Arsenal will be aiming to bounce back from a morale-shaking loss at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday when they lock horns with Swansea City in a Premier League clash at Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners, who moved to top of league standing with a 2-1 win over Everton last week, were thrashed 3-0 by Sheff Wed in a third round clash of the Football League Cup in the midweek.
Their misery was compounded when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlainand and Theo Walcott were ruled out for three weeks with hamstring and calf problems respectively.
Here is the strongest possible Arsenal lineup to face Swansea City.
Petr Cech
With 5 clean sheets in just 10 games already this Season, it is safe to say the Czech shot-stopper has adapted really well to his new life at Arsenal.
Hector Bellerin
A player who has performed in big games, this match will be a stern test of Hector Bellerin. Swansea likes to play in the same way as Arsenal and both of their fullbacks are known for turning the heat on the opposition. As a result, Bellerin is expected to be under pressure for the whole 90-minutes on Saturday.
Laurent Koscielny
While Arsenal has 3 central defenders in their squad, Koscielny has proved himself as a defender who is irreplaceable for the Gunners. He is expected to make a partnership with Mertesacker against Swansea.
Per Mertesacker
After missing on in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Everton last weekend, Mertesacker should regain his position in the Arsenal back four. His performance against Sheffield was dismal and the German will be itching to prove his worth to Arsenal once again.
Nacho Monreal
Ask the Everton midfielder Gerard Deuolofeu and he’ll probably tell you how good Monreal was last week. After repeatedly going on war with his team-mate Gibbs for a position in an Arsenal defense, it seems that Monreal has finally come out as the winner.
Francis Coquelin
While he is still in his early twenties, Coquelin has started to look like a player that could help the Gunners for years to come. His performance level is going up every week and the Frenchman hasn’t put a foot wrong all this Season.
Mathieu Flamini
Courtesy to the injury of Theo Walcott and Alex Chamberlain which has left Arsenal short on the offensive front, Flamini should move to the defensive midfield department to allow Santi Cazorla to operate further forward.
Alexis Sanchez
With just 1 goal in the last 3 games despite having a large number of chances, Sanchez would be hoping that a trip to Swansea would help him in regaining his purple patch in front of the goal.
Mesut Ozil
A player who has shunned off criticism in grand fashion this Season, Ozil is quickly becoming a nightmare to deal with for Premier League defenders. His movement with the ball has progressed rapidly this Season and if you add it to what he does with the ball at his feet, Ozil is outshining his team-mates.
Santi Cazorla
A warrior who still hasn’t got the credit what he deserves, injury to Theo Walcott means that Cazorla could be used in a more advanced role on Saturday.
Olivier Giroud
After delivering a match winning performance against Everton last weekend, Olivier Giroud would definitely get another chance from Arsene Wenger on Saturday.
