So the big day has arrived and who thought Unai Emery’s Arsenal would go 13 games unbeaten before reaching this stage? It is amazing and if Emery can make it 14 today there will be lots of happy Gooners at the end of the day.
Anyway, we all know we have a defensive crisis right now, but hopefully we shouldn’t be too badly off. This is the line-up that Pat J predicted earlier….
Leno
Bellerin (if fit) Mustafi Holding Maitland-Niles
Xhaka Torreira
Ozil Ramsey Aubameyang
Lacazette
But this is the team that Emery has selected from his walking wounded…
? Here's how we're lining up for today's game against @LFC
? @Bernd_Leno starts in goal
↩️ @HectorBellerin and @SeadK6 return from injury
? @MesutOzil1088 captains the side
⚡️ @Aubameyang7 and @LacazetteAlex both start#️⃣ #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/AgjY5FThWg
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 3, 2018
So Emery must feel that Kolasinac is fitter and stronger than Maitland-Niles, but at least he is a specialist left-back. I’m not surprised Leno is now our first-choice in goal. Otherwise just a little surprised that Mhkitaryan starts ahead of Ramsey, but ‘Hey Ho’ Ozil is the captain….