News and gossip from Arsenal FC in the past 24 hours.
Arsenal face off with Reading FC at the Madejski Stadium tonight and Arsene Wenger is expected to make wholesale changes to his side in order to preserve the fitness of his squad. The Frenchman believes with the Champions League games, recent international fixtures and obvious Premier League commitments of the past month that resting several first-teamers is paramount to a successful season.
‘Some players need a breather because they had two international games, and the Champions League and Premier League games. They will have played five games in two weeks. Some will be rested tomorrow.’
Wenger insisted that the side would still be experienced and will still go all out to win the game.
Arsene Wenger has been full of praise for his opposite number Brian McDermott ahead of the fixture calling the former Arsenal midfielder a miracle worker for his achievements since taking over at the Berkshire club. He praised the promotion of some of the clubs young talents and the accomplishments on a shoe-string budget that saw The Royals promoted last season. He also believes that their opponents in tonight’s League Cup can achieve safety in the Premier League under McDermott’s stewardship.
Arsenal could welcome back Theo Walcott for the fixture against the team that rejected him as a boy and Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud are also in contention to play in the fixture. Andrei Arshavin is expected to start the fixture while young players such as Emmanuel Frimpong, Serge Gnabry, Ignasi Miquel, Nico Yennaris and Thomas Eisfeld are also expected to feature in the game.
Arsenal will also be looking to extend a very impressive record against The Biscuitmen. The two clubs have only faced each other on nine occasions in their history and have come out on top on every occasion leaving Arsenal with a 100 per cent record over their Berkshire opposition.
Away from the League Cup fixture Arsenal have scheduled a final round of contract talks with England international Theo Walcott in a last ditch opportunity to tie him down to a new contract. They will speak after the international friendly in November however there is not expected to much budge on the mount being offered to the former Southampton forward. The 23-year-old rejected a contract earlier in the year and The Gunners will look to shift him in January and recoup a small fee rather than lose him for free in the summer.
Arsene Wenger has continued to hype up the potential of German youngster Serge Gnabry. The teenager has impressed in his fleeting appearances with the first team so far and the Frenchman believes he can become a star with the Arsenal team for years to come, citing his explosive ability on the ball and ability to play in all positions as potentially devastating attributes in the Premier League.
What do you make of the news at Arsenal FC and their chances ahead of the League Cup tie with Reading?
image: © crystian cruz
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