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Szczesny & Ozil Start: Arsenal Starting XI To Take On Aston Villa

By on January 30, 2015

wojciech szczesny arsenal

Arsenal get back to Premier League action when we welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. This is the side I’d like to see Arsene Wenger pick…..

The big question mark is who will start in goal. Szczesny was dropped for three league games before returning to the side for last weeks FA Cup win over Brighton.

Many feel Ospina will return between the sticks this weekend, and they might be right, but I’d prefer to see Szczesny return to the No.1 role. I think he’s still a better overall option than Ospina so we should stick by him until at least the end of the season.

Gabriel is available to make his debut but he shouldn’t start just yet. He’s only had two training sessions with his new team mates so I’d stick with Per and Kos in defence.

Hector Bellerin gets the nod at right-back for me while Gibbsy should start on the left over Monreal.

No doubt Coquelin should return to the midfield. After Flamini started against Brighton last week, it just highlighted how much better we are with Francis in the side rather than his more experienced French compatriot.

Ramsey is still struggling to hit top form but his energy and work rate is essential in midfield. However, the boss certainly has a dilemma over who else should play in the middle.

Cazorla is in the form of his life but Rosicky was outstanding against Brighton last week. There is an argument to say one of them should play out on the left but Ozil has to start for me, especially at home, so unfortunately I’d leave Tomas out for this one.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out with a groin injury so Walcott should start on the right as Arsene has said he’s unlikely to risk Sanchez – whose suffering from a minor hamstring injury.

Up top it’s an easy choice, as Welbeck is still short of fitness after a thigh strain so Giroud will spearhead the attack.

Other injured players include Wilshere, Arteta, Diaby and Debuchy.

This is how I’d line-up:

I like the look of this side. Fitting Ozil in when Sanchez is fit could be Wenger’s most difficult task, but it’s a problem to have. Then when you throw Wilshere, Welbeck and The Ox back into the mix in a couple of weeks, we’ve suddenly got great strength in depth. Good times ahead…..

What side would you put out for the game?

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