Thursday, March 28, 2024

Aaron Ramsey Starts: Team News + Predicted Line Up To Face Anderlecht

Arsenal travel to Anderlecht on Wednesday night and are in search of a second win in the Champions League group stage. With Dortmund managing maximum points from the opening two games, the Gunners must take maximum points from two games against Anderlecht in order to have a realistic chance of topping the group. After facing Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the last 16 over the last few years, it is clear why Arsenal need to top the group.

Team News

Laurent Koscielny will sit out the game against Anderlecht but could return against Sunderland on Saturday. The game is likely to have come too soon for Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are back in the squad and expected to start. Damian Martinez will start in goal with David Ospina injured and Woijech Szczesny suspended. 17-year-old Ryan Huddart will be on the bench for Arsenal as substitute goalkeeper.  Francis Coquelin has not travelled with the squad.

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Predicted Line Up (4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper: Emaliano Martinez
22 year old Martinez will make his Champions League debut tonight. With 17 year old Huddart his back up, Martinez has a huge chance tonight to show he is mature enough for first team football.

Defence: Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker, Kieran Gibbs
Chambers is back in the squad after his Premier League suspension, and with Koscielny still out, it looks like Hector Bellerin will be in line for another Champions League start.

Midfield: Mikel Arteta; Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla
Arsene Wenger is likely to opt for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Mikel Arteta coming back in for Flamini at the base of the midfield. Ramsey is fit again and likely to start, with Sanchez and Cazorla offering width.

Forward: Danny Welbeck
Arsenal don’t have much alternative to playing Welbeck as the striker tonight. Podolski isn’t really ready to start a game, and Alexis is playing very well on the wing. With goals now coming naturally, hopefully Welbeck can continue his scoring form.

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