Given the Gunners’ recent Premier league display, Marco Silva’s Hull City will pose a massive test this weekend as they welcome the Tigers to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has come under a lot of pressure after their defeat to Chelsea, which has pretty much ousted the Gunners out of the title race.
Although mathematically Arsenal have a chance of still winning the title, realistically it is over by all means. They are once again back to their favourable fourth position, 12 points behind league leaders Chelsea and will have a chance to move up to the second place as they play the first game of the match week.
A look at Arsenal’s record against Hull City hints a comfortable win for the Gunners. The Gunners have won seven of their last eight league matches against Hull and the Tigers are winless in 13 games against Arsenal in all competitions, which includes an FA Cup final defeat.
Defence
Petr Cech is likely to take his position under the bar again. It was a shocker from him in the last game against Chelsea which brought about the third and the final goal from former Arsenal player Cesc Fabregas. The Czech international will be hoping to avoid any such blunder this time.
With Hector Bellerin still recovering from the concussion after his collision with Marcos Alonso, he is unlikely to start the game against Hull City. Gabriel Paulista will take his role once again on the right. The centre-half duo is expected to be Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi. The two were quite poor against Chelsea and have drawn a lot of criticism in recent weeks.
Nacho Monreal will start on the left flank. The Spaniard was the only positive aspect in Arsenal’s pathetic defence against Chelsea.
Midfield
Arsenal will get a huge boost with the return of Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny. The player was a doubt for the game after suffering a calf injury but shook it off in time to produce a thunderous strike to put his team ahead in the AFCON final. We expect him to start alongside Francis Coquelin in the midfield. Mesut Ozil will take the number 10 role ahead of them. The German international already has five assists so far and will look to increase his tally.
Attack
Danny Welbeck is expected to start on the left flank this time after impressing in both of his last games from the bench. Alexis Sanchez should start up front, spearheading the attack as Hull City are susceptible to pace. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to move up to an advanced role replacing Theo Walcott.
