Does anybody else agree with me that Carrick is key to winning this tie?
Carrick is just so underrated and undervalued. Against Newcastle, it went unnoticed but the bloke made some fantastic interceptions, tackles and for me is a silent thief, he appears in areas to knick the ball last gasp from opposition players. For me, he may play deep like Blind and have less legs on him, but he's invaluable.
When Carrick plays, I'm always more confident of a result.
Arsenal are a bunch of boys that play for fun and bottle it when the pressure is on.
I think they hate a player like Carrick who is disciplined, experienced and frustrating to get round.
Players like Rooney, Valencia, Smalling, Young and Carrick have a wealth of experience in beating,beasting and outmuscling as side like arsenal. Not because they are english, but because of how frequently they have featured in sides that have beat Arsenal convicingly. Mata too has been part of those sides for Chelsea.
Our squad is very inexperienced in the premier league against top level opposition; Rojo, Shaw, Herrera,Blind, Di Maria have little experience.
I genuinely think Carrick is our key man, him and Blind would give a tactical flexibility and at worst a deep lying shield across our vulnerable defense.
Surely Carrick will start, I could imagine Fellaini playing in deep position too, but it would be strange given Blind + Herrera are fit. It would be strange altogether if Fellaini started because he is Plan B.