Despite their best efforts to screw it up, City managed to secure the three points at Goodison Park, which guarantees Arsenal’s tops four finish and entry into the nest season’s Champions League. The fact that this result means that Liverpool are less likely to win the league makes the result only that much sweeter, if still largely irrelevant from an Arsenal point of view.
The best we can do this season is to finish fourth, despite leading the table for the vast majority of the season. The feat of finishing in the top four for the 18th consecutive season is one that should not, however, be overlooked.
Sagna’s Last Home Game?
In the pre-match press conference on Friday, manager Arsene Wenger reveals that that the only new injury concern is that of Bacary Sagna, who has potentially been robbed of his last ever game at the Emirates Stadium with a knee injury. His contract situation is still unresolved, and you feel that anything left this late cannot be a good thing.
Sagna has seen two leg breaks in the same season and come out a better player for it. Arsenal’s most consistent player for the last 7 years will probably not be at the club next year, and the reason for that is largely down to money.
Whether it is the Sagna camp demanding ridiculous wages, or the Arsenal board not being willing to pay a player what he is worth, it does not really matter. The reality is that Sagna will almost definitely leave Arsenal and his knee injury could keep him receiving the applause he deserves his last ever home game for Arsenal.
With a place in the top four being secured, Wenger is probably leaving the cup final for Sagna’s last ever game for Arsenal.
Other Injuries
Kieran Gibbs was pictured in training earlier, but similar to Sagna, Wenger would be unwise to risk furthering the injury in an essentially meaningless Premier League match when a cup final is on the horizon.
Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are set to remain side-lined with foot and groin injuries respectively, while both still hold hopes of representing England in the World Cup. Meanwhile, Abou Diaby played last week for the under 21s side, before injuring himself once more later on in the week. None of these players are expected to feature against West Brom.
Team Selection
With one week until the last game of the season, followed by another full week until the cup final, it would make sense that Wenger plays his strongest team in the remaining games, without taking unnecessary risks on injuries.
It is important that the team continues to win and goes into the final in the best possible form. The improvement of the team in recent weeks has been a direct result of the return of Ramsey and Ozil, and luckily for all those associated with Arsenal, there are new injuries concerning that duo.
As far as strikers go, it would make sense for Giroud to be rested in place of Sanogo, giving the young Frenchman a chance to perform on a slightly less important stage. So far, Sanogo is yet to start a league game for Arsenal, despite 3 FA cup starts and a place in the starting line-up in Munich.
Expected Line-Up
Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Ramsey, Arteta; Cazorla, Ozil, Podolski; Sanogo
With nothing but pride left to play for this season, it will be the last opportunity for the fans to cheer on the team before Wembley.
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