The Game

With Ignasi Miquel getting his first start for Arsenal’s regular squad, today’s game promises to be an interesting one as manager Arsene Wenger makes plenty of changes from Wednesday’s game.

Manuel Almunia starts in goal with Kieran Gibbs, Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner also enjoying a rare start today. Marouane Chamakh is back leading the forward line with the Moroccan hoping to end a negative start to the new year so as to show that he can be a valuable asset for the Gunners a we enter the last part of the season.

And, until you wait for kick-off, check out Carlos Vela’s goal for West Bromwich Albion and also why winning a trophy is crucial for Arsenal, according to Nigel Winterburn.

As always, please do join the discussion in our chat room which will also be active after the full time whistle. You will be glad to know that from this season, to provide a better chat experience to our readers, users can be banned if they post offensive comments.

Streaming Links

For those who don’t know where to watch the game, maybe we can help, follow this link for streaming options. Links are updated before and during the match.

The Line-Ups

Leyton Orient

Jones, Whing, Chorley, Forbes, Crowe, Cox, Dawson, Daniels, Smith, McGleish, Revell

Subs: Butcher, Omozusi, Mike, Carroll, M’Poku, Tehoue, Kane

Arsenal

Almunia, Sagna, Miquel, Squillaci, Gibbs, Song, Denilson, Bendtner, Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh

Subs: Szczesny, Eboue, Clichy, Koscielny, Wilshere, Fabregas, Nasri

Half-Time Thoughts and Analysis

I can’t remember such a boring first half of football this season. With Arsene Wenger making plenty of changes to team which battled past Barcelona, in a way, the goalless scoreline comes as no surprise.

Ignasi Miquel, in his first game with the regular side, was full of confidence at the back as he was not shy to bring the ball forward and keep running to help in midfield where Tomas Rosicky enjoyed a lively first half but with Alex Song behaving like someone who just doesn’t want to be out there.

Up front, Nicklas and Marouane have yet again demonstrated that they will never be compatible with each other with the Moroccan missing a sitter in the 34th minute with which we should have taken the lead.

Anyway, Cesc Fabregas’ alarm will soon ring and the Spaniard will have to end his day off to help us reach the next round, where, incidentally, Manchester United are waiting.

At half time, it’s Leyton Orient nil, Arsenal nil.