THe only real concern that I have for Arsenal today in our Premier League away game at Sunderland is the central midfield area. With David Moyes and the Black Cats on a terrible run of form and the Gunners the opposite I think we are all expecting a rearguard action from the home team who would surely be delighted with a point.
So in order to break them down we could do with as much creativity as possible and that is why the continued absenSanti Cazorla from the squad is a concern. Arsene Wenger has at least got the bonus of having Aaron Ramsey fit again but he is clearly a bit worried about the Welshman’s match sharpness so Ramsey starts on the bench and Mohamed Elneny starts with FRancis Coquelin in the middle.
Also on the nech is Olivier Giroud and Wenger has either erred on the side of caution with Theo Walcott or the flying forward did not pass his fitness test as he is not in the squad at all. Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in with Iwobi on the other side of Alexis Sanchez. The only other change, again due to injury concerns, is KIeran Gibbs coming in for Nacho Monreal at left back.
Cech
Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs
Elneny, Coquelin
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Iwobi
Sanchez
Subs: Gabriel, Ramsey, Giroud, Ospina, Holding, Jenkinson, Maitland-Niles.
Will this somewhat depleted Gunners line-up still have enough to beat the EPL’s bottom club? Let’s hope so. COYG!
Bob.