Team news ahead of cup tie

Arsene Wenger unsurprising suggested that there would be a large amount of rotation to the squad ahead of the Carabao Cup Quarter Final against West Ham Tonight. Two players which will miss out for sure are Aaron Ramsey and Shkodran Mustafi. Ramsey is unlikely to play again before the New Year whereas Mustafi is back to fitness, but will not be risked tonight. After a tough few weeks for the first team players, Wenger will be using tonight’s game to rest key players.

“Some players are a little bit on the edge. I think as well that we have so many quality players who did not start on Saturday, so you cannot say that you prefer to play a player who has played three games in six days to a guy who is at the same level and is completely fresh. The players who will start are basically all international players, so that’s why I think [squad rotation] makes sense. You have as well to show the trust and the confidence that we have in the players who did not start last week.”

Quote courtesy of www.arsenal.com

‘A matter of time’ for Lacazette’s goals

Arsenal ‘keeper Petr Cech Believes it is only a matter of time before more goals come for Alexandre Lacazette. The French international has scored eight goals in his 18 appearances in the Premier League this season. Given that he has appeared or average for just over an hour each game the return is not so bad, one goal in just over every two games. Cech believes that the team could do more to get the best out of the record signing, and once that happens the already good run will improve. He said:

“Alex is a very intelligent player. The way he plays, obviously, he has adapted quickly to the way we play. I think we, as a team, we need to get more out of him because sometimes he makes a very good movement but the ball does not arrive every time at the right moment. I think it’s a matter of time but for a player who has just come to the Premier League, he’s had a pretty good run. He has immense quality in front of goal. If you see his ratio from how many shots he actually takes, it’s just a matter of time before more goals will come.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain prepares to return to the Emirates

For the first time since the opening day win over Leicester, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could make an appearance at the Emirates. It will, however, be for the opposition and the former Arsenal player is confident of a positive result with his new side. He said recently:

“It will be a special occasion for me, full of emotion I’m sure. We’re in good form and we’ll be going there full of confidence and looking for three points. I feel like I’m settled in now and I’m learning the ropes and my roles and responsibilities. That’s always the thing that’s hard to adapt to. Once you get comfortable with that, you can start to relax more. I’ve been doing better and it has been coming, but there’s definitely more to come from me. And I’ll be doing everything I can to bring that out.”

Arsenal and Liverpool are separated by a single point in the league and a win for the home side would see them take advantage in the race for the top four places.