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Duo ruled out, Elneny starts: My Arsenal XI to face Everton

By on December 12, 2016

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We will be looking to move back to the top of the table when Arsenal take on Everton at Goodison Park on Tuesday night. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech was back between the sticks against Stoke after being left out in favour of Ospina for our Champions League game last week but the Czech star should retain his place tomorrow.

Defence: Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal

Bellerin made a successful return from injury with a substitute appearance during the 3-1 win over Stoke so the Spaniard should be fit to start at right-back against Everton.

His return comes at the perfect time as Gabriel – who has been deputising at right-back – is now needed in the middle of defence after Mustafi was ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Koscielny will obviously keep his place at the back while Monreal will get the nod over Gibbs at left-back.

Midfield: Elneny, Xhaka

Ramsey has once again been ruled out after missing the win over Stoke with a hamstring injury so he remains on the sidelines along with Cazorla – who continues to nurse his achilles problem.

Xhaka looks to have finally established himself in the middle of the park and I thought he was excellent again at the weekend so hopefully he’s done enough to keep his place tomorrow night.

No doubt Wenger will go with Coquelin as he seems to favour him but I’d like to see Elneny come in to freshen things up in midfield. Coquelin is very limited in what he offers and with Xhaka sitting deep, we could do with Elneny’s energy alongside him and the Egyptian is also very useful with the ball.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain

I thought it was harsh to leave Perez on the bench after his hat-trick against Basel but Oxlade-Chamberlain took his chance with another positive display at the weekend so he should keep his place on the left side of attack.

Iwobi is also pushing for a recall after coming off the bench to score against Stoke but I’d still go with Walcott on the other side as he proved again what a threat he is in front of goal after scoring the vital equaliser at the weekend.

Obviously Ozil will be the final player to make-up our attack and hopefully he can get himself on the score-sheet again after netting a superb header [!] on Saturday.

Striker: Sanchez

Sanchez is now unquestionably our first choice striker so as long as he’s fit, he starts up front. Giroud can be a very useful ‘Plan B’ to have from the bench if needed.

This would be my line-up:

What team would you like to see Wenger play tomorrow night?