Strongest Arsenal Lineup To Play Against Crystal Palace – Koscielny Is Fit For The Game

Arsenal kicked off their 2014/15 campaign with a comprehensive Community Shield victory over Manchester City last weekend. They will be looking for another victory time around as they start their Premier League campaign at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday. While they will be without their World Champions Mertesacker, Özil and Podolski, they should still have more than enough to beat a Palace side whose manager Tony Pulis resigned on Thursday. How will Arsenal line up for their Premier League opener? Read on.

Goalkeeper And Defenders

Arsenal’s acquisition of World Cup sensation David Ospina meant that for the first time in a very long time, the Gunners start a Premier League season with two genuinely good keepers. It was Wojciech Szczesny who started against City last Sunday and the Polish shot-stopper who won the Golden Glove last year is expected to keep his place against Palace on Saturday. With Ospina still not fully fit after his exertions in the World Cup, it would be a surprise to see the Pole being challenged in the first few weeks at least.

Although Arsenal will be missing one of their first-choice centre Mertesacker, Koscielny is back to full training after an injury scare. Mathieu Debuchy will replace Sagna and take the right back slot, while another new signing Calum Chambers looks set to partner Laurent Koscielny in central defence. While the duo performed admirably against City, there were still some cracks that Wenger would want to clamp down on. Young Kieran Gibbs look set to get the nod over Nacho Monreal for the left back slot, which means that it will be the same defence that started against City in the Community Shield.

Click next page button >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Midfield:

One of the problem areas for the Gunners last season was in defensive midfield, an area which still hasn’t been addressed by Wenger, which will mean that captain Mikel Arteta will once again be given the responsibility of sitting deep and helping out the defence. In front of him, Aaron Ramsey, who has started this season just like he did last time around and the impressive Jack Wilshere look set to feature as the remaining members of the three-man midfield.

Strike force:

Up front, Olivier Giroud looks to have overcome his fitness concerns and will likely get the nod over Yaya Sanogo, who started against City and had an impressive pre-season. On right side, Alexis Sanchez looks set to make his League debut after his impressive start in the Community Shield, while on the left, Santi Cazorla looks set to make the most of the absence of Özil and start yet again. The attack looks stronger than usual and shouldn’t have too many problems breaching the Palace defence and starting their Premier League campaign with a win.