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Xhaka & Ox start in 4-2-3-1: My Arsenal XI to face Bournemouth

By on November 25, 2016

granit xhaka arsenal

Arsenal get back to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when we welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates. This is the team I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina had another run-out in the Champions League against PSG in midweek but it’s time for Cech to return between the sticks.

Defence: Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal

With Bellerin still nursing an ankle injury, Jenkinson has filled in at right-back for the last two games. I didn’t think he did too badly at Manchester United but we certainly felt Bellerin’s absence against PSG as Jenks was far too reserved in his attacking play.

However, that could have been a tactical plan by Wenger to make sure we weren’t caught out too often at the back and I don’t really think there is another viable solution at right-back so I’d go with Jenkinson again on Sunday.

Gibbs put in a solid shift at left-back and I do think he’s now pushing Monreal close for the regular first team shirt as Nacho hasn’t been at his best this season, but I’d still go with the Spaniard this weekend while Mustafi and Koscielny should obviously keep their places.

Midfield: Ramsey, Xhaka

Right, I’m not sure what Xhaka has done to Wenger to deserve this but the joke needs to stop. Xhaka MUST start on Sunday. Cazorla is still out with an achilles injury and we badly need a deep-lying ball player in midfield so why leave Xhaka on the bench?!

aaron ramsey arsenal

No doubt Arsene will stick with Coquelin as he seems to be reluctant to leave the hot-headed Frenchman out but I’d love to see Ramsey alongside Granit this weekend. Ramsey divides opinion among the fans but we know there is a top class midfielder in him, we just need to find him the right partner and I think Xhaka could be the man.

Attack: Walcott, Ozil, The Ox

Iwobi returned to the starting eleven on Wednesday night but he failed to take his chance so I’d give Oxlade-Chamberlain a run-out on the wing. Walcott should keep his place in attack and the two can switch sides throughout the game when needed.

Ozil was disappointing against PSG but I really think he’s missing Cazorla’s distribution from midfield so hopefully if Wenger starts Xhaka, we’d start to see Mesut on the ball more and being more influential again.

Striker: Sanchez

Giroud was back in the team in midweek and although he took his penalty well, I think we saw his limitations exposed again as we looked lethargic in attack with Olivier leading the line.

I want us to get back to the pacey attacking football we saw a few weeks ago with Sanchez through the middle and Giroud can be an impact sub.

This would be my line-up: