Written by Mean Lean on Saturday, 08 January 2011 01:26

Ding ding, all change as the FA Cup rolls into town, a chance for Wenger to rest many of his tired Christmas playing legs. High flying Championship side Leeds United come to the Emirates for the very first time, much has changed since they gambled on success and ended up spiraling down into relegation from the top tier of the English league.

Things are looking up for Simon Grayson's team and have only recently had a nice unbeaten run of 12 games ended by Cardiff City. Ironically the last team to beat them back in October.

If the Leeds United management team were doing any sort of preparation and taking notes at our game against Manchester City on Wednesday evening then they would have wasted their time, our recent draw against Wigan would have been far more appropriate.

Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, Lukasz Fabianski and many more players will be putting their feet up at home whilst certain impact players may be needed on the bench incase of emergency.

With the semi final of the Carling Cup against Ipswich also on the horizon, it will be a good chance for many of the squad members to get their sharpness up to scratch as the games continue to come thick and fast.

With Manuel Almunia almost certain to seek pastures new, it should be another chance for the younger Pole, Wojciech Szczesny to follow on from his impressive Premier League debut at Old Trafford last month. Emmanuel Eboue will replace the suspended Bacary Sagna, which doesn't even need to be said as that change would have been 99% likely to happen even if Sagna didn't lose his rag against Zabaleta late on Wednesday evening.

The game has an emotional sub plot to it as Aaron Ramsey is included in the first team squad for the first time since Ryan Shawcross showed how he isn't that sort of player.
Arsene Wenger will have to decide if Ramsey is ready to start for Arsenal as he hasn't had the games he would have expected when his loan move to Nottingham Forest was confirmed. The snow put paid to Ramsey's match sharpness and fitness, but I would imagine that the only way for the young Welshman to get up to speed would be to play him. If he was ready to start for Nottingham Forest then surely he would be ready for an FA Cup game at home against a footballing Leeds United side.

If Wenger is cautious and holds Ramsey back on the bench then Craig Eastmond could come into the deepest midfield position, freeing Denilson into the second midfield position, allowing Tomas Rosicky to support the central striker.

Complacency cannot rear it's ugly head as it was much of this Leeds team that went to Old Trafford last year and played them off the park from start to finish. With Arsenal in a good vein of form, it could be easy to expect victory against opponents in a league below at home but as we have found out, it is never that straight forward when you expect victory.

The players coming into the team do not worry me in the slightest, all should be of, as Arsene would call it, 'top top quality' but my only reservation would be the lack of understanding between the players which always takes a few games to sort out.

The other position that will need an eye kept on will be which central defender partners Squillaci. Koscielny will be rested whilst Wenger has gone on record saying that he does not want to risk Djourou in too many games due to his knee problem last season. Youngster Ignasi Miquel is the only possible option from below the first team squad. We shall wait to see what the boss has in mind.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Tomas Rosicky

It has been a while since Rosicky came into the side and made a strong impact. He was fantastic at the start of the season when he came through pre season and had a run of games as Cesc struggled for fitness. With so many games coming up in several different competitions, Rosicky will be vital and it is important that he gets back up to speed with his fitness and form. It should be an open game so hopefully the Czech captain finds plenty of space to exploit.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

Arsenal 3 (Bendtner [2], Rosicky) Leeds United 2

I wouldn't be surprised to see a high scoring game at the Emirates later this afternoon. Leeds United will come and play football I believe and they will look to take advantage of a mixed team, hopefully we will have enough quality to score more than they do, even if our first half football may not be fluid. I am tipping Rosicky to score, simply because at some point he has to.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

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Comments (9)

• 08-Jan-2011 04:30 | | Matthew  - Leeds
  

  Cum on Leeds we can do it

• 08-Jan-2011 06:05 | | Waterboy
  

  I think your predicted line up will be just about spot on.
  
  That said, I don't know why Wenger persists with playing Bendtner on the wing. The bloke is a monster, size-wise, but has absolutely no pace nor trickery to play on the winger. I think Bendtner's best position is just behind the leading striker as he has a great ability to split defences with his passing and can push into the box to provide an aerial threat. Unfortunately his first touch appears horrible which doesn't do him any favours when he does plays centrally.
  
  I hope Ramsey gets a run either in the Wilshere (passing DM) or Fabregas (second striker) role. The kids got great talent but I am still unsure whether he as the mongrul in him to play is that passing DM role or the attacking ability to play in the second striker role.
  
  One player I would like to see tried in the Wilshere role is Rosicky. Despite his injury problems, he appears to have far bit of fight in him and the passing ability to play deeper. Plus his attacking play isn't really direct enough to play in the Fabregas role, so it could be a useful alternative.
  
