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Welbeck & Gabriel Out: How Arsenal Should Line-Up vs Crystal Palace

By on February 19, 2015
Francis Coquelin-Arsenal

Image: Express

Arsenal face a tricky trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, this is the starting eleven I’d like to see Arsene Wenger select for the game…..

The on-going debate is who should start in goal and I stand by my claim that it’s time Szczesny was restored as our permanent No.1 again.

He returned for the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last week and had very little to do, but I think he’s still our best keeper, despite his poor display at Southampton on New Years Day.

Ospina has done a decent job but hasn’t done enough to convince me he’s any better than Szczesny, so I’d prefer to see the Pole keep his place on Saturday.

In defence, Hector Bellerin is a slight doubt with an ankle injury so if he doesn’t make it then obviously Calum Chambers will come in.

Gabriel had an impressive debut but it’s one thing playing against a Championship at home to a tricky away game in the Premier League, so the safe bet is to bring Per Mertesacker back in alongside Koscielny.

I though Kieran Gibbs was excellent last week and although Nacho Monreal has been more than solid himself over the past month or so, I still think Gibbsy is our best left-back.

Francis Coquelin is now our first choice holding midfielder so should no doubt come in for Flamini – who is a doubt with a hamstring injury anyway.

Jack Wilshere is back in contention, as is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – who returned to training today – but neither should be considered fit enough to start just yet, so I’d stick with Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil in the middle on Saturday.

The duo were sensational against Boro and although it may be a little risky playing them together away at Palace, how can we split them up after their performances last week?

The only other change I’d make is to bring Theo Walcott in for Danny Welbeck, with Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud keeping their places in attack:

It may be a little attacking for an away game but as long as the likes of Theo and Santi do their bit defensively, we should be fine.

What do you think? What side would you put out?

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