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TEAM: Ramsey OUT! My Arsenal Starting XI To Face Dortmund

By on September 15, 2014

Calum_Chambers_Arsenal

Arsenal take on Borussia Dortmund in our Champions League Group D opener tomorrow night. This is the team I’d like Arsene Wenger to go with.

The boss has confirmed Nacho Monreal is out of the game after picking up a minor back injury. It means we’re another man down in defence but at least Kieran Gibbs can come in at left-back.

Obviously Mathieu Debuchy is out for a couple of months so Arsene has a decision to make at right-back. There’s a strong chance Hector Bellerin may have to start as Calum Chambers is struggling with tonsillitis but if he’s passed fit, I’d go with the former Southampton man and I think Arsene will too.

I’d certainly bring Mikel Arteta back for this game. Flamini’s limitations were exposed again on Saturday and he was at fault for the City opener. While Arteta is far from the ideal defensive midfielder, he’s an upgrade on Flamini in my opinion.

It may sound harsh but I’d drop Aaron Ramsey for the game. He didn’t look 100% fit at the weekend and he played poorly. Plus, I’m really not a fan of the new 4-1-4-1 formation we seem to be playing this season and I’d love us to go back to the 4-2-3-1 of last year.

This would allow us to play Ozil in his best position instead of stuck out wide, with Jack Wilshere obviously keeping his place after a superb display against City. Alexis should start on the right and I’d go with The Ox on the opposite flank. He’ll give us even more pace on the break and will put a shift in defensively.

Danny Welbeck would spearhead the team. He was forced off with cramp on Saturday but should be fit to play.

So this is how I’d line-up:

I think this formation suits our players far better. The only down side is it means one of Jack or Aaron have to be dropped, but let’s face it both have had their injury problems so rotation is probably a good thing for them.

In reality, Arsene will probably stick to his guns and play 4-1-4-1 with Ozil out wide in the same front five that played at the weekend, but I’d expect Arteta, Chambers and Gibbs to still come into the side.

What do you think? What team and formation would you play? Let us know your thoughts….

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