re: Arsenal 2013/2014 Season Long Thread

quote:

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So who starts Saturday?

Same XI with Poldi and santi on the wings? Gibbo at LB?

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Based on what Wenger said in his presser about everybody from the Norwich game being available for the final, I would think those guys have to be in the 11 based on current form.

I'm of the belief we should play our strongest starting 11 in this game, no matter what the lineup has looked like in the previous cup games.
I know Fabianski has been absolutely brilliant, but if Szczesny is our No. 1 choice, he should be playing. I know Sanogo has started all of the other FA Cup games, but c'mon, Giroud is the one who will actually score a goal. And I think it is absurd the chirping you hear now about sitting Sagna because he's made it pretty clear he will be off in the summer. Like Wenger said today, I think Sagna is a great professional and will give it everything he's got to win his first trophy with Arsenal, even if this is his last game.

Saying all that, I think we have to go with the following 11 to start the game.

Szczesny
Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Arteta, Ramsey
Cazorla, Ozil, Podolski
Giroud

Bench: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Monreal, Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Sanogo.

I know Ox joined full training today, so I guess it's possible he would be available too. If Vermaelen is healthy enough, I would have him in instead of Jenkinson. Wenger said he won't know for sure on Vermaelen's availability until tomorrow or Friday.