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Key trio recalled in 3-4-3: My Arsenal starting XI vs Man City

By on April 21, 2017

Hector Bellerin arsenal

Arsenal will be desperate to book our place in our third FA Cup final in four years when we take on Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.

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

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina has been our ‘cup keeper’ this season but the Colombian has been ruled out with a back injury that’s hampered him this month so Cech is expected to start in goal with Martinez on the bench.

Defence: Gabriel, Koscielny, Holding

Like most, I was stunned to see Wenger switch to a 3-4-3 against Middlesbrough but I was delighted as I think that formation suits this squad perfectly. The boss has hinted it was only temporary but I hope he sticks with it on Sunday.

Mustafi is still nursing a thigh injury so I think we should stick with the same back three that faced Boro with Gabriel alongside Koscielny while Holding deserves to keep his place after an impressive outing at the Riverside.

Midfield: Bellerin, Xhaka, The Ox, Gibbs

Oxlade-Chamberlain was excellent in the wing-back role against Middlesbrough but the position is perfectly suited to Bellerin so I’d bring him back in on the right.

The Ox doesn’t deserve to lose his place so I’d move him in to the middle alongside Xhaka while I think Gibbs is far better suited to the wing-back role than Monreal. Nacho was a weak link again at Boro so I don’t see why Wenger isn’t giving Gibbsy a chance.

Ramsey, Elneny and Coquelin will all be options from the bench but of course Cazorla remains out for the rest of the season.

Danny Welbeck

Attack: Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck

Welbeck missed the trip to Teeside due to a minor toe injury but he’s back in full training so I hope we see his restored up front as he offers a lot more than Giroud and his movement will trouble City.

Obviously Sanchez and Ozil should keep their places in attack and I liked them roaming around off the striker in this formation.

The extra defender also allows Mesut a bit more freedom to stay higher up the pitch and not need to drop back in to midfield quite so much, which can only be a good thing.

Walcott is the main player to miss out in the new formation but he’s a great weapon to have from the bench along with Giroud and Iwobi.

This would be my line-up:

In reality, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wenger revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 with Monreal at left-back, Holding dropping out, Ramsey in the middle, Oxlade-Chamberlain wide right and Giroud up top.

Either way, whatever side we put out let’s hope the boys turn up with a big performance and we desperately need something to look forward to with our top four hopes all-but gone.