Having already qualified for the next round of the Europa League, Arsenal do not have to risk too much away to Cologne tonight, but at the same time it would be much better to get a result in Germany that would guarantee us top spot and keep the confidence building.
With a strong squad to choose from Arsene Wenger does have very good options for this midweek game while keeping the Premier League away tie with Burnley on Sunday in mind, though, so the Arsenal XI tonight will be expected to beat the struggling German team.
Ospina
Debuchy, Mertesacker, Holding
Chambers, Coquelin, Elneny, Maitland-Niles
Welbeck, Wilshere, Giroud
subs: Macey, Sheaf, Willock, Nelson, Iwobi, Nketiah, Akpom
That front three looks good with the return of Welbeck from injury and two players in Wilshere and Giroud that have something to prove and undoubted ability. Maybe Jack will play more as a number 10 as there does not seem to be too much attacking flair in the midfield. Good to see Chambers back.
The defence should be getting used to playing the new system and each other by now and there is good protection in front of them and hopefully a focused Ospina behind them, so with our firepower and the respective forms of the two sides this has to be an Arsenal win right?
Bob.