Arsenal have been in the news quite frequently this transfer window and even though they have not yet undergone too many changes, other than the departure of Theo Walcott to Everton, the Gunners are expected to see a couple of incomings and outgoings before the window shuts.
They are due to face Crystal Palace this Saturday and this wouldn’t be an easy task by any means. The Gunners lost against Bournemouth last weekend and have to be at their best to collect all three points against the Eagles.
Team News
Mesut Ozil has a slight knee trouble and that can keep him out of this clash. First-team defenders Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny are out with injuries too. Santi Cazorla has to wait longer to completely recover from his horrific injury trouble. Sead Kolasinac is in line for a start after making the bench in the last game.
Formation: 3-4-3
Defence:
Petr Cech will have a tough time marshalling the makeshift defensive line once again. His experience and temperament during such a testing time will be crucial for Arsenal.
Shkodran Mustafi will have to lead the defence with his maturity at the centre of the three-man partnership in the back. Rob Holding and Calum Chambers will accompany him on either side. Holding had a horror game against Nottingham Forest and he would want to have a run of consistent performances to cement his place in the side. Chambers has been shaky, yet one of the better players among the options available to Arsenal.
Midfield
Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac will add pace and strength on the flanks. They will have to be aware of their defensive duties too as Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend would pounce on any opportunity to play their way through the wings.
Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka will team up at the centre of the park. Wilshere has been a man reinvigorated ever since his latest injury layoff. He has been dribbling with ease and is a creative outlet for the team while going forward. Xhaka will provide some defensive cover to the backline.
Attack
In the absence of Mesut Ozil and the possible departure of Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck have a chance to start again this weekend. Both of them are very quick footed but lack the decision-making ability in the final third. If they are able to find some consistency in their game now, Welbeck and Iwobi can provide a fresh of breath air to Arsene Wenger.
Alexandre Lacazette will be starting up front. The Frenchman has been lacklustre in front of the goal this season and needs to find his groove back to get Arsenal out of this rut.