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[Image] Ozil starts, Xhaka out | How Arsenal should line-up vs Rennes

By on March 7, 2019

granit xhaka arsenal

Arsenal need to bring home a positive result from the first leg of our Europa League last-16 tie with Rennes this evening. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Cech

Bernd Leno is obviously our No.1 and he proved it with a stunning double save during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, however, Emery has played Petr Cech in the Europa League this season and he deserves to start tonight.

Defence: Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac

I expect the boss to field a strong side but we need to think about the Man Utd game on Sunday so I’d give Laurent Koscielny a rested this evening. He’s still managing his fitness following his ruptured Achilles so I’d start Shkodran Mustafi alongside Sokratis in the heart of a back four.

Nacho Monreal did well against Spurs but I’d recall Sead Kolasinac against Rennes while I think Ainsley Maitland-Niles should start at right-back. Carl Jenkinson and Stephan Lichtsteiner haven’t travelled to France so Maitland-Niles or Mustafi are the only options.

Midfield: Torreira, Guendouzi

Lucas Torreira is suspended for the United game on Sunday so obviously he should start this evening. Granit Xhaka is certain to face Man Utd at the weekend so I think he should be given a rest tonight with Matteo Guendouzi lining-up alongside Torreira.

mesut ozil arsenal 2018

Attack: Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang

Alexandre Lacazette is suspended after being sent off against BATE Borisov in the previous round so Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will start up front and he’ll be looking to bounce back following his disappointing penalty miss against Tottenham.

Aaron Ramsey got a vital goal in the North London Derby but I hope Emery recalls Mesut Ozil this evening. He was excellent against Bournemouth last week and we need to let him build on that performance with a run in the team so I’d start him in the No.10 role behind Auba.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been in great form recently so he deserves to keep his place in attack. If Emery wants to give him a rest then we could hand Denis Suarez his first start but I personally don’t think he’s ready just yet as he’s taking him time adapting to life in England.

Alex Iwobi would be my final player with the Nigerian international joining Ozil and Mkhi in an attacking three behind Aubameyang and they should cause Rennes plenty of problems.

This is the starting eleven I hope we’ll see:

football formations