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Who’d be in your Arsenal XI to face Villa today?

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Arsenal badgeWell, as they say, ‘life begins’ this afternoon. Football is back!

It’s been a hell of a wait (90 days to be exact) and I’m sure every fan across the country is eagerly awaiting the return of the Premier League season…I know I am!

Our first game this season is against Aston Villa at The Emirates. And, on paper, it’s a fixture we should come out of with all three points, especially if history is anything to go by.

Our squad at present has actually declined in personnel from last season, with Arsene Wenger letting 17 players leave the club and bringing in just one new recruit (on a free might I add). A bit worrying with only 16 days left to do business! But hopefully Wenger comes good and delivers what the fans want – big-name players that will put Arsenal on another level and challenge for the Premier League title. But for now we have what we have at the club, and Wenger will have to put out a side which will bag all the points today.

But what should Wenger’s first starting line-up of the new season look like?

Well we have a number of players ruled out of contention due to injuries; these include Thomas Vermaelen, Ryo Miyaichi, Nacho Monreal and Abou Diaby who are all out with long-term injuries. Theo Walcott, Mikel Arteta and Bacary Sagna all picked up small knocks during international duty in midweek, while Aaron Ramsey did not play for Wales because of a slight injury but could be ready for the game tomorrow afternoon. Although not injured, Santi Cazorla’s fitness will be assessed after his long flight back from Ecuador.

So taking this all into account and assuming only Cazorla and Ramsey are made available out of the names mentioned in the previous paragraph, this is how I would like to see Wenger set out our side against Paul Lambert’s side:

Szczesny

Jenkinson          Mertesacker          Koscielny          Gibbs

Wilshere          Ramsey

Cazorla

Chamberlain                                                      Podolski

Giroud

So, who do you guys reckon should start for us against Villa at The Emirates today?

Let us know your line-up and thoughts below

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