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Koscielny & Cazorla Out: How Arsenal Should Line-Up vs Sunderland

By on May 19, 2015

Arsenal will be looking to wrap-up third spot in the Premier League table when we take on Sunderland tomorrow night. This is the side I’d like to see Arsene Wenger pick…..

Goalkeeper: Ospina

I personally though Ospina should have done better with the Herrera goal on Sunday as he should never have been beaten so easily at his near post. However, I’d stick with him for this game then start Szczesny against West Brom on Sunday to give him a run-out before the cup final – assuming Arsene will pick him against Villa.

Defence: Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs

The boss confirmed this morning that Koscielny is a doubt due to illness and there’s no point taking any chances with him, so I’d start Gabriel alongside Mertesacker.

Debuchy is still unavailable as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury so Bellerin will start again, but I’d give Gibbs a recall at left-back. Monreal was at fault for the United goal on Sunday after Gibbs needs game-time ahead of the FA Cup final.

Midfield: Coquelin, Ramsey

It was painfully clear again at the weekend that Ramsey is wasted on the right-wing as he was far more influential when he was moved into the middle. Cazorla has been below par for a few weeks now so I’d give him a breather and play Rambo alongside Coquelin.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud

Walcott has been harshly treated since returning to full fitness and he deserves a start after forcing the equaliser against United. We look far more balanced when he’s on the right and he offers us real pace in attack.

Ozil, Sanchez and Giroud were all below par last time out but with the likes of Welbeck and Oxlade-Chamberlain still out injured, we’ll stick with the trio and hope they return to form tomorrow night.

So this is how I’d line-up:

This side looks well balanced and as long as we can keep things tight at the back, we should have way too much firepower in attack for Sunderland to handle.

COYG!!!

3 Comments

  1. samm

    May 19, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    It looks wonderful with Gibbs on the left flanks. Ozil was amazing and I expect him to continue with the form. Jacko was marvelous too.

  2. Ignatius Ndebele

    May 19, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    Nacho has been one of the most concistant performers this season unfortunately he is forcing Gibbs to warm the bench and justifiably so. Gibbs lacks defensive positioning and is usually caught out. He does not read the game that well yet.

  3. bonaroca

    May 19, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    Bonaroca:- I have no problem with the above mentioned team but I would have
    preferred Wilshire instead of Ozil who needs in my opinion a rest, secondly
    Wilshire who was brought in the last two games showed that he is fit and in
    my opinion deserves a full match in view that Arsenal need in form players
    for the last three matches.

    Apart from this it will give the two players Casarola and Ramsay that there
    is breathing down their neck in view that at some point are slowing the game
    by holding the ball to much and losing it to their opponents instead of
    passing it to well positioned players. In fact one will note that most of the
    goals against Arsenal because of players losing possession of the ball when
    instead they should have passed it. Hopfully Mr Wenger will sort out this
    problem..