Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 28 December 2010 23:50

It certainly is a strange feeling watching your side play on the Monday to be then talking about the next game on Wednesday evening, but this is the English Premier League around the Christmas period, the games come thick and fast and you have to deal with it. I suppose beating Chelsea convincingly is always a very good way to prepare for the next game so hopefully the players will be full of confidence .
With so much energy being used by the players on Monday, I would expect Arsene to ring in the changes. Playing two games in two days is bad enough but once you put in the kind of shift that our players did, it would be dangerous and almost suicidal to ask too many of those players to repeat the trick.

Luckily for Arsene, he has been working on developing a strong squad over the last few years, something that has taken the customary pundit a while to figure out. It must be difficult to shake off the repeated mantra of Arsenal lack the strength in depth of a Chelsea or Manchester United. When it has been as clear as day that injuries have often blocked our route to success.

Cesc Fabregas is out of the game due to picking up one booking too many. It will be interesting which player takes up that attacking midfield spot in the team. I would usually expect Tomas Rosicky to occupy that position in Cesc's absence but it depends on his selection for the right side if Arshavin does return to the left forward position.

As Arsene is weary of playing Johan Djourou too much too soon after a season out with, yes you've guessed it, injury. I imagine that Squillaci will come back into the side probably alongside Koscielny.

I am plumping for Theo Walcott to regain his starting place in the side as he came off with almost twenty minutes to spare, he also hasn't played a great deal of football of late.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Andrey Arshavin

The Russian has always been on the team sheet in the big games so it will be very interesting to see how he responds to being dropped.

I would like to see Arshavin playing in a more central attacking role as he did against Aston Villa earlier in the season when he switched with Rosicky but I am not sure if he is trusted to help the two central midfielders behind him as Cesc and Rosicky do.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

Wigan 0 Arsenal 2 (Chamakh, Diaby)

Whatever team puts on the red and white shirt this evening, the same energy and commitment needs to be applied. We all remember what happened the last time we travelled to Wigan.

After finally beating Chelsea, we can lay another ghost to rest by destroying the memory of that shocking afternoon.

With Manchester United conceding a late goal at Birmingham to manage only a point for their efforts, this evening gives us a real chance to close the gap at the top.

COME ON ARSENAL!!

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Comments (19)

• 29-Dec-2010 11:22 | | Hr  - Harsh on Bendtner
  

  I think bendtner should get a game. Last year he proved he's a good player and he deserves some games!

• 29-Dec-2010 11:27 | | eduardo  - 7 Changes would be stupid
  

  I see you predict 7 changes from monday night, for me that would be just plain stupid, its bad enough that cesc is suspended without resting Wilshere and Song too, for me all that needs to be done is bring in Arshavin for Cesc and if everyone else is fit leave it at that one change, only other one I'd consider would be Chamakh or Nik for RVP

• 29-Dec-2010 11:39 | | Tom
  

  Our pressing and all round defensive performance against Chelsea needs to be replicated week in, week out.
  
  I was impressed with how we 'managed' the game once we took the lead. We kept possession, slowed the game down and broke up play when Chelsea threatened which in turn made us more dangerous in attack. Too often in the past we've lurched from one extreme to the other - kamikaze attacking and passivity in defence.
  
  I really hope that the penny has finally dropped. If we can be more consistent and not take our foot off the pedal against 'lesser' sides, then we have a chance. However, these are big 'ifs'. If we drop careless points then the Chelsea game wil be seen as a one off rather than the start of something special.
  
  I'm very pleased for Walcott. He may not be the finished article but his speed, directness and ever improving finishing blends well with our technical, creative players. It stretches the opposition and gives us a threat in behind which we have often lacked in the past. Long may it continue.

• 29-Dec-2010 11:40 | | hazzaboy21
  

  Yeah I hope we don't make as many as 7 changes. Although there is need for a little rotation, that would be too excessive. The average no of changes over the matches over this period this year have been 2 per team or close to that. I would probably expect 3 (Djourou to be rested, Eboue to possibly come in if Gael hasn't recovered from the knock he got and Rosicky/Diaby for Cesc). Anymore and we're in danger of losing momentum I feel.

