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[Image] Bellerin and Laca out, 5 changes – How Arsenal should line-up vs Wolves

By mac14 on July 3, 2020

Arsenal head to Molineux to take on Wolves on Saturday afternoon. Here’s the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

Emi Martinez will continue in goal as Bernd Leno is still around four weeks away from returning from a knee injury and the Argentinean keeper will be looking to build on some solid performances of late.

Arteta has gone with a back three recently so we have to assume he’ll stick with that system considering we’ve won our last three games. For me, Sead Kolasinac looks uncomfortable playing in a back three so I’d rather see Rob Holding come in.

For all his faults, David Luiz has played well in the middle of the three so I’d stick with him but Sokratis could come in on the right side as Shkodran Mustafi went off at half-time against Norwich. There has been no updates on any potential injury but either way it would be good to give Sokratis a run out.

I hope we see Kieran Tierney starting in the left wing-back position as I think he’s going to be a big player for Arsenal over the coming years. Cedric Soares made a dream debut off the bench against Norwich and perhaps it’s time to see him for the full ninety minutes. Hector Bellerin is a huge crowd favourite but there’s no denying his form has been poor this season so his position is under threat.

No Guendouzi or Ozil

There is also no denying the resurgence of Granit Xhaka as he’s been excellent for Arsenal recently and fully deserves to keep his place in the middle of the park this weekend.

Matteo Guendouzi has been axed by Arteta and we have to back the boss. If he doesn’t think Guendouzi’s attitude is right, then I don’t think we should see the French youngster in the squad until he changes things.

Mesut Ozil is another player currently out of favour as he hasn’t played a single minute since the restart. The official line is he’s carrying a back issue but I think it’s safe to assume he’s just being left out. I personally think we should be making use of Ozil, even off the bench, but I don’t see him starting for Arsenal any time soon.

Lucas Torreira is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury but he’s not played for six months so it would be a big ask for him to start against Wolves. Dani Ceballos was excellent against Norwich so I’d go with him alongside Xhaka in midfield tomorrow.

Laca out

Alexandre Lacazette’s form has been very disappointing for most of the season and I don’t think he did enough against Norwich to keep his place. Eddie Nketiah is making positive impacts whenever he’s given a chance but I still think Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should be starting up front.

He’s our best player and top goalscorer so he should be played in his best position, which is through the middle. Moving Auba in from the wing would allow also Bukayo Saka to start on the left side of attack so it’s a win-win.

Reiss Nelson did OK last time out but I still think Nicolas Pepe is the best option on the right flank. He certainly needs to work on his consistency but he has the ability to make something happen and has contributed enough in terms of goals/assists to warrant a start ahead of Nelson.

Obviously Gabriel Martinelli – who signed a new long-term contract today – is still out but Arsenal would still have the likes of Joe Willock, Nelson, Lacazette and Nelson on the bench.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up: