Gunners fans at the Transfer Tavern will be watching both Group A fixtures closely on Tuesday night aware that even a win against bottom team Basel, may not be enough for Arsenal to secure top spot in the group.
Following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with PSG in November, Wenger now needs Ludogorets Razgrad, currently third in the group with a -9 goal difference, to win or draw away at Parc De Princes, Paris.
If the Bulgarian side achieve this, seemingly impossible task, then Arsenal would just need to win or draw at Basel to go through as Group A winners.
Arsenal are currently unbeaten in 19 games and sitting second in the Premier League, they were last beaten in August by Klopp’s high flying Liverpool.
This fixture is a must win game for Arsenal, even if their fate is not in entirely in their own hands, they need to try and avoid finishing second place and facing Europe’s elite so early in the competition.
This game will not be straight forward for Wenger, Basel have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League if they win giving this game an extra edge.
So, which XI will Wenger field to beat Basel? Our landlord thinks this is the XI Wenger must field…
GK: Petr Cech
The giant Czech stopper and Premier League legend provides incredible stability at the back for a defence ravaged by injuries.
RB: Carl Jenkinson
With just 1 England cap to his name, Harlow born Jenkinson has much to prove if he is to be a viable back up option for Bellerin.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal’s best defender.
At 31 and nearly 192 appearances for the Gunners, Koscielny’s experience will play a vital role in leading the back line.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
The German international has impressed in his debut season and already looks to have settled in to the pace of the Premier League
LB: Nacho Monreal
The seasoned left back is currently keeping Gibbs out of the team and offers great attacking options for the Gunners and has a sweet left foot.
CDM: Francis Coquelin
The French Under 21 international adds real steel and energy in to Arsenal’s midfield.
Recent form has unpinned his importance to the team.
CDM: Granit Xhaka
A natural leader in midfield and surely a future Arsenal captain.
The Swiss star will square up against his older brother Taulant making for an intriguing battle in the middle of the park.
RW: Theo Walcott
The longest serving player at the club is having a great season; 15 appearances and 9 goals (in all comps).
The time is now for the England forward to fulfil his potential at the highest level.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
When the German playmaker is on form, there is no player in the world that can stop him.
His vision and passing range make him unstoppable ‘on his day’.
LW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The season started slowly for 23-year-old English starlet Chambo, but in recent months he has taken his opportunity in the first team and really began to emerge as a key player in the squad.
ST: Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean forward has been a revelation this season; switching to striker.
Expect Giroud to come off the bench at some point but Alexis will lead the line in this important must win game.
