The Swiss international Granit Xhaka will have to wait a little longer for his next start in the Premier League, even though many Arsenal fans and football pundits thought his very impressive performance away to Nottingham Forest in the EFL cup this week would have convinced Arsene Wenger to start his expensive summer transfer.
The Frenchman has instead decided to keep faith with the starting line up that did so well as the Gunners won 4-1 away to Hull City last weekend. So once again Alexis Sanchez will play through the middle with Iwobi and Walcott on the flanks and Ozil in the number 10 role.
Their chances of scoring have received a big boost with the news that John Terry has not recovered from his injury in time to make the Chelsea squad so hopefully the Arsenal forwards will have some fun with Luiz today. Cazorla keeps his place in the middle with Coquelin as the deep lying midfielder and he will have a busy day today with the likes of Costa, Hazard, Willian and Fabregas to deal with.
Cech
Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal
Coquelin, Cazorla
Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi
Sanchez
Subs: Gibbs, Lucas Perez, Giroud, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holding, Xhaka.
So Giroud is fit enough to make the bench and it will be interesting to see if Wenger turns to him or Lucas Perez if Arsenal need a goal. COYG!
Bob.