Declan Rice may have dropped a heavy hint that Arnie’s back during an interview on the official site.
After such an emphatic display against Liverpool there may be many believing that the boss will stick with the same team from the start against Palace tomorrow (Sat).
Rice however, in declaring that Arnie could be back, is in a better position than most to make the judgement given that the two are big buddies and that he is given a lift to training each day by the Austrian striker.
It would probably mean that Chicharito would be the victim if that turns out to be the case despite the manager saying how happy he was with his display against the scousers.
We hope, however, that Arnie will come off the bench and that the boss will stick by the starting X1 from the Liverpool game.
Anything else may be unfair on those who did so well on Monday and lay him open to accusations that certain players are untouchables.
And it maybe a good idea perhaps to allow Arnie to see that despite all the injuries there is still very big competition for places.
I’m inclined to agree. If for whatever reason it doesn’t work as well, then Arnie on at half time with something to prove, is a good option.
I am looking forward to Nasri/Lanzini v Fulham.
Agree that from the Liverpool performance the team should be unchanged to start, but equally why let Palace have any idea what we are going to do!
The benefit of a larger squad will ensure that Hodgson et al will not know fully how to set up against us.
In the same way however is knowing if Zaha will play as we cannot afford to touch him in and around the box as he will surely drop so we have to negate him earlier with our own plans
Bench only, bring on the Miserable one only if we have to
I thought Antonio looked injured in the first half, or is that the way he always walks. I haven’t noticed it before.