Arsenal away build up

[kalesh]

So who's going to be captain if Carragher doesn't play? I seem to remember Kuyt taking the armband at some point but surely he won't play either. Reina will be rested. So that leaves Agger and Lucas as "senior" players who might start. But who's beyond that? Stand up Captain Crow!

[dww]

Thought Kyriakos was out for four months? Did he not do cruciate ligaments?

About a day after those reports Rafa came out saying it would be 10 days to two weeks I believe. certainly that the original reports were much exaggerated.

[Exiled_red]

So who's going to be captain if Carragher doesn't play? I seem to remember Kuyt taking the armband at some point but surely he won't play either. Reina will be rested. So that leaves Agger and Lucas as "senior" players who might start. But who's beyond that? Stand up Captain Crow!

I'd imagine the most likely captain in DannyMan's team above would be either Aurelio or Skrtel

[pondus]

Thought Kyriakos was out for four months? Did he not do cruciate ligaments?

That was first reported, yes, but later they found out he was only half human

[DannyMan2006]

I'd imagine the most likely captain in DannyMan's team above would be either Aurelio or Skrtel

Or Yossi if Rafa ended up playing him.

[pondus]

Wilshere ruled out of Liverpool clash

Author: Andrew Allen

Arsenal youngsters Jack Wilshere and Armand Traore have been ruled out of Wednesday night's Carling Cup clash with Liverpool, but first team strike duo Niklas Bendtner and Eduardo da Silva will both be handed starts. French international Samir Nasri and Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will also see their first competitive action of the season after both returning from injuries sustained in pre-season.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, Arsene Wenger confirmed the team news:

"Nasri comes back but Traore, who played in the last round is out," said Wenger. "He has a groin problem.

"Fabianski will get a game too, he will start. But Jack had a knock on his ankle and will be out unfortunately. It is a question of days but we made a trial with him on Sunday and we are resigned to the fact he will be just too short to play.

"Eduardo and Bendtner will be back. But we still have Rosicky, Denilson and Walcott out."

[pondus]

Team: Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plessis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

According to some chap somewhere

[DannyMan2006]

Team: Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plessis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

According to some chap somewhere

Wow - the nine I suggested as definite starters all play, as do two who I said could be in with a shout.

Happy for Plessis and Eccleston, and happy the whole first XI get a rest - But I am suprised if that is the correct team.

[Exiled_red]

Team: Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plessis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

According to some chap somewhere

Plessis has gone backwards in his development recently

[Chris]

Team: Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plessis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

According to some chap somewhere

Im usually ultra positive and moan if anyone criticises anything but ****ing hell, we are out if thats the team arent we?

Especially with Eduardo, Nasri, Bentdner playing for them, and no doubt a few other "kids" who are actually about 24.

[DannyMan2006]

Team: Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plessis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

According to some chap somewhere

Possible captains?

1. Skrtel
2. Kyrgiakos
3. Dossena
4. Voronin

Ousider for captain?

1. Spearing
2. Cavalieri

No ****ing chance of being captain?

1. Eccleston
2. Babel
3. Degen
4. Plessis
5. N'Gog

[RedReet]

I'd say Sktrel or Spearing would be the only hopes for captain. Voronin absolutely no chance.

[RedReet]

Usual formation with Voronin behind N'Gog, Babel and Eccleston on wings?

[DannyMan2006]

Im usually ultra positive and moan if anyone criticises anything but ****ing hell, we are out if thats the team arent we?

Especially with Eduardo, Nasri, Bentdner playing for them, and no doubt a few other "kids" who are actually about 24.

I don't expect a win, but if some of those players step up then we are well capable of winning.

I expect decent performances from most, but Dossena got took to the cleaners by Snodgrass of Leeds and needs to be better against Arsenal. Spearing needs a better game after last time out against a tough Sunderland midfield in Cattermole and Cana, and Plessis needs to get some form back.

The rest will be at the very least average, other than maybe Eccleston, who is free from criticism what ever happens in my eyes. He's a promising player and I'm delighted if he starts. But he needs time.

[Exiled_red]

Im usually ultra positive and moan if anyone criticises anything but ****ing hell, we are out if thats the team arent we?

Especially with Eduardo, Nasri, Bentdner playing for them, and no doubt a few other "kids" who are actually about 24.

Presumably those three are just coming back from injuries so their level of performance will depend on their fitness.

The areas of that worry me most are the full backs, the game we lost 6-3 to arsenal we got torn apart in these areas. Although he's only played a couple of games (and it may be harsh to judge him on) Degen strikes me as being very suspect defensively, and Dossena doesn't inspire much more confidence.

Also I'm a little concerned about a midfield pairing of Spearing and Plessis, as both have only featured in the first team about four times, I personally think the best way to blood these kids in the first team is to have an experienced player "babysit" them through the game, unfortunately we don't really have anyone to play that role, and I believe that is a large part of the reason Spearing took so much critisism after his last game for us.