Arsenal have confirmed that Aaron Ramsey is fit for tomorrow’s Europa League second-leg tie with BATE Borisov.
The Wales international has returned to fitness after overcoming a knee issue that saw him miss the away leg and the win over Huddersfield.
Alex Lacazette misses the must-win clash due to the red card he picked up in the final five minutes in Belarus. In all likelihood, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the attack.
The only other absentees are the three players, Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck and Hector Bellerin, who are out for the season.
At least one of Ramsey or Ozil must start tomorrow. I say that but now I bet the teamsheet will be released with 9 defenders / defensive midfielders.
Cech
Lichtsteiner – Mustafi – Koscielny – Monreal – Kolasinac
Guendouzi – Elneny – Torreira – Xhaka
(begrudgingly) Aubameyang
Maitland-Niles ready to provide some ‘attacking impetus’ from the bench
Cech
AMN – Mustafi – KOS – Monreal
Torreira
Ramsey – Xhaka – Ozil – Iwobi
Auba
I’d prefer to see a more attacking and balanced formation. My team would be:
Cech
AMN Sokratis Kos Monreal
Torreira Xhaka
Mkhi Ozil Iwobi
Aubameyang
Is Sokratis not back?
Why play a back 5 just play 4 the defence is not great no matter how many we play in it.
3 at the back?! Ah, who am I kidding, you’re probably right…
Lichtsteiner out?
CECH
LICHSTEINER – KOS – MONREAL – KOLA
MIKI – TORREIRA – RAMSEY
OZIL – AUBA – IWOBI
We need to try and smash them to help breed some confidence. goals,goals,goals!!!!!
I’ll take that bet. Ramsey or Ozil to start, Emery can’t fuck about.
I would like to see Ozil play tomorrow but I have a feeling we won’t.
Great we’ll have a decent midfielder on the bench.
I hope Ramsey and Ozil play. But with Ramsey leaving next season, and Ozil frozen out, I doubt he will be in the plans for next season. Sad, but we are holding to build a strong team, have a strong line up, based on player that are leaving. Wtf is going on??
Ramsey and Ozil occupy the same space, both in one lineup is not a good idea.
But I get it, no one cares.
Now please play Özil
Leno
Mait Niles, kos, sok, kola
Torreira, xhaka
Ramsey, Ozil, iwobi
Auba
4-1 win
I would love to see Ramsey Master Bate
A bit weird but each to their own I guess.
*sticky keys are turned on*
Alexander, like I said
Both Ramsey and Ozil should start on Thursday. If Emery is such a great manager then he should realise that it’s time for him to swallow his pride and bring Ozil back into the team. I don’t believe we’ll qualify for the Champions’ League via the Premier League. United have a massive head of steam and will nick that fourth place. With our dodgy away form we have no chance of finishing above both them and the Chavs. So the Europa League is our only realistic chance of qualifying for the big one. We all know what’s gonna happen on… Read more »
I disagree Large, Ozil is not only mentally fragile he is also out of form as he hasn’t played for weeks. Furthermore Given the wave he made after our defeat quoting an actual legend, poor attempt at manipulating Fans emotion, I hope we won’t see him again. You wanna be a legend fragile little Ozil? Start by making your own quotes!
Would you rather we played three defensive midfielders at home against a rubbish team that we need to beat? It’s these sort of tactics that have already alienated quite a few Arsenal fans.
No I wouldn’t but I would not play Ozil either. Glad to be proven wrong. I’m all for Arsenal winning!! COYG
Does Ozil create chances if opposition parks the bus? He is not a pure tight space dribbler. If his pass goes through, opposition will have five guys to stop the striker who receives the ball. Tomorrow we need players who represent aerial threats and Mustafi is the only one. He must play assuming we will not be under attack. Giroud is no more with us. Auba is not that striker. Monreal if fit should play. He has some close range shots that go near the bar.
Get some energy and pace on the pitch and attack from kickoff (4-1-4-1): Cech; AMN, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Torreira; Iwobi, Ozil, Ramsey, Mhki; Aubameyang … or (4-2-3-1): Cech; AMN, Koscielny, Mavropanos, Monreal; Xhaka, Guendouzi; Iwobi, Ozil, Ramsey; Aubameyang. We deserve some joy.
This is how I feel we’ll line up
Leno
AMN Sokratis Kos Monreal
Torr Guen
Xhaka
Suarez. Iwobi
Auba
Good news about Ramsey. His availability is vital for us tomorrow. He is not a sideways backwards player, he is very straight forward player, that’s what we need in tomorrow’s match. Direct and straight balanced attacking approach.
Either in from starting XI or from bench he will definitely make impact, if he is in the team sheet.
We should go for at the back for this one given home ground plus possession superiority plus need for goals.
Therefore if we do not elect to play Ozil then Ramsey.
Emery has not been allergic to playing Ramsey so 8 I can’t imagine it is any other than defensive liability that prevents him from fully using Ozil.
Hoping for this 4-3-3,
AMN – Sokratis – Koscielny – Monreal
Ramsey – Torreira – Guendouzi
Iwobi – Aubameyang – Kolasinac
or this 4-2-3-1
AMN – Sokratis – Koscielny – Monreal
Torreira – Guendouzi
Ramsey – Iwobi – Kolasinac
Aubameyang
We will probably have possession most of the time, and they will sit back, which means we have to push as many players up the pitch as possible.