Arsenal will look to end their two-match losing streak on Boxing Day, when they host West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The North London club have suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Everton after going unbeaten for 14 Premier League games.with all of the main title contenders winning their last two matches.
The Gunners can’t afford another slip-up tomorrow, with all of the main title contenders winning their last two matches.
West Brom too are struggling, winning just one of their last three matches, but the Baggies have been in fine form this season and won’t make things easy on manager Arsene Wenger’s troops.
Injury News
The Emirates club have some good news on the injury front with Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey returning back to training. Although the English striker isn’t likely to start until January, Ramsey just might be involved in the game against West Brom.
Chamberlain and Mustafi will continue to miss, although Wenger has confirmed that Alex will just be out for days and not weeks, we expect both Mustafi and the England winger to return early January. Long-term absentees are Mertesacker, Cazorla and Debuchy, who are expected to come around January end.
Predicted Line-up
Gabriel will continue to star alongside Koscielny at the back. Bellerin will start at right-back but it’s likely that Gibbs will be given a chance at left-back.
Monreal has been below par all season and was undone again by Sterling for the City winner so it’s about time he’s dropped. Gibbs hasn’t really put a foot wrong when given the chance.
Our defensive midfield has been woeful in the last two games and the Xhaka-Coquelin combination just doesn’t work, as the Gunners don’t seem to have any control in the middle of the park when they play together. But it’s likely that Wenger will continue with the duo once again.
Walcott should continue on the right and will look to continue his form and Perez might be given a go on the left side of attack with Ozil playing behind Perez and Sanchez moving to the left.
Possible Arsenal XI: Petr Cech, Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista, Hector Bellerin, Xhaka, Francis Coquelin, Lucas Perez, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez
