Arsenal will be a buzzing when they welcome Swiss club FC Basel to the Emirates Stadium after a morale-boosting weekend where they beat Chelsea in a Premier League match for the first time in 5 years. Arsene Wenger had a shocking record against the Blues and especially against Jose Mourinho and he would have been delighted to get off to a winning start in the Conte-era at Chelsea. More than the win, the manner of the victory was the standout point with the Gunners rolling over their opponents with fast and incisive football which left their opponents chasing shadows.
The 3-0 victory has given the team the perfect boost before the match against FC Basel whom they will be facing for the first time ever. Arsenal had a fortuitous draw in their Champions League opener where they rode their luck and Edinson Cavani’s profligacy in front of the goal to earn a 1-1 draw.
Interestingly, both Arsenal and Basel have impressive records against Swiss and English sides respectively. Arsenal have won all four of their previous competitive encounters with Swiss clubs (8 goals scored, 1 conceded), their last one dating back to the 2005/06 Champions League group stages (2-1 & 1-0 v Thun). Whereas Basel have only lost one of their 10 Champions League encounters with English clubs (W4 D5), that was against Manchester United at home in November 2002 (1-3).
T4O’s PREDICTED ARSENAL LINE-UP VS FC BASEL (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Petr Cech will be in goal as usual and will be quietly confident of keeping a clean sheet. Hector Bellerin is fast growing into the best right-back and will play on Wednesday. The impressive centre-back pairing of Koscielny and Mustafi will be stationed at the heart of the defence again with Nacho Monreal lining up at left back.
MIDFIELD
The injury to Coquelin will see him miss the match which will give an opportunity to Granit Xhaka to impress the manager in his absence. He will be partnered by Santi Cazorla in the double pivot. The pair will look to build up a good understanding with Coquelin feared to have suffered a recurring knee injury which might keep him out for a lengthy period of time. Mesut Ozil will again be in the No.10 role and will be looking to run the show in the attacking areas.
ATTACK
Oxlade-Chamberlain might get a run-out on the wings with Iwobi most likely missing out. Sanchez might be asked to lead the line while Theo Walcott will hope to retain his place on the right wing.
