Arsenal take on Burnley at the Emirates stadium tomorrow and will be expecting to put in a good performance and pick up all three points. Here’s how Arsenal should line up:
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
This is an obvious one, as our second choice keeper is now sidelined with a long-term injury. David Ospina hasn’t yet had the opportunity to fully prove himself at Arsenal yet, and his wait is set to go on. Szczesny will remain unchallenged in goal for the foreseeable future.
Left back: Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs limped off in last week’s game against Sunderland with a hip problem. However, in this morning’s press conference, Arsène Wenger said he is “quite confident” that Gibbs will be fit. He faces a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Centre back: Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers
Per Mertesacker walks straight in to the team, as there isn’t another option. As for Calum Chambers, I’d much prefer to see him in central defence as opposed to Nacho Monreal. Monreal isn’t 100% convincing playing in his natural position at left back, let alone in central defence. Chambers has shown his dynamism and I’m sure he’s more than capable of pairing up with Mertesacker and keeping Burnley quiet.
Right back: Hector Bellerin
On the few occasions the young Spaniard has played this season he’s looked completely comfortable, which is good going given that one of those games was the battering we took away to Dortmund. He has lightning pace and more than enough ability to step in to the right back role. If he doesn’t get a game against Burnley, who can he get a game against?
Central midfield: Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta
Arsène has this morning ruled Jack Wilshere out of tomorrow’s game, leaving Ramsey and Arteta as the most likely pairing in central midfield. Arteta has often looked off the pace over the last season, but he’s still more than capable of putting in a good performance. As for Ramsey, he has struggled to find the form he showed last season, and a game against a struggling Burnley side is the perfect game for him to step up.
Centre attacking midfield: Santi Cazorla
As with Ramsey, Cazorla hasn’t shown a shade of the form we know he’s capable of producing and he’ll be looking to set that straight this weekend. He is one of, if not the, most technically gifted player in the Arsenal squad and he’s got the opportunity to pull the strings in attack this weekend.
Left and right wing: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez picks himself. He has been in fine form this season and has been the driving force behind a team that has so far struggled to find top form. I’d bet on the Chilean netting another goal or two. Arsène has confirmed that Theo Walcott isn’t fit enough to start the game, which means Chamberlain should get his chance to start. He injects pace and energy in to the team whenever he is on the pitch and deserves a proper run in the team.
Striker: Danny Welbeck
Again, we have limited options up front so Danny Welbeck walks straight in to the team. He’s made a promising start to life at Arsenal, having already bagged his first hat trick in the Champions League. This weekend he’ll have the perfect opportunity to boost his tally in the Premier League.