So there is just one more day to go before Arsenal’s crucial first leg tie against Monaco and we are all aware of our opponents defensive capabilities. But we also know about our own attacking prowess and I am gong to choose a team that should easily break down the French teams defence.
First of all I am hoping above all that David Ospina has recovered fully from his back strain sustained against Palace. I have a terrible feeling that if Szczesny plays we will definitely concede….
Obviously Mertesacker and Koscielny will be the centre-backs. It is not worth risking Gabriel quite so early in his English lessons. I want Gibbs and Bellerin as the wing-backs for their attacking runs, if Bellerin has recovered from his minor ankle problem…..
There is no question that Cazorla and Coquelin should be the central midfielders, one for his magic feet and the other for solidity in front of the defence.
Danny Welbeck has certainly earned the right to start ahead of Walcott in the last few games, while Ozil and Sanchez are also definite starters, as is the highly improved Olivier Giroud as the target man.
This line up fulfils my wish for a solid defensive core, but with an abundance of attacking talent. If we decide to do the all-out total agressive football we displayed in the first half against Middlesbrough then we should be able to demoralize our French opponents very quickly and take an early lead. What we SHOULD NOT do is sit back and let Monaco come at us, because if we do then they may just decide to sit back themselves and play for a 0-0 stalemate….
Does anyone disagree with that line-up?