Arsenal: Bullying Preston In FA Cup Absolutely Necessary

Arsenal will hope to find it easy pickings against Preston North End in the FA Cup, but they shouldn’t take it easy. Bullying is needed.

Arsenal get a nice break from Premier League stresses as they jump into the third round of the FA Cup, looking for a breather. While Arsene Wenger has already said that he will rest Alexis Sanchez, for obvious reasons, sending out some other crucial names should still be on the cards.

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For instance, confidence needs like Danny Welbeck, Alex Iwobi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should still be on the pitch and Granit Xhaka will be wanting a quick turnaround as well. Slotting Ramsey in next to Xhaka to get them some traction going forward should be part of the gameplan as well.

Right there we have a fantastic front five that boats speed and solidity, as well as creativity and goal-scoring chops.

What I’m saying is, just because this may be a match you can coast to a win against, we shouldn’t. We should be absolutely open to the idea of bullying a lower-tier club that is sitting in the middle of the Championship table.

Wengeris usually not of the bullying mindset, especially in these side competitions, but at a time where confidence is at a premium and the club could really use a nice recentering focus of their own dominance, Preston could be perfect.

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The timing couldn’t be better, actually. After a deflating 3-3 draw that stretched and pulled the outer limits of the Gunner’s determination, it’s time to take a deep breath, score a handful of goals, and remember that this is the Arsenal.

I would love to see Danny Welbeck starting upfront and Iwobi and the Ox flanking him. That is an exciting attack full of guys who could pick apart this defense and gain the confidence necessary to build upon in the coming weeks leading up to Chelsea in February.

Starting Mesut Ozil should be in the works too, as he is back to health and, as be put it himself “back” in the action. He has been out for some time and a nice trot out against a slower team would do him the world of good.

We also need to jumpstart Ramsey and this is a great opportunity. Let him feel good about himself again because I doubt if he has this entire season, especially with Alexis barking at him.

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What do you think, Gooners? Do we coast to a 2-0 and take it easy or punch out a 4-0 with a bit more effort?

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