Arsenal are in France as they await to take on French champions PSG in the Champions League group stages, and Coqueiln believes the midfield battle will be key.
The Gunners boss has a conundrum on his hands as he looks to steer his side to get a result against Paris Saint-Germain today, with a number of midfielders vying for roles in the first-team.
The defence will pick itself, but the midfield will be key in trying to stop the French giants from dominating the game, and it will be up to Wenger to mastermind his side.
Francis Coquelin is one of those hoping to start the game, and the midfielder is weary of the talents his side will be up against tomorrow, and has some strong praise for their side.
Coquelin said: “I think you have one key player in each line.
“In the middle, it is difficult because you have Thiago Motta or Marco Veratti who are two really important players. Veratti is the little magician with the ball, so this middle is a strong middle.”
Le Coq has started three of the four Premier League outings this term, and could find himself paired alongside Granit Xhaka in what would look a defensive minded midfield pairing, while Santi Cazorla could find himself playing just ahead of the pair, in hope of denying their opponents space in the centre of the field.
Do we need the more defensively minded Xhaka and Coquelin starting tonight? Or would you opt for the speed of Mohamed Elneny to help on the counter?
Pat J
Cech
Bellerin – Mustafi – Koscielny – Monreal
Xhaka – Cazorla
Iwobi – Ozil – Sanchez
Giroud
Watch as cavani suddenly becomes messi and trapp becomes Neuer.. #simplyarsenal….
Arsenal has disappointed severally in fixtures like this, that I don’t know what to expect.
I wish the boys an awesome game… and also injury free.
G
COYG
They have a badass midfield. Krychowiak, matuidi verrati and the creativity of Lucas moura , di maria , Ben arfa. One can’t dominate this midfield.
But when you have xhaka Santi and oz anything is possible
Arsenal can but i have my doubts about Arsene Wenger. He insists on 4.2.3.1 pattern and now has the personnel to field with the advantages he has in the squad. for instance, we are all aware that Giroud needs to be helped in the striking positions. Both Sanchez and Perez are capable of offering this assistance – basically playing the Griezmann role for Giroud to shine through. If i was Wenger i would field 4.3.1.2 or 4.2.1.3
4.3.1.2
———————-Cech———————–
Bellerin – Mustafi – Koscielny – Monreal
——-Coquelin—Xhaka—Carzola———–
———————–Ozil————————–
—————-Giroud—Sanchez————–
4.2.1.3
———————-Cech———————–
Bellerin – Mustafi – Koscielny – Monreal
—————Xhaka—Carzola——————
———————–Ozil————————–
———Perez—–Giroud—–Sanchez——–
Any of the above configuration will deploy to the strengths of Arsenal 2016/17 squad. You have holding able to deputize in the defense areas. You have Elneny, Ramsey and Coquelin in both cases in the central midfield. You have Iwobi, Walcott, Oxdale-Chemberlain in the wing areas and you have Walcott, Perez and Akpom in the striking areas…That’s ensuring the depth of the squad is usefully deployed. In the match, in both patterns Giroud has striking assistance and Ozil has option to push his passes into ahead of him. The days of 4.2.3.1 are now over if Wenger wants success…
First ucl game lets start with a positive result. If we turn up i dont see why we cant hammer psg. Lets keep the momentum going i hope today we play fluently today hve missed our flowing football?
wenger,s line up: cech
bellerin mustafi koscielny montreal
xhaka carzola
ozil
theo sanchez
giroud