Based on a non-statistical rating, I would give Wilshere a 7 (An 8 in the first half, a 6 in the second once lack of match fitness caught up with him), Alexis a 6.5 (although he gave the ball way way too much), Mertesacker and Walcott a 6.25 and nobody else above a 6 with Nelson being about a 3. He is young and still learning the defensive side of the game, which is where he really struggled tonight, so we have to cut him some slack. Walcott should have 2 goals to his name. Ospina had hardly anything to do but Doncaster came back into it late on in the game. All in all, a typical nervy cup game against opposition we should've butchered. Why would it have been anything else?
@deepitk- We were cruising in the first half, as you would expect, should've scored 3 or 4 and finished the game off. We didn't and guess what happened? We made it difficult for ourselves, as every Arsenal fan (and I'm sure most non-Arsenal fans) thought would happen. The way we defended late in the 2nd half, I thought Doncaster would score!
I believe Wenger will keep the 3-4-2-1 even though it is 'only' against Doncaster, so that if a player needs to fill in for a first team player- they know the system having played competitive football there by way of this game. I would therefore like to see a mixture of first team fringe players and youngsters. Something like: OSPINA, CHAMBERS, MERTESACKER (c), HOLDING, NELSON, NILES, WILSHERE, da SILVA, WALCOTT, ALEXIS, GIROUD. I would also like to see Willock and Nketiah come on at some point (for Wilshere and Alexis respectively, injury permitting). Much like Nelson's conversion into a RWB, I have my doubts over da Silva being converted into a LWB, but we need to see him in competitive action first. He is at least a better option there than Niles so hopefully Wenger resists the urge to start Elneny so he can play Ainsley way out of position at LWB. We should win, and win comfortably so I'm predicting 3-0 but wouldn't be surprised if we make it difficult for ourselves.
Northampton, Rochdale and Scunthorpe have all defeated Doncaster recently - Arsenal must do the same. Hope to see Da Silva, Nelson, and some other prospects from the U23 team. Might even see Alexis in the match if Wenger thinks he needs minutes to get 100%.
Based on a non-statistical rating, I would give Wilshere a 7 (An 8 in the first half, a 6 in the second once lack of match fitness caught up with him), Alexis a 6.5 (although he gave the ball way way too much), Mertesacker and Walcott a 6.25 and nobody else above a 6 with Nelson being about a 3. He is young and still learning the defensive side of the game, which is where he really struggled tonight, so we have to cut him some slack. Walcott should have 2 goals to his name. Ospina had hardly anything to do but Doncaster came back into it late on in the game. All in all, a typical nervy cup game against opposition we should've butchered. Why would it have been anything else?
still 1-0 wow
@deepitk- We were cruising in the first half, as you would expect, should've scored 3 or 4 and finished the game off. We didn't and guess what happened? We made it difficult for ourselves, as every Arsenal fan (and I'm sure most non-Arsenal fans) thought would happen. The way we defended late in the 2nd half, I thought Doncaster would score!
I think Arsenal will win but win ugly, 2:0 with goals coming in both halves.
I believe Wenger will keep the 3-4-2-1 even though it is 'only' against Doncaster, so that if a player needs to fill in for a first team player- they know the system having played competitive football there by way of this game. I would therefore like to see a mixture of first team fringe players and youngsters. Something like: OSPINA, CHAMBERS, MERTESACKER (c), HOLDING, NELSON, NILES, WILSHERE, da SILVA, WALCOTT, ALEXIS, GIROUD. I would also like to see Willock and Nketiah come on at some point (for Wilshere and Alexis respectively, injury permitting). Much like Nelson's conversion into a RWB, I have my doubts over da Silva being converted into a LWB, but we need to see him in competitive action first. He is at least a better option there than Niles so hopefully Wenger resists the urge to start Elneny so he can play Ainsley way out of position at LWB. We should win, and win comfortably so I'm predicting 3-0 but wouldn't be surprised if we make it difficult for ourselves.
@SteveHyland I agree with you but I think El Neny will start. Hope Nelson and Da Silva start too but not sure they will or can if Wilshire starts too.
4-1 Arsenal win.
Northampton, Rochdale and Scunthorpe have all defeated Doncaster recently - Arsenal must do the same. Hope to see Da Silva, Nelson, and some other prospects from the U23 team. Might even see Alexis in the match if Wenger thinks he needs minutes to get 100%.