So we are only a day away from the new season beginning and despite rumours of Alex Song departing for Barcelona and Robin van Persie leaving for Manchester United earlier in the week, Arsenal are looking in pretty good shape.
The Gunners kick-off their campaign at home against Sunderland, and needless to say we don’t want to repeat the start that we endured last season.
I know it’s only the first of 38 matches, but every game matters.
Picking up three points at home against a ‘lesser side’ in Sunderland, no offence Black Cat fans, is vital. We need a good start.
Our side looks a little different this term than it did in the previous one with the inclusion of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla into the squad, but it looks like a side which means business, and hopefully that’s what it will prove to be from now until May.
So what should Arsene Wenger’s opening first-team line-up look like?
Well considering we have no Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Frimpong and Bacary Sagna, and with the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain possibly ruled out of contention tomorrow, this is how I see Wenger playing it against the Black Cats:
Szczesny
Koscielny Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Arteta Song
Gervinho Cazorla Podolski
Giroud
I believe this is a strong enough side to handle Sunderland and ultimately pick up the first three points of the season.
So, who do you guys reckon should start for us tomorrow afternoon against Sunderland?
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Song won’t play. Diaby instead of Song.
Diaby for Song but i will respect A. Wenger’s choice
4-3-3, as follows:
Szczesny;
Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs;
Diaby, Arteta, S.Cazorla;
Walcott, Giroud, Podolski.
Probably:
Szcez
Coq Kosz Verm Gib
Art Dia Caz
Walnut Handsome Podi
And it’s a pretty strong team.
Looks good if Kos is fit. Maybe Santos for Gibbs. And I agree with Diaby for a Song.
iv heard koscielny is injured for tomorrow’s game and apparently song is off,so he is unlikely to feature. also not sure about arteta as he picked up a slight knock before the cologne game. so this is how i see it
——————–Szczesny
Yennaris Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
——————–Coquelan
——–Arteta/Ramsey——Cazorla
—-Walcott Gervinho
——————-Podolski
Kos Mert Verm Santos
Arteta Diaby
Wal/Ox Cazorla Pod
Giroud
Subs to bring on : AA and Gervhino/Gnarbi and possibly Gibbs, if needed ?
Arteta did ten laps of the pitch before the Cologne game with Steve Bould, so I don’t reckon he’ll be too short for tomorrow. Ramsey is the obvious alternative if Arteta doesn’t make it.
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Mertesacker Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud…you heard it here first.
Kozz is injured so we have carl there. Diaby if song wont be available..
Szczesny
Coq-Mert-Verm-Gibbo
Arteta-Diaby-Caz
Wcott-Poldi-Gervinhead