With the new Premier League season set to get under way, Arsenal find themselves in a very promising position to go all the way when compared to recent years. The breaking of the infamous trophy drought and the summer acquisitions by Arsene Wenger, most notably Alexis Sanchez, are a clear sign of the Gunners intentions for this season.
Arsenal kick off their campaign at home to Crystal Palace, who have just seen manager Tony Pulis depart from the club on debatable circumstances. With a promising start certainly a necessity against a deflated Palace side, just who should Arsene Wenger choose to get Arsenal’s new campaign off to a flying start?
Starting with the defence, there aren’t really many decisions to make. Perhaps the only dilemma is picking who will partner him in central defence – I’d go for Chambers ahead of Monreal on any day. The rest of the defence picks itself really. Wojciech Szczesny in goal, new signing Mathieu Debuchy at right-back and Arsenal’s new Number 3 Kieran Gibbs at left-back.
Moving on to the midfield trio, this is probably the area of the pitch which gives Wenger the most selection headaches. Personally, I’d go for Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey with Santi Cazorla ahead of them, leaving Jack Wilshere on the bench. While I’m not very keen on the Spaniard being the defensive midfielder, there isn’t much of a choice at the moment.
Coming to the forwards, the reason I’d leave Wilshere on the bench is because I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should start this one. His pace and directness on the flanks will cause Palace tons of problems right from the start and the Englishman also has the tendency to pop up in central areas of the pitch.
The last two are Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez. While the Frenchman may not be at the top of his game, his aerial prowess will be vital against Palace. And of course, Arsenal’s marquee signing of the summer should start on the right flank and move into the middle once Giroud gets subbed off. I think we can expect a very good performance from our Chilean international.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez; Giroud.