Arsenal Predicted Lineup Against Liverpool & Injury News – Rosicky Back, Sanchez Missing
Arsenal will head to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Wednesday night. The Gunners will be the favourites to defeat injury-depleted Liverpool side to stay on the top of the league table. The reverse fixture ended in a goalless draw at Emirates Stadium in August.
Injury News:
Czech Midfielder Tomas Rosicky has joined first team training after missing the entire first half of season due to injury. He might feature on the bench in the game.
Arsene Wenger revealed that this game will come too soon for Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina is 60/40 to make it.
Wenger said about Sanchez: “We think he will be short for Wednesday, he has a chance to be available for Sunday [against Stoke]. He is always keen to play. If you listen to Alexis, he can always play – even when he is injured. We try to be cautious. With a muscular injury you never exactly how big the risk but he is very close. If you look at him training he is very close.”
The Gunners will miss Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla due to long-term injuries.
Predicted Line-Up [4-2-3-1]
Goalkeeper:
Petr Cech will start between the sticks.
Defence:
The duo of Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal will return as full-backs after being rested for the FA Cup tie on Saturday. First-choice centre-back pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will get the nod in the centre of defence.
Midfield:
Mathieu Flamini will be given the responsibility of shielding the Gunners’ defence. Aaron Ramsey will play the role of box-to-box midfielder next to Flamini.
Mesut Ozil is in the form of his life and he will resume his role in the attacking midfield after getting a rest for the FA Cup win over Sunderland.
Attack:
Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell will feature on the flanks. French striker Olivier Giroud will continue to lead the line.
Possible starting XI: Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Ramsey, Flamini, Campbell, Walcott, Ozil, Giroud