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My expected Arsenal starting XI to face Huddersfield

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Arsenal take on Huddersfield at the Emirates this afternoon and will look to continue their fine form under Unai Emery.

The Gunners extended their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions in mid-week after securing a point against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Arsenal currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League with 31 points from 15 games played and could claim third spot with a win over Huddersfield, at least until this evening when Chelsea take on Manchester City.

Danny Welbeck and Nacho Monreal are both ruled out with long-term injuries, while Laurent Koscielny continues to regain full fitness, so the Frenchman will more than likely sit this one out. Rob Holding is another who will not be up for selection for today’s game after suffering a knee injury against United, while Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil will be assessed prior to kick-off.

Taking this into account, what should Arsenal’s starting XI be today?

Here is the team I think Emery will/should play:

Leno

Lichtsteiner          Sokratis          Mustafi

Bellerin                                                                            Kolasinac

Torreira          Guendouzi 

Mkhitaryan                                          Iwobi

 Aubameyang

With the Europa League upcoming this Thursday, Petr Cech is likely to be selected for that game, so Bernd Leno should be involved today.

When Holding picked up the injury in mid-week, Emery opted for Stephan Lichtsteiner to come and take up the right side of the back three. I expect the Swiss to play in this role alongside Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi.

Wing-back’s should be Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac who have both impressed in recent weeks in these positions.

Lucas Torreira is an obvious choice in midfield, and I would like to see Matteo Guendouzi play alongside him once again instead of Granit Xhaka.

Henrikh Mikhitaryan and Alex Iwobi haven’t been great to watch in the last two, three games, but this is one where they can gain a bit more confidence and turn that poor form around.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks the first-choice striker and there is no reason for him to give up his place today.

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