The Arsenal supporters here in the Transfer Tavern were frantically searching for tickets for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this past week, following last weekend’s 5-0 win over Lincoln City which set up a last four tie against Manchester City.
The Gunners supporters haven’t been in the best of spirits lately with a particular low point their embarrassing Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich, who secured a 10-2 aggregate win over Arsene Wenger’s men.
It is back to the bread and butter of the league for Arsenal this weekend with a tricky looking trip to West Bromwich Albion and the Baggies’ faithful are hopeful that they can spring a surprise on a frail Gunners.
It remains to be seen what effect the 5-0 win over non-league Lincoln had on the Gunners last weekend, but it is safe to say that the ardent Arsenal fans in the Tavern are still to be convinced that a corner has been turned.
Lee Clarke looks at two players who should be dropped by the Arsenal manager for today’s showdown at The Hawthorns.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey marked his return to the Arsenal side with a goal against Lincoln last weekend but whether he keeps his place in the team this weekend remains still to be seen.
Given such a long injury lay-off Arsene Wenger could choose to play it safe with the Welshman which could mean he is included among the substitutes instead.
One Arsenal supporter is chatting to his pals here in the Tavern and he says that although he rates Ramsey as a player, he doesn’t believe he is ready for a return to Premier League action just yet.
Olivier Giroud
The French striker was handed a rare chance to start against Lincoln last weekend but he could be dropped to the bench for the trip to The Hawthorns this weekend.
Giroud has been in decent goalscoring form this season but perhaps quite bizarrely he hasn’t played a great deal of football during the campaign.
One Arsenal fan is downing an early morning pint ahead of his trip to watch the Gunners in the West Midlands and he believes that Giroud should start, but agrees that Wenger doesn’t seem to value the Frenchman quite as much as the club’s supporters.
