Arsene Wenger has had a relatively successful month so far, and the Gooners here in the Transfer Tavern are satisfied!
However, it is important to keep this momentum going and so Arsenal will need to field a strong starting XI against Bournemouth.
The Gunners currently sit in fourth position in the Premier League table with 25 points, and are just three points shy of Antonio Conte’s high-flying Chelsea, who reign at the top of the league.
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday coming off the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium last weekend, and will certainly prove to be tricky opposition for the north London side.
Our landlord here in the Tavern has been running through the Gunners line-up and thinks Wenger must field THIS XI to brush aside the Cherries in north London on Sunday…..
GK: Petr Cech
Who else?
The former Chelsea keeper has been fantastic since arriving at the Emirates Stadium, and is one of Arsenal’s most pivotal players.
Cech simply has to start against the Cherries.
LB – Nacho Monreal
Nacho Monreal is Mr. Consistent in this Arsenal back line.
Rarely spectacular, but the Spaniard always puts in a solid performance.
He will need to be in top form.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
Shkodran Mustafi has been a revelation at Arsenal since his arrival.
Previous signings haven’t worked out, but Mustafi has been a real success – and he has formed one-half of an unstoppable defensive pairing.
Expect another great performance.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
Playing alongside Mustafi, Koscielny has gotten even better.
He has been able to rely on his German partner, and that has allowed him to focus on improving his own game.
He will be very difficult to beat.
RB – Carl Jenkinson
With Hector Bellerin still out injured, you would expect Carl Jenkinson to get the nod.
He has looked better this season, and whilst he is far from the finished article – he certainly looks reliable.
CDM – Aaron Ramsey
It hasn’t been Ramsey’s best campaign by any means, but he looks likely to hold down his spot in the first team this weekend.
On his day, he is unplayable – and Wenger will be hoping that his day comes on Sunday.
CDM – Francis Coquelin
One of the surprise packages in this Arsenal side so far this season.
Coquelin has managed to hold down his place against all odds, and looks like a surefire starter this weekend.
RW: Theo Walcott
Though Walcott’s form has stalled somewhat since his wonderful start to the season, the England international’s pace can be a vital outlet against a resistant Cherries defence.
A great option to have.
Mesut Ozil
Arsenal’s chief creator, Mesut Ozil is looking more and more lethal this season, as well as the assist-king we all know and love.
Will surely find time and space against Bournemouth, something he usually makes the most of.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
With Alexis Sanchez in desperate need of a rest, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain surely did enough during his brief cameo against Manchester United to earn a starting berth.
Needs to show he won’t be another Jack Wilshere.
Olivier Giroud
Has found a starting berth pretty hard to come by this season, but Sanchez’s need for a rest – coupled with his goal against United – should surely afford Olivier Giroud one.
Could break Bournemouth’s defence in half.
