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Arsenal outcast to start alongside 3 teenagers: Likely line-up v Red Star Belgrade

By on October 18, 2017

Reiss Nelson Arsenal

Arsenal will be aiming to secure our third consecutive group stage victory in the Europa League when we take on Red Star Belgrade tomorrow evening. Here is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger select….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina was expected to start in Europe once again but he hasn’t travelled for some unknown reason [probably picked up a knock] so Cech is set to keep his place tomorrow.

Defence: Debuhcy, Dasilva, Holding

Wenger confirmed at his press conference earlier the shock news that Debuchy will be handed a surprise recall to the starting eleven. The 32-year-old hasn’t featured yet this season and made just one appearance last season so it’s safe to say he’s going to be rusty!

The boss also suggested that 18-year-old defender Josh Dasilva will be handed a start at the back as he needs to protect Mertesacker and Monreal ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton with Mustafi and Chambers injured.

Koscielny is in training after shaking off cramp but with his Achilles flaring-up from time to time it’s easy to see why Wenger won’t be risking him tomorrow. Holding is therefore expected to keep his place at the back.

Midfield: Nelson, Wilshere, Willock, Maitland-Niles

Wenger also told reporters this evening that teenagers Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock are set to feature against Belgrade while Ainsley Maitland-Niles should also get another run-out in the left wing-back role.

Jack Wilshere was excellent during the win at BATE Borisov three weeks ago and he’s expected to be given another chance to impress tomorrow evening. I’m looking forward to watching him in action again.

It means that Bellerin, Kolasinac, Ramsey and Xhaka will all be given a rest. If the media are accurate with their reporting then it seems Elneny and Coquelin will also not start which is a surprise to me as this is the sort of game they should be playing in.

Personally, I’d play one of Coquelin or Elneny alongside Wilshere and have Willock on the bench tomorrow but it seems Wenger wants to give the youngster a game.

theo walcott arsenal

Attack: Walcott, Iwobi, Giroud

Walcott is almost certain to get another start in attack and he should be desperate to do well having lost his first team place over the past few months.

Giroud will lead the line up front with Lacazette rested but it will be interesting to see who Wenger picks in the final spot in attack. I’ve gone with Iwobi but it wouldn’t surprise me if the boss picks Sanchez or even Ozil.

Our former star-duo are in Wenger’s bad books and they both need minutes after not featuring against Watford so perhaps the boss will play them tomorrow.

However, one man who won’t feature is Welbeck as he’s out for around a month with a hamstring injury.

This is the team that could start: