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Welbeck & The Ox start: My Arsenal XI vs Liverpool

By on March 2, 2017

alex-oxlade-chamberlain arsenal

Arsenal desperately need a top performance when we take on Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina has started in our last two games against Bayern Munich and Sutton United so it’s been a while since we’ve seen Cech but the Czech international will be back between the sticks this weekend.

Defence: Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal

Thankfully Koscielny has made a quick recovery from a hamstring injury that he picked up against Bayern Munich last month. The Frenchman is back in full training and Wenger confirmed at his press conference earlier today that he’s available for selection.

Therefore, Kos should resume his partnership alongside Mustafi in the middle of defence with Rob Holding making way following his outing against Sutton.

Bellerin should replace Gabriel at right-back while I think Monreal will start at left-back. I am concerned about his pace up against Mane but his greater experience over Gibbs will be valuable.

Midfield: Xhaka, Ox-Chamberlain

It’s going to be interesting to see what Wenger does in the middle of the park but I’ve got a horrible feeling he’s going to go with Coquelin alongside Xhaka.

Personally, I’d much rather see Oxlade-Chamberlain start as he’s been impressive in a central role in recent weeks. We’ll need his energy and dynamism to combat Liverpool’s press but sadly I think we’ll see Coquelin start.

Ramsey is another option for Arsene as he returned to full training this week following a month out with a calf injury but I think he’ll be on the bench due to his lack of match fitness.

Elneny has been ruled out for around three weeks after picking up an ankle injury against Sutton while Cazorla will be lucky to play again this season.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck

Danny Welbeck

Walcott has a good record playing against Liverpool and his pace will cause them plenty of problems on Saturday so I’d like to see him start on the right wing.

Ozil is a slight doubt after going down with flu but assuming he’s fit then he’ll start in the No.10 role again. His form has been poor lately so we desperately need him to produce a big-game performance.

The chances are Wenger will start Sanchez up front and Iwobi on the wing but I’d love to see us go with Welbeck. Danny has understandably been eased back in to action after so long on the sidelines but he’s fit and ready to go so I’d start him at Anfield.

Alexis is on the left in my line-up but he can easily rotate with Welbeck during the game while we’ll have the likes of Perez and Giroud as options from the bench.

This would be my line-up: