What Arsenal Need: In the semi-final first leg last year Arsenal failed to score and it was this that probably lost them the chance to reach the final. The young guns need at least one goal tonight but any more would be greatly appreciated.
Things To Watch Out For: I'll be watching for the performances of the following players.
Baptista - I feel he has a real opportunity to assert himself at the club now that there is a space for a third striker. He needs to capitalise on the performance at Anfield and I'll be watching how well he works with Fabregas. If he makes good runs, the young Spaniard will find him and that could cause trouble for the home side.
Aliadiere - I still see him as a winger, in the the same light as Reyes. I don't think he's really a striker, but I like his pace, his ability to use both feet and he can finish well. Arsenal need at least one more winger with only Rosicky, Hleb and Walcott fit, so he has a chance to create a niche for himself.
Walcott - He was quiet in the match at Anfield and I'm looking for a stronger performance from him tonight.
Hopes For The Match: My only fear about fielding first team players in the Carling Cup is the risk they run of sustaining injury. I hope the whole squad gets through the match unscathed, but my main concern will be for Toure, Fabregas and Hleb.
Team Selection: Arsenal.com identified the sixteen man squad that will travel down the Seven Sisters Road tonight. It includes 12 of the squad that walked away from Anfield with a 6-3 demolition with four additional players: Senderos, Eboue, Hleb and Flamini. The four new faces have replaced Lansbury, Song, Djourou and Connolly.
Wenger's squad selection makes interesting reading as it is not obvious who will start tonight's match. I have tried to keep the 'youthful' look of the team that have played in the matches against West Brom, Everton and Liverpool and only made changes to the team that won at Anfield where appropriate.
Almunia will start between the posts and I hope to see another assured display from him. He needs to take every opportunity to perform for the manager as Lehmann's future at the club is uncertain at present.
I see Senderos as a straight swap for Djourou in central defence. I'd keep Hoyte at right back and leave Eboue on the bench.
I had most difficulty selecting the midfield for this game. Looking back at the three previous Carling Cup games the midfield has always featured Denilson, Song and Walcott. So Denilson and Walcott are sure to start tonight. I see Diaby as a straight swap for Song and so he should continue his rehabilitation tonight in the centre of midfield. If Wenger thinks he is not ready to start, then Flamini will take his place.
The strike partnership will obviously remain changed after their performance against Liverpool. With Baptista and Aliadiere looking to push for more playing time in the first team after the devestating injury to van Persie, we should see strong performances from both.
| My team selection for this game: Baptista, Aliadiere Walcott, Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson Traore, Senderos, Toure, Hoyte Almunia Subs: Poom, Eboue, Randall, Flamini, Hleb |
|---|
Unavailable: Gallas, Ljungberg, van Persie and Djourou.
Long-term issues: I wonder if Wenger will bring out the big guns if Arsenal need to get a result in the return fixture at the Grove? I would prefer him to stay true to his youth policy in the Carling Cup, but if breaking with tradition is the only way he can assure Arsenal of a spot in the final, then so be it.
Prediction: Seven Sisters 1 Arsenal 2
