Following the 3-1 defeat to Monaco we know all too well about, it will be a game full of change on Sunday afternoon, and that’s not just accounting for the players.
Arsenal welcome a struggling Everton side to the Emirates in a fixture that has to be all about the three points in order to repay these Arsenal fans.
If Arsene Wenger wants this side to work properly he needs to find out what his best eleven truly is, and the only way he can do that is by freshening up the side this weekend. Some serious changes need to be made in order for players to learn that it isn’t so easy to get their name on the team sheet each week.
Curtis Goff has taken a look at how this Arsenal side must adapt to ensure we aren’t worrying about the Premier League just as much.
Goalkeeper
With recent performances from David Ospina looking a bit lacklustre, I’ve tipped Wojech Szczesny to get a chance between the sticks. The Pole hasn’t featured in the Premier League since the 2-0 loss on New Year’s day, but has played a decent role when utilised in the FA Cup.
Silly goals and the recent showing of Ospina has been the reason for the change, and it gives Szczesny a chance to use his best attributes against in-form striker, Romelu Lukaku. The Pole specialises in getting down low, which will be key for when Everton play the counter attacking football we know they eventually will.
Defence
After what was possibly the worst defensive performance of the season against Monaco, the Arsenal back-line will be sure to get a revamp. The in-form Nacho Monreal will come in for Kieran Gibbs to sure up the left hand side, which was left vulnerable from Gibbs’ intent to get forward.
Mertesacker must be taught a lesson for his poor showing in the week and that can come with the inclusion of Gabriel at centre back with Laurent Koscielny. We now have the option to change the squad defensively so we have to use that to our advantage. A player like Mertesacker doesn’t deserve to be on the bench and he knows that, it can only be a good thing for both players. Gabriel is composed, and can deal with the attacking pace of Mirallas and Lennon.
The right-back option is hotly contested at the moment with both Chambers and Bellerin competing to take Matthieu Debuchy’s place. I feel Chambers deserves his place after Bellerin has gone missing in the big games, this is a fixture in which Arsenal must repay the fans.
Midfield
Francis Coquelin should play just in front of the defenders and will maintain his place after having another solid game on Wednesday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs to come in so we can see something different from the beginning, he showed in midweek he is ready to get back out there, and his mix of strength and pace is what we’ll need to deal with an Everton side who can throw up a few surprises.
Joining these two in the starting eleven needs to be Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott. Mesut has demonstrated his work rate over the last couple of games with a strong performance when having to track back and defend. Cazorla will continue the brilliant work he has done through the middle and it has to be a case of simplistic stuff from now on. Walcott should come in for Danny Welbeck so we can see what he offers, and with Callum Chambers behind him we have a mix of strength and pace to deal with Mirallas.
Striker
Something slightly different up top this week, and I’ve tipped Alexis to play in the forward role by himself. I don’t agree that Giroud needs to be taught a lesson, but he has started in nearly every game of 2015 so far. Alexis is perfect to get in and around Jagielka and Stones, who suffer when being caught out.