With Arsene Wenger already having to cope with a defensive injury crisis that has left him without Koscielny, Chambers and Mustafi, the decision to leave the Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker and our Spanish international Nacho Monreal back in London while Arsenal take on Red Star Belgrade away shows clearly that the boss is making the Premier League game at Everton on Sunday a big priority over this evening´s Europa League tie.
So we get to see an extremely rare appearance from Matthieu Debuchy in an odd looking back three with Holding and Elneny. Hopefully then, most of the action will be at the other end and with a strong attack of Walcott and Giroud with Jack Wilshere to create chances we should have plenty of potency up front.
Cech
Debuchy, Elneny, Holding
Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Maitland-Niles
Walcott, Wilshere, Giroud
subs: Macey, Osei-Tutu, McGuane, Dasilva, Sheaf, Akpom, Nketiah.
No Ospina in the team or on the bench means the keeper has either got an injury or Wenger does not trust his state of mind after his double howler nearly cost Colombia a World Cup place and there is not a lot of options for Wenger to turn to on the bench, in terms of experience at least.
It is good to see Coquelin back and his defnsive ability should free up the three young Gunners around him to play without too much fear. Will this Arsenal XI be strong enough to get back to London with a win or at least a point to keep us top of the group?
Bob.