Arsenal play host to Premier League newboys Huddersfield Town tonight, the first league meeting between the sides in 45 years.
The visitors may be new to the Premier League but have so far shown that they can bring the game to even the best of teams, just like at the weekend when they have Premier League runaway leaders Manchester City, when they will feel aggrieved to have failed to pick up any points. The Terriers led at the half-time interval, but lost their lead thanks to a Sergio Aguero penalty kick, only for Raheem Sterling to steal all three points in the final 10 minutes of the match-up.
A similar performance as that of the weekend would cause us some problems, but their dogged display did come at home, and their squad will more than likely have to be stretched with this match coming so soon after.
Our side also had a tough match this weekend, also needing a last-minute penalty to beat Burnley, but our squad is much more capable of playing twice a week, although we will have to consider the fact that we take on Manchester United on Saturday evening.
We come into the match with a couple of question marks over the availability of both Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi, and the pair are believed to undergo tests prior to tonight’s match, and I wouldn’t expect either to start the match. Santi Cazorla remains our only confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI:
Cech
Koscielny Mustafi Monreal
Bellerin Xhaka Ramsey Kolasinac
Alexis Wilshere
Welbeck
I expect Lacazette to start tonight’s match on the bench, with a view to starting him against the Red Devils, and I think Welbeck will get the nod ahead of Olivier Giroud for his ability to stretch the defence with his movement. I also expect Wilshere to get the chance to start his first Premier League match for Arsenal in 18 months, with both Iwobi and Ozil not at 100%.
This team should have more than enough to pin the Terriers down, and our team is playing full of confidence of late which will show. I’m going for a comfortable 3-0 win, and am expecting Alexis to score in his third consecutive PL match.
What are your predictions? Should Giroud start ahead of Welbeck or the pair instead of Wilshere? Will more players be rested with an eye on United on Saturday?
Pat J