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Key trio return in 3-4-2-1: The Arsenal XI that can thrash Bournemouth

By on September 7, 2017

shkodran mustafi arsenal

Arsenal simply have to win when we welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Here is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger select as it has the potential to thrash the Cherries….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech produced a couple of solid saves to prevent the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool from being even more embarrassing. I don’t think he’s been at his best this season but he’s still a better keeper than Ospina.

Defence: Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal

Mustafi was axed from the side that got battered at Anfield and he was close to joining Inter Milan before the window slammed shut last week so it’s going to be interesting to see how Wenger handles this situation.

Something has clearly gone on behind the scenes but the fact is Mustafi is a £35m footballer and has the ability to be a top defender when he’s on form so it’s down to the club to get him back to his best.

Holding has plenty of potential but we need to get Shkodran back in the team and forging a partnership with Koscielny again so I’d start him this weekend.

I’m still not a huge fan of Monreal in the back three but he does give us balance so I’d like to see how he does alongside Kos and Mustafi.

Midfield: Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac

Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed a deadline day move to Liverpool last week. It was a disappointing end to what was a promising career at Arsenal but the silver-lining is we won’t have to see him shoe-horned in to the side at wing-back anymore.

His exit paves the way for Kolasinac to start in his best position with Bellerin also moving back to the right hand side which should give us a much more balanced look than we’ve had in recent weeks.

I’m no fan of the Ramsey/Xhaka combination in midfield and was crying out for Wenger to bring in another central midfielder before the window closed by alas it wasn’t to be.

There is no doubt that Ramsey and Xhaka are our best two fit central midfielders so we’ve got to pray they somehow forge a decent understanding over the coming months.

alexis sanchez arsenal

Attack: Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette

Wenger inexplicably left Lacazette on the bench at Liverpool. He said it was because the striker was still getting used to the league or some rubbish but you just don’t leave a £50m striker on the bench for such an important game.

Welbeck is a useful squad player as he’s honest, works hard and his pace is an asset but his finishing is woeful and we desperately need Lacazette’s ruthlessness in attack.

Sanchez saw his proposed move to Man City collapse on deadline day so he’s stuck at Arsenal until at least January. The good news is I don’t think we’ll see him give anything less than 100% on the pitch until he does leave.

I’m not sure the same can be said of Ozil as he put in another woeful display at Anfield. He is a wonderful player when Arsenal are playing well but he’s a liability when we’re not. Thankfully Bournemouth at home offers Mesut an opportunity to get back to his best. Let’s hope he takes it.

Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck and Iwobi will provide excellent options from the bench, but this would be my starting eleven:

I think this side is well balanced and has the potential to thrash Bournemouth. In my opinion, it’s our best side [while Cazorla is still out] so we have no excuse not to collect all three points on Saturday.

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