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Key duo fit to start in 4-2-3-1: My Arsenal XI vs Swansea

By on January 12, 2017

Hector Bellerin arsenal

Arsenal will be desperate to get our Premier League title challenge back on track when we take on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech came under criticism for his part in our 3-3 draw at Bournemouth last time out in the league and Ospina didn’t really do much wrong against Preston last weekend so there are some who think the Colombian international deserves a shot at the first team on a regular basis. I don’t think I’m there just yet as I still feel Cech is the better keeper overall but he could certainly do with a big performance against the Swans this weekend.

Defence: Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal

Bellerin is expected to be passed fit to return after missing the Preston game with a minor ankle problem so the Spaniard should resume his place at right-back this weekend which will be a big relief as it would have been a major blow had he been ruled out for any significant period.

Mustafi returned from injury against Preston but it’s safe to say he didn’t have his best game so hopefully it was just rust and he’ll be back on top form against Swansea.

Koscielny should be recalled in place of Gabriel – who was hapless at Preston – while Monreal is expected to keep his place despite Gibbs being back in contention after recovering from a knee injury.

Midfield: Ramsey, Xhaka

The Ramsey/Xhaka partnership was a little disappointing last week as we edged past Preston in the FA Cup but I’m still confident they can forge a great understanding if given time to develop.

And they are likely to have a few games together in the middle of the park as we have limited options to rotate in midfield with Elneny at the African Cup of Nations, Coquelin out with a hamstring injury and Cazorla still recovering from ankle surgery.

mesut ozil arsenal

Attack: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez Giroud

Ozil is back in contention after recovering from the flu that kept him out over the New Year period so he’ll resume in the No.10 role with Iwobi dropping out.

Walcott remains a doubt with a calf injury so I’d like to see Oxlade-Chamberlain start on the right wing so give us some pace out wide. This would mean Perez being left out but he’d be a useful player to have from the bench if needed.

Giroud continued his fine recent goal-scoring form with a late winner at Preston so I don’t really see how Wenger can leave him out right now. The big man has also just signed a new deal so he should be high on confidence this weekend.

With Giroud retaining his place up top, it means Sanchez will start from the left side of attack while Welbeck will be hoping to be named on the bench after making his comeback from injury with a late cameo appearance against Preston.

This would be my line-up: