Arsenal Vs. Wigan (FA Cup Semi Final) 12th April Saturday 5pm: Page 6 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Arsenal Vs. Wigan (FA Cup Semi Final) 12th April Saturday 5pm

Burnwinter

Feel quite differently about some of the other players on the pitch because fielding them would significantly reduce our chances.

Putting Sanogo out there in the semi would be negligent, though I wouldn't put it past Wenger.

Big Willie

Actually didn't we drop both Edu and Wiltord towards the end of the season when they refused to sign new deals? Think we've done it on numerous occasions but most of that was back when we were actually successful.

Big Willie

invisibleman18 wrote:
It's not about game time against lower league teams. It's about playing in semi finals and (hopefully) finals. The kind of games we'd hope to have more regularly over the next decade. Who would we have played instead of Pires? He was part of the first choice 11. You play your strongest team in these games, that's my view. It's irrelevant now that Wenger has confirmed Fabianksi will play. Interestingly in 01-02 Wenger did the same and played Richard Wright throughout the cup until rightly playing Seaman in the final.

Oh and was it not 2002 when Seaman made that incredible save in the semis for us or was it 2003?

invisibleman18

Nah that was 2003. I think Stuart Taylor might have played in some earlier rounds.

Big Willie

Ahh, the glory years. Need to bring some of the back starting with the Cup this year. No excuses.

Clrnc

invisibleman18 wrote:
I really do believe that our strongest 11 has a greater chance, yes. That also goes for other positions such as Vermaelen and Sanogo. Anyway Fabianksi is playing so hopefully he continues in the same form.

I agree with this, full team. But what I am saying is that Fabianski isn't a downgrade on Szczesny. I can understand fans don't want him to start solely because he is leaving, but he does deserve his place in the semis and hopefully the final.

Rex

Flappy is certainly a downgrade on Sneezey. Based on the last 12 months, which is the only relevant period, one has been one of the best goalkeepers in the league and the other one has played a handful of games.

Biggus

Flappy is a downgrade on Szczesny Vermaelen is a downgrade on Koscielny and Sanogo is a downgrade Giroud so lets not have any more of this bollocks.

goon

I agree with the play your best XI sentiment. However with Fabianski I'd make an exception. If it was Almunia or Vito I'd say bring on Szczesny but the fact is Fabianski has been putting in top performances whenever he's come in, it makes more sense, from a pragmatic point of view rather than sentimental, to keep him on as our cup goalkeeper.

Irishgunner

I'd start chez for a number of reasons:

He needs cup final experience.
he's better the Fabianski.
Fabianski is leaving.

Rex

I don't really mind Flappy playing, because he has been pretty good the last two years when he has played, but I find it pointless playing him unless we have to since he has made it clear he is leaving.
Play the better goalkeeper, who also sees his future at Arsenal, I say.

ludovicvanzis

play the keeper that is most likely to win us the trophy and that's fabianski.

Biggus

Right, that's why he's the regular #1 at the club now and into the future.

Burnwinter

You can't make Wenger's choice to keep Szczesny as #1 for the league your entire proof that Wenger would be wrong to continue to select Fabianski in the FA Cup.

speedy

Was reading a Valdes interview earlier and hes talking about how after he decided to leave he can play without pressure so he's playing his best stuff now. I think were seeing that with fabianski now.

Biggus

Burnwinter wrote:
You can't make Wenger's choice to keep Szczesny as #1 for the league your entire proof that Wenger would be wrong to continue to select Fabianski in the FA Cup.

Are you being funny?
Either Szczesny is the best goalkeeper at the club in which case he should be playing in this gsme, or Fabianski is the best.goalkeeper at the club and should be playing every game, anything else is a blatant whimsical approach to our best chance of winning a trophy in three years.

ludovicvanzis

Fabianski isn't first choice because he can't stay fit. This is known.

Klaus

I have a feeling that Wenger wants to play Fabianski regularly but won't bench Szczesny unless he scews up badly.

Patters

I agree with Biggus' point here. At this stage I think the 'cup GK' and 'league GK' labels have to go out the window. 2 games from winning a trophy here - just pick your best goalkeeper. Whether it's Chelsea away in a few weeks or Wigan at Wembley, if you're going Fabianski then you think he's the better keeper.

But I guess you could apply that same argument to the Liverpool QF game too, which shows Wenger doesn't see it that way. Wouldn't be surprised with Fabianski in goal and Sanogo up front against Wigan, and Szczesny in goal for the league games.

Burnwinter

There's a fine line between the two keepers, so this harping on Szczesny's #1 status in the league is specious.

Just a year ago Szczesny was dropped for bad form and Fabianski took over as first choice until he reinjured himself. The latter's only conceded one goal from open play in four FA Cup matches. I don't think Wenger himself knows definitively which is the better player—he's basing his decisions on continuity.

Enough said. Going to leave this alone before I jinx whichever keeper does end up getting selected.

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