BALANCING ACT
HOW STRONG DO WE GO?
Happy Match Day GOONERS!
I know I said I wasn't going to do a preview, but I got some unexpected free time on my hands, so I thought what better way to use it than churn out a Palace Preview.
I would have got it done yesterday, but when I changed my site colour theme, my website host decided to have an online gender reveal party and change all of my archives (4 months' worth) text pink, and I had to change each archive back manually. Not fun times.
Here it is, a quick preview. Not my usual in-depth form books, history books, transfer business. None of that jazz.
SETTING THE STAGE
Anyways... We are here now and ready to rock.
Palace in the Carabao Cup Quarters with the shin kickers from the Bridge awaiting the winners.
As per my headline, the central dilemma of the night is how we attack the game lineup-wise?
Another important question is, how seriously does Palace take it?
They have more fixtures than we do, piling up what with their Thursday night Euro involvements (which they hilariously tried to rotate for, only to end up costing themselves two more games on their calendar in the process). This will be their fifth match in twelve days. They looked dead on their feet midweek in the bruising loss away to Leeds United.
For us, I think the midfield-to-forward areas more or less pick themselves. It's the rotation of the defence that is the huge problem.
Does Arteta go on a youth club night out and risk Josh Nicholls at RB, Marli Salmon at CB, or even both? If not, then it means another night's work for established starters.
Regular readers of the blog know I'm not a huge Carabao Cup guy. It's a trophy you get trolled for celebrating if you win. Since the City cheat money times, it should have been renamed "The Squad Depth Trophy".
I do, however, get the whole "who are we to be snobby about winning a cup?" and it might drive the players on to future glory once they get the taste etc. I understand all that completely. It's a trophy we have only won twice in our history, so who are we to thumb our noses at it? Let's see if the same thought process holds if, say, Saliba gets a significant injury tonight.
It's a dilemma, a conundrum, a quandary, a predicament....okay, I'll stop now.
AVAILABILITY REPORT
Come game time, we always seem to have at least two or three who are definitely ruled out for the longer term. White, Mosquera, and Dowman (who would definitely have featured) are the current crop. I try not to get too excited about Gabi at the Back and Kai the Guy because they both seem to be stuck in 'imminent return purgatory'
Palace is struggling with AFCON and the injury bug, so I can definitely see a weakened lineup from them. They are currently the football equivalent of the 'This is Fine' dog meme.
They are missing two of their best players in Sarr (AFCON) and Munoz (injury). Add to that list Kamada and Doucoure (remember him?), both injured. There is a major doubt over talisman centre forward Mateta, who is nursing a knee problem, and I can't for the life of me see Palace risking him with the daunting Christmas Schedule looming.
I have provided my best 'Please Don't Let Anyone Break' eleven below ....
PROJECTED ELEVEN
I can't, for the life of me, see a world where Arteta goes for youth in a cup quarter-final.
I have Norgaard replicating his Brugge appearance at centre half, giving Saliba a night off. I have Calafiori switching over to right back, as he had a complete game off against Wolves, so has less need for a breather. This also lets MLS get in the lineup. Hincapie was my only one in defence I was hesitant on as I think he has made what? Six starts in a row now?
With Norgaard moving to centre half, it allows the trio of Merino, Nwaneri and Eze to all start. I'm not a fan of Merino as the six, but he has played there before and is more than capable. I just don't think it suits his strengths.
Now that Gabi J is back, the trio up front picks itself with Madueke in particular raring to go after not seeing one second of action since his brace in Brugge.
Kepa, being the cup keeper, is a shoo-in to start over Raya.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With the added help of Palace rotation and fatigue, I can see us getting a comfortable victory tonight.
I never, and I mean never, back against us at The Carpet. Our home form is formidable so far this season, with only City coming away with anything.
A dream scenario is getting a two or three-goal lead and bringing on the youth from the bench around the hour mark.
We all know it won't be that simple, but it's nice to dream.
Enjoy the game, Gooners, and have a very Merry Christmas.