Arsenal head to Villa Park on Saturday to try and turn around what has so far been a rather disappointing start to the season. The Gunners have taken six points from their first four games and have yet to find their fluid, rhythmic style of play.
For those thinking that Villa offer the perfect opportunity to add another three points to the seasons total, think again. Having taken ten points from their first four games, Villa will be far from happy to give up three points at their home in the West Midlands. It’s going to be a tough game, and here’s how I think Arsenal should line up.
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
I’m not entirely sure that David Ospina is fully fit yet and given that, Szczesny is my choice for number one on Saturday. He makes the odd, casual mistake but at this point his has the best relationship with the Arsenal defence and lest we forget, he did win the golden glove last season. Ospina deserves a chance to prove his worth and he’ll get it. It just wont be on Saturday.
RB: Hector Bellerin
The young Spaniard was given a baptism of fire on Tuesday as he made his first full debut for the club against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League at the Westfalenstadion. Arsenal were well and truly battered on the night but, despite this, Bellerin had a debut he could be happy with. There were no major errors from the 19-year-old and he dealt with the pressure exceptionally well.
CB’s: Laurent Koscielny & Per Mertesacker
This centre back pairing picks its self. The two have built up a great understanding between one and other and each bring something different to the defence. There is an argument to say that Chambers should partner Koscielny because Mertesacker is too slow, and that ultimately costs us when our back line gets caught out. However, the problem there resides with the position of the two full backs, not Mertesacker. I think this pairing is the best option for Saturday.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
It looks like he’s fit so he has to play. He is far superior to Nacho Monreal in almost every department. Attacking, defending, pace, skill. It’s an easy decision.
CM: Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey
In an article I wrote earlier this week I suggested that, due to our lack of a top defensive midfielder, we might as well bite the bullet and play Jack and Aaron together in centre midfield. The pair will both have to incorporate attack and defence in to their games. When one goes forward, the other hangs back. Why sacrifice one of our quality players just to fill the void with Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini? Arsène has today said that Jack should be fit, so hopefully this is the centre midfield pairing we’ll see.
AMC: Mesut Özil
With Jack and Aaron playing in centre midfield a space opens up in the number 10 role and it has to be given to Mesut. He shouldn’t be playing in any other position. If you don’t play him at number 10, don’t play him at all. His form is really suffering due to him being stuck out on the left wing. Let’s hope that Wenger sees the light.
LW & RW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain & Alexis Sánchez
Pace and power is what we need on the wings and these two are without question the best options we have. They both love running at defences, they both have quality in the final third and they both work hard defensively as well, which is just what our full backs need. The two are interchangeable on the wings so whether they play on the left or the right, they won’t mind.
ST: Danny Welbeck
Granted, he is yet to score and granted, he should have had a couple already. However, the lad has only played two games for the Gunners and has had something in the region of three shots. Let’s not cast him aside too quickly. Once he gets his first goal, more will follow. If Mesut does get given the number 10 role, Danny is going to have plenty of chances to find the net.