So the big game against Chelsea approaches, and I think Arsenal have more reason to be confident of a first win over Chelsea for some time, especially now that Arsene Wenger is feeling confident that both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will be on the pitch.
Wenger said yesterday: “Compared to last week we have no big problems from the squad that was available to face Stoke. The good news is that Ozil will certainly be available. For Alexis the next few days will be decisive but I think this time he will make it to be available for selection.”
So although we will have no Coquelin or Cazorla, we will certainly be much more creative than we were against Stoke last week, but who do you think will make up the starting XI?
If Sanchez and Ozil start that means that a couple of players will have to drop out. We have no problems in defence so we will have our strongest back five, which means that Mertesacker will keep Gabriel on the bench.
The central midfield is our weak point, but I am sure that Wenger will stick with Flamini and leave newboy Elneny on the bench for emergencies. Ramsey will only be dropped if he contracts leprosy in the next few days!
Another certainty is that Wenger will stick with Giroud to start, and Walcott has a good record against the Blues and I think he will start on the right wing. Although Campbell has every right to expect to play, I think he will share the left wing with Alexis as Wenger will not want the Chilean to play the whole 90 minutes.
So here’s my prediction….
Giroud
Sanchez Ozil Walcott
Flamini Ramsey
Monreal Koscielny Mertesacker Bellerin
Cech
Who disagrees with that line-up?
looks like a good line up to me
Hope Eleney gets some time
Giroud
Walcott Ozil Ramsey
Flamini Elneny
Monreal Koscielny Gabriel Bellerin
Cech
if Alexis plays, Campbell is ahead of Theo all day long.
Alexis and Giroud are good enough as the striking force. Campbell is very good at assist. maybe 2nd to Ozil in the team. (the assists he provided and chances created so far along with his assists record at Olympiacos can prove that.) He can provide strength and defensive cover for Bellerin at right flank. if needed, he can also score goals.
I don’t expect Sanchez to just walk into the team immediately after staying away for more than a month. At least he should start from the bench if available. I will love to have the Ox on the left if Sanchez is not starting as Theo is a short one on that flank. He either play at the center or on the right. Giroud offers more to team at the center than Theo. My team goes like this:
CECH
BELERIN PER KOS MONREAL
RAMSEY FLAMINI
CAMBELL OZIL OX
OG
I personally don’t appreciate the combination of Kos and Gabriel. As both are of almost the same style of play: agressive, good last ditch tackle and make some overzealous errors. Per’s calmness is good to be combined to any of the two. it’s not all about pace – pace.
No, just no. Put Walcott on the left since he his movement is what Ozil thrives on and he likes showing up in big games and put Campbell on the right because we know how good he’s been there lately. Ox will most likely be invisible facing the likes of Matic and Willian and should be kept on the bench.
Flamini out Elneny in, Walcott out Campbell in and Mertesacker out Gabriel in.
Yes. That’s my team. Bring in Elneny for Flamini and Campbell for Walcott and finally Gabriel and no idiotic Costa will mess with anybody at our back.
Ot
I think arsenal should sign more Street footballers instead of an Academy graduate. The work rate from our south Americans and our new signing shows their commitment and love for the game, offensively and defensively, plus they are better at reading the game. THey aren’t scared of being made silly by good dribblers because they know it’s all about end product.
I would start flamini only because he has such an excellent record at the Emirates, never lost there with him in the lineup.
@Redeye
To partner with Elneny in place of Ramsey…
—————–Walcott
Sanchez —–Ozil —— Campbell
———— Elneny Ramsey
Monreal Koscielny Gabriel Bellerin
——————– Cech
Gabriel has to start ?
Just so he can tell Costa, how good is mum was the previous night ?? that should be enough to get Costa sent off!
@FBG
It will only make Costa fall to the ground in tears with his hand raised in the air, crying “foul”…
Giroud in place of Walcott and it gives a perfect team.
Giroud
Walcott Ozil Joel
Flamini Ramsey
Monreal Koscielny Mertesacker Bellerin
Cech
Subs: Sanchez, Ox, Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Elneny
What kind of message are we trying to send to Joel who has been performing well by dropping him the minute other players come in? Besides Sanchez has been out for a while and might disturb the teams new rhythm he should be brought on in the 70th minute. Our games against Chelsea are always a heated affair I would rather we protect Sanchez and bring him on when the game settles a bit even though I also want to see him on the pitch again asap.
