The Arsenal injury list has grown to eight players out of action as Arsene Wenger prepares his team for the away tie against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League, a game we need to win to make sure we keep our place on top of group A ahead of main rivals PSG.
Hopefully most of the Gunners on that list are only short term absentees and there is a good chance that Wenger will be able to call on Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin once more for the north London derby on Sunday, but none of them have made the trip to Bulgaria so if the manager means what he says about giving everything to win this match then we should see all the rest of the regular first teamers in the starting line-up.
Up until the weekend that would have meant Alexis Sanchez in the centre forward role he has performed so well of late, but after olivier Giroud came on with bang to secure a vital Premier League win at Sunderland, the boss does have an option.
I expect him to use it as well, especially after the French striker was the Arsenal player sat alongside Wenger at the pre-match press conference reported by the Daily Mail, which is usually a good sign they will play.
Giroud said, ‘My turn will come. I came back late from the Euros and was not fit enough to play straight away, then, unfortunately, I had an annoying injury.
‘Obviously I prefer to be on the pitch but I needed to take my time. My injury is now behind me and I want to look forward now and qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. I am pleased to be back.
‘There’s also a big game on Sunday. I am just concentrating on what I have to do.
‘Fortunately, I finished well the work of the team. I feel good on the pitch. I just need to play and play more. And, with training, show I am in good form.’
We surely cannot drop the Chilean though so with Walcott out I think it is just a choice of either Iwobi or Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right and Alexis on the left of Giroud. I expect Ozil to start as well but the central midfield is a bit harder to pick.
Aaron Ramsey adds goal threat so he will probably be in and then it just a question of Xhaka, Elneny or Coquelin in the deeper lying role. Is that how you see the Gunners lining up this evening?
Bob.
Giroud should lead the front line, with Sanchez on the wings. If we get the job done within first i.e. 2 goals, Alexis Sanchez should be rested at 60 minutes.
If ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We are playing well with Sanchez as CF.
I like Giroud but let’s be honest, he is still same and nothing has changed in his game.
I would prefer to play Giroud when we play teams like Sunderland or Boro etc. In other matches bring him as sub when required.He provide different dimension to team.
In today’s game Wenger can play Giroud and rest Sanchez as we have imp game on Sunday.
Team to face Ludogorets: Ospina, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.
Hopefully Ramsey is out wide, not Mesut……