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Sanchez & Perez start, Ozil out: My Arsenal XI vs Lincoln

By on March 10, 2017

Lucas-Perez arsenal

It’s time to put the Bayern Munich debacle behind us and get our season back on track when we take on Lincoln City in the quarter final of the FA Cup at the Emirates on Saturday evening.

This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Ospina

Ospina has been our cup keeper all season and it wouldn’t be right to change that at this stage of the competition. Plus, it’s not like Cech has been in top form this season anyway!

Defence: Bellerin, Holding, Koscielny, Gibbs

I’ve seen some fans suggesting we can rest all the big guns and field a weakened side tomorrow but this is our only chance of silverware so I wouldn’t want us take too many risks.

That said, it is a good opportunity to give Holding another chance and I’d like to see him start at the back with Koscielny offering some quality and experience alongside him.

I’d stick with Bellerin at right-back as the alternatives don’t fill me with any confidence but I do hope Arsene gives Gibbs another start at left-back with Monreal dropping out.

Midfield: Xhaka, Ox-Chamberlain, Ramsey

I was delighted to see us start with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey in front of Xhaka against Bayern Munich and it worked a treat in the first half as we were outstanding for the opening 45 minutes.

Obviously things turned sour when Koscielny was dismissed but I’d like to see this trio given another chance to impress this weekend.

Elneny is still out injured while Cazorla is unlikely to play again this season and I hope we don’t see Coquelin anywhere near the first team for the foreseeable future.

alexis sanchez arsenal

Attack: Walcott, Sanchez, Perez

Welbeck didn’t take part in full training today so he’s expected to miss out again tomorrow after pulling out of the Bayern game at the last minute due to illness.

Ozil was out on the training pitches today after recovering from his own sickness bug but I wouldn’t bother risking him against Lincoln.

Surely Wenger has to give Perez a start tomorrow? If he doesn’t, then there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be off in the summer. For me, he has to start in attack.

I’d like to see Walcott keep his place as he was a man possessed in the first half against Bayern while I’d go with Sanchez through the middle in the absence of Welbeck.

Alexis didn’t look like his head was in a good place against Bayern in midweek so this is a great opportunity to see whether it was a one off or if he’s downed tools amid speculation he’s already made up his mind to leave this summer.

Giroud can be an option from the bench while Iwobi should also return to the squad after overcoming illness. I’d also like to see youngsters like Reine-Adelaide and Maitland-Niles given places among the subs.

This would be my line-up: