The Gunners travel to the Hawthorns for the second time in two weeks, this time in the Premier League. The Capital One Cup match ended in a 1-1 stalemate, the youthful Gunners side ran out winners thanks to penalties at the expense of a strong West Bromwich Albion side.
Mikel Arteta made his first appearance of the season against Steve Clarke’s side and is in contention for a starting berth after playing a part in Arsenal’s emphatic 2-0 win over Napoli in mid-week. Wenger certainly has his work cut out with his team selection which is hardly a bad thing.
Bacary Sagna remains the only casualty from Tuesday night and is out for the weekend’s tie after sustaining a hamstring injury leaving him unavailable for three weeks as has been confirmed today. Carl Jenkinson will take over the right back mantle while the Frenchman recovers.
In midfield it gets tricky. Jack Wilshere sat out most of Tuesday’s clash with Flamini and Arteta selected as the holding players with a very creative, tricky but central-minded attacking trio of Ramsey, Ozil and Rosicky playing behind Giroud. The three stars interchanged plenty of times and destroyed Napoli, whether Wenger will opt to this selection again remains to be seen with Wilshere and Gnabry both options on the flank if necessary.
Against Swansea, Wilshere operated on the ‘left’ cutting in plenty of times while the only fit natural winger Serge Gnabry occupied the right flank and produced a strong showing opening his Gunners account last weekend. The young German provides Arsenal with width and pace, but they managed to compensate in mid-week with pure class and accuracy in and around the midfield.
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So there are basically two lineups that we can expect to see this Sunday with one player making the difference:
Possible lineup 1:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Koscielny Mertesacker (c) Gibbs
Ramsey Flamini
Özil
Gnabry Wilshere
Giroud
Possible lineup 2:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Koscielny Mertesacker (c) Gibbs
Arteta Flamini
Özil
Ramsey Wilshere
Giroud
I think it’s safe to say that Wilshere will start. He was afforded a rest in mid-week after playing a series of games recently while Tomas Rosicky returned to action and allowed him a breather. It seems unlikely that Rosicky will get the nod again but then again Le Professeur may wish to not change a winning team. Either way the Czech will play a part in the match.
Basically it boils down to whether Wenger wishes to start Arteta alongside Flamini rather than the ‘prolific’ Ramsey. It is a more defensive minded option but it gives the front three/four more of a licence to attack and create rather than worrying about tracking back as often. With both Jenkinson and Gibbs Arsenal will have some width and pace down the wings which will help to compensate for the lack of out and out wingers.
What are your thoughts Gooners? Which of the two formations do you think Wenger will go for or do you have any other suggestions? Comment below with your ideas..
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