Arsenal open their Champions League campaign with a difficult fixture away at French champions PSG on Tuesday, as Arsene Wenger’s side once again go hunting for European glory for the 17th successive season.
The Emirates faithful have had a frustrating past decade in Europe however with the Gunners being knocked out at the round of 16 stage for 6 consecutive years, and failing to reach the final since 2005/2006 where they eventually lost to Barcelona.
Having had a relatively successful season last year, their best Premier League finish in a decade – fans will be hoping they can go one step (or two, or three, or four steps) further this year by challenging for the Champions League trophy.
Considering the Gunner’s spent a sizeable amount of money in the summer transfer window too, on the likes of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Perez, the faithful should have reason to be optimistic, and it could be some of their new boys start the opening fixture against the their Ligue 1 opposition next week.
Our local Arsenal fans at the Tavern think they should line-up like this if they want to topple the French giants, do you agree?
GK – Petr Cech
Possibly Arsenal’s best signing of the past decade, Cech has been immense between the sticks for the Gunners since his move from Chelsea last summer.
The headgear wearing shot-stopper will need to be at his best to keep the likes of Edinson Canvani and Lucas Moura out.
RB – Hector Bellerin
Named in the PFA Team of the Year last season, Bellerin has been exceptional and has carried his good form into the beginning of this season already.
A constant threat down the flanks so should trouble Serge Aurier if he manages to get forward.
CB – Lauren Koscielny
Too often the lone performer in Arsenal’s central defence, Koscielny should be pleased with the signing of Shkodran Mustafi as he looks the man to finally compliment him as a centre half pairing.
Koscielny should excel.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal needed a centre-back this summer more than our locals need a glass of water before bed after a heavy night, and Arsene Wenger delivered, although he did leave it late.
Mustafi was in excellent form for Valencia last year and earned himself a call-up to the Euro 2016 squad with Germany too.
LB – Nacho Monreal
NACHOOOOOOOO.
Sorry.
Couldn’t help myself.
In all seriousness however Monreal went from an Emirates laughing stock to one of their most consistent performers over the past season, dislodging Kieren Gibbs to claim the left-back position as his own.
CDM – Granit Xhaka
The new man in midfield looks just look the sort of player Arsenal have missed over the past few seasons.
Tenacious in the tackle and with the ability to pick players out with long spreading balls, Xhaka adds a balance to the Arsenal midfield.
CDM – Francis Coquelin
While Xhaka may sit and spray the ball left, right and centre, someone has to be there to pick up the pieces, and that is Francis Coquelin’s job.
The Frenchman is excellent at breaking up play and playing it simple from just in front of the back four, and will need to be at his best as he his likely to be dealing with the speedy Hatem Ben Arfa, Lucas and Jese.
RAM – Santi Cazorla
The little magician can be hit and miss, but when he is at it, Cazorla is one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
If he can get away from Veratti in the middle of the park, Cazorla will cause problems in between the lines.
CAM – Mesut Ozil
The Gunner’s prized asset, Mesut Ozil had an excellent end to last season and has continued the start of this one in a similar fashion.
His deft touches and creativity will be Arsenal’s main threat to PSG’s back four, and his link up play with Alexis Sanchez is the stuff dreams are made of at times.
LAM – Alexis Sanchez
And where would Arsenal be without this man?
Sanchez has the pace and skill to go at and past almost any player, and has played at the highest level of football for a long time now so should know what to expect come next week.
Will certainly be a tough job for the young Layvin Kurwaza.
ST – Lucas Perez
I always feel sorry for poor Olivier Giroud, and for me he should be there number one striker in the Premier League.
But the Frenchman has and will struggle in Europe, so giving Spaniard Lucas Perez a big fixture as his debut could be a stroke of genius if the striker manages to impress.
