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3-4-2-1: Key man ruled out as Wenger rings the changes: My Arsenal XI vs Southampton

By on December 9, 2017

per mertesacker arsenal

Arsenal desperately need a win when we take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon. Here is the team I would like to see Arsene Wenger select….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech was rested against BATE on Thursday so the Czech legend should be recalled tomorrow with Ospina dropping back to the bench.

Defence: Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal

Unfortunately Mustafi has been ruled out after suffering a thigh injury during the defeat to Manchester United so we have a void to fill in the middle of defence.

I thought both Chambers and Holding did a solid job on Thursday but they were against limited opposition and Mertesacker is the man most likely to come in.

The German giant was left out against BATE which was a clear indication he’s in Wenger’s plans against Southampton so I think we’ll see the 33-year-old alongside Koscielny and Monreal.

Midfield: Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac

Wenger went with a back four against BATE but he’s expected to revert to a 3-4-2-1 formation at Southampton meaning Bellerin and Kolasinac should return in the wing-back roles.

To be fair to them, Coquelin and Elneny put in impressive performances in midweek but both should still make way tomorrow afternoon.

Wilshere is close to forcing his way in to the starting eleven and I’d love to see him given a chance in central midfield after another excellent performance last time out but it looks like Wenger sees his future further forward. Therefore, Xhaka should once again line-up alongside Ramsey in the middle of the park at St Mary’s.

Attack: Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette

If Wenger feels Wilshere’s best position is in attacking midfield it means he’s up against Sanchez and Ozil for a starting spot and I just don’t think we can justify selecting him ahead of those two.

Walcott put in his best performance of the season on Thursday night as he scored, set-up two others and won a penalty during the 6-0 win but I still feel he should be back on the bench tomorrow.

Welbeck looks like he’s regaining his match sharpness but I’d have him as an impact substitute against Southampton with Ozil and Sanchez the two attacking midfielders.

Giroud has a decent game against BATE in the Europa League but hopefully we’ll see Lacazette recalled up front tomorrow.

This is the team I hope we see:

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