Predicted Arsenal Line-up To Face Tottenham In The Premier League
The 3-1 mauling at the Etihad may have pushed Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal to 6th place in the points table before the international break but the Gunners have a stupendous chance to announce themselves as contenders for a top-4 finish as they welcome the high-flying Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates this weekend.
Pochettino’s side are fresh from a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the previous round but will hope for a better performance in this fixture. The game is expected to be a highly intense one and Wenger is expected to go for the kill. Both teams will surely look for all three points.
Team News
Olivier Giroud picked up a niggle during the break and is set to miss this game alongside Santi Cazorla, who is the only other player completely ruled out for this game. The likes of Aaron Ramsey, Shkodran Mustafi, Danny Welbeck, Rob Holding and Per Mertesacker are all expected to be fit.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Manager: Arsene Wenger
GK – Petr Cech
The veteran shot-stopper will have a tough test this weekend as he faces an in-form Spurs side and the phenomenal Harry Kane.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny made a couple of starts during the international break but should be ready to take on the exciting attack from their local rivals.
CB – Per Mertesacker
The lanky defender should be fresh for this game as he’d have received complete rest during the international break. The skipper should be ready to take on Spurs this weekend.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
Mustafi has not been able to keep himself fit this season but he is ready for first-team action and Wenger should not take any risks by fielding a weak back line and should start him, to keep the likes of Eriksen under check.
RWB – Hector Bellerin
The Spaniard has been inconsistent on the flank this season but he could be a weapon for Arsenal, adding width to the attack when needed.
CM – Granit Xhaka
The Swiss international helped his country to the finals of the World Cup at the expense of Northern Ireland, starting in both legs during the break. He will hope to take that form into this game against their fierce local rivals.
CM – Aaron Ramsey
Out of the World Cup, the Welsh international was decent in his start for Wales during the break and will hope to put in a similar performance this weekend as well.
LWB – Sead Kolasinac
The summer-buy for Arsenal, Kolasinac will have his work cut out this weekend as he will have to make sure that he influences the game at both ends of the field.
RAM – Mesut Ozil
Though he played 180 minutes of football during the international break, Ozil looked comfortable right till the end against France and should start this weekend, to give his side a shot at all three points.
LAM – Alexis Sanchez
Another player who will not be a part of the World Cup, Sanchez will now look to prove his worth in the domestic arena and Arsenal will need him to be at his best to take anything from this game.
ST – Alexandre Lacazette
Having picked up a brace against Germany, Lacazette will be high on confidence and will be the danger man to Pochettino’s side this weekend.