My Arsenal XI to Face Galatasaray in the Champions League! by AT
After a rather unsatisfactory draw against Spurs in the North London derby, Arsenal welcome Turkish giants Galatasaray to the Emirates for the next round of the Champions League group stages. Following the defeat to Borrusia Dortmund in the opening round of fixtures, Arsene Wenger’s team will need a full three points to kickstart their European campaign .
Team selection will once again be a tricky job for Arsene Wenger, following calf and hamstring injuries to Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey respectively. But here’s how I’d go about it.
Starting from the defence, Wenger will surely be wishing he had at least a few decisions to make, but he doesn’t. With Monreal and Debuchy continuing to stay on the sidelines, the Frenchman will have to continue with Kieran Gibbs and Callum Chambers at the full-back positions, while Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will continue in central defence. It goes without saying that Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal.
Coming to the midfield, the injuries sustained to Ramsey and Arteta makes central midfield another area where Arsenal have little choice. I would start with Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere at the centre of the park with Mesut Ozil playing in his preferred Number 10 role. There have been concerns over the fitness of Wilshere, so if the Englishman doesn’t quite make it, Abou Diaby will be in line for his first start of the season.
The frontline is where the Arsenal boss has decisions to make. As I watched the game against Spurs, I noticed that the Gunners had plenty of creativity but no cutting-edge. Keeping that in mind, I’d start with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez on the flanks, with Danny Welbeck once again leading the line. While some Gooners may suggest Santi Cazorla in place of The Ox, I really think that we could do with some direct running and dynamism on the flanks.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
While the Arsenal team may be severely hit by injuries to key players, this starting eleven certainly have the beating of Galatasaray at home. Here’s hoping that the team can get the job done and secure all three points when the Turkish giants come visiting.