Arsenal take on Crystal Palace this afternoon in real need of three points to stay within touching distance of the top four.
Having beaten Palace with the help of a couple of Alexis Sanchez goals just a few weeks ago, the Gunners will have to do it without the Chilean today as he looks set to complete his move to Man Utd.
Here are today’s official line-ups.
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Wilshere, Elneny, Ozil, Iwobi, Lacazette
Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Nelson, Nketiah
Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Cabaye, Milovojevic, Zaha, Sako, Benteke
Subs: Speroni, Souare, Ward, Delaney, Riedewald, Lee, Townsend
Kos and Monreal, excellent. Not so sure about Elneny and Xhaka but let’s see.
Jack and Ozil, so plenty of creativity. Let’s hope Laca can start scoring again, otherwise not sure where the goals are coming from.
And looks like 4-3-2-1. But where is Wellbinho?
Injured
Xhaka deep lying with long passes, Elneny short passing play, with intelligent interplay linking defense to attacking midfield and adding that extra body for long range attack. Now Wilshere can feel a bit free knowing he has 2 behind when getting by players with Ozil and Iwobi on either side of him. 4231
What happened to ramsey ? Damn our bench looks kiddish to what it was in the 1st quarter of season!
Na! I am okay with the bench. Yes there is no proven firepower but then Nketiah has a point to prove and Nelson has that Messi-ness about him. 30 minutes for him please.
THAT guy injured or on his way as well ???
Whatever, COYG !!! nothing less than 3 goals and 3 points… Hope Iwobi puts his decision boots 🙂
no walcott on the bench…..
70% less offsides in next “by the numbers” section 🙂
He’s starting…. for Everton
What’s big Sam doing bringing Walcott on that early?
Going missing again
Happy we’re going 4 at the back though was hoping to see Niles paired with Xhaka in the middle.
Elneny will be at cb
Elneny and Xhaka the 2 deeper midfielders, I think. Obviously, I could be wrong
What’s the formation?
Looks like a 4-3-3
I’m guessing it will be more of a 4-2-3-1 with Wilshere further forward and given more if a licence to roam and create with him, Ozil and Iwobi moving and creating for Lacazette. Lacazette has been waiting for this type of team with loads of creative players behind him looking for the through ball and other clever creative play. If he doesn’t do well in this formation, then I’ll begin to really worry about him. He needs to bag a couple today for his confidence.
Back 4 or back 5 with Elneny?
No Welbeck. Is he injured or has the boss finally given up on him?
Am I crazy or do I only see ten names in Palace starting XI?
I hope the first eleven can pull this one off – no attacking experience of note on the bench.
Bare bench.
little on the bench. but looks like a good team. Maybe he will try Maitland-Niles in midfield later on.
I assume its a back four, however. Good points made here. If back five, not so thrilled.
No ramsey on bench maybe he has a little setback or he is ill but where is welbeck?
Picked up something in training yesterday I think
Palace down to 10 men already, brilliant!
Always helps
Back to our best back line and it is always good to have Ozil back in. Let us get those three points now.
I love the fact that Nketiah is on the bench. Strange that that is the only thing that excites me about the lineup.
Don’t want to be negative but im not too sure about this team. Nice to see Kos and Monreal back but not too keen on Elneny and Iwobi starting also where is Ramsey?
God, why is he doing this to Kolasinac? I mean,m Monreal just got back and he goes straight into the first team. Now we’re back to four in the back, and we’re playing Elneny? Jesus Christ!
How does Iwobi keep getting games?
I understand if you don’t get dropped after having 2-3 off games. But this is a joke
Why not AMN instead of Elneny? Give the kid a chance.
It’s embarrassing Palace think they can take us on with only ten men! 🙂
Oh great….Iwobi’s playing.
loving this lineup! i honestly see us winning and comfortably bar red cards or undeserved penalty
Is that 343 with elneny playing defence?
Only other formation I can think of is one which practise for miki/Ozil playing together.
4231, jack out wide?
Next week…
Bellerin Kos Mustafi Monreal
Xhaka jack
Miki Ozil Iwobi
Laca
?
Walcott is fit and still didn’t make the bench. Wonder what the manager is thinking, hmmm
must be really difficult for some to take back the harsh pre game comments..shame.