It’s the same old story again, an Arsenal squad heavily depleted by injuries, is having to play second string players in many a position at a crucial time of the season.
Important first team players like Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are all poised to face a lengthy period on the sidelines, where as there are hardly any attacking options on the bench due to injuries to Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky, and what not.
It’s a tough period that Arsene Wenger and his troops are to weather off, and there is some respite by the returns of Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny.
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Gibbs is fit enough to start, but Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott are expected to only make the match-day squad. Some amount of action can surely be expected from Theo Walcott off the bench.
Injury to Santi Cazorla means Ramsey can finally get his long desired place at central midfield, unless Wenger opts to play a double pivot containing Chambers and Flamini. With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in action, he is set to replace Alexis at left flank. Gabriel is expected to start considering that Koscielny might not be fit enough to start.
Mikel Arteta is still sidelined unknown for how long, after the knock he picked up on a very bad night for him at the Hawthorns. Sam Allardyce remains to be wary of the depleted Arsenal squad, having injuries issues of his own with Jermaine Defoe, Sebastian Larsson and Jack Rodwell all sidelined.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Cech
Bellerin Mertesacker Gabriel Monreal
Flamini Ramsey
Campbell Ozil Chamberlain
Giroud
CONFIRMED LINE-UP
Cech
Bellerin Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal
Flamini Ramsey
Campbell Ozil Chamberlain
Giroud
