Arsenal play host to Everton this weekend with Theo Walcott in line to take on his former side.
Many eyes will be on the England international, who left the Gunners to move to Merseyside last month, and Walcott will be keen to add to the two goals the winger grabbed in midweek, but the majority of people will be most keen to get a glimpse of the two new Arsenal stars.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both in line to make their full debuts today, with the former only coming off the bench in the midweek loss to Swansea.
We may have to bid to return to form without the help of our new record signing due to illness however, while Jack Wilshere has already missed the midweek fixture with the same issue. Danny Welbeck is expected to miss today’s fixture, but could return as early as next week.
Predicted XI:
Cech
Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
Bellerin Xhaka Ramsey Maitland-Niles
Mkhitaryan Ozil
Lacazette
It would be great to get a look at a possible partnership between Aubameyang and Lacazette at some point in the match, but I don’t feel like we will be able to take liberties against Sam Allardyce’s side.
I expect the Blues to be set-up on the counter-attack, and to concentrate on their defensive work in the build-up to our fixture. Allardyce has come up against Wenger on a number of occasions, and having tasked his side to avoid defeat against the Frenchman in 14 of his 33 head-to-heads, he will be well aware of the task in hand.
I firmly expect our boys to turn our form around after the midweek shock, but I’m not going to go overboard and expect our new signings to both smash it within a week of joining. I’m predicting a 2-1 win, and am hoping that PEA will grab the winning goal from the bench to get his Arsenal career off to the best possible start.
What are your predictions for today’s match? Will Allardyce frustrate Wenger?
Pat J
This should be an easy 2-0 victory. Coyg!
I don’t think so, if Arsenal still cannot use the width of the field. And is there any new transfer, @kev, ma’ man?
first to comment
if arsenal doesnt adopt counter attacking and shoting to score…even if we buy messi, wer going no where
I think if Salah and Mane had joined Arsenal, they could have been instructed to dilly-dally in the middle
The line up is out.
4-3-3
Cech
Bellerin- kocielny – Mustafi- Monreal
Wiltshire – Xhaka- Ramsay
Mihkitarian – Lacazette – Ozil
Other than possibly Niles and Kolasinac that is ok line up. Only problem is how often we do have new combinations playing together.
Line up is not out. Will be at 4.30
Arsenal will play at the Emirates, so I don’t think they would use the defensive 3-4-2-1. I think they will use the usual 4-1-2-2-1:
……………………Cech
Bellerin . Koscielny . Mustafi . Monreal
…………………..Elneny
…………..Ramsey . Xhaka
…………….Ozil . Mkhitaryan
………………..Lacazette
I prefer they use 4-3-3:
……………………Ospina
Bellerin . Koscielny . Mustafi . Monreal
…………………..Elneny
……………..Ramsey . Ozil
Niles…………………………………Mkhitaryan
………………..Lacazette
Or 4-1-3-2:
……………………Ospina
Bellerin . Koscielny . Mustafi . Monreal
…………………..Elneny
……Mkhitaryan . Ramsey . Ozil
………..Nelson..………Lacazette
I have confidence that we will put goals in Everton’s net but not very confident that we will keep out goals from our net, especially with Rooney and Theo but mainly due to our poor defensive displays this season
Anyway, my prediction is 4-2 to Arsenal
Plus how crap Cech has been
Yes good point. Id like to see Ospina play
I prefer they should use 4-3-3. ……….Cech ……bellerin ……….mustafi………koscielny……..Montreal…xhaka…..welshere…mkhitaryan…….ozil…..lacazzate………aubameyang
I hate this 3 at the back. I prefer 442. but do we have the personnel? No, so it’s better 451 or 433.
And be prepared to change it as required during play.
1-1 draw possibly
In my view of current Arsenal squad, I believe 442 could be our only savior. It doesn’t expose our defense issues.
Fans have to stop abusing players who do not meet their expectation in games…………it is irresponsible behavior and unacceptable……how will you feel if someone abuses you because of a bad and challenging day at work……….leave Xhaka alone………criticize his performance but don’t destroy his confidence………….it is a team sports……..arsenal wins as a team and should lose as a team………..
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City game has shown that if the team keep holding possession and not scoring
its a matter of time the opposition will score and either equalize or win
if xhaka, iwobi and monreal will play after the swansy display, wenger is a damn fool
Nah mate! Aubamayang leads the line with Mkhataryan in the squad. Lacazette gets benched.
Why Ramsey starting our midfield will be open..