please log in to view this image Venue: Emirates Stadium Wednesday, September 28th 2016 KO Time: 19.45 BST please log in to view this image Head to Head Against FC Basel: Played: 0 Wins: 0 Draws: 0 Losses: 0 Goals For: 0 Goals Against: 0 Goal Difference: 0 No Previous Meetings please log in to view this image Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of our Champions League Group A clash against Basel at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. on Coquelin’s injury… He is out for the game tomorrow, but it should be a short-term injury because the scan was quite positive and I think it will be three weeks out. on how he feels about the news… It’s positive because last year during this period we got some bad news and a few long-term injuries and it was a handicap in our season. After you play always the same players and you lose a little bit of your edge physically. The fact is we have a compact squad, but of top quality, so to keep everybody together is a big plus. on Giroud’s injury… He is not available, he is suspended because he was sent off at PSG. He is a doubt for Sunday, we will see. on if he will go on international duty… I don’t know, it depends on the evolution of his injury.
If he plays! It'll also be interesting to see if the same front 3 are kept or if Perez is brought in...
I agree that he's played well and I really like him as a player, but if you play him you either need to drop Santi - who is the one most of our play has flowed through, or select him over Xhaka which might not necessarily happen, considering Wenger spent so much on Xhaka and he played well against Chelsea.
I would play Xhaka and Elneny in the middle as they know the swiss league very well and should be able to control the midfield. Carzola is the king of course.
Great to have a conundrum like this. I think playing both Xhaka and Elneny is unnecessary against Basel, we should have more than enough quality in midfield to be able to control it and handle the attack they can offer. But against teams like Barca or away against a tough team, i would consider an Elneny and Xhaka combo.
It's Basel who are turd... therefore: ---------------Cech (sweeper keeper/half back)------------- Bellerin---------------------------------------------------Monreal ------------------------------Xhaka-------------------------------- ----------------Cazorla--------------Ozil-------------------------- Sanchez-------Walcott--------Perez-----Iwobi-------Oxlade Winner winner, chicken dinner.
I think we should be looking to rest a few players I'd leave out Santi or ozil, put sanchez on the bench and give gibbs a go at left back as monreal hasn't been great
I agree with Wenger in that Basle have beaten some big clubs in recent years and it'll be dangerous to underestimate them.
In the last 7 years they have beaten Man united, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool. Take them lightly at your peril.
Not underestimating just feel that some rotation is needed as I don't want to see some players run into the ground especially santi
I understand what you mean, and I totally agree about Gibbs, I think he needs a run and potentially Santi could be rested but I think Sanchez has to play and we shouldn't make too many changes. We should look to get the game won first then look to bring on players like Oxo/Perez, Holding ect. But it is very important we win the group and to do that it is essential we win tonight.
I actually think we should play Perez upfront and keep Sanchez on the bench. I would play.... -------------------------Cech------------------------- Bellerin------Mustafi----Koscielny-----Monreal -----------------Elneny---------Xhaka--------------- --------------------------Ozil---------------------------- --Walcott------------Perez------------------Iwobi-- Subs: Sanchez, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Gibbs, Holding, Opsina I think that team is strong enough to beat Basel and would rest Sanchez and Cazorla for the weekend as we often struggle and look jaded after European games.
We do have scope to rotate players, not because Basel are a bad team, but because we have plenty of quality that needs a run out. For example players like Gibbs should be given a go and should seemlessly slot in to replace Monreal.
I think Ospina is definitely going to play, I'd also give Gibbs another run out. So my team would be the below, however I fully understand if Wenger plays Santi. Ospina Bellerin Mustafi Kos Gibbs Elneny Xhaka Ozil Walcott Sanchez Perez If we are winning comfortable then we can sub Sanchez, Ozil and perhaps Kos early in the 2nd half for Oxo, Iwobi and Gabriel.