Arsenal have a had a pretty torrid time during the last three weeks, they had given up a couple of games where they were leading and a lot of questions have been asked about the current squad and the mentality of the squad.
Arsene Wenger might be in the market for a proper defensive midfielder with the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer and Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak being linked with a move to London. There is some good news for Arsenal fans though; Theo Walcott is back in the squad and raring to go while striker Olivier Giroud could also be returning soon after being out for close to three months.
Arsenal are currently sitting in 6th position with 17 points from 11 games and are 12 points behind leaders Chelsea. They have only won 4 games this season in the Premier League, the returning pair of Walcott and Giroud could provide the fire power to shoot the Gunners up the league. Here is what their strongest XI could be when the pair are finally fit.
Arsenal XI
Wojciech Szczesny
There is no doubt who the number one goalkeeper at Arsenal is, the Polish number one might have thought his position is at risk when Arsenal signed Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina but Wojciech has no worries about his position and he is the best keeper at Arsenal currently.
Mathieu Debuchy
The French right back who was signed from Newcastle had a pretty decent start to the season but was carried off on a stretcher in September and will be out for 3 months, once fit he would be the first choice right back for Arsenal, ahead of newly signed Calum Chambers, who has a bright future but he still needs to learn.
Per Mertersacker
Mertesacker might not have the pace to play in the Premier League but the old head on the shoulder does know how to defend, his lack of pace has not affected his ability to defend for Arsenal. The World Cup winner is a first choice centre back for Arsene and he uses every bit of his experience in dealing with attacks alongside his partner.
Laurent Koscielny
Signed from Lorient, the French centre back has proved his critics wrong and has been one of the best centre backs in the league, him and Mertersacker are a perfect pair at the back and have grown from strength to strength, which did not seem possible when they started playing together.
Kieran Gibbs
Ever since Gael Clichy left the Emirates to join Manchester City, Gibbs has been the first choice as the left back for Arsenal, they don’t really have a lot of cover at left back, and hence he is an automatic first choice at the club.
Aaron Ramsey
The Welshman though his career might have been over when he suffered a horrendous injury at Stoke in 2010 but he has comeback bigger and better, his start to last season was something exceptional until injury got to him again. The Welshman is one of the most important players for Arsene Wenger currently.
Jack Wilshere
The English midfielder came under some criticism when certain, unflattering photos were leaked in the press but he is very important to the Arsenal system with his passing and movement. He and Ramsey would be a perfect pair as long as they remember their defensive duties.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott is an automatic choice once he achieves full fitness, had it been a couple of years ago, he might not have been in the strongest XI but he has worked hard on his decision making and also his finishing has mightily improved.
Santi Cazorla
A tough call between Ozil and Cazorla, the Spaniard just gets the nod ahead of the German. Santi has done well for the club regularly while Ozil, after a brilliant start to his career last season has somewhat fallen off the trail. The Spanish attacker would also provide a bit of balance to the side by playing behind the striker where he is most comfortable.
Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal signed the Chilean after an impressive 2014 World cup from Barcelona for £35 million and he has started repaying that fee almost as soon as he put on the red shirt. He has already scored 7 goals in 9 league games and looks a player apart and he would be perfect playing in either side, swapping wings with Theo regularly if played together.
Olivier Giroud
The French striker would come ahead of Danny Welbeck simply because the English striker has not spent enough time at Arsenal, sure he got a hat trick in the Champions League but Giroud’s finishing and intelligent off the ball movement just pushes him one notch about Welbeck.
Szczesny
Debuchy Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Wilshere Ramsey
Walcott Cazorla Sanchez
Giroud