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Key man returns, Giroud out: My Arsenal XI vs Burnley

By on January 20, 2017

Hector Bellerin arsenal

Arsenal have an excellent opportunity to put some pressure on the top three when we take on Burnley at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech got a much-needed clean sheet under his belt following last weekend’s 4-0 win over Swansea City and the Czech stopper will be hoping for another shut-out on Sunday.

Defence: Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal

Bellerin is back in contention after returning to full training this week after missing the last two games with a minor ankle injury so the Spaniard should come in at right-back. Gabriel has filled-in well enough but Bellerin is key to our play down the right wing so his return comes as a huge boost.

Gibbs is also back in contention after recovering from a knee injury which has kept him out for the last four games but I’d be tempted not to make too many changes to a back-four that kept a clean sheet last time out so Monreal should retain his place along with Mustafi and Koscielny.

Midfield: Ramsey, Xhaka

The Ramsey/Xhaka partnership improved last weekend and I really hope Wenger gives this duo some time to develop an understanding as it has the potential to be an excellent pairing.

The problem is Coquelin is now back in contention after making a swift return from his hamstring injury so I have a horrible feeling we’ll see the Frenchman come straight back in to the side against Burnley.

Ramsey is likely to be the man to make way and I think that would be a real shame as although the Welshman is yet to hit top form this season, he needs time to get back to his best and he offers a lot more than Coquelin does in my opinion.

arsenal's olivier giroud

Image credit: Daily Star

Attack: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez

Giroud was among the goals again last week so Arsene will probably stick with him up front but I hope we don’t start to forget how much better we looked going forward with Sanchez through the middle.

It’s also worth noting that Giroud’s form tends to drop off when he plays too much football and he’s always at his best when he’s fresh, so I think he should drop to the bench this weekend and be used an an impact sub.

With Alexis up front it would allow Oxlade-Chamberlain to come in to the attack while I’d stick with Iwobi as he was impressive against Swansea. Ozil should obviously keep his place and although Walcott is still out we’ve got the likes of Welbeck and Perez to use form the bench if needed.

This would be my line-up: