Two more games before the international break, and we need to keep the momentum up.
First up is Basel on Wednesday.
With Francis Coquelin out, Granit Xhaka seems certain to start the game. Fitness allowing, for me that should be the only change to the outfield X, with Ospina likely to start in goal.
11 goals in a week, just one conceded - not bad form is it
The Swiss champs aren't in bad form themselves - 9 wins from 9 in their league. However they will have been disappointed with their 1-1 draw in the first CL group game at Ludogorets.
They rested their danger man, Seydou Doumbia, yesterday - although the striker came and scored late in the game, taking his seasons tally to 6 in 8. Experienced striker Marc Janko, however, looks set to miss the match with a hamstring injury.
An interesting clash sees Granit Xhaka face his brother Taulant again. Granit was the victor when they faced off in Euro 16. Along with Granit, Mohamed Elneny could also face his former club.
This is a must win for Arsenal, and Santi Cazorla could be key. Despite good domestic form, Cazorla has struggled a bit in Europe and his new partnership with Xhaka has to be efficient. We cannot afford repeats of last seasons slip ups against 'lesser' sides.
After Basel is Burnley, and the chance to extend our Premier League winning run to 5.
Then the international break
Basel next...
posted on 25/9/16
With the games coming up it is a good opportunity to use the squad over a few weeks to give some key players a week off. Sanchez, Ozil and others will play in the international break and the ones who dont will get a break. Seems a perfect opportunity to give Sanchez a game off and play Perez (Giroud can do one), Ramsey for Ozil in a free role to show what he can do in his best position.
posted on 25/9/16
I have a feeling Wenger will rotate more than we want and we will struggle. Basel have humiliated pretty much every English team they've ever played. Hope we don't join the list. I'm worried about Cazorla/Xhaka CM pairing. Both players are pretty immobile, anybody presses them and we are in trouble
posted on 25/9/16
There is some sense in pairing Xhaka and Elneny for this, imo. The home factor is what probaby means Santi has to start in CM though.
posted on 25/9/16
Or play all 3 and shift Ozil out wide at Iwobi's expense
posted on 25/9/16
Ludogorets away before the 3 harder games seems a good one to give a couple of players a rest so they dont have to travel and play. The few games before then could be used to give 1 or 2 players per game, and no more than that, a few days off. Have them all ready for the big 3 games.
Personally I would play our strongest team in the 2 games before the international break and wait until after for any players who need it to be given a rest. As I said earlier, non internationals will get a break anyway so theres only the international players who will need it.
posted on 25/9/16
Wouldnt mind us resting Walcott and playing Perez.
posted on 25/9/16
I think we can rest Alexis against Middlesbrough and Ludo(home)
posted on 25/9/16
comment by 4everanarsenal-Alexis Is A Red Hot Chile Pepper (U20629)
posted 3 minutes ago
I think we can rest Alexis against Middlesbrough and Ludo(home)
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he wont want to be rested though. Wenger will have a big job trying to advise Santi to manage his body throughout the season.He didnt even want to come off last night
posted on 25/9/16
I just hope we will avoid complacency against Basel and be professional. I can remember last season we lost our first 2 Champions League games to teams we should have beaten, don't want a repeat of that!
posted on 26/9/16
we have an almost fully fit squad and should rotate as much as possible to keep everyone fresh (cos of injuries) and give everyone a chance at getting into the first team.