Semi-final preview
On Wednesday the 24th of January Arsenal and Chelsea will play the second leg of the Carabao Cup Semi-final. The last meeting between the two sides was on the 10th where we saw both London clubs draw 0-0 in what was a very dull game. Arsene Wenger and his men went into the game having been embarrassed in the previous week 4-2 by Championship side, Nottingham Forest.
The young Arsenal squad did well to hold out against The Champions and actually bring a realistic aggregate scoreline to The Emirates. This is the first time Arsenal have reached the semi-final of the cup since 2011 where the Gunners lost 2-1 to Birmingham City in the final.
TEAM NEWS: We all know that Alexis Sanchez will not be playing in this game as he is almost a Manchester United player an as I’m typing this he is updating his work permit ahead of a move up north. Despite Nacho Monreal picking up a slight knock in the game where he scored and assisted twice within 20 minutes against Crystal Palace, the Spaniard has confirmed it is nothing serious and he should be fit ahead of the game. Olivier Giroud could potentially make a return to the squad after he picked up a hamstring injury against West Ham in the Quarter-finals.
MY PREDICTION: I am going to go with a win for Arsenal on penalties! Very strange and unlikely to happen but expect the unexpected! What do you think the score will be? Tweet us @ArsenalInsider as we would love to hear your prediction.
Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere are close to agreeing a contract extension
Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere have impressed Wenger and many fans this season after getting off to a great start! With both players contracts coming to an end, the gossip floating around is when and are they going to sign a new contract? Although Mesut Ozil’s ‘ right-hand man’ Alexis Sanchez out the door, Ozil has all eyes on him as many fans are depending on him to make even more of an impact with Alexis gone. Reports suggest Ozil has actually renewed his box at Arsenal for another three and a half years! Is this a sign of the German close to agreeing a new deal? Tweet @ArsenalInsider whether you think he will sign a new deal or not.
Jack Wilshere’s contract is also coming to an end, despite links to Juventus, Wilshere has confirmed to a variety of sources that if a contract gets put in front of him, he will 100% sign it! Wilshere has been an absolute pleasure to watch this season, Jack really is back! Get it done Mr Wenger.
What can Henrikh Mkhitaryan bring to Arsenal?
Henrikh Mkhitaryan certainly hasn’t lived up to the expectations in Manchester despite scoring in the Europa League final. The Armenian has only netted five Premier League goals in 39 apps.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed he is part of the deal for Sanchez and one will go in, one will go out basically. But is Mkhitaryan the player to make Arsenal compete for the Premier League?
He came to England from Borussia Dortmund for a total fee of £30million. Fans were expecting him to play as good or even better than he was in Germany and unfortunately for them, he wasn’t even close. Arsenal fans aren’t judging too quickly as you have to remember players like Salah, Lukaku and even De Bruyne flopped under Jose Mourinho.
He is mostly known for his blistering pace, clinical finishing and great technique with the ball. He may not be Alexis Sanchez but I personally think Arsene Wenger and Arsenal have done well to snatch Mkhitaryan away from United for a player that is free in six months.
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