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Ozil & Walcott Start: The Arsenal XI That Wenger Must Pick v Spurs

By on September 22, 2015

per mertesacker arsenal

Arsenal need to get back to winning ways when we take on Tottenham in the third round of the Capital One Cup at the Lane tomorrow night. This is the side I think Arsene should pick for the game:

Keeper: Ospina

Obviously Cech is our No.1 but the boss needs to use the League Cup as a competition to give some of the fringe players some game-time.

Defence: Debuchy, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs

Gabriel’s red card at Chelsea has been overturned by the FA meaning he’s available to play tomorrow. The Brazilian is still facing a separate improper conduct charge and we’ll find out the outcome of that on Thursday, but he’s expected to get at least a one-game ban so it would make sense to play him while we still can.

Mertesacker is available again after recovering from a virus so he should replace Koscielny while Debuchy and Gibbs should be given another chance to stake their claims at first team spots.

Midfield: Ramsey, Arteta

Coquelin has been ruled out with a knee injury so we have a problem in the holding role. I think Arteta’s past it but the only other viable option is Flamini, so we have little choice but to play the ageing Spaniard.

I’d move Ramsey in alongside him as his high work-rate will compensate for Arteta’s lack of mobility.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, The Ox, Giroud

I’ve seen some suggesting we should play the kids in attack but we simply have to win this game. We can’t lose three on the bounce, and of course it’s Tottenham, so we need to get one over them.

Therefore, I’d play a strong attack with Walcott on the right, The Ox on the left and start Ozil in the hole. We don’t have too many options in the No.10 role with Jack and Rosicky injured so I’d keep the German international in the starting eleven tomorrow.

Oli Giroud is almost certain to start up front and he’s got a decent record against Spurs. Hopefully he can get a morale-boosting goal.

This would be my side but it’s difficult to know what Wenger will go with. He’s said he’ll play an experienced team but even our fringe players can be classed as ‘experienced’, so I just think he means he’s not going to play the kids.

It’s the right call as we need a win, so let’s hope the boys can do the business tomorrow and get back to winning ways.

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