They both seem to be referencing the same person. This James Benge fellow. Not sure who he is or why no one else seems to have heard this during the press conference.

Never mind. He's a writer for the evening standar and has the following on an article on their site although I haven't seen it anywhere else yet.

What is the latest on Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil?
Tomorrow is the last training. We will decide tomorrow. Today they trained but really I need tomorrow.

“Some players need to improve to be 100 per cent. I am positive with some players for Saturday but I don’t want to decide today or say to you how we are. Tomorrow is the last training.

“We will decide tomorrow. Today they trained but really I need tomorrow. Some players need to improve to be 100 per cent.

“I am positive with some players for Saturday but I don’t want to decide today or say to you how we are.”

That said, he doesn't specifically mention either player in response to the question explicitly. I guess it's possible, but let's see after this morning's press conference what he has to say.

That's why i said not 100%.
I woke up to it but need more sources.

Leno

AMN Sokratis Luiz Kola

Torreira Willock

Ceballos

Pepe Auba Laca

Xhaka in, Ozil out

Leno
Maitland-Niles Luiz Sokratis Monreal
Torriera Guendouzi
Ceballos
Auba Laca Willock

Pepe, Xhaka, Mhki off the bench.

I'll be shocked if Torreira starts and Guendouzi doesn't.

Personally, I would stick with Willock, but we saw how quickly chambers got dropped despite not really deserving it and the same will probably happen in the middle.

Don't think Torreira really nailed his starting position last year but would expect that Xhaka will start whenever fit and available.

The Chambers thing was surprising given how long we stuck with a clearly inferior Cech before finally going with Leno after an injury.

The midfield is a difficult one though, I genuinely have no idea who will start. Ceballos is the only one I'm almost certain will get the nod.

I'd stick with Willock too. Really think he's crucial to unlocking the midfield.

goon wrote:

The Chambers thing was surprising given how long we stuck with a clearly inferior Cech before finally going with Leno after an injury.

I think the difference there was seniority.

Guendouzi will start over Torreira. Whether he should is the question, but Matteo's been quietly impressive so far this season.

Also think the impending games against Liverpool and Spurs forced Emery to speed up Luiz's integration. Chambers hasn't enough form behind him to justify starting those games ahead of a far more experienced option.

DK Gooner wrote:

Also think the impending games against Liverpool and Spurs forced Emery to speed up Luiz's integration. Chambers hasn't enough form behind him to justify starting those games ahead of a far more experienced option.

Very true. Luiz will be crucial in helping us beat the pressure as well.

After his late performance against Burnley, can't see Torriera starting against Liverpool. Looks too eager and can see him running out of steam very quickly against a team like Liverpool.

Guendouzi and Willock, IMO seem to be increasingly important to Emery's midfield balance to the point where Xhaka's return doesn't assure him of a starting spot straight away.

Bit of a rough wakeup, those numbers. I guess statistically it means we're due one soon though.

I just had a look at the odds and we're absolutely outclassed by the bookies. I think it's the first time I've seen Arsenal valued at 6,50. X2 is at 2,70.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert wrote:

Guendouzi will start over Torreira. Whether he should is the question, but Matteo's been quietly impressive so far this season.

Guendouzi was impressive against Burnley and Newcastle especially in the way he supported AMN but Newcastle didn't commit many players to attack till Saint-Maximim and Burnley mostly lumped long balls. Liverpool will be a whole new level with Mane, Firminho and Robertson against AMN, Sok and whichever DM is chosen. Playing Pepe is huge as he should reduce Robertson's involvement in attack but i hope Emery warns Pepe about Robertson, like the Neville brothers, applying the famous reducer to opponents in the early moments of the game as he knows the ref is less likely to give a yellow card straight away

Mirth wrote:

Doc wrote:

Don't trust our current fullbacks to be able to cope with Salah/Mane. Wouldn't mind seeing a back 5 to compensate by adding Chambers.. then swap Torreira for Wilock in midfield with Laca and Aubamayang upfornt.

Totally get where you're coming from but Emery's finally given up on his 5 at the back formation and long term we need to move away from having 3 CBs on the pitch.

Yeah. I am not a fan of it either and glad it (seems) is on its way out... Containing there wing play is going to be a massive issue though. CMs will have to double up to help, feels like Emery will need to restrict our fullbacks significantly which is kind of hard when there is a big reliance on them in our attacking play..