4 games – 2 draws and 2 defeats; Arsenal are looking for their first Premiership win of 2018. Koscielny and Monreal are fit to bolster defence, while Ozil’s knee problem is behind him.
Hopefully there won’t be a repeat of our 3-0 defeat at Selhurst Park last season but anything is possible at the moment. Biggest plus is Kolasinac could return for first game this calender year.
Koscielny needs to rediscover his form of last season. Even Wenger is back fit after his touchline ban.
Jack Wilshere(my choice for club captain next season) should start with either of Ramsey and Xhaka in midfield. Lacazatte is expected to start up front with Welbeck playing behind him.
Peter Cech has lost his confidence of late so having a strong defence back in front of him should help. He is the best keeper in the Lremiership, but deserves some help in front of him.
Monreal is consistent and provides options for us at the back. If he can keep position he links well with midfield and should be a starter against Palace.
To progress as a club we need to beat teams like Palace. No offence to them but a top 4 team has to beat all below them.
Wilshere is beginning to fire on all cylinders and has to shape the team and take today’s game by the scruff of the neck. He and Ramsey are more than capable of running midfield in any game.
Speculation is that Ramsey is unhappy at Arsenal and the tactics. We have stood by him for years now, now he needs to deliver. He doesn’t get enough goals but with Xhaka’s tigerish tackles(if he plays a part today) and Kolasinac making runs to support ,it should give Ramsey and Jack the time and space they need, then it makes the game easier.
Football is not complicated so don’t over complicate things. Keep possession and breakdown Palace attacks. Wilshere can put the ball on a sixpence for Lacazette and with hopefully, Wellbeck supporting then maintaining that record of scoring in every game at the Emirates this season should continue.
We can all talk a good game and argue about who should play, but todays team is as good as it gets at the moment so come on boys, Lets start as we mean to go on and hunt 4th place down. Anything is possible.
