Monday, December 23, 2024

Arsenal v Sunderland: How The Gunners Should Line Up

Arsenal welcome Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, as they host their penultimate home game of the Premier League campaign.

The Gunners are in a steady run of form following the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on the weekend, but Wenger may be forced to make a few changes to the starting eleven.

The boss confirmed he wanted his best possible squad to take to the FA Cup final, but he has to be careful with fatigue problems, after naming an unchanged side in the last four games.

Goalkeeper: David Ospina

The shot-stopper will continue his run of form in the Premier League, and continue to give Wenger a headache of who deserves to start in the FA Cup final.

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Right-Back: Hector Bellerin

He started the season as our third choice left-back and is now competing for a player of the season trophy. With injury still keeping Matthieu Debuchy out of the side, Bellerin can feel confident in starting this one, but will have to put on a better performance than he did against Ashley Young on Sunday afternoon.

Centre Backs: Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker

Laurent Kocielny will miss this one due to flu, which gives us another chance to check out this partnership. Arsenal need a point to confirm third place, and with these two at the back it’ll be very difficult to break a Gunners defence down. Perhaps a late chance for Gabriel to convince the boss he deserves to start the final.

Left-Back: Nacho Monreal

The Spaniard is doing exactly what he needs to do, and that’s keeping his competition out of the starting line up. A winning momentum is what we need to take to Wembley and Monreal has been at the full-front of that, he deserves to start this one.

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Center Defensive Midfield: Francis Coquelin and Jack Wilshere

Ever since Wilshere returned from injury, his substitute appearances have showered competition on who partners Coquelin in this partnership. With the amount of games played in this side, I don’t think its a shock to put Wilshere into the mix. We can finally see how he starts a game, and it will give Santi Cazorla the rest he deserves ahead of Sunday afternoon.

Right Wing: Theo Walcott

Now this is a bit of a controversial one, but ever since we’ve seen Walcott come off of the bench, he hasn’t looked confident on the ball. Let’s get him on from the start, give Ramsey a rest and see what he can do to carve up the right-wing. In my eyes, it’s a win-win for Wenger, and it may give us an idea of whether Walcott really has an Arsenal future.

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Centre Attacking Midfield: Mesut Ozil

Yet another one of our Player of the Season candidates, Ozil will look to continue his fine revival in the centre of the attack. Sunderland will most likely want to push on the attack, which can leave the German waiting around the half-way line to press the counter attacks.

Left Wing: Alexis Sanchez

Not much justification needed for Alexis really is there? The Chilean will want to pick up another goal if he can to gain some confidence for the final, but let’s be honest, he can produce anything on the day.

Striker: Olivier Giroud

Normally I would give the nod to Danny Welbeck in a game like this, but the Englishman is still battling to shake off an injury. Giroud is looking for his 15th Premier League goal of the campaign to cap off a brilliant season.

Starting XI

Ospina

     Bellerin        Gabriel        Mertesacker (c)       Monreal

Coquelin        Wilshere

Walcott         Ozil          Alexis

Giroud

 

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