Still too early for Elneny as much as I would love to see him too. Flamini has not done as bad as we sometimes put it its just he plays alongside un-indiscipline Ramsey who’s given the license to be everywhere. Maybe a subs appearance for him as well.
Very True. No way Sanchez should start, he has been out way too long,Should be brought on at about 70 mins… knowing when Wenger make his subs more likely 88mins 😉 When a player has been out for more than a month they should never start first game back, we have played cCty before and Aguero had been out for months and they chucked him straight back in, sure he is amazing but not at 50% and he just walked around.
What rythmn are u talking about?? we have not won in our last three games in the premier league..2 point from 9…and the sunday is chelsea at home what are we talking about…we have to play sanchez, our best player and a winningmatch player…im with u about joel, he has been playing well…so theo to the bench. Sanchez-Ozil-Joel. Giroud at front.
With due respect to your comment lugdush
Arsenal last EPL game:
– Arsenal 1 vs Newcastle 0
– Liverpool 3 vs Arsenal 3
– Stoke City 0 vs Arsenal 0
So you might want to correct your statement. The rhythm I am refereeing to is the fact that Arsenal has not lost in the last 3 games and are still sitting top of the league minus Sanchez and other key players.
Even when Messi was injured and returned for El Classico a wise manager decided only to throw him in when the match was won due to the nature of the game (shocker best player in the world left on the bench in the biggest football game on the planet?).
Not that its a guarantee but I would rather Wenger protects our star player from Diego and the thugs gang.
Anyway I’m glad Wenger gets to decide and for us to cheer at the end of the day.
I reckon Wenger will bench Sanchez just in case. Honestly, I’d prefer seeing him come in in the 60th minute, just to be safe we don’t lose him again. Remember, this is Arsenal, setbacks happen.
Sanchez will be on the bench.
OT: “I cannot see Chelsea winning at Arsenal, the best they can hope for is for a draw. If Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez return, and Arsenal score early, I think they’ll run away with it. As a Chelsea fan I’d like to back them to get a draw but I have a job to do and I’ve got to be honest, so Arsenal will win here”. Paul Merson
Who knew, Paul is a Chelsea fan!!!!!!!!!!!
He was a chav fan, long before he kicked a ball for Arsenal,
Just like Walcott was/is a Liverpool fan and so what? ?
campbell should start
Cambell has to play!
He offers more intricate passing, better defensive duties, and gets much more involved in the game than Walcot-
Im a Walcot fan, but the truth is other players are as good going forward as he is, and offer lots more besides.
This is good news (not bad) – shows how good we are becoming as a team that top players like Walcott are struggling to get on the pitch. For me the team is obvious, assuming Wenger isn’t blown away by Eleney in training enough to start him-
Giroud
Sanchez / Ozil / Campbell
Flamini / Ramsey
Monreal / Kos / Mert / Bellerin
Ceck
Plus Flamini never lost a home game, so he will play anyway.
I am so excited for Sanchez return…I know he will be hungry and looking for goals…Campbell Ahead of Walcott we need someone who will defend as well as attack and Campbell + Bellerin is a THREAT!!!.
I want Eleney to start I think the fact that Chelsea will not be able to predict how he will fit in and what he will do, also the fact hat he would get to start a big match could energize him in good way.
Gabriel ahead of BFG…He is faster and stronger he just needs to keep his cool against Costa (which I really hope he does which will piss of Costa).
And I have to mention Ozil…..The Sun will rise the Sun will Set Ozill Will Assist
COYG
Theo dropping out is the important thing for Arsenal with Chelsea going all out this time for sure and leaving gaps is just Arsenal need. A team is good with some sort of control and they have it. By allowing Chelsea the ball which they will crave to have it gives Arsenal the chance to regroup and pressure the team from the start. Mertesacker should allow Gabriel to play and it will look good on the team as a whole. Arsenal have the resource but need something from the team that ignites the match into life. The first 10 minutes of the match is where the team has to attack with vigour.
Giroud
Walcott Ozil Campbell
Flamini Ramsey
Monreal Koscielny Mertesacker Bellerin
Cech
Who disagrees
Cech
Bellerin Kos Per Monreal
Flamini Ramsey
Campbell Ozil Sanchez
Giroud
If I will not see Campbell in the official line up, I will strike by walking out….you will watch the game..lol