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I think we're obliged to make 2 or 3 changes and I'd make even more..... But I've little idea what sort of team Basle are. If we keep giving practically no game time to both Giroud and Perez it will haunt us when we actually need them through injury to start and perform.
Nobody's going to get Alexis to slow down so it's on us to ensure he does not get injured.
Colombian Short order cook, Gibbs, Gabriel, Mustafi, Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Iwobi, Ox, Perez, Giroud
Rest Sanchez, Cazorla and Ozil
I would go with that though I'd be tempted to replace Gabs with Holding...
Ozil and Alexis have to start and I think they will too. I don't get the point of resting them in important games when the season is so young.
I look more closely at the time between games as a factor rather than just the timeline of the season and I genuinely think the team above starting would have enough. Ozil and Alexis may have an impact off the bench.
I think if you accept before the season a dedicated 11 won't be able to play 60 games (for various physical reasons) then the season theoretically becomes an exercise in managing the process and leaving less to chance as the season is in progress. The other argument is the idea that we cannot win the CL anyway, though it is not a position I like to take up myself even if it rings true....
I think both ring true at the moment in terms of gaps inbetween games and overall schedule for the season. They had a week off last week, and playing every few days right now shouldn't be an issue. Basel will be tougher proposition than Burnley I think and if anything, if anyone needs to take a break do it on the weekend, but not the main two. Then there's another sodding international break where they have 4/5 days inbetween games. The only one really at risk there - as always - is Alexis because he comes back on a Thursday from the other side of the world. I get the feeling Wenger won't mess around this season with the CL in terms of outfield players (famous last words I know) but as usual, it won't count for much if the mentality isn't right in the four games against the two lesser teams. Deep down us fans know we won't win the CL but the players have to step onto the pitch every single time believing they are step closer to a trophy of some sort.
Get the big guns to do the damage then take them off I say.
Make some changes over the course of the Ludogorets double header, that should be 6 points whatever team we put out really. Basel have given some PL teams plenty of trouble in Europe in recent memory, so let's just ensure we get the job done and keep riding this wave of confidence.
Plus we play Burnley in the late game on Sunday, no concern about recovery time really.
I think it is an opportunity (try not laugh) for Giroud to show he should be the first choice CF as Alexis being there is still a point of contention at this moment in time. Same would go for Perez.
Had we started the season with Giroud at CF, him playing CF in this game probably would not have been deeply questioned though you can argue Alexis should be somewhere on the field in any case.
In a sense there is a bigger argument to start our first choice Cb's than drop Ozil and Alexis as they cover less ground from game to game and may go a longer way in ensuring we don't make mistakes.
lol....you might have changed my mind now! Never realised it was Sunday and ignored the fact the other team is Ludogorets. Also Wenger could say to them go and blaze them in 45 so I can take you off!....but he won'tQuote:
Originally Posted by Marc Overmars
Send out the same team that walloped the chavs. We're at the opening of a season, if any of this lot are tired already then get rid. Let's get some momentum going for a change.