He's not match fit
He shoudn't play we need him fit and ready for the CC Final and the rest of the FA and PL
He's been injured for what 2/3 weeks? He'll be alright its not like it was a long term injury. Tbh I'd rathered he played in this than the CC Final.
Of course if he hasn't recovered from his injury he shouldn't be picked.
Wenger said he has tests today and yesterday. Physically, he's ready, but he doesn't want to take a risk..
In terms of CC final - It's not as simple as "Well play him here and if he gets injured he misses the CC final.." He would miss another chunk of the season, which is never good!
Villa>Ibra
Dont see why Mascherano cant play an important role, probably one of the best DMs in the world
If i shipped 4 goals in one half, it would have an impact on me, dont think thats something that is to be debated about, it rings clear as a bell to anyone that it has severely dented your confidence but that is not to say Arsenal cannot win
Mascherano rarely plays.. Busquets is first choice, just because he drops back to CB occasionally, doesn't mean Mascherano will play even if he is one of the best DMs in the world...
Ibra is obviously relevant - Barca sold their only aerial threat in the summer, if Arsenal force them wide, we nullify a large portion of their attack. Nervous about Eboue stepping in for suspended Sagna, who has probably been the best, certainly one of the best RBs in the league this season in terms of consistency.
I don't think we have lost any confidence from that. If we were low on confidence we wouldn't have dominated Wolves for 90 minutes. OK, it was only 2-0 and it was "routine" but that's only because we made it so. We could have scored 4/5 easily..
I'm pretty sure they've put that behind them, especially considering how good the defence (Koscielny and Djourou) has generally been - Not losing in 8 games or whatever and only conceded 2 in the PL since the new year (bar Newcastle because Squillaci played in the second half).
I don't think it did dent our confidence. We more or less got away with it in terms of points with Utd losing. It's disappointing, but I think they're professional enough to move on.
Valdes
Alves Puyol Pique Abidal
Iniesta Busquets Xavi
Messi Villa Pedro
Puyol is injured. Maxwell is first choice LB anyway.