After a forgettable 3-0 away defeat against Crystal Palace last Monday, Arsenal will be looking to atone for their errors in another away fixture – against Steve Agnew’s inconsistent Middlesbrough side.
Boro are yet to register a Premier League win in 2017 and Aitor Karanka’s dismissal last month could foreshadow a swift return to Championship football for the Teeside club. You can get the truth about the best odds available for this match and others at sites like critical-reviews.com.
2. Team news
It’d be a genuine surprise given such a poor collective display that Wenger didn’t opt to make at least a few changes. I personally felt Granit Xhaka was Arsenal’s best player at Selhurst Park but naturally scapegoated for the team’s shortcomings, as usual.
His individual match statistics from last week’s defeat (per WhoScored):
– Four key passes, 87.9% pass accuracy, 131 touches
– Four completed tackles, two clearances and blocked shots, no fouls
It’s likely that either him or Mohamed Elneny will drop to the substitutes’ bench with Francis Coquelin patiently waiting for his opportunity to return. Aaron Ramsey hasn’t shown enough currently to justify a starting berth, but would be an understandable choice over the Frenchman.
If 100% fit, Koscielny will return in the centre of defence. He is Arsenal’s best defender and a big miss, but it’s important not to rush him back given the level of troublesome injuries he has sustained in recent seasons.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must start. Recent reports suggest Liverpool are interested and if Arsenal are to keep hold of him, Wenger needs to stop utilising him as a player off the substitutes’ bench.
Alexis Sánchez should start up-top, give Danny Welbeck a much-needed rest. The rest of the team picks itself, given a lack of real depth in other areas.
Possible XI (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Coquelin; Ox, Walcott, Özil; Alexis.
