Arsenal’s 2017 has not gone according to plan as they lost some precious ground at the top of the Premier League table, slipping to the 4th place in the points table, with just 14 games to go this season. The Gunners were also humiliated on their European journey as their trip to the Allianz Arena, for the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Champions League, ended in a 5-1 defeat. This loss means that Wenger has little chance of progress in the UCL, leaving the FA Cup as the only real shot at silverware for the manager. Wenger will know that a few players in the squad have not been up to the mark and he will look to give some fringe players a chance in their place to prove themselves at the highest level. They are drawn with Sutton United away from home and here are 2 players who need to be dropped by the manager for this game:
Granit Xhaka:
The Swizz international was one of the costliest purchases for Arsene Wenger in recent times and he was expected to cement a place in the first team at the club this season. However, his disciplinary issues have come to the forth at the Emirates and he has not been able to get a regular place in the starting XI under Wenger this season. He is expected to be the first choice at the club in years to come but his recent performances have not kept him in the good books of the manager. He was hapless in the game against Bayern in the midfield and it might be time for Wenger to axe him from the first team. Mohamed Elneny, who is showing some promise should get his chance in this game alongside Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has been impressive.
Mesut Ozil:
Arguably one of the best players in his position in Europe, Ozil, has been one of the major reasons for the recent slump for the Gunners. Having put on some of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt at the start of the season, Ozil, has slowly lost his form, and is currently nothing more than a spectator in crunch games. Bayern Munich goalkeeper had as many touches as the playmaker in the game in Germany and though he is an important player in the squad, it might be time for Wenger to show him a place on the bench. Sutton United are a decent team who will test Arsenal away from home and Wenger might need the poise of Ozil for this game but he should stick with the likes of Walcott, Iwobi and Chamberlain for this game and should drop Ozil, to try and give him a day off to get back to his best.
Who do you think should be dropped from the squad at the Emirates for this FA Cup tie against Sutton United?