Arsene Wenger is likely to shake things up in Serbia on Thursday night as he looks ahead to fielding his best possible XI against Everton on Sunday.
Several serious injury concerns has left the Gunners boss rolling the dice when it comes to his favoured defence, but an away trip in the Europa League has come at the right time.
Ahead of Arsenal’s third group stage game of the competition Wenger confirmed that Mathieu Debuchy will be included in the starting XI following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
With Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Laurent Koscielny suffering with injury problems it’s opened up a spot for multiple fringe players to show their worth.
As well as the defensive resolution, Wenger has had to consider moving things around in midfield following a dismal and heartless display against Watford last weekend.
Here’s how Wenger’s likely to set out his players:
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
Surprised? So was I. Unfortunately due to a late problem in training this week, David Ospina will be unavailable and hasn’t travelled with the squad to face Red Star.
To ensure everything doesn’t change at once, Wenger will stick with an experienced member in Petr Cech between the sticks in order to direct a new-look defence.
Ospina will be gutted to miss out on a chance to audition for the number one spot but this change does provide a chance for Arsenal to get their first clean sheet in the Europa League.
There will be a chance for Ospina to feature in a weeks time however, with Norwich City in the League Cup to look forward to as long as Matt Macey doesn’t steal his spot.
Arsenal need to pay massive attention to their goalkeeping situation next summer with Cech drawing a close to his career and uncertainty over Ospina’s long-term future.
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