View From The Sphere

Who’d be in your Arsenal XI to take on Olympiakos tonight at The Emirates?

|
Image for Who’d be in your Arsenal XI to take on Olympiakos tonight at The Emirates?

Following our rather unlucky yet deserved loss, due to our over performance, to Chelsea last Saturday, we welcome Greek champions Olympiakos to The Emirates for the second of our six Champions League Group stage matches.

We will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering our first defeat of the season over the weekend, and there is no better way to do this than take out our frustration on Olympiakos, a club we have met on a number of occasions.

Last season, when we played the Greeks at home, we managed to come out as 2-1 winners and undoubtedly we’ll all be hoping to bag the three points again.

Abou Diaby has been ruled out for three weeks due to a thigh strain, while Mikel Arteta is suffering from a minor ankle injury, but could still feature in the game. In addition, Jack Wilshere is finally off the treatment table and available to Arsene Wenger.

With this in mind, and a London derby just a round the corner, what should our starting line-up look like tonight?

Well taking into account that the names mentioned above are actually ruled out of action, here is how I would play it:

Mannone

Jenkinson          Mertesacker          Vermaelen          Gibbs

Coquelin          Ramsey

Cazorla

Chamberlain                              Podolski

Giroud

Following a poor performance against Chelsea, I reckon Laurent Koscielny should be replaced by Per Mertesacker.

With Diaby definitely out and Arteta a doubt, I would like to see Francis Coquelin sit in the Spaniard’s position, while Aaron Ramsey takes the role of Diaby. However, if Arteta is fit then he should start, as he is a big player for us.

Upfront I would like to see the trio of Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud. However, I can almost guarantee Gervinho will be picked ahead of AOC, and I also reckon Giroud will not start after his last minute against Chelsea. But I think he needs to redeem himself and this would be the perfect opportunity to do this.

So, who do you guys reckon should start for us tonight against the Greeks?

Leave us your thoughts and comments below

Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/Gunnersphere

Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.

Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.

Share this article

11 comments

  • mattd says:

    Mannone

    Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs

    Coquelin Ramsey

    Cazorla

    Walcott Podolski Gervinho

    The front 3 can all interchange position

    • Hard Ogura says:

      I like this set up. It disorgonises the defence as they fail to know whom to mark. A good mixture of speed and skill although Giroud also needs games now to sharpen his finishing.

  • Ifeanyi says:

    Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
    Coquelin Ramsey
    Cazorla
    Walcott Giroud Podolski

    I don’t understand many Arsenal fans. Giroud needs games to start scoring. His ability is not arguable. No player that doesn’t play consistently does well talk less of someone just blending into a new team in a new league.

    • Hard Ogura says:

      Its true Giroud needs games to sharpen him but playing him along side Walcott might not help him. Walcott wants to take his position and he won’t pass a ball to him like the way he used to do for RVP. I have seen him once and I think he will continue to do the same to frustrate him more. I would prefer another player along side him and also give Walcott a central role in second half.

  • Bimha says:

    Mannone
    Jenkinson Meterception TV5 Gibbs
    Le Coq Ramsey Carzola
    AOC Giroud Poldi

  • Long Island Gunner says:

    Completely different approach..

    Mannone
    Coquelin Mertesacker Kosc Santos
    Vermie Ox
    Ramsey
    Walcott Giroud Gerv / Pold

  • sebas says:

    I would actually like to see poldi and arteta given a rest, then hopefully be in a situation where gibbs and cazorla don’t have to play the full 90 minutes.

  • Tomas says:

    Mannone
    Jenk bfg ver santos
    Coqu ramsey
    Arshavin
    Wallcot ox
    Giru

  • Hard Ogura says:

    Mannone
    Yaris Mertesacker Kosc Santos
    Coquelin Frimpong
    Ramsey
    Ox Walcott Arsh

    Let Walcott also be given a central role in 1st half with pace against the Greeks, then Giroud can come in 2nd half to hold off the opponents from attacking as the game gets towards the end with Coq and Frimp holding the mid and Ramsey covering them as Arsh does the provision in attacking mid.

    Rest most of the key players who have had a lot of games and motivate others.

  • Stephen says:

    Mannon Jekinson, Pert, Verminator, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta, Santiago, Gervinho, Giroud, Poldoski.

  • Brittney Hootsell says:

    So true i am still trying to master a lot of these and everday is a struggle, i’ve gotten better with impatience but the others are a slippery slope

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *