Arsenal.com have revealed the 18-man squad that will travel to the Madejski stadium to play Reading in the Capital One Cup later this evening. We also have the latest team news from Arsene Wenger’s press conference. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is not fit enough to be included in the squad, while Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna have been left out after they played against QPR at the weekend.
Interestingly, there is no Andre Santos in the squad, which means that one of Ignasi Miquel or Jernade Meade will start at left-back. Sebastian Squillaci is also included, but he almost definitely won’t start because we have Koscielny and Djourou, with Jenkinson at right-back. There is no Aaron Ramsey, meaning that Francis Coquelin is our most experienced midfielder unless Arshavin drops back into central midfield (which is possible). We have quite an experienced attack, with Giroud, Walcott, Arshavin and (dare I say it) Chamakh. Andrey put in a great performance against QPR and will almost definitely be in line for a start.
Goalkeepers
Damien Martinez, James Shea.
Defenders
Laurent Koscielny, Sebastian Squillaci, Johan Djourou, Carl Jenkinson, Ignasi Miquel, Jernade Meade
Midfielders
Francis Coquelin, Emmanuel Frimpong, Hector Bellerin, Thomas Eisfeld, Nico Yennaris
Forwards
Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Maround Chamakh, Serge Gnabry, Andrey Arshavin
Injury news:
Gervinho - “He has an ankle problem. How long he will be out, we don’t know. He has a scan today (Monday).”
Sczcesny - “He is close, but not ready for the Reading game.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - “Oxlade-Chamberlain is not available for this game. He would have loved to play. Apart from that, I don’t think anyone else will be back.”
what wenger is doing is ok by me bcos of the way he is bringing up the young ones who later becomes one of the best player in europe and the world in general .so am using this time to say a good thanks to all arsenal managers(arsene wenger)especially.but he should try and buy top players.
Well, Chamakh did start and played all 120 minutes with two goals and a decent shift to show for it. It looks like the lads started to warm up, only late into the game.