With no players likely to returned from the injured party at the weekend Arsenal will have to go with what they have.
But the result away at Galatasaray, with so many youngsters and peripheral squad members involved, illustrates that Arsenal’s problem could be more to do with mental resolve than technical quality in the squad.
It always seems like a bit of a waste to pull Aaron Ramsey into a deeper position in the ‘2’ of a 4-2-3-1. But he can still get forward and offer goal threat from there – with so many top level midfielders crocked it’s the obvious choice.
Mathieu Debuchy made a welcome return to the fold in midweek and the question now is whether he can handle two games in a week. We are going to throw him in there.
Our slightly controversial decision would have been to put Chambers in the defence alongside Koscielny. Per Mertesacker looked awful when he first arrived at Arsenal. He improved with a regular partner. But he now looks very much like the player that Arsenal signed once again – so slow to the ball and positionally poor.
Fortunately for the German, Chambers has got himself suspended again. But Mertesacker needs to give a top performance this weekend if he is going to retain his place.
Up top you may be surprised that we have gone for Giroud ahead of the popular Danny Welbeck. Welbeck’s all round game is probably superior but Giroud is a much better finisher – simple as.
So here is our best XI to face a buoyant Newcastle (Kick Off Saturday @ 17:30 Local Time)
Arsenal fans: let’s have your elevens please….
Enver
Dec 10, 2014 at 9:18 pm
From the line up posted for Saturday I would like to see Sanchez behind Giroud & Poldi on the left flank. Santi in my opinion has not been sharp enough.
Re: Enver
Dec 10, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Cazorla, best player against Dortmund and West Brom? Sanchez too wasn’t great in our last two games.
Jack gunner
Dec 10, 2014 at 9:58 pm
So Arsenal have qualified for the last 16. Now let’s see
if they can beat NU.Remember the 4-4 draw.Only
Arsenal can let teams come back from the dead.