Gooner Talk

Arsenal could have been forgiven for wanting an easy time of things in the fourth round of the Carling Cup after their fantastic 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Spurs in the last round.

There was no such luck for Arsene Wenger’s side though, as they pulled Premier League new-boys Newcastle United out of the hat for their last 16 tie.

A similar Gunners side to the one that beat Spurs is expected to be named on Wednesday, consisting mainly of first team regulars and fringe players.

“We will go for every single competition this season with all the possible resources we have,” said Arsene Wenger at last week’s AGM.

“We will play a strong team at Newcastle. I am not saying Cesc will definitely play, because he is only just back from a hamstring injury and we have to be cautious.”

Gooner Talk’s Predicted Starting XI against Newcastle

Fabianski
Eboue – Koscielny – Squillaci – Gibbs
Diaby – Denilson – Rosicky
Walcott – Bendtner – Vela

What would be your ideal starting XI for Wednesday’s game? Should the likes of Jay-Emmanuel Thomas and Henri Lansbury be rewarded for their performances in the Gunners’ second string? Or is experience necessary if Arsenal are seriously targeting the Carling Cup this season?

Leave your views and predictions in the comments section below.

Arsenal play their final pre-season friendly tomorrow against Legia Warsaw. Less than a week later, the real stuff begins as the Gunners’ travel to Anfield for their Premier League opener at Anfield.

Arsene Wenger’s side have had a good pre-season thus far, winning 4 out of their 5 games, but more importantly the new signings, Chamakh and Koscielny – and younger players – Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong, have impressed.

However, the defensive frailties of past seasons were evident once more in the Emirates cup and this is a genuine concern ahead of the new season.

The match is also seen as a sort of testimonial for former Legia ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who has been talking about his return to Poland.

Fabianski said:

“For a very long time, I thought about the possibility of such an encounter, this for me will be an important event. I hope they won’t cry. I am very happy the Legia fans are returning to the stadium, this is an important game for them.

“I can not wait for the hot atmosphere they are about to create at home.”

Gooner Talk’s Predicted Starting XI

Fabianski
Sagna – Djourou – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Frimpong – Nasri
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

You’ll find the confirmed starting line-up on Gooner Talk when we get it tomorrow afternoon.

What side do you think will play? Let us know your team predictions in the comments section below!

Arsenal play their second game of pre-season in Austria against third division side SC Neusiedl 1919 later this evening.

After comfortably disposing of Barnet last weekend, the Gunners continued their good pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz last Wednesday. France midfielder Samir Nasri scored twice to take his tally to three thus far.

Manager Arsene Wenger will give a run out to the likes of Abou Diaby and Carlos Vela who recently returned from the World Cup. Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue are also expected to be involved, while Manuel Almunia will also play.

Gooner Talk’s Predicted Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Koscielny – Vermaelen – Clichy
Eboue – Song – Diaby
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

Arsenal’s Pre-Season Top Goal Scorers so far 10-11

1.S. Nasri = 3
2. J. Simpson = 2
3.A. Arshavin = 1
4.H. Lansbury = 1

You’ll find the confirmed starting line-up on Gooner Talk when we get it tonight.

What side do you want to see play? Let us know your team predictions in the comments section below!

Arsene Wenger’s side arrived for their annual pre-season tour of Austria on Monday night, and began training this morning in preparation for tomorrow’s game against SK Sturm Graz.

The Gunners’ traditionally come to Austria for the most intensive part of their pre-season; with barely any distractions and the sweltering heat and humidity being significant factors, this is where Arsenal’s pre-season training truly begins.

Arsenal welcome back 6 players who were involved in the World Cup. Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby, Carlos Vela, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song all return.

World Cup finalists Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie have both been given extra time off to recover following their lengthy involvement at the tournament.

View the full 27-man squad here.

Gooner Talk’s Predicted Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Djourou – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Song – Diaby
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

You’ll find the confirmed starting line-up on Gooner Talk when we get it tomorrow evening.

What side do you think will play? Let us know your team predictions in the comments section below!

Arsenal’s pre-season gets underway at Barnet on Saturday afternoon with the Gunners’ set to field a strong-looking starting eleven.

New signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny are both expected play some part in the game, while a mixture of fringe and senior players are also included.

On Wednesday Arsene Wenger took charge of his first training session of the summer having spent the last month in South Africa covering the World Cup for French television.

The Arsenal manager wasted little time calling in his big guns, with Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin and Thomas Vermaelen all among the names returning to training at London Colney.

Spain star Cesc Fabregas and Dutch striker Robin van Persie have both been given extra time off to recover following their involvement at the World Cup.

Predicted Starting XI

Almunia
Lansbury – Vermaelen – Koscielny – Gibbs
Wilshere – Eastmond – Rosicky
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

If you’re not going to the game then make sure you subscribe to Arsenal TV. Kick-off is at 15:00 BST with highlights available on Gooner Talk after the match.

Arsenal play Blackburn tomorrow in a game which is likely to have an ‘end of season’ feel about it.

The Gunners still haven’t fully secured third place yet, but a point against Blackburn will almost certainly wrap it up with Spurs and Man City lurking closely behind.

Russian maestro Andrey Arshavin is a major doubt to play in Monday’s clash, while Johan Djourou and Kieran Gibbs both took part in training this week, although neither will be considered due to lack of match practice.

“Arshavin has a little chance to be back in the squad. Denilson, Almunia and, of course, Fabregas, Gallas and Vermaelen are all still out.

“Gibbs and Djourou are back in the training squad. So for us it is a good period. We could start the season again!”

“They could figure if they are needed numbers-wise but otherwise they will not play.”

Gooner Talk’s Predicted XI

Fabianski
Sagna – Campbell – Silvestre – Clichy
Nasri – Song – Diaby
Walcott – van Persie – Rosicky

We’ll post the confirmed starting line-up when we get it tomorrow evening.

Let us know your team and score predictions in the comments section below.

Arsenal could be boosted with the return of Alex Song against Manchster City if he passes a late fitness test tomorrow morning.

However, the Cameroonian midfielder, who has missed the last three games with an inflamed cartilage, is the only major change possible from last week’s defeat at Wigan.

“Maybe Song [could be off the injury list],” Wenger told TV Online on Thursday. “He has a test tomorrow and we’ll see. He is a question mark.

“Apart from that, nobody is back. Andrey Arshavin is out. Everyone else – Gallas, Almunia, Denilson – is still out too.”

Meanwhile, Johan Djourou and Kieran Gibbs are approaching full fitness, despite the former suffering a minor knock on his knee on Monday.

Gooner Talk’s Predicted XI

Fabianski
Sagna – Campbell – Silvestre – Clichy
Nasri – Song – Diaby
Bendtner – van Persie – Rosicky

Leave your score and team predictions in the comments section below.