  I know this goes against your belief, but that fact the Denilson is considered back up for Song highlights the lack of depth in Arsenal's tacking DM stock. Denilson is a tidy footballer who is a neat passer of the ball and appears happy to simply be in the squad. But the fact is Arsenal have a plethora of talented passing DM's in the team (Wilshere, Rosicky, Diaby, Lansbury) all of which, in my opinion, are more skilled at passing than Denilson and equally if not better at tackling. Unfortunately, Denilson is also not a physical presence so not really suited to Song's role. So I can't understand why he continually gets picked aside from the fact he appears happy to simply be a squad man, which Wenger like.
  
  Anyway some food for thoughts. Interested to hear your views.
  
  Keep up the great work!

• 08-Jan-2011 06:12 | | DrakeGoona
  

  Good preview~ I like the predicted line up, and would love to see Aaron Ramsey back on the Emirates pitch today he was fast becoming one of my favourites last season before the incident.
  
  I'd also have to - somewhat worryingly - agree with your score prediction! I can't see us keeping a clean sheet against a Leeds team that are flying so so high at the moment, and with a completely changed back 4 (I dont even know if djourou will be playing to be honest)
  
  I'd like to see Bendter in the middle with Chamakh wide, we've yet to see Chama in that position this season and it would be interesting to see if he could fit in as a wide player with RvP as the central striker... just as an experiment.
  
  And pls let Gibbs complete the match. Its ever so frustrating watching him limping all over the pitch around the 23rd minute mark before going off injured again n again n again n again.
  
  Good piece
  Up the ARse!

• 08-Jan-2011 08:01 | | miggy white  - drubbing
  

  I fear a drubbing - if we can keep Arsenal down to 4 - 0 or less then technically thats a Leeds win
  
  I suppose anything can happen but if Grayson persists with Billy Paynter and doesn't give Somma another chance I fear the worse; it's bad enough playing you lot with 11 men nevermind 10 (if Payner plays).
  
  Boro pulled our centre halfs and full backs apart, Gradel and Snodgross offered no cover so if they can do that with their team it doesn't bode well. I predict a high scoring match too, but sadly don't think Leeds will get many.
  
  Humilation beckons in the form of a 5 to 9 nil drubbing

• 08-Jan-2011 10:24 | | GunnerPete  - JET's Time
  

  I think the above team is good but it needs JET on the right wing not Big Bent. Miquel is a natural and I would play him ahead of Squilly and if things are going well replace Djourou with sqilly later.

• 08-Jan-2011 10:28 | | MeanLean
  

  You make many interesting points waterboy,
  
  I agree about Nik Bendtner being best just off the central striker or leading the line instead of the wide position, having said that, the movement between the three should allow him to move into his best position.
  
  I think Denilson can play Song's role albeit in a different way. The trouble is, like most of our players he needs games to gain his best form. I think if Diaby was the second midfield player then Denilson's lack of physical strength wouldn't be as important.
  
  I am not sure about Rosicky as the second midfielder, he might be a bit wasted in that role, although I agree that we haven't seen the best of his attacking talents for a while now but I also think that is due to not having a consistent run in the side.
  
  Where do you stand on the Arshavin debate? Match winner or liability?

• 08-Jan-2011 10:31 | | MeanLean
  

  I would have loved to have seen JET but Wenger said he will not be in the squad. Shame really.

• 08-Jan-2011 10:33 | | MeanLean
  

  Massive fingers crossed for Gibbs to come through the game. We needed him at Wigan. Ah well

• 09-Jan-2011 04:09 | | Waterboy
  

  I think Arshavin has undoubted talent. He is a greater finisher and has a soft touch and in and around the box. That said, I don't think he is a suitable winger. His work rate appears awful (which is a really important facet in that role in Arsenal's formation) and he doesn't seem to have the trickier and two footed ability of Nasri nor the off the ball movement and speed of Walcott.
  
  I actually think his best position is in the second striker's role which Fabregas has been operating in. I think in that role his positive attributes are well suited and there is not as much of a requirement for him to track back.
  
  It is possible that Wenger could rotate Fab and Arshavin in this role to keep each player fresh. However, I don't know how well either player would accept that sort of arrangement.
  
  The winger role at Arsenal is an interesting one. Outside of Walcott and Nasri Arsenal appear bereft of credible options.
  
  Rosicky isn’t direct enough and doesn’t appear to have the necessary trickery, speed or off the ball movement
  
  Vela appears to be a stong, surprisingly quick and efficient striker (and a bloody good one at that if played in the right position) who one would think would do well on the wing. But he seems lost and unsure of his role when (sparingly) played there and doesn’t appear to have the trickery to play in that role in any event.
  
  Both the left and right wing role at Arsenal is actually one area I hope Wenger invests in Jan or at seasons end.

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