This weekend, Arsenal begin what can only be described as a hectic run of games which could ultimately define their season.
Arsene Wenger’s men are scheduled to play five games in the space of a forthnight which starts with a trip to Anfield this Saturday. They then host Manchester United on the following Wednesday and Liverpool on the 16th. If this wasn’t bad enough the Gunners then face European champions Bayern Munich at home on the 19th and three days later entertain Sunderland at the Emirates.
Arsenal are still going strong in the Premier League after 24 games in, leading both Chelsea and Manchester City by two points, and are more than capable of winning the FA Cup if they can manage to get by Liverpool – the Champions League, however, is a tall order, with a lot of Arsenal fans conceding they won’t win the competition.
But this Saturday we travel to Anfield and have to deal with an insanely in form Luis Suarez, who has netted an impressive 23 goals in 19 Premier League games for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
This promises to be one hell of a game with Liverpool only dropping five points from a possible 36 at home, while Arsenal have recorded eight wins, two draws and two losses away in the Premier League thus far.
Both clubs will, I hope, be pushing for the win with Liverpool chasing a Champions League qualification spot, while Arsenal will want to keep hold of top spot and mount the pressure on City and Chelsea.
But taking into account current injuries and this crazy run of games to come this month, what team should Wenger put out on Saturday lunchtime?
In truth, there aren’t a lot of options for Wenger to take, so I think this would be a decent enough side capable of getting a positive result against the Kop outfit:
Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal
Arteta Chamberlain
Cazorla Ozil Podolski
Giroud
Even if Kieran Gibbs is fit, I would like to see Nacho Monreal keep his place in the side as he has played well in the past five Premier League games for us.
Reports suggest both Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up knocks against Crystal Palace, but I’m guessing they will be fit enough to play against Liverpool. If they aren’t then I don’t know who Wenger will play in the middle, so hopefully they are cleared to play. Jack Wilshere is back in training but I think it would be unwise to start him in such a high-profile game, especially after recovering from an injury.
It’s hard to guess who Wenger will play in front of Arts and Chambo, but I assume it will be the same three that played against Palace, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla – although I do think Tomas Rosicky would offer us stability, will get stuck in and track back. If the Czech midfielder doesn’t play this game he will against United.
Obviously, Olivier Giroud will lead the line as per usual.
Wenger will almost certainly switch things up, if not this weekend against Liverpool then he will next week against United.
Does your starting XI match mine or does it differ?
Let me know below in the comments section
I will only make two changes to that line-up. Will have Rosiky in place of Poldi, simply because Rosicky offer more going forward and in defending. Podolski hasn’t been that much of an impact when he starts for some strange reason, but I do know he offers a lot when he comes on. My second objection, would be having Gibbs instead of Monreal. I think he offers more speed in covering sterling than Monreal would do. Sterling is like an unsong hero for Liverpool. He cause a lot of problems for defenses.
Id play
Szczeny sagna mertasacker koscielny gibbs arteta wilshere rosicky cazorla ozil giroud
Szczeny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Arteta
Rosicky
Chambo. Ozil. Cazorla
Giroud
I think both Gibbs and Monreal should start for Arsenal. We need five capable defenders to thwart the pace and strength of Suarez & Sturridge. My team: (SZCZESNY) (SAGNA, MERTESACKER, KOSCIELNY & GIBBS.) (MONREAL.) (PODOLSKI, CAZORIA, OZIL & CHAMBERLAIN.) (GURIOD.) If Gibbs is fit, he should start while Monreal plays the role of Flamini. Save any lack of fitness & form, this is the strongest Arsenal team of the day to play Liverpool in my own thoughts. Let those that have a good record of scoring & assist start the match. I hope there is another good penalty converter in my starts in place of Arteta if he doesn’t start. Gnabry should start from the bench. I know he can assist but we don’t want to see goal opportunity been blazed over in the early part of the match. UP GUNNERS!
@samuel- dats 5 left footed players, wot formation will dat be?. Playing defensive will only encourage SAS attack d more. I quite agree with wenger, dominating d game will starve liverpool’s service to both players. We know dia threats buh dey’ve got no clue of ours. Goals comes 4rm any of our midfielders., playing our game is all dat matters. I’ll go for @XY’s formation. I believe we can get anoda clean sheet @ anfield., go guns
Same back 4 with Gibbs in it. Roscicky instead of Podolski. COYG!