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4-3-2-1: Koscielny out, Holding & Elneny start: My Arsenal XI to face Watford

By on March 10, 2018

Rob-Holding-arsenal

Arsenal will be looking to get back on track in the Premier League when we welcome Watford to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. Here is the team I would like to see Arsene Wenger select….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Cech had a nightmare at Brighton last weekend and it’s clear we need a new number one this summer. Ospina did OK in midweek but I think he’s still an accident waiting to happen so I’d stick with Cech in the league and Ospina in Europe.

Defence: Chambers, Holding, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles

Bellerin has been ruled out with a knee injury again but Chambers was able to train today despite suffering from cramp during the win against Milan.

Kolasinac was forced off with an ankle injury on Thursday night. He took part in training today but I wouldn’t risk him so Maitland-Niles should come in at left-back.

Koscielny was back to something like his best against Milan and I wouldn’t risk him tomorrow. We’ve got very little left to play for in the league so I’d protect Kos ahead of the second leg against Milan. Holding could therefore come in alongside Mustafi.

Midfield: Elneny, Wilshere, Ramsey

Xhaka produced his best display for a while on Thursday but I still don’t think he’s the answer to our defensive midfield issues. Elneny isn’t either, but he’s more of a natural defensive midfielder than Xhaka so I’d ask the Egyptian international to sit in the holding role and protect what would be a poor back four tomorrow.

Ramsey was excellent on Thursday night and he’s so important to our team. Ideally I’d rest him but realistically we don’t have anyone who could replace him so I’d stick with Rambo and Wilshere in midfield.

Attack: Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang

Aubameyang is back after being unavailable in Europe and obviously he should get recalled. Welbeck is a hard worker but he lacks any real quality to be a top class striker.

Lacazette is back in light training but won’t be available until after the international break so Welbeck will be our striking back-up on the bench.

Ozil produced two superb passes for the goals against Milan so hopefully we start to see the best of him again after a poor run of form from the German international.

Mkhitaryan got himself off the mark with his first Arsenal goal last time out so fingers crossed that boosts his confidence after a mixed start to life at the Emirates.

Ideally we could rest at least one of Ozil or Miki tomorrow but we have very little quality on the bench and it’s still important we win this game to build some momentum.

This is the team I hope we see:

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