since his omission as the team’s no. 1.
The defence benefits immensely from Ospina’s commanding presence and that channels confidence to all his team-mates, comfortable in the knowledge that he is capable of sweeping up in most moments of danger.
RB: Hector Bellerin
The young Spaniard was another man left-out of the team for Saturday’s semi-final, allowing Mathieu Debuchy to make his first appearance from injury since January.
In truth, the Frenchman looked a little rusty on the right and visibly fatigued in the later stages of the game. Overall the team missed Bellerin’s energy and enthusiasm on the right.
It was a match, which was arguably too big of an occasion for a injury-returning defender, but then again experience is key in times like these.
It was a rotation generated by the desire to rest one player whilst providing game time to the other, but maybe the manager should stick with the in-form Spaniard for this one.
He may not be as aggressive as Debuchy but he possess the confidence and lightning speed to cause problems, for Chelsea’s wide men.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny has become Arsenal’s best defender since the days of Sol Campbell.
Cup competition or not, the Frenchman’s inclusion in the team, week in week out, provides the whole defensive spine the confidence and quality needed to keep out our opponents’ danger men. In this case, He’ll be up against Diego Costa.
The Brazilian born Spanish international has already gotten the better of the Frenchman, when outpacing him to a lofted ball over the defence and grabbing Chelsea’s second, during their 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, however Koscielny is always regarded as the team’s best centre-back.
CB: Gabriel Paulista
The Brazilian came off the bench to replace Per Mertesacker, who picked up an injury during the weekend’s semi-final. It’s therefore expected that the German is set to miss this clash, to give an automatic start to Gabriel, who almost grabbed a goal at Wembley too.
He’s shown great promise at the back and has possessed similar qualities to that of Koscielny, with his pace, aggression in a tackle and composure on the ball.
Arsenal fans will take great confidence in Gabriel’s displays during his early career in North London.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Again, another man who missed out last Saturday has definitely been one of the team’s most improved players of the campaign, and warrants his place ahead of Kieran Gibbs, who was understandably a little off the pace against Reading.
Whilst both defenders possess equally admirable qualities, Monreal has grown as the superior left-back on a defensive level. He is much more disciplined than his English counterpart, who offers a lot more energy and quality going forward.
It’s Monreal’s defensive discipline and positioning, which will be useful in a game against an opponent with such high offensive quality, in the likes of Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard.
DM: Francis Coquelin
Coquelin has become such a crucial piece of Arsenal’s puzzle that his inclusion in the team, is as imperative as Laurent Koscielny’s.
The manager knows how important it is to possess the muscle and discipline, to be able to resist the attacking efforts of Chelsea’s creative midfielders, and the young Frenchman has proven his superiority over Mathieu Flamini in this position.
Coquelin will be tested against former Gunner Cesc Fabregas and Hazard – two of Chelsea’s danger men. He’ll need to stop Fabregas feeding passes to Chelsea’s attackers, and he’s very capable of doing that.
CM: Santi Cazorla
Picking who to partner Coquelin in the heart of midfield is always a touch decision, but i think the Spaniard his man.
This has been a season where players have had to sacrifice themselves around the pitch by playing in ‘unnatural’ positions. Cazorla has experienced the same, being deployed in a deeper role than that classic number 10 position he blossoms in.
He does possess the ability to create from deep as well, sparking counter-attacks from his own half, worming his way out of tight spots with close control – the type of control the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey don’t really possess.
AM: Mesut Ozil
Ozil’s genius in the final third will be crucial when Arsenal find themselves with a great chance to score. He is the reason why Cesc Fabregas wasn’t brought back to the club.
The German has come in for a lot of criticism this season but his contribution to his team is massively underrated. His excellent vision was responsible for setting up the opener against Reading, when he lofted a sublime through ball into the deadly feet of Alexis Sanchez.
His vision is just as good as Fabregas, if not better, and his overall contribution to the side since his return from injury has justified his price tag.
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LW: Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has been the best thing to happen to Arsenal’s frontline since Thierry Henry, after passing the 20 goal mark in his debut season at the Emirates.
Alexis bagged Arsenal’s two goals against Reading, to take his season tally to 22 but it’s not just his goalscoring which catches the eye, it’s the work he puts in on the pitch as well.
His eagerness to win back possession is admirable and has arguably rubbed his team-mates such the Ox. He’s the type of player who just doesn’t seem to run out of energy, and it’s this work rate, pace and trickery which is needed to beat Chelsea’s defenders, who will no doubt target him as the main danger man.
RW: Danny Welbeck
Welbeck was deployed as the team’s centre forward against Reading but failed to make a real impression down middle. I think the England man is more destructive on the flanks.
We all know of the Welbeck’s desire to become a centre forward, and he will get his chances in that position at Arsenal, but his primary position should be on the wing where he can use his pace as well as his muscle to good measure.
He’s very good at powering past players to drive forward with the ball, despite his poor first touch in many cases. I think he can do a good job in this position, where the muscle of Chelsea’s defenders will be out to bully the likes of Theo Walcott.
CF: Olivier Giroud
Giroud started on the bench at Wembley but once he came on for Welbeck, he didn’t put a foot wrong.
The 28 year-old was evidently brimming with confidence as every touch he took stuck to him, effortlessly, without anyone ever stealing possession off of him. Physical and efficient would be the words to describe that performance, and his height and power will match that of Chelsea’s defenders.
His intelligent and slick link-up play with his supporting team-mates, could turn out to be another crucial aspect. Chelsea will be set-up to crowd out Arsenals’ attacks so moving the ball quickly will be key, and Giroud is very good at doing this.
The March player of the month, has been in excellent goalscoring form this season despite his poor record against Chelsea, which will probably play on his mind on the day, but his confidence could help him find the net yet again.