Defence:
Kieran Gibbs should start in the left wing back slot, replacing Nacho Monreal in the starting eleven. The young Englishman is more efficient at going forward and is equally good tracking back and offering width on the pitch for his side. Bacary Sagna should start in the right back slot with Mertesacker and Koscielny as the centre back defensive partnership. In the Saints game, the French German pair allowed too much space to Lallana and Rodriguez for their liking. They need to plug in the gaps and will have to keep their concentration throughout the entire course of ninety minutes to keep their pace at the top of the table.
Midfield:
Mathieu Flamini will miss out thanks to the red card he picked up against Cardiff. Moreover Wenger will also be without his key men Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey for the clash. As a result, Mikel Arteta will get a start in the middle of the park. Tomas Rosicky might be drafted in after a surgery on his nose, but Wenger prefers to play Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park rather than the Czech International. So expect a Arteta-Ox combination in the midfield while Mesut Ozil, who had a breather of a match against the Saints will continue to play in the number ten role.
Serge Gnabry should start on the right with Arsenal’s best player currently, Santi Cazorla expected to draft on the left. This triumvirate should be looking to pull defenders out of position and make space for the lone striker up front.