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2 Young Guns Start: My Arsenal XI To Face Sheffield Wednesday

By on October 26, 2015

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Arsenal take on Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup tomorrow night. This is the starting eleven I’d like to Arsene Wenger pick:

Goalkeeper: Cech

With Ospina still nursing a shoulder injury, Arsene has already confirmed he’ll start Petr Cech in goal. It’s a risk playing your number one in the League Cup and ideally Cech could have the night off. However, with Martinez and Szczesny both out on loan, the only option would be to play a youngster like Macey in goal and obviously the boss doesn’t want to through the 21-year-old in yet so Cech plays. Let’s hope it doesn’t backfire.

Defence: Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs

All-change in the back four as the defence that played against Everton all get a rest. Debuchy and Gibbs need game-time and with Bellerin and Monreal firmly the first choice full-backs at present, this is a great opportunity for the duo to stake their claim.

Arsene confirmed earlier today that Mertesacker is back in contention so he should start and I’d play Chambers alongside him. Not much pace between the two but hopefully their experience and quality should deal with whatever Wednesday can throw at us.

Midfield: Bielik, Flamini 

We are down to the bare bones in midfield as Arteta has been ruled out again so he joins Ramsey, Wilshere and Rosicky on the sidelines.  We can not afford for Cazorla or Coquelin to get injured so I’d rest them both and play youngster Bielik alongside the experienced Flamini.

Attack: Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell

No doubt the likes of Ozil and Sanchez should be rested for this one so it opens the door for some of the fringe players. I’d like to see The Ox given a chance in a more central position and it’s time he really shows us what he’s capable of. This is a great opportunity for him to be the ‘main man’ and start fulfilling his obvious potential.

Young attacker Alex Iwobi could also get a run out in the first team while Campbell is expected to start having played against Tottenham in the last round – although he was less than impressive if truth be told so hopefully he can have a better game tomorrow.

Striker: Giroud

I’ve seen a lot of people saying Walcott will start tomorrow and they are probably right, but I’d rather see Giroud start and keep Theo in reserve for the Swansea game on Saturday.

Olivier is in red-hot form right now so let’s keep him in the team and see if he can really give Arsene something to think about.

This is my team:

It remains to be seen if Arsene will rest so many first team players but the priority has to be the league this season, so I’d protect our key men at all costs.

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