Arsenal’s Premier League ascent was yet again interrupted by Bournemouth last week when the Cherries gave them a real scare by scoring 3 goals in the opening 70 minutes. Although it needed Arsenal to be at their very best to make such a comeback in an almost losing game, they cannot afford to switch off in games in such dramatic manner.
They visit Swansea City next Saturday and given the nervousness that Arsenal’s defence has displayed in the last two games, it won’t be surprising if the Gunners find themselves a goal behind the struggling Swans in the first half. Here is the predicted eleven Wenger should go with.
Defence
Petr Cech will start under the bar after having a week’s rest during the FA Cup schedule.
Quite surprisingly, Arsenal have never lost a match when Shkodran Mustafi has started. We know it will end sooner or later, but given how Arsenal made a comeback against Bournemouth last game and against Preston North End, his presence will be an absolute necessity. He will start alongside Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defence. They will be flanked by Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal. Gibbs has recovered from a knee injury and will be in contention for that position.
Midfield
Aaron Ramsey is expected to start alongside Granit Xhaka. The duo hasn’t seen much of football together in the heart of the midfield and they started off disastrously against Preston. However, they were back to their best in the second half of the game and Ramsey produced the leveller in the game with a fine strike. Xhaka provided a great cushion for the defence when Arsenal were on the front-foot and the Swiss international’s work rate in the deep midfield allowed Ramsey to attack all out.
Mesut Ozil is expected to be fit for the game after being out with an illness for the last two matches. The number 10 position was efficiently taken up by young Alex Iwobi in the German’s absence and he is expected to start on the bench now after starting three matches back to back.
Attack
Theo Walcott’s injury extent is unsure at the moment. The winger is out with a calf injury and now with Ramsey in the midfield, we expect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to start on the right flank. Alexis Sanchez will start on the left flank as he has been doing since Giroud broke into the first team. The Chilean’s frustrated reaction against Bournemouth has been a hot topic of discussion in the town and he needs to control his passion on the pitch.
