Quantcast

Duo ruled out, key man passed fit: My Arsenal XI to face Man Utd

By on November 17, 2016

Hector Bellerin arsenal

Arsene Wenger will be looking to end his hoodoo against Jose Mourinho when he takes his Arsenal side to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. This is the team I’d like to see the boss go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina has performed well enough in the Champions League but Cech is our No.1 and should once again start between the sticks.

Defence: Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal

Unfortunately Bellerin has been ruled out for a month with an ankle injury so we have  huge VOID to fill at right-back. I’ve seen some fans suggest Mustafi could move across to right-back but it makes little sense splitting up his partnership with Koscielny.

Debuchy is still out with a calf injury so there is only one man for the job….step forward Sir Carl Jenkinson! He’s now fully fit after a horror knee injury and did well against Ludogorets recently so I have faith he’ll do well against United. Monreal will make up the back four after keeping his place ahead of Gibbs.

Midfield: Ramsey, Xhaka

Cazorla is once again ruled out as he continues to nurse a niggling achilles injury so I hope we see Xhaka keep his place in midfield. Wenger will no doubt start Coquelin alongside him but I’d like to see us go with Ramsey next to the Swiss international.

The Xhaka-Rambo combination is an exciting one and with Ramsey now back to full fitness, it’s time to give him the chance to win his first team place back.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi

Ozil should be raring to go after being given a well deserved rest during the international break so hopefully he’ll be on top form against United this weekend.

Walcott played around 70 minutes for England on Tuesday and I’d stick with him on the right wing but Arsene MUST tell him to do his defensive work to protect Jenks. Iwobi’s form has dropped a little in recent games but I’d still go with him over Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left side of attack.

Striker: Sanchez

The big decision for Wenger is whether to risk Alexis from the start after he put his body on the line by playing 84 minutes for Chile against Uruguay on Tuesday night, despite carrying a hamstring injury.

Sanchez showed no sign of the injury in midweek after scoring twice and he’s told the club he’s in ‘good shape’ so it looks as though he’s available. Wenger has hinted he’ll have to trust the players judgement, however, no doubt Alexis will be assessed on at training on Friday.

Obviously if he’s fit then he should start but if there is any hint that he’s not fully recovered from his hamstring injury then we shouldn’t risk him and Giroud should start up top.

This would be my line-up to face United: