We were pleased to see that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger went with the pace of Theo Walcott to start up top against Stoke.
It took a while to break The Potters down but Theo provided the crucial moment in the first half with a goal which calmed the nerves.
And Olivier Giroud was perhaps jolted into action, by being benched, as he also scored late on to seal the points.
This is still not the most fluid Arsenal side that we have seen. But, with Walcott in the starting eleven, the attack has more pace and more teeth.
And these qualities could be especially useful away from home in Europe against an average side.
Anything other than three points for Arsenal here on Wednesday should be seen as a missed opportunity and we feel that Walcott can exploit the gaps as the home team come forward.
Arsenal’s injury list appears to be the same as it was for the weekend with just Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky crocked.
We are pleased to see Gabriel Paulista finally getting regular game time and he looks composed and quicker than Mertesacker.
His embryonic partnership with Laurent Koscielny also shows real promise and this could be a strong feature of the Arsenal’s side this season.
So here is our strongest XI for Arsenal’s first Champions League game of the season.
Arsenal fans: let’s have your best elevens
Ibk
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:43 am
Comment: ptr. Belarin gabriel cos moreal ateta ramson cambell ozil ox theo
kofi
Sep 15, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Wenger should play Gibbs for Monreal,campbel for Walcott, Chambers for kos and Ramsey for ozil..so we can meet mourinho with prepared squad.
skilful nnanna orjiogbu
Sep 15, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Comment: Ospina, Debuchy, Paulista, Mert/Kos, Gibbs, Arteta, Rambo, Santi, Campbel, Theo, Ox