Arsenal Predicted Starters To Face Bournemouth

The only position that is considered a no-brainer for Arsene Wenger when it comes to squad selection. Petr Cech has not only been Arsenal’s best player so far this season, but has also arguably been the best and most consistent goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. John Terry wasn’t kidding when he said that Cech would save Arsenal at least 12 points this season. He’s done that already and will probably save them more points in situation where they have their backs up against the wall.

Hector Bellerin has been a bit of a revelation so far this season at right-back. At just 20 years of age, it is hard to believe that he has started almost every game this season in front of the now-departed Mathieu Debuchy. His pace will almost definitely be needed against Bournemouth. That’s how he can do some damage moving up that right flank. That, and linking up with Joel Campbell.

I know how much Arsene Wenger loves and depends on Per Mertesacker in this position, but Gabriel is the obvious choice here for a number of reasons. The vice-captain didn’t have the best showing in his short cameo against Chelsea, and was subsequently benched for it for the clash with Southampton in midweek. I thought Gabriel played decently in the clean sheet against the Saints, and deserves another shot alongside Koscielny. Plus, Gabriel is better suited to deal with the blistering pace of former Arsenal player Benik Afobe, who will be out to prove something against the club that cut him loose. I’d take Gabriel over Mertesacker in this particular game.

Perhaps the other selection that needs no deliberation. Laurent Koscielny is Arsenal’s backbone in defence, and quite simply the best central defender in the Premier League this season. He is by far and away Arsenal’s most reliable player in defence, and holds his ground well against the opposition. He’s developed a great understanding with Gabriel in the few times that they have been partnered in defence. They got the clean sheet together on Tuesday so I’m not too worried about solidarity being a problem here.

Nacho Monreal is undoubtedly Arsenal’s most improved player this season. He has been so reliable at left-back, and has been ahead of Kieran Gibbs in the pecking order. So naturally, he starts this game for Wenger.

Arsenal’s most important player to come back from injury is undoubtedly Francis Coquelin. He is the Gunner’s anchor in defensive midfield, and Arsenal are just not the same without him in the team. He shields the back four unlike any other player in the squad. He has a grit about him that is exactly what Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta lack. He will be needed, especially against Bournemouth’s attack flourishing as of late. As long as he is fit, Coquelin is a shoo-in for this game and every other beyond it.

He hasn’t quite had the season he did last year, but Aaron Ramsey is always one of the first names on the team sheet. I honestly believe that Ramsey plays best alongside Coquelin rather than Flamini, as he gives him more protection, and thus the freedom to roam around. Hopefully Ramsey can feel free to create chances for his strikers.

Some people may question me on this one, but I’d really like Joel Campbell in the starting lineup on Sunday. Campbell’s chances in the squad have been few and far between this season, but he has taken them exceptionally well. He really impressed me in the FA Cup matchup against Sunderland back in the beginning of January, and even though he did not impress against Southampton, I think he deserves another shot to show what he is capable of.

The other player that Arsenal have recently gotten back from injury, and what a valuable player to have back at that. Evident by the lack of results, Arsenal have suffered a bit of a goal-scoring drought as of late. Alexis Sanchez may be the man to get Arsenal scoring again. He is Arsenal’s most explosive player. If there is anyone that can spur the team on to a big win on Sunday, it’s him.

If not for the sheer heroics of Petr Cech this season, Mesut Ozil would be Arsenal’s player of the season thus far. Naturally, he is a definite starter in this game. Ozil’s extraordinary run of assisting has tapered off a bit in recent games, and thus, so has Arsenal’s scoring. Against Bournemouth, the Gunners will need Ozil to find that assisting touch that he enjoyed earlier this season. He is in the team to do exactly that.

Both Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud have been in and out of the squad at the expense of one another this season, mainly at the beginning. Its time to pick a side yet again. For this game, I’m going with Giroud up top. Yes, Giroud may not be scoring at the same rate he was earlier this season, but Walcott has been so dismal that Giroud may be the best of the worst right now. The Frenchman has been formidable for much of this season, so let’s hope that his goalless run is just a blip in an otherwise stellar year.