Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
With David Ospina still nursing a thigh injury, and Emiliano Martínez as Szczęsny’s only other real competition for the No. 1 spot, the big Pole looks set to start in goal for Arsenal yet again. The situation may have been different had Arsenal secured a comfortable win in the away leg against Beşiktaş, but having only come away with a draw, the return leg is a must-win game.
Right-Back: Mathieu Debuchy
Mathieu Debuchy once again looked solid against Everton on the weekend, though will look to improve his crossing so that Arsenal can utilise the aerial strength of Olivier Giroud. He has, however, looked an upgrade on Sagna, and with Calum Chambers currently being deployed as a centre-back, Debuchy’s only competition for this place is young Spanish right-back Héctor Bellerín, who has impressed in pre-season, but is unlikely to start.
Right Centre-Back: Calum Chambers
An interesting feature of the game against Everton on the weekend was the fact that Calum Chambers started as the right centre-back, as opposed to Per Mertesacker, who usually starts on the right, but this time started on the left. With Laurent Koscielny taking caution over a potential Achilles injury, Chambers was once again entrusted with a starting role, and the same looks to be the case on Wednesday. Per Mertesacker could start as the right-most of the two centre-backs, but this appears unlikely.
Left Centre-Back: Per Mertesacker
The left-most of the two centre-backs is usually Laurent Koscielny, but due to his potential Achilles injury, Mertesacker looks set to start as the left-most of the two centre-backs, as he did on Saturday against Everton. His lack of pace was exposed a slightly, not least due to the hesitant defending of Nacho Monreal against Romelu Lukaku, but he is an experienced centre-back, and should be able to get the job done against Beşiktaş. Alternatives include Calum Chambers, who could play as the left centre-back; Laurent Koscielny, if he is deemed fit enough to play; or Ignasi Miquel, but we all dearly hope that doesn’t happen.
Left-Back: Nacho Monreal
Right Centre-Midfield: Mathieu Flamini
Mathieu Flamini started in this defensive role against Everton on Saturday, though struggled to make his presence known. Arsenal appear to be attempting to fit both Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere into their starting lineup by playing a 4-1-4-1 formation, though this has seen Mesut Özil pushed out to the left wing. However, with Aaron Ramsey’s suspension taking place, Arsenal may revert back to their old 4-2-3-1. Nevertheless, Arsène Wenger is expected to deploy a defensive midfielder, with Flamini the obvious choice due to Mikel Arteta’s injury. Potential alternatives include Calum Chambers, who has been touted by many to fit into this defensive midfield role some day; Francis Coquelin, who has been used sparingly so far this season; or even Jack Wilshere, who many have said may suit a defensive role.
Left Centre-Midfield: Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere has once again struggled to live up to expectation so far this season, with mediocre displays against Crystal Palace, Beşiktaş and Everton. Even so, Arsène Wenger has given his public backing to Jack Wilshere, comparing his career path to that of Wayne Rooney. Wilshere is expected to start once again in the centre of Arsenal’s midfield, and could look to play an important part due to the absence of Arsenal’s key man Aaron Ramsey. Potential alternatives include Abou Diaby, who is once again in full training; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has moved into a central role for Arsenal in this past, with considerable success; or Francis Coquelin, who is unlikely to start but is still another option.
Right-Wing: Alexis
One of the failures of Saturday’s game against Everton was Arsène Wenger’s use of Alexis as a striker. It’s not that he doesn’t have the talent – far from it – it’s that he is simply not big and strong enough to be used as a lone striker. Arsenal lacked a focal point in the first half against Everton, and so Alexis was substituted for Olivier Giroud at half-time, with some confused as to why he wasn’t simply moved out to the wing. Nevertheless, Alexis is expected to start once again against Beşiktaş, and will be hoping he can grab his first goal for Arsenal. Potential alternatives include Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who started on the right against Everton on Saturday; Joel Campbell, who played on the right when he was brought on against Everton; or even Tomáš Rosický, who could give Arsenal a more creative presence down the wing.
Centre Attacking Midfielder: Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil was used on the left-wing against Everton on Saturday and, whilst he showed some intelligent and incisive passing, it is clear that his talents are more suited to the most central of the three attacking midfielders. Özil simply doesn’t have the work-rate required to play as a winger, and this was exposed in his failure to track Séamus Coleman for Everton’s opener on Saturday. Nevertheless, Özil is the best player in Arsenal’s squad, and will hope to prove this with a good performance against Beşiktaş on Wednesday. Potential alternatives include Tomáš Rosický, whose preferred position is as a central creative midfielder; Santi Cazorla, who has voiced his desire to score more goals this season; Jack Wilshere, who has started all of Arsenal’s games so far this season; or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been touted by Arsène Wenger as a future central midfielder.
Left-Wing: Santi Cazorla
Whilst the mini Spaniard does not have the defensive work-rate required to play in this position regularly, his talent is such that Wenger simply has to try and fit him into the team. He came on against Everton with devastating effect, showing some fine skill and a deadly cross to assist Aaron Ramsey’s vital goal. Cazorla has looked tired in many displays so far this season, but did not start against Everton, so should be refreshed for Wednesday’s vital game. Potential alternatives include Joel Campbell, who will be hoping to get his chance to start some time soon; Alexis, who has been deployed on the left-wing for Barcelona on occasions; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has played on the left on several occasions for Arsenal; or even Lukas Podolski, though there are strong rumours about his potential departure from the Club.
Striker: Olivier Giroud
Whilst Olivier Giroud clearly lacks the talent and technique of some of the world’s leading strikers, he provides a clear focal point, and when playing on your own up front, this focal point is vital. Giroud appeared to be injured against Everton in the dying seconds, though could still be fit to start. It was clear that Arsenal were lacking Giroud’s presence when Alexis was deployed as a striker against Everton, and his last-gasp equaliser could prove vital in the title race. Whilst many Arsenal fans are crying out for a new striker, they will simply have to trust Giroud to do the job against Beşiktaş on Wednesday. Potential alternatives include Alexis, although this would be surprising given his performance on Saturday; Yaya Sanogo, who could return from a hamstring injury in time to make the squad; Joel Campbell, though this would be surprising given Arsène Wenger’s reluctance to start him so far this season; or Lukas Podolski, although as previously stated, he may be on his way out of London.
Subs: Emiliano Martínez, Héctor Bellerín, Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomáš Rosický, Joel Campbell
Injured: Theo Walcott, Yaya Sanogo (?), Olivier Giroud (?), David Ospina, Laurent Koscielny (?), Kieran Gibbs, Abou Diaby (?), Mikel Arteta, Serge Gnabry, Lukas Podolski (?).
Suspended: Aaron Ramsey
Not included: Ignasi Miquel, Isaac Hayden, Gedion Zelalem, Ryo Miyaichi
Preview line ups by Lucas Jones (Twitter: @LucasJones4)