Quantcast
Home   >   Opinions   >   4-2-3-1: Iwobi & Holding start, Xhaka axed | Arsenal’s best XI to face Fulham

4-2-3-1: Iwobi & Holding start, Xhaka axed | Arsenal’s best XI to face Fulham

By on October 5, 2018

Rob-Holding-arsenal

Arsenal will be hoping to extend their winning run with another three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Leno

Petr Cech has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury so Bernd Leno is set for an extended run in the team. He was impressive off the bench against Watford last week and superb against Qarabag in midweek so hopefully he can continue his form this weekend.

Defence: Bellerin, Sokratis, Holding, Monreal

Unai Emery experimented with a back three last night but it didn’t work and we switched back to a flat back four at half time so hopefully the boss sticks with that system on Sunday.

Hector Bellerin should be recalled at right-back after being rested on Thursday night while Nacho Monreal should move out to left-back with Sead Kolasinac making way after making his return from injury against Qarabag.

No doubt Shkodran Mustafi will be recalled against Fulham but I’d like to see Rob Holding given another chance to build a partnership with Sokratis. Mustafi is a disaster waiting to happen at times but Holding has the potential to develop in to a top centre-back so let’s give him a run in the team.

Midfield: Torreira, Ramsey

Lucas Torreira came off the bench at half-time on Thursday night but I hope we see him start in the middle of the park on Sunday. No doubt Granit Xhaka will be his partner but I’d love to see Aaron Ramsey moved back in to a deeper midfield role.

pierre-emerick aubameyang arsenal

Ramsey has struggled in the No.10 role and it unbalances the team with Mesut Ozil shoved out wide. So as long as the Welshman is available [his wife is due to give birth any day] then I’d play him deeper alongside Torreira.

Matteo Guendouzi will be unfortunate to miss out as he was excellent on Thursday night while Mohamed Elneny is certain to be dropped after another bang average performance in the Europa League.

Attack: Iwobi, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette

With Ramsey in a deep midfield role it would allow us to play Ozil in his best position again and this should help get the best out of the German international and add more balance to the attack.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is pushing for a recall after not featuring against Qarabag but I think Alex Iwobi deserves to keep his place. He’s been showing some great form of late and his direct running is a real asset to our attacking play so I think Iwobi should start against Fulham.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the Qarabag game with sickness but as long as he’s fit I’d recall him in attack with Emile Smith Rowe making way. The youngster was excellent on Thursday night and he’s got a huge future ahead of him but let’s ease him in to first team action.

Danny Welbeck was disappointing against Qarabag while Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to grab an assist so I’d certainly start the Frenchman up front against Fulham this weekend.

Here is the side I hope we’ll see:

One Comment