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The Arsenal XI: My Starting Line-Up vs Bayern – Rosicky Must Start

By on March 10, 2014

With an FA Cup semi final to look forward to, Arsenal must now re-focus and concentrate their efforts on trying to pull off a miracle and overturn a two-goal deficit against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

We showed in the first leg we can match them if we’re on top form (and can keep eleven men on the pitch), but the big problem is we’re now playing away from home and Bayern are looking formidable, so it’s going to be extremely difficult.

Most have written us off already and called for Arsene to play a weakened team, but we know he wont do that, so here’s the team I’d go with:

Goalkeeper: Pretty straightforward choice. Lukasz Fabianski will start as Wojciech Szczesny is suspended after his sending off in the first leg.

Defence: We have a couple of doubts to worry about at the back. Kieran Gibbs was forced off in the final minute of our win over Everton with a calf injury and is now doubtful. We’ve not heard a team news update from the boss yet but with Nacho Monreal already out he’ll do everything he can to get Gibbsy fit.

Laurent Koscielny is also doubtful after missing the weekend game with a hamstring problem. Thomas Vermaelen put in a solid shift on Saturday so I hope we don’t take any chances with Kos and stick with the Belgian alongside Per Mertesacker.

Midfield: Mikel Arteta is certain to start and I’d like to see Tomas Rosicky come in alongside him. Mathieu Flamini just can’t seem to go through a game without picking up a booking and it inhibits his performances like it did against Everton. The last thing we need is a player on an early yellow and not able to put a tackle in against a team like Bayern.

Rosicky’s pressing game would be important against the German’s and we also know we need to score at least twice to progress, so there’s no point going with the defensive duo of Flamini and Arteta.

Attack: The attacking three of Ozil, The Ox and Cazorla were all excellent on Saturday so should keep their places tomorrow. The Ox’s pace and energy will be vital while Ozil was back to his best against the Toffees and linked up beautifully with Cazorla at times.

Striker: Olivier Giroud came off the bench to show why he’s still miles ahead of young Yaya Sanogo. No brainer. Giroud will start.

So here’s my team:

While it’s going to be a tough task at the Allianz Arena, this eleven will give Bayern a run for their money. If we can grab an early goal, who knows what can happen.

What team would you go with for the game? Have we got a chance of pulling off a miracle?

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