Arsene Wenger has some serious decisions to make ahead of the opening Premier League fixture of the campaign against Liverpool on Sunday…
The veteran Frenchman is without Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, meaning the Express think he’ll deploy youngsters Calum Chambers and Rob Holding as a centre-back pair.
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We’d fancy Divock Origi to cause these defenders serious problems if he were to get the nod centrally, due to his pace and power – with Daniel Sturridge unlikely to be risked due to a hip problem.
Even Roberto Firmino as a false-9 would be a tricky opponent for the inexperienced duo, which is perhaps why Wenger’s been experimenting with Francis Coquelin at the back. Unlike the Express, the Echo suggests Coquelin may come into the backline instead.
The holding midfielder has never been used as a centre-back, but with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed El Neny providing powerful central options, the Frenchman could be asked to deputise in defence in the absence of three established players.
We’re not sure who we’d rather face in truth, but remember Chambers struggling very badly against us last term in the Emirates fixture.
If the youngsters start, we’d hope to play balls in behind and encourage whoever’s used up top for Liverpool to run at them and close down at every opportunity.