Following a tough night in Istanbul, Arsenal are left with no room for easing off when Slaven Bilic brings his Besiktas team to the Emirates on Wednesday night. Before then, however, Arsene Wenger has got a tricky trip to face Everton at Goodison Park to think about.
With the Frenchman already admitting that some of the players are not 100 percent, physically, he may well have to think about some of them not being able to start both of these next games, so here are my thoughts as to how the Gunners should line up on Saturday.
The Toffees may not have started well either, with a draw against promoted Leicester City, but they gave us a heavy beating at Goodison last season and we should expect a very tough test again. With Ramsey missing the midweek game, he should definitely start and Arteta’s injury should see Flamini alongside him, which will give us a bit more steel and energy in the middle, which we need.
With the three German World Cup winners hopefully back in contention, Wenger has good options and I would definitely bring Mesut Ozil straight back in and rest Wilshere for midweek. I would also be tempted to replace Cazoela with Podolski on the left. The Spaniard has struggled and we don’t want him to pick up a knock either, while the German gives us more goal threat and more defensive cover for Monreal.
I would be happy to keep Chambers in the side, but expect Wenger to bring the BFG back, to help Koscielny to settle if nothing else. Finally up front, Giroud was pretty awful last night and Sanogo has looked good, so if the youngster is fit, I would give him the nod. If not, I would be tempted to give Alexis a go in the middle and start the Ox on the right. What do you think Gooners?