Harry has them working their socks off and they seem to have developed a fantastic mental strength / attitude.

Long may it continue.

Now Harry has to hold up his end of the talk and let some of the better performers play in the league and not just a once a month cup game.

So who would you drop for who?

There is a serious answer to that. Mindful of the forthcoming absence of Assou-Ekotto when he joins up with Cameroon for the African Cup of Nations, there is a good case for getting Bale some more game-time. Based on his last two performances, I'd say it would be better to get Bale integrated, even at left wing, by dropping Kranjcar before Modric returns.

I don't know how long Lennon is going to be out, but I'm also concerned about the severe lack of pace that would inhibit our right side if we were to play Bentley in front of Corluka, so it might be better (or might not, defensively speaking) to continue with Bentley and Hutton.

It was a serious question. Sometimes I think it is good to elicit others' opinions, rather than merely give my own :wink:

I think you're right, particularly in terms of pace. We are going to need to be quick in an attacking mode but if anything was to break down, we will need quick feet to get back to defend in numbers to thwart the likes of Arshavin and RVP who ARE quick themselves.

For all his attributes, pace is the one thing Corluka lacks and I would therefore like to see Hutton given a league opportunity to prove his worth. Having strength in depth is all well and good but those players that make up the 'depth' must be able to cut it when it matters in the Premier League, not just the Carling Cup - which I am confident the likes of Hutton, Bentley and Bale can do for us.

For me, the other player who has a big game ahead of him on Saturday is Palacios. He is going to have to be on his game against Fabregas because he is their talisman, much of their play goes through him. In that respect, we'll need WP to be at his usual, strong, resilient best to muscle him off the ball and keep him out of the game as much as he can.

I did not see the Everton game but I really worry about Hutton defensively. Defenders do not need to make many mistakes for goals to be scored against us and this boy sometimes seems like he does not have a clue. If he could sort that out he would be a cracking right back. I only hope Harry et al can can work with him on this. Alternatively there is alway Naughton. I saw him pre-season and he looks quick, skillful and full of energy. Maybe it is a bit too soon for him but he looked an excellent prospect.

On balance I still think Charlie is our best option at right back but I hear you when you mentioned the Charlie/Bentley axis and its lack of pace, especially again Arsenal.

Talking of pace, although I heard Huddlestone played well yesterday, I would be tempted to go for JJ and Wilson in the centre of midfield. We need their energy to close down the creative players of theirs.

Upfront, I would like Harry to give Pav and Keane a go with 3MP to come on after 70 if we need a goal (if he is not injured of course).

On the left I would play Bale at LMF with BAE at LB. I still remember him when he first joined and thought this guy has everything. Also, this makes us solid defensively but with still plenty of attacking flair.

Happy days.

With both Lennon and Defoe out of the arse game, we are lacking pace up front.

I think Harry will play Crouch and Keane, if they are fit, so it will be two wide men, probably kranjcar and Bentley.

I can't see how we will ever catch the evil goons on the break.

I think it would be good to have this team:

Gomes

Corluka - King - Woodgate - BAE

Jenas - Palacios - Hudd - Bentley/Niko

Keane/Pav - Crouch

Sorry but Saturday is just the type of game against fast pacy opponents who play a quick passing game in which Hudd just disappears. He is far too slow to be in CM against Arsenal.

Agree, although with JJ in the middle, do you want to go with Bentley on the right? He played well last night, but this is a big game and a start would quite a reward for him. Without Lennon though, he is really the obvious option.

You've got Jenas and Bentley (maybe) playing out of position, It has to be Bentley on the right and Bale on the left. The big decision for Harry is Jenas or Hudd alongside WP. This is where we need the second powerhouse man, but I don't know where this would leave Modric when he gets back. With a fully fit squad (including Ledley) it becomes a very difficult selection process. Although the difficulty this time is a good thing.

I would have JJ in the middle of the park against the arse, he normally scores against them.

When all fully fit, Modric on the left JJ and Wilson in the middle with Lennon on the right, very tasty, Defoe and Keane up front, Ledley and Woody at center half with Benny and Charlie as full backs.

This puts Bassong, Dawson, Bale, Hutton, Kranjcar, Bentley, Huddlestone, Crouch and Pav all on the bench. What a squad and Harry is going to add another central midfielder in Jan by the sound of it. COYS.

Is it good or bad that most people would only bet their house on Palacios starting while the other 3 spots are up for grabs among Hudd, Jenas, Krancjar, Bale, and Bentley? I suspect Bentley has done enough and will be on the right with Krancjar on the left. But it wouldn't surprise me if Harry managed to justify having Jenas, Hudd and Palacios in place. My pick would be Krancjar on the right with Hutton behind him, Bale on the left and Jenas in the middle. Tough call for Hudd and Bentley, but we need pace and we must ensure our forwards aren't isolated or we'll just get murdered by wave after wave of goon attacks.

Charile will play RB I'm sure of it he's started every league game and I can't see Harry changing his first choice defensive line up for this game.

Crouch to start for me, he's got a good scoring record against the Goons they've struggled against him in the past and anyone remember that 'perfect hatrick' he scored for Liverpool against them? Left, right, head, lovely.

Also a plus for Bale and Bentley playing is their excellent delivery from set pieces, and it seems that everyone is conceding from these this season and Arsenal are no exception. They've also got form against le Arse both have scored crackers against them!

Really pumped for this one! COYS

You must be right about Hudd - JJ has been kept in cotton wool just to play this in this game so it makes little sense to then leave him on the bench. However, I'd have thought that Bentley's delivery should get the nod over Krancjar. Niether are particularly quick and, playing in his right position, Bentley is the better footballer. Very good call on Bale, he seems quicker than either of the other options and would both be solid defensively and should give the kind of service to Crouch which wasn't happening against Stoke. He seems to stay wide as well, which might be a good foil for Krancjar or Bentley who both tend to drift infield looking for the ball.

I don't often "recommend" line-ups, as I think it's a bit up-yer-arse for a fan to do this, but I'd start with a somewhat unexpected midfield:

Bale on the left; Jenas and Palacios in the middle; Bentley on the right.

I'm a big Huddlestone fan, but Jenas habitually does well against Arsenal and we are presently short of pace. Also, I agree with the "set pieces" argument. We're away from home and we need good delivery into the box against a team that is vulnerable to set pieces - Bale and Bentley bring that to the team.

I have a conundrum about the right back. If we start with Bentley in front of Corluka, we have a too-slow right side. But if we start with Bentley in front of Hutton, we have a RB who, whatever his other good qualities, has not yet got a good grasp of defensive positioning. Dunno. But we need good quality balls into the box, so in the absence of Lennon we need Bentley.

I expect its a conundrum for Harry too if we play Corluka it might be wise to play a deeper line but then means Bentley needs to drop deeper to stop a gap opening, which limits what he can do as we need him delivering higher up. With Lennon there its not so much a problem as he's rapid and can carry the ball.

With either option at RB there are potential dangers we'll just have to see, I just think Corluka is the more 'match fit' player and will start. Hutton's a good option from the bench though especially with 3 of our main attacking threats missing.

Agree with David Matzdorf 100% though i think Harry will stick with Kranjcar.

As for the RB conundrum, maybe go with Hutton for pace IF King and Woodgate can both play (providing our best possible central defensive cover for his suspect defending) but Corluka otherwise?