FA Cup XI

I had a look at Reading form since the new year. Pretty awful. Something like 35% win in 23 games.
Last win was about a month ago, in the FA cup against Bradford.
I'd use this game to get Walcott and Debuchy back in the starting XI.

Arteta and Ox are out. Everyone else available. Id go with this

______________Szczesny______________
Chambers Mertesacker Gabriel Gibbs
_________Ramsey__Coquelin _________
Walcott_______Ozil_________Sanchez
______________Welbeck ______________

Bench: Ospina, Debuchy, Monreal, Wilshere, Rosicky, Diaby, Giroud

I don't want much changes to our usual team. Can't take reading lightly at all. I know they've been poor, but an FA cup semi will be a different story for them. I'm sure they'll play to their best. We can't be at all complacent. Obviously we are superior to them in terms of quality, but we have to go out and prove that, and not just play in second gear and expect to win.

So I think we need pretty much our usual team. Apart from Szcz, possibly bring in debuchy and walcott. But no more. No need to rest coq or anyone else, this is a very important game for us in our season!

I agree, why change a winning formula when it's likely to bite you in the a$$

"I agree, why change a winning formula when it's likely to bite you in the a$$"

Because football doesn't work like that.

So your saying it's not a risk bringing in people who haven't played for the majority of the season?

Surely with the game being such a big occasion we should put out our strongest XI to ensure we get through, not people who have just got back from injury and need game time

Everything in life is a risk, to some extent.

The attitude of "don't change a winning formula" is a silly one, always has been. You should always look to have continuous improvement.

comment by When will Eboue get a statue outside the emirates??? (U19165)
posted 45 seconds ago
So your saying it's not a risk bringing in people who haven't played for the majority of the season?

Surely with the game being such a big occasion we should put out our strongest XI to ensure we get through, not people who have just got back from injury and need game time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the past two months, which game hasnt been a "big occasions"? Because of our awful start, we have been in a "must win game" since February.
I understand where you are coming from and I don't want us to underestimate Reading but surely on paper, this is the easiest game we have in this calendar year.
If we cannot use this opportunity to easy up Walcott and Debuchy then they might not start any other game until next season because it won't come any "easier"

Szczesny
Debuchy Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Coquelin
Walcott Ramsey Ozil Alexis
Welbeck

Subs: Ospina, Gabriel, Monreal, Wilshere, Rosicky, Cazorla, Giroud

Easily enough to get the job done as long as we have a professional approach. That starting eleven is in no way taking the game lightly yet we get minutes for Walcott, Debuchy, Gibbs, Szczesny and Welbeck. None of whom have started games recently.

We've started CL games in the past against Barcelona and Bayern Munich that have been weaker than that starting eleven.

I'd go:

Szczesny
Bellerin Mert Kos Gibbs
Coquelin Ramsey
Ozil Cazorla Sanchez
Welbeck

Depending on how the game's going, I'd probably bring Theo, Giroud and possibly Debuchy on.