Date: 25th December 2014 at 9:34pm
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As Arsenal approach English football’s most valued traditional fixture, they must also be wary of a treacherous path ahead. Boxing day is a joyous occasion for all, more so for the fans who are treated to tons of football in a short period of time. For the players though, multiple matches in quick succession can be particularly draining and Wenger has a job to do when picking his team.

Finding the balance between resting players and remaining competitive is always a challenge and the slew of injuries will throw a further wrench in the plans.

Rotation is the name of the game during this period, and Wenger must tread carefully in the coming days. I expect quite a few changes in then next few weeks and Arsenal will need their reserves to stand up and be accounted for. Nine points in the next six days will most likely take Arsenal into fourth and in a good position to push on from there, so everyone must perform when counted on.

I have tried my hand at traversing through the next couple of fixtures from Wenger’s position and have come up with the following course of action.

The players from last weekend should be fit enough to play tomorrow (except for Sanchez who need to be rested), but with a much more demanding fixture coming at Upton Park this weekend, I would opt for quite a few changes. Coquelin will play right back alongside Chambers, Mertesacker and Monreal.

Less options in the middle means Flamini, Chamberlain, and Cazorla will play again (with the former two being substituted for Sanchez and Maitlaind-Niles late on for preservation). Up top I would rest Sanchez and Welbeck in favour of Podolski and Campbell (one of which will be subbed off for Walcott) with Giroud the focal point in attack.

For Sunday at West Ham, that leaves the likes of Rosicky, Debuchy, Gibbs, Welbeck, and Bellerin fully rested and ready to start, while Sanchez and Walcott would only have played 20 or 30 minutes against QPR and will start as well. Hopefully the rest of the lads from tomorrow come through unscathed. Koscielny is a hope and assuming he is fit, he will relieve Mertesacker and play alongside Debuchy, while Bellerin slots in at right back with Gibbs at left back.

Rosicky will play in midfield alongside Flamini and Chamberlain (who were both substituted off against QPR and should be fit enough to play again) while Welbeck and Sanchez return to the side alongside Walcott. Szczesny and Ospina will split these matches. Cazorla will be the man who started both of these matches and if all goes well, he will be subbed for perhaps young Naitland-Miles.

I would rest Cazorla for Ramsey against Southampton assuming Ramsey returns, while the rest of the team would be picked after an assessment of the squad is done after these two matches.

This is of course in the hope and faith that every player comes through unscathed in both matches and Koscielny and Ramsey do in fact return on time. It is of course impossible to predict, but I have given it my best go. Please do leave a comment with what you would do in Wenger’s position.

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2 responses to “Arsenal’s festive balancing act”

  1. The BearMan says:

    What is happening, suddenly those ‘Ammers’ that have been silent for over 30 years, discovered they got a voice. I really hope Wenger’s boys are truly ready and up for the fight.

  2. omar says:

    i think walcott has to start tonight… he is such an important player and its obvious he needs to play now to get back to full fitness… i personally think home to qpr is the ideal match to start him since qpr are probably gonna rest some players too.