Arsene Wenger has been under tremendous pressure from fans and critics alike since Arsenal’s lacklustre displays that led to back to back defeats against Watford and Chelsea in the Premier League, which dissolved all hopes of a league title early in the New Year.
And the manager’s faulty team selection further continued as Arsenal’s poor display against Liverpool away at Anfield threw them out of the top four. They are left with a humungous task on their hands to get back into the coveted zone, which is currently experiencing a cut-throat competition from the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal’s huge first leg defeat away at Allianz Arena was a result of poor defensive display and pathetic team selection by the manager and we would expect the manager to pay heed to the allegations thereafter and play the players who are ready to put their heart and sweat to achieve the impossible task.
Here are 3 changes we hope Arsene Wenger makes in the Gunners’ last-ditch attempt to save their Champions League campaign this season-
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain ↔ Francis Coquelin
While the decision was finally taken in the second half of Arsenal’s game against Liverpool, it was too late by then. The 25-year-old French midfielder, who stormed into the first team owing to some blistering displays in the midfield two years back quickly drawing comparisons to Arsenal legend Patrick Viera, has found it difficult to keep up his momentum this season.
His lack of confidence and inefficaciousness has cost Arsenal high time against Chelsea and Bayern previously, and we think Chamberlain should take up the cudgels in his position. The aggressive English midfielder has been fabulous from that position of late but the manager has repeatedly refrained from using him in the midfield.
Aaron Ramsey ↔ Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka’s big frame and long distance shooting had earned him huge praise early in the season before repeated suspensions kept him away from the game for the most part of midseason. And it has cost him his flow. The Swiss international was disastrous against Liverpool and Bayern defensively and should be treated similarly.
Arsenal’s former midfield hero Aaron Ramsey is back into the squad after an injury that kept him out since January. He was on the bench in the Liverpool game and we expect the boss to give him playing time in the big game in midfield. Technically much superior to Xhaka, the Wales international has experience at the highest level and could partner Chamberlain very well.
Lucas Perez ↔ Theo Walcott
Although player selection in the attacking third has been calamitous altogether in the past few games, Lucas Perez’s case has been the most suspicious of them. Since arriving at the club last summer, the Spaniard has scored three goals and two assists in 2 Champions League appearances and we don’t know what more he has to do to earn a place. His technique has been sublime on the ball and his finishing has been magical, both superior in attributes to Theo Walcott.
