Predicted XI: West Brom vs Arsenal
After the welcome distraction of the FA Cup, Arsenal return to the Premier League this weekend, to face West Brom. Arsene Wenger’s men have lost three out of the past four league matches and to keep up in the top four race Arsenal must take as many points as they can from the two games in hand they have.
With Danny Welbeck (illness) and Mohamed Elneny (injury) returning to training ahead of this fixture, Arsenal can boast an almost full squad although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain an Kieran Gibbs will face fitness tests ahead of the game.
So with all that said, let’s have a look at who could line up for the Gunners tomorrow.
GK: Petr Cech
It’s a Premier League game so no doubt Cech will start. The experienced keeper will be kept busy by West Brom’aerial threat.
RB: Hector Bellerin
The young fullback put in a good performance against Lincoln getting to the byline and stretching the Lincoln defence. Bellerin will need to use his pace and keep West Brom on the back foot this weekend in order to try and break their solid defence.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
Mustafi will surely take his spot next to Koscielny and needs to shut down Salomon Rondon and keep him from another goalless game.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The French international put the red card against Bayern Munich behind him after putting in a solid performance against Lincoln, however the strong defender will have must tougher opposition this weekend.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Nacho is a Wenger favourite for his consistency and reliability, although he has been caught out this season a few times by pacy wingers. Here hoping Saturday is good day at the office for the Spaniard.
CM: Granit Xhaka
The range of passes the midfielder has in his locker is one of his greatest assets although his fondness for accumulating cards makes him a nervous pick. He still could unlock most defences with his long range passes which might happen against West Brom as they’ll likely drop deep.
CM: Francis Coquelin
The French defensive midfielder has the capacity to be tough in his tackles and assured in his defending. If he can sit in front of the defence protecting them, it could be a good day at the office for the Arsenal backline, it’s a big if though.
RW: Theo Walcott
Whatever Theo has done in his pre-season, long may it continue. The forward has been a revelation this season; he has added end product and goals to his blistering pace. West Bromwich’s defence will surely be anxious when he starts running at them with the ball. He’ll have to use his pace to get in behind on Saturday.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
After a notable absence from the squad due to illness, the German talisman will surely be looking to improve upon his meager three assists and no goals in his last 11 appearances in an Arsenal shirt.
LW: Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez has been involved directly in 26 goals this season, scoring 17 of those himself. The Chilean forward will be looking to punish any lapses of concentration in the West Bromwich defence. With Giroud up front, Sanchez’s pace is essential to link up with the tallk, physical Frenchman.
ST: Oliver Giroud
The physically imposing Frenchman will be the ideal pick against an aerially strong West Bromwich team. He holds the ball up well and affords an outlet if our passing game fails to break the opposition down. Although he may be more immobile than other options, he can still bring everything together for Arsenal’s attack.
