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Koscielny & Xhaka start in 4-2-3-1: My Arsenal XI to face Leicester

By on August 18, 2016
Laurent-Koscielny arsenal

Image credit: Express

Arsenal need to bounce back quickly from last weekend’s disappointing defeat when we take on Leicester City at the King Power on Saturday night. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech was suspect for at least one of the goals against Liverpool but he’s still a far better option all round than Ospina.

Defence: Bellerin, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal

Arsene has dropped a huge hint that he’s ready to gamble on the fitness of Koscielny and I don’t think we have much choice than to start the Frenchman as Holding and Chambers struggled badly last weekend.

With Gabriel and Mertesacker out, one of our youngsters will line-up alongside Kos and I’d go with Chambers simply because he has more top flight experience than Holding.

Monreal wasn’t at his best last weekend but I’d stick with him and obviously Bellerin should keep his place on the right.

Midfield: Xhaka, Elneny

Xhaka made his debut off the bench last week but I’d love to see him start this game – although Arsene needs to have a word about his fouling! He won’t be staying on the pitch for long if he keeps up his foul rate having given away 6 free-kicks in his 29 minute cameo against Liverpool.

Coquelin is the man I’d leave out with Elneny keeping his place alongside Xhaka. Wilshere is still working his way back to full fitness while Ramsey has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Attack: The Ox, Cazorla, Walcott

Oxlade-Chamberlain made a good impact off the bench last time out so he deserves to come in and replace Iwobi – who’s been ruled out for three weeks with a thigh injury. Walcott did okay last week and although his penalty was woeful, he took his goal well so his pace and threat in front of goal will be useful against Leicester.

Ozil is expected to be back in the squad but I wouldn’t risk him from the start. We saw last week with Ramsey it’s a big risk to play after just two weeks training so let’s use Mesut as an impact sub.

mesut ozil arsenal

The big question is who to play in the ‘hole’ and I’d go with Cazorla. He may not be 100% fit himself but he came off the bench to grab two assists last week and I think he’ll do a great job in a more advanced role.

Striker: Sanchez

As with Ozil, I don’t think we should risk Giroud either. Olivier is certainly a player who struggles to perform unless he’s 100% match fit so I wouldn’t be expecting too much from him for a while anyway. A useful weapon for the second half is the best we can hope for.

Sanchez didn’t look fit last weekend but he should be a lot sharper having come through 90 minutes and got another weeks training under his belt. I’m not his biggest fan up front but needs must right now.

This would be my line-up to face Liverpool:

BACK ARSENAL TO WIN AT ENHANCED ODDS OF 8/1

What would be your line-up? Let me know your thoughts….