• 29-Dec-2010 11:44 | | MeanLean
  

  I also don't like mass changes, it disrupts us and our football. However there is no way on earth that Wenger would play those against Chelsea, two days later at Wigan and then again on Saturday against a tough Birmingham team. Just won't happen.
  
  Wenger may not make seven changes but he will make a few.

• 29-Dec-2010 11:45 | | MeanLean
  

  Agree with all of that Tom.

• 29-Dec-2010 11:49 | | the snood
  

  arshavin is a horrible winger I would rather he plays 'in the hole'. wilshere will start and be rested for the one on saturday.

• 29-Dec-2010 12:13 | | geoj  - rested
  

  I'm predicting that Diaby, Rosicky, Eboue and Chamakh will come in tonight - respectively for Cesc, Wilshere, Clichy and RVP.
  If it happens it will be a big call, as it would signal that, like a lot of fans, that AW is losing patience with Arshavin. Clichy's being quoted in several places today as saying that we need to defend as a team. It was very pointed that Theo said as much after Monday's match - saying that work rate and collective defending had been as important to the victory as the attacking play.
  I don't know if Arshavin has it in his game to track back consistently, but he really needs to add that side to his game or he's got a problem, and we've got a lazy luxury Russian on our hands...

• 29-Dec-2010 12:41 | | KING RVP
  

  The line up I'd love to see is Fabianski Eboue Squillaci Koscielny Clichy Diaby Song Nasri Walcott Arshavin RVP. I think RVP needs a few more matches before he's fully fit and why not start with arguably our easiest away fixture this festive season. I also think Arshavin will be the one to watch hope we don't jinx him

• 29-Dec-2010 12:59 | | zama
  

  I am really apprehensive about this game.
  First of all we have to make the changes with another game coming up on new years and yet another in three days time and then yet again another .... well looks like we will be at it every 2-3 days till Feb. Hopefully players like Diaby, Rosicky & Denilson hit the ground running and find their groove soon enough. As Tom said we have to give it all from start to finish.
  Secondly its Wigan - a seemingly easy opponent after a big big game against the reigning Champions, whom we veritably spanked, if I may gloat some more. We all know what we got the last time we got complacent against them.
  Right now I'll take a nervy 1-0 win.

• 29-Dec-2010 14:23 | | Bala
  

  I think NikkiB might start tonight.My team would be
  Fab
  Eboue Squilli Kosh Clichy
  Deni TR7 Diaby
  Theo NikkiB Arsh
  
  And I want to see a Rosicky goal

• 29-Dec-2010 14:53 | | kodoni
  

  ML d line up is ok by me. But I don't think AW ll make up to 7 changes

• 29-Dec-2010 19:33 | | podge
  

  We all know Djouruo wont play the boss has used him sparingly for a reason. Cesc is banned but im pretty sure he would have been on the bench for this one. I think Eboue denilson and Bendtner should get a game. When you have 2 games in 3 days you have to rotate we play again on sat so its not like the players get a rest. Fabianski Song Kos Clichy and Walcott will more than likely play again but any number of the rest could be changed.
  Fabianski
  Eboue Koscielney Squillaci Clichy
  Song
  Denilson
  Diaby
  Walcott Arshavin
  Chamakh
  
  Thats my predicted line up and the one i want to see with the big guns on the bench RVP Cesc Nasri. Wigan usually step it up for us

• 29-Dec-2010 21:56 | | dkgooner  - Lack of respect
  

  Too many changes & lack of respect for another Premiership side has cost us two points. Really don't understand Wenger sometimes. Eight changes, just ridiculous. Rotate yes, but 8 changes? And Walcott and Nasri brought on too late to have any chance to affect the game. Should have had Walcott on the moment N'Zogbia was sent off and gone for the third goal. Just gutted.
  Sorry, but that's really poor management to treat it as a Carling Cup game.
  Eboue being played out of position.
  Weak centre-back pairing - they may both be French but they don't play well together. Koscielny has to work twice as hard to cover for his partner.
  Diaby not really match fit.
  Bendtner not played many games.
  Rosicky in poor form.
  Recipe for disaster.
  Happens every time our opponents slip up and give us an opening and Wenger blows it with poor team selection.
  Sick of it.
  Need a large scotch.

• 29-Dec-2010 22:43 | | Moe  - not good enough
  

  arsenal are not good enough to win the title.. if you cant beat the likes of WBA, Newcastle and Supds at home your not good enough and if you cant beat sunderland and you disrespect wigan its a disaster..
  eight changes was too much..
  
  can see arsenal winning the title..

• 29-Dec-2010 23:53 | | richie  - The ups & downs of supporting the Arse
  

  Too many changes for any consistancy, but even so to end up 2-1 ahead with 10mins to go, against 10 man Wigan and draw, feels like a defeat. Does any one still think our team can defend????
  We concede set pieces for fun. Arsene likes stats, I don't mind them either, so the stats show Kosh & Squilla struggle together. Kosh looked good alongside TV early. Squilla & Djourou were o.k together so say the stats.
  Djourou & Kosh looked o.k against Chelski even though we conceded yet another set piece. Good defenders come in pairs and our partnerships need some serious work! We're still in it halfway through but our defence is still a problem.

• 30-Dec-2010 00:40 | | MeanLean
  

  It has taken me a little while to calm down and I still haven't shaken off the disappointment.
  
  Firstly, Wenger had to make changes, there is absolutely no way that the same group of players who pressed Chelsea all over the pitch for 90 minutes just 48 hours ago could have played again against Wigan. No way, no how.
  
  The players who were on the pitch were good enough to get all three points, especially when leading 2-1 and in control of the game.
  
  Our defending for the set piece was rubbish. Fabianski who has had a great season so far came and did not get near it and our defenders lost both headers, one at the far post and obviously the own goal.
  
  What frustrated me more though was the way we allowed Wigan to get back into the game without changing it. Wigan started to attack us and they really pushed their defensive line high up the pitch, Theo would have had a field day against that, if they sat back then we could have taken control of the midfield.
  
  At 2-1 I was hoping that Nasri would come on and keep possession, we needed that extra bit of craft alongside Wilshere who really added bite and energy when he came on. Had Nasri and Walcott came on before they scored then I am sure we would have won the game 3-1. Very frustrating.
  
  At the same time they dived for the first goal and should have conceded a penalty for the same type of handball that Cesc gave away against the Spuds.
  
  Frustrating
  Unlucky
  Not holding out
  
  Similar themes I suppose. Our fresh players now have to beat Birmingham at St Andrews, a more difficult ground to try and get three points but we will have more of our established players available.
  
  *Sigh*

• 30-Dec-2010 03:17 | | richie  - disappointment heaped on annoyance
  

  Frustration & unlucky? It was ciminally inept all round.
  I didn't say we didn't need the changes, I know they were needed (well many were) I said wholesale changes = lack of consistancy. I could agree that on paper we had player enough to win, but did we have a team to win? Many of those chosen hadn't played regually together for a while which I think effects team spirit because of lack of togethernes.
  
  I don't think its a lack of depth in our squad, nor can the blame be layed at AW's door, if he has confidence enough in the players he chose to play them then its hoped they should perform well enough to win.
  However I do think AW's subs or lack of is questionable.

• 30-Dec-2010 10:41 | | MeanLean
  

  Richie, my comment wasn't aimed at you regarding the changes. I have been reading in many places that Arsene should have kept the same team that beat Chelsea even though players like Clichy picked up injuries and had worked like crazy only 48 hours previously.
  
  I do agree about the timing of the subs though. We should have been able to control the game at 2-1 and keep them out.

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