Before I talk about the game tonight, a word on FIFA, the most corrupt organisation I have ever seen, who yesterday confirmed that Saudi Arabia had won the rights to host the 2034 World Cup after nobody else bid for it.

Nobody. Really. So one of the most prestigious tournaments on the planet, that generates millions for countries, adds great value, is a sporting pinnacle that is watched by a big chunk of the planet, had not ONE. SINGLE. OTHER. BIDDER.

Interesting.

I wonder if that could possibly have been because FIFA itself used its back channels to tell other nations not to bother voting, because the decision had already been made? FIFA, an organisation that has already been proven to be corrupt and untrustworthy, that claimed it would clean itself up, is now doing deals like this with a country who have clearly decided that sports washing is a successful way of covering over any issues over human rights, amongst other things, and we’re all just supposed to accept that everything is hunky dory?

Do me a favour. If only somebody else could set up a rival version of FIFA that did actually have some kind of football integrity, I’m sure that there would be plenty of real football fans out there that would support it.

Anyway, I’ll need to park that and maybe revisit in another day, because we have West Ham this evening in the League Cup and I’m sure you’re hear to read more about that than the bent footballing governing body we have.

This one is a tough one for me to work out tonight, because I keep flip-flopping on what Arteta should do with his team. When you look at the sides left in the competition and that if we beat West Ham tonight there’s one of Man United/Newcastle to worry about, as well as Liverpool, then it does feel like this could within a round or two become quite a winnable game. As a match going fan myself as well, I love me a Wembley Cup final. The whole day is special and I love the build up to it, so the idea of us potentially getting a February one next year is very palatable indeed.

But this thinking is quickly counter-balanced by the fact that this is the fourth priority in a list of four for Arsenal this season and with Newcastle away looming on the horizon, we need to have our fittest and best players available for what will invariably be one of the toughest games of the season at St James’ Park. I think the Premier League HAS to be Mikel’s priority and for that reason I think the team I pick tonight has to be predicated on availability and fitness for the weekend. Newcastle play Man United this evening as well and if Eddie Howe goes strong this evening, then it also causes him an issue for the weekend too, so I suspect he might heavily rotate given the injuries and suspensions they have in their squad right now.

So for me I think we have to rotate, but not a massive amount. So my line up for tonight would be:

Ramsdale

White   –   Gabriel   –   Kiwior   –   Zinchenko

Jorginho

Havertz   –   Smith Rowe

Vieira   –   Trossard   –   Nelson

Let me show some of my workings here. I think Ramsdale deserves to start and hasn’t played enough football. That one’s easy. I think White is one of the most robust players in our team and I am not convinced playing Tomiyasu tonight is the right move, because I think I want us to save him for left back on Saturday evening, which is why I’m picking Zinchenko at left back, because I’d have him on the bench against Newcastle at the weekend. Gabriel missed the game against Sheffield United, so I think it is Saliba’s time to sit this one out and I think Kiwior hasn’t played enough football so this is an opportunity to give him back-to-back matches.

Jorginho in midfield in place of Rice makes sense to me, because it gives the England international a week of prepping himself for Newcastle and in front of them I’ve gone Havertz and Smith Rowe because I think Arteta should be telling them both to go out and prove themselves tonight and the one who comes off best can take the left eight spot against Newcastle. Odegaard is sure to come in for that game at the weekend and it makes sure he has a few more days rest after having picked up a knock and sitting out the Sheffield United game last weekend.

Then up top I’m giving Nelson and Vieira a chance to shine, with Trossard in the middle as I think he deserves more minutes. Unless Gabriel Jesus is back for the weekend, which it doesn’t really sound like it from what Arteta said in his presser yesterday, then I’d save Eddie for Newcastle.

We can always have some of those first teamers on the bench and if that first XI isn’t doing the business then we can always bring them on in the second half for 30 minutes or so.

In terms of West Ham, they’re missing Paqueta and Alvarez at the weekend through suspension I think, so Moyes has admitted he might play them tonight, but I wonder just how strong he goes this evening. He’ll have seen just how much of a boost to his job a cup win is and much like I said at the top of today’s blog for us, he’ll be looking at that draw and thinking that if West Ham can get beyond Arsenal, that opens up this tie because one of Newcastle and United will be gone and then the only other side you’d think it’d be tough to go up against would be away to a Liverpool. So I do wonder if he has a go for it this evening. They’ve got Brentford away on Saturday so this could be a real opportunity to get a scalp after some disappointing results. If I’m in his position, I might be going for it this evening, but we’ll have to see.

I’ll be making my way there this evening – probably in the rain – so it’ll be great to see us progress, but what I’m more conscious of is that we don’t suffer any knocks or bruises ahead of the upcoming Premier League game this weekend.

Fingers crossed.

Catch you all tomorrow.