The Ox

[jrthgooner]

Whilst I understand that Gervinho is the more experienced player I do noy understand how he has been picked to start and come on ahead of the Ox in the last few games. Especially since when the Ox has had a chance he has performed well.

When I watch Gervinho I think he runs well with the ball but when faced with having to beat a full back or even shoot I don't think he will do either well. Give the ball to the Ox in the same situation I believe he is both more confident and able to do both well.

For this reason I think the Ox should start ahead of him. Anyone else agree?

[QuartzGooner]

The Ox is still a teenager.

Wenger is trying to avoid overplaying him at too young an age, so that he does not get fatigue related injuries such as have affected Cesc and Wilshere.

[RioGooner]

Forehead has a major limitation - he can't finish a meal. That said, I think he's the only Left Winger we have, as the Ox roams around the pitch a lot, leaving us even more lopesided to the right. I would love, on the other hand, to see Song benched and a midfield trio of Arteta, Rosicky and The ox being played at home against weaker and more defensive teams.

[clockender1]

I would love, on the other hand, to see Song benched and a midfield trio of Arteta, Rosicky and The ox being played at home against weaker and more defensive teams.

Me too, but Song is our second highest player behind RVP (unbelievable right ?) so it'll never happen.

and you also have to make room for WIlshere. I at least hope that when wilshire is fit that Song gets dropped.

Ramsay hasn't cut it so he should be added to sell list, as should Diaby but he won't be, which will leave us with THREE highly paid underperforming DM's.

[jrthgooner]

The Ox has played very few games compared to Jack or Cesc at the same stage of their careers. The fact he is a better player than Gervinho is the more important issue and therefore should be used ahead of him

[Sutch]

Ramsay hasn't cut it so he should be added to sell list

How old is he, 20? Why is it with every midfielder we have if they're not at the same level Fabregas was at that age then they're shit? Give him time ffs. I know that's the thinking that got us into this but we should focus less on Ramsey IMO and give him the time he needs.

[QuartzGooner]

The Ox has played very few games compared to Jack or Cesc at the same stage of their careers. The fact he is a better player than Gervinho is the more important issue and therefore should be used ahead of him

It is the very fact that Cesc and Jack played so many games that opened them up to injury!
Same thing with Fowler and Owen.

Bones do not fully form until age 21 so any player should be carefully monitored and rationed until then, the last thing we need is The Ox in the infamous "Red Zone".

[flash gunner]

The Ox has played very few games compared to Jack or Cesc at the same stage of their careers. The fact he is a better player than Gervinho is the more important issue and therefore should be used ahead of him

It is the very fact that Cesc and Jack played so many games that opened them up to injury!
Same thing with Fowler and Owen.

Bones do not fully form until age 21 so any player should be carefully monitored and rationed until then, the last thing we need is The Ox in the infamous "Red Zone".

Totally agree Quartz but i dont understand why Wenger is so keen to look after the Ox when he was pushed Cesc and Jack to the limit? In Jacks case he should have seen Cesc's injuries piling up to know what was going to happen

[QuartzGooner]

I agree Flash that having spoken about the injuries to Fowler and Owen, and having seen Cesc injured, that Wenger was wrong to overplay Wilshere in the last third of last season when all of us could see young Jack was flagging.
I find it odd that Wenger said that the press could see Wilshere was exhausted, somehow trying to "blame" the press, yet Wenger continued to play Wilshere.

I can only guess, and it is a guess, that Wenger was having a dig at the international fixture schedule?
Or at not having funds for a deep enough squad?
But then I believe he has the funds. Or maybe USMartin WAS onto something after all!

So the whole business of Wenger overplaying Wilshere in the face of his obvious fatigue is really strange and I would love to know why it happened.

[HARLOW GOONER]

The ox's time will come. But I do think wenger should throw him in the deep end now and again but not like jack was.
He's a fantastic prospect. He reads the game well, wants to get stuck in ( without potentially doing himself or others damage- unlike jack). Isn't afraid to hit the ball from outside the box in play... Something we generally lack doing in the squad. Yes he does/will make little mistakes and lose the ball as he has done in games..... But who doesn't.
He's one to keep in the squad and not loan out in my opinion. What a mouth watering possible squad we could have developing with jack, the ox, frimpong etc. Bed him in nice n gently. Plenty of run outs from the bench.
I'm a big fan. Not too much pressure and keep him away from the England set up.

[supergeorgegraham]

Ox should start he is strong and powerful like Rooney was when he was 18. Ramsey and Gervinho have not done great this year. Its all about form and Ox has played really well.
Look what he did to AC Milan. Enough said. Actually Ramsey has been poor

[Rocky Number Seven]

I would love, on the other hand, to see Song benched and a midfield trio of Arteta, Rosicky and The ox being played at home against weaker and more defensive teams.

I think Songs contribution this season has been massively underated and would have him in ahead of certainly Arteta and if it wasnt for Rosickys recent form him too. He gives the team balance, is the only true DM we have in the squad and has managed to add the art of providing defence splitting balls to his game this season (RVP - Everton & Victims, Henry - Leeds). If everybody was fit then I'd have Song and Jack in the CM with one other, or even have them there together in a 442.