Makeshift – Arsenal Likely Line Up For Dinamo Zagreb

The Champions League resumes again today and to be realistic, most Arsenal fans do not really care anymore and the reason is not far-fetched. Mired to the bottom of their group, Arsenal still have a mathematical chance of securing qualification to the next stage of the competition but, with their key players copping injuries here and there, is there really a point for them to care?

Two new injuries were witnessed against West Bromwich Albion (Francis Coquelin and Mathieu Flamini), as well as a setback or two to the already injured means the Gunners are enduring yet another injury-ravaged November where everything looks like their Premier League title ambitions is even in tatters. Having said that, the following is how Arsenal will likely line up against their Croatian opponents on Tuesday night.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

The Czech shot-stopper should be in goal for the Gunners once more as boss Arsene Wenger will avoid fielding David Ospina, who could cost Arsenal the game due to errors.

Defence: Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal

Arsenal’s first choice backline is available so we will likely see Bellerin starting at right back and Monreal at left back. Mertesacker and Koscielny should also continue their centre-back partnership against Dinamo Zagreb.

Central Midfield: Mathieu Flamini and Santi Cazorla.

In front of the defence, Wenger will have no option but to start Flamini and Cazorla – who missed a penalty against West Bromwich – in central midfield. Francis Coquelin sustained a knee injury against the Baggies and is likely to be out for around two months, while Mikel Arteta’s calf exploded again at the weekend.

Attacking Midfield: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Kieran Gibbs.

The attacking trio will likely be the one we saw against Tony Pulis’ side, with Alexis operating on the right side, Ozil through the middle and Gibbs on the left side. Wenger may opt not to field Joel Campbell against the Croatian outfit, following the player’s horrible miss against West Bromwich.

Forward: Olivier Giroud

Theo Walcott is still in the treatment room and this means Giroud should lead the line once again for the Gunners. The French striker bagged a fine header at the weekend, but it was not enough to secure victory for Arsenal.