Arsenal had something to smile about when they finally managed a win and that too a convincing one, beating Lincoln City 5-0 to progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup where they have been rewarded with a clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who reached the same stage after comfortably seeing off Premier League outfit Middlesbrough 2-0.
Humiliation against Bayern Munich coupled with a loss in a crunch tie against Liverpool had threatened to submerge the club in utter chaos. The losses were compounded with unnecessary off-field issues which mainly revolved around Alexis Sanchez and his bust-up with his teammates and Sanchez and his million-dollar chuckle in the dugout.
But the Gunners seem to have put all that behind as they looked cohesive and a team with a plan and now they will look to use the result in the FA Cup as a springboard to get back into the groove in the League where they now face severe identity crisis as there is a chance that the 4th spot might not be served on a platter to the Gunners.
On a more practical note, Wenger has the players and the opportunity to finish in the Top 4 and with a good run of results, can even put pressure on the likes of City and Spurs who are clambering over one another to get a foothold in the spot beneath Chelsea.
But for Arsenal to even harbour thoughts of a Top 2 finish, they need to comfortably dispatch teams like West Bromwich Albion, whom they are facing next.
PREDICTED ARSENAL XI VS WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Petr Cech will be in goal and he will have to marshall the defence and preferably look to keep a clean sheet against the goal-shy Baggies. Hector Bellerin will get the opportunity to express himself up the pitch and needs to sharpen up quite a bit.
The central defensive pairing will be Mustafi and Koscielny with the attack-minded Gibbs at left-back.
MIDFIELD
In midfield, we are likely to see the pair of Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey line-up. Wenger might attempt to be a bit more expressive as they need to break the deadlock fast and the two hardworking and technically sound players will be more than equipped to keep the midfield going.
In the No.10 spot, Mesut Ozil will be lining up and he will their main source of creativity.
ATTACK
Sanchez is a sure shot starter on the left flank while the in-form Walcott will hog the right-flank and will provide width and pace. Up front, it is likely to be the physical strength and aerial prowess of Giroud which will be expected to provide the goals.
