Arsenal host Reading in the EFL Cup in what is set to be a great test of squad depth, how can the second string fit in?
Arlen Wenger confirmed today that Aaron Ramsey isn’t ready, but also said:
We will have Gabriel, Holding, Jenkinson will be back and will play. Jeff Reine-Adelaide will play, otherwise I think Iwobi, Lucas, Oxlade-Chamberlain will also play. Gibbs – who captained the team at Forest – will do it again on Tuesday.
We are still likely to observe the same system, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who appears to be growing in confidence, needing to really stretch a Reading side likely to copy Middlesborough and Burnley and sit deep. Lucas is likely to play the ‘Alexis’ role of the mobile striker, as he has done so ably against Ludogrets and Forest.
Reading themselves have looked reasonably solid under Jaap Stam, sitting in 8th in the Championship. Tending to play a 4-2-3-1, Danny Williams, as he did the FA Cup Semi Final a couple of years ago, is likely to provide energy along erratic talent like Gareth McCleary.
Still, this will be another match where Arsenal are likely to be breaking down a side putting masses behind the ball – and unlike Saturday, Arsenal need to take advantage of the full backs. The introduction of Gibbs will certainly help this, and Jenkinson’s crosses always cause issues.
What’s also interesting is the double pivot – while ideally, we have a Xhaka-Ramsey partnership, both of them are unavailable, so we may be likely ro see Elneny partner a youngster in midfield. his is where the problems may arise, as the lack of incisive distribution from deep may make it easy for Reading to defend.
