With some Arsenal players still not looking quite ready after the World Cup finals this summer, the three German Gunners still to be included in a squad after an extended summer holiday and a slightly worrying injury list, Arsene Wenger is probably already looking forwards to the two week international break in order for him to get his team ready for the rest of the season.
But the next five days sees Arsenal face two games that could potentially have a huge effect on our season. We definitely don’t need another heavy away defeat like we got at Goodison Park last season, because it could have long term effects on team morale. And we simply cannot afford, in more ways than one, to not beat Besiktas on Wednesday.
So with both games in mind, what would be you starting line-up for Everton later and the reasons behind your pick. Here is mine, with the assumption that Mesut Ozil will not be in the squad as he was not training with the other Arsenal players yesterday, at least I did not see him on the pictures.
Szczesny
Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal
Flamini, Ramsey
Alexis, Wilshere, Podolski
Sanogo
I have dropped Cazorla for Podolski because the Spaniard has been off the pace and Podolski should be fresh and will also give Monreal more protection. Chambers has done well but I think we should get our first choice defensive pairing going again as soon as possible. And putting Wilshere in the number 10 role should giove us more bite in midfield as well, because we will be put under pressure from Everton. Hopefully Sanogo is fit, because Giroud was frankly awful in Turkey. What do you think, Gooners?