Arsenal get back to Premier League action against Watford at Vicarage Road. Here is my predicted lineup I’d like to see Wenger select.
Goalkeeper: Cech
David Ospina showed once again why he’s not good enough for Arsenal with another poor safe for Colombia during the international break so I’d certainly stick with Cech between the sticks against the Hornets.
Defence: Holding, Koscielny, Monreal
Koscielny is facing late fitness test on an Achilles injury that’s kept the Frenchman out of our last two matches but as long as he’s back on his feet, he should obviously return to the back three.
Mustafi has ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring problem so there a space to be filled and my preferred option would be Holding ahead of Per Mertesacker.
Finally, Monreal should make up the back three as our Spaniard has been in excellent form so far this season. Let’s hope it continues tomorrow.
Midfield: Bellerin, Wilshere, Xhaka, Kolasinac
Kolasinac is a minor doubt after he picked up a hip problem while on international duty but the Bosnian is expected to be in action in the left wing-back position.
Bellerin will obviously keep his place on the right wing while I would like to see Xhaka and Wilshere in the middle of the flank. Wilshere is very close to breaking in to the team and I’d like to see him given some minutes this weekend ahead of Ramsey. I feel we’ve had enough of Xhaka/Rambo.
Attack: Welbeck, Sanchez, Giroud
Ozil is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury but I’d personally leave him on the bench for what is expected to be a trick away fixture at Vicarage Road.
Instead, I’d go with Welbeck in attack as he’s available again after overcoming a groin problem and I think his pace and work-rate would be very useful against Watford tomorrow.
Sanchez was assessed yesterday after returning late following his disappointment with Chile but he should be alright to start in attack while I’d go with Giroud over Lacazette up front due to the Frenchman’s scoring experience against stubborn Watford defence.
Lacazette will be a dangerous weapon to have off the bench while we’ve also got the likes of Walcott and Iwobi as well as Ozil to call upon, so Wenger has plenty of options in the final third.
This would be my team:
This eleven should be more capable of beating the Hornets this weekend. The lone issue would be if Koscielny and Kolasinac were ruled out – in which case Arsenal would be stuffed.