Thursday, March 28, 2024

Nelson & Wilshere Start: The 3-4-2-1 Line-Up Arsenal Should Use vs. Cologne

Arsenal will step up their season by kicking off in the Europa League for the first time in 17 years this Thursday, as they welcome Cologne to the Emirates.

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Arsene Wenger has already insisted he will be making significant changes to the side that beat Bournemouth 3-0 at the weekend, with several fringe players expected to start.

Despite Alexis Sanchez dominating the papers over the last few weeks, a lot of the talk around the Arsenal camp has been about the progression of Reiss Nelson.

The 18-year-old has already bagged six goals in four games in the Premier League 2 division and was recently rewarded with the Player of the Month trophy for his efforts.

With a trip to Chelsea in store this Sunday, Wenger will have to rotate heavily which provides a perfect chance for back-up names to stake a claim for their spot in the first-team.

Here’s how I think we should line up vs. Cologne:

Goalkeeper: David Ospina

Making his first start in an Arsenal shirt since the 5-2 win over Sevilla in the Emirates Cup, Ospina is sure to be thrown into action in order to give Cech a rest.

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Wenger stayed true to his word last season by allowing the Colombian to feature in all of our Champions League games, as well as being our starting keeper for the FA Cup.

Ospina won’t have many chances this season but with Cech on the wrong side of 30 and Ospina desperate to cement a place at the World Cup, things could get interesting.

The fact that Emiliano Martinez was sent out on loan leaves Arsenal without a recognised third-choice goalkeeper, making it easier for Ospina to go up against the Gunners number one.

Ospina needs to take these lesser profile matches with all he can in order to force his hand. Arsenal fans have called on Wenger to be more ruthless in terms of selection processes and that has to start with the man between the sticks.

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