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Ramsey Dropped! The Arsenal XI That Should Face Crystal Palace

By on August 14, 2015

Arsenal need to bounce back from last weekends debacle quickly which means three points are a must when we visit Crystal Palace on Sunday. This is the team I’d put out for the game:

Goalkeeper: Cech

Yes, he had a nightmare debut, but Cech will be back. No question. He’s world class and was also let down by those in front of him. I’m expecting a much improved display on Sunday.

Defence: Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs

Koscielny also had a poor game against the Hammers but again, he’s world class so there’s no question of leaving him out after one bad match. Mertesacker should also keep his place alongside him in defence.

Bellerin is fit again and I’d bring him straight back in to the starting eleven. Debuchy needs to earn the first team shirt. I thought Monreal was badly at fault for the first goal last week as he was completely the wrong side of Kouyate and I’ve said many times I’d like to see Gibbs restored at left-back.

Midfield: Cazorla, Coquelin

Okay, I know it’s controversial but it’s time Wenger took a brave decision. We simply can’t fit Coquelin, Cazorla and Ramsey into a balanced midfield. Cazorla and Coquelin struck up a superb partnership last season so why change a winning formula this year?

Yes, Rambo is a great talent and ideally he’d start, but Cazorla is our heart-beat at the minute and Ramsey out wide just doesn’t work for me, so I’m afraid I’d leave him out for the good of the team.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, The Ox

Walcott was left on the bench versus West Ham but I’d bring him back in to start on the right with The Ox over on the left, and they can interchange throughout the game. Ozil should obviously start in the No.10 role.

Sanchez is available after getting another full weeks training under his belt but it’s still too early for him to start in my opinion, so I’d use him as an impact sub.

Striker: Giroud

Giroud came under fire again last week after another questionable display but his physical presence is important, especially away against a tough Palace team, so I’d stick with him up front.

This would be my team:

That would be my line-up, but I have a feeling Arsene will stick with Cazorla out on the left or maybe even shove Ozil out there to accommodate Ramsey. It is a real problem, but at least it’s a nice one to have….

2 Comments

  1. JGD

    August 14, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    Arsenal were much better in the first half when the CM partnership was Coq and Ramsey, so I woudl stick wit that, and besides which i Rambo is fully match fit he’s got to play (remember his 2013/14 form – single handedly carried the team).

    Walcott and Bellerin is very weak defensively, so I would re-evaluate that. Theo or Giroud up top to start.

    The rest of the team picks itself, although Ozil needs to improve to be assured of a starting berth.

  2. Twivil

    August 15, 2015 at 1:45 am

    When Cazorla is missing- think our big win in the Ems Trophy- we press, we defend and we get forward quickly. This is what ‘wengerball’ means to me – pass and move with too many options for the opposition to defend. Ozil and Ramsey revel in the space created. With Cazorla in there the handbrake comes on. No forward movement- no pressing- less than 50% possession and lots of hairy defending. Yes Caz is a wizard juggling with the ball and a real crowd pleaser but not what we need going forward or defending. WH ran him ragged. AW moved him but should have left him out. Trying to compensate for Cazorla’s inadequacies is killing our midfielders. And there is no need for it.