Predicted Arsenal Line-up To Face FC Koln In The Europa League
After back to back losses in the league, Arsenal were back to winning ways this past weekend, when they put in a solid performance against Bournemouth on Saturday. The victory will give them loads of confidence going into their Europa League campaign this week. The Gunners welcome Bundesliga outfit FC Koln, who overachieved last season to qualify for Europe.
The German outfit were beaten 3-0 in their previous game in the Bundesliga and are not expected to be too hard an opponent for the English outfit. Wenger may even look to rest a few players.
Team News
Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are the only two injury absentees for this game for Arsenal as Wenger can field a side with a variety of options. Laurent Koscielny is out suspended.
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Arsene Wenger
GK – David Ospina
The cup goal keeper for Arsenal, Ospina should replace Petr Cech, giving the veteran a much-needed break.
CB – Rob Holding
The youngster was dropped in the previous two league games but Wenger should push him back into the starting XI in a relatively easy game.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
The German defender was effective in the middle of the back-3 and Wenger should continue to use him there in what should be an easy outing for the German defender.
CB – Nacho Monreal
Nacho Monreal should hold on to his place in the back-3. With Koscielny out suspended, he’d be tasked with leading the back-line.
RWB – Hector Bellerin
The lack of options in this position should see Wenger stick with Bellerin at the wing-back slot on the right flank.
CM – Granit Xhaka
The Swiss international has been struggling since the start of the season but will be a danger man to the Bundesliga outfit in this game. Maybe, this is the chance for him to find some form and kickstart his campaign?
CM – Aaron Ramsey
The Welsh midfielder needs to assert his dominance quickly and this trip to Cologne might just be what he needs to go to the next level in terms of influence.
LWB – Sead Kolasinac
The newbie for Arsenal, Kolasinac has been consistent so far and he will hope for a productive time on this trip to Germany.
RW – Mesut Ozil
The German midfielder will be oozing with confidence going to his home country and will surely have a huge effect on this tie.
LW – Alexis Sanchez
Though Sanchez has not featured much, he is now back to full fitness and is ready to go. Wenger should use him in the first team, on the wing, on the left-hand side.
ST – Alexandre Lacazette
The French striker seems to be at ease playing for Arsenal and he looks to be on the verge of beginning a good goal scoring run. The Europa League is a familiar territory for him, and this might be the right time for him to find his form.