Arsene Wenger revealed plenty of information on his upcoming line-up to face Tottenham Hotspur, and it pretty much leaves just one spot up for grabs.
The Gunners will make the short trip across North London to Wembley on Saturday to take on their noisy neighbours, and will be full of confidence after their 5-1 demolition of Everton only last week with their new-look attack out in full force.
That win has definitely left Wenger with little option but to try and name an unchanged side, but there will have been one forced change, one player is pushing for inclusion following his return from illness.
Petr Cech had to be taken off against the Blues last weekend, and despite midweek reports insisting he would be ready to take part, Wenger insists that he will not take the risk when he has a fully-trusted option in David Ospina at 100% fitness.
Nacho Monreal was another doubt this week after getting a kick during the previous outing, but he is expected to be fully ready to feature, as the manager stated, while Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere will also be in contention to play having returned from injury and illness respectively.
“We should have a similar squad to Everton,” Wenger said. “Maybe Welbeck will be back.
“We are not sure with Cech, he has not practised. I don’t know if he should be available.
“Nacho Monreal should be alright.
“I will not take any risk (on Cech) if he is not 100 per cent for because I have full confidence in David Ospina.”
The French boss went onto talk about his new additions in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will also be expected to start for the second consecutive outing.
Wenger said: “It gives a new hope when fresh players come in.
“But the most important is the team performance. You want a positive history.
“At the start to gives you a swing but after it needs to be backed by performances of the team.”
Alexandre Lacazette will not be too happy with being overlooked to play a single minute against Everton last week with new signing PEA overhauling him from his starting role, but Wenger is not worried about his striker.
He added: “You do not have to understand too much. What you want is for everyone to be focused to win the game.
“In this game (Everton) he didn’t come on because we had a problem with the goalkeeper.”
All this information leaves us with little confusion over 10 of our 11 starting positions, and you can fully expect Wilshere or Aaron Ramsey to be selected as the 11th, and I’m leaning towards the Welshman on last week’s performance.
Expected XI:
Ospina
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
Xhaka Ramsey/Wilshere
Iwobi Ozil Mkhitaryan
Has the team already been decided? Am I wrong to believe that Iwobi is certain to keep his role after the win last week? Would you pick Jack or Rambo for the crunch tie?
Pat J