The Gunners enter Sunday’s big game against Liverpool on a good run of form and will be looking to bridge the gap between themselves and the top four with victory on Merseyside. Team wise, Chambers returns from his suspension whilst it’s believed Theo Walcott may also travel with the first-team squad. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain faces a late fitness test tomorrow and hopefully he’ll be in a position we are extremely short in at the moment.
In goal Wojciech Szczesny will keep his place. His season has been up and down thus far, but against Newcastle he looked extremely composed and put in a very good showing. In Ospina and Martinez he has excellent replacements waiting in the wings, and should be falter changes can be easily made.
Despite Bellerin’s fantastic display at right-back against Newcastle, Debuchy should fill in for him for this game. The Frenchman was very commanding in his makeshift central defensive position last weekend and will want to make up for some much lost time. His excellent defensive work combined with his constant attacking prowess should stand Arsenal in good stead against Liverpool. At centre-back I’d expect to see Chambers return alongside Mertesacker. The duo have had their struggles in defensive together but provide the most security at this moment in time. A big performance will be needed to halt Sterling and co. Completing the defensive will be Kieran Gibbs. He has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season, his brilliant showings often not attaining the praise that they should.
Mathieu Flamini, for all the criticism levelled against him, has upped his game in recent weeks and is a very important cog in the side at this moment in time. With only the inexperienced Ainsley Maitland-Niles as current back-up to his position it is vital he stays fit. Alongside the Frenchman ideally will be Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Southampton youngster has really come into his own this season and is becoming an increasingly important member of Wenger’s side. Hopefully he’ll pass his fitness test and be ready for what it is an extremely important game.
In the hole behind the strikers will be Cazorla. The Spaniard has hit a great run of form, now adding more goals to his game as well. In the three-pronged attack – which has been very efficient –Â Â should be Sanchez, Giroud and Welbeck. The interchanging of position should cause plenty of problems for the Liverpool defence. Each forward possesses different qualities which combine to make them a very fearful attack. If they get the service, expect them to continue firing.
My line-up versus Liverpool:
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker and Kieran Gibbs
- Mathieu Flamini, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla
- Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck
What would your starting line-up be versus Liverpool?