Is Ramsey in line for a start and will Ox continue his good form?

Match Preview: Ludogorets – Champions League – 19.10.2016

Tonight Arsenal play Ludogorets at the home of the Bulgarian champions. The Gunners won that match comfortably, winning by six goals to nil but Gooners should set their expectations a little lower for tonight. Wenger is rightfully wary of the Bulgarian champions, they are playing in their own back yard, full of goals having scored 13 in retaliation to their humbling in North London and desperate to avoid another huge loss. Added to this will be Arsenal’s expected wide-scale changes in the starting XI. Ludogorets won’t be playing the same team they did 13 days ago and neither will Arsenal.

Injuries have been less of a problem for Arsenal this season but we will be missing Lucas (ankle), Cazorla (heel), Walcott (hamstring), Monreal (muscle), Akpom (back), Bellerin (foot), Mertesacker and Welbeck (both knee). What most intrigues me about this match is how Arsenal will lineup considering one eye will be on the North London Derby.

I think we can expect a strong lineup as the squad depth we possess is greater than any we’ve had since 2005, but I think our biggest guns will be rested. I expect Koscielny and Mustafi will be rested which is a concern as despite the scoreline the Bulgarian’s Brazilians caused them plenty of problems and things could have been quite different had Ospina not been on top form. Holding is likely to play in their stead alongside Gabriel who despite a bright start has looked suspect at times. To add to the expected Brazilian feel of this European match I’m going to back Arsenal to win and both teams to score using a BetOnBrazil Free Bet – I think Arsenal will see this match through but I am sceptical of us doing so with a clean sheet again.

The only survivor in the back five from the weekend I believe we’ll have is Kieran Gibbs. It must be said how well he is performing this season and props must go to him for accepting he lost his position to a better player and for working on his game. He has slotted in seamlessly and dare I say he’s been an upgrade on Monreal this season who has struggled to contain the pace of many an opposition winger. Who Wenger chooses to play on the opposite flank will be interesting. Will it be the more experienced head of Debuchy or the return of Corporal Jenkinson who has a great personal relationship with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who is bound to start on the right flank? Or even young Maitland-Niles?

Our striking options are looking more interesting with each passing game. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott are duking it out to be our most improved attacker and Alexis is flourishing as a centre-forward. And now we have Giroud back from injury.

Arsenal were dominant on the ball at the weekend and created chances despite the absence of Santi Cazorla but until the introduction of Giroud they struggled to find the back of the net. Sunderland defended deep which forced Arsenal wide and without a presence in the box it looked like being one of those days, especially when they equalised.

Olivier Giroud has a fight on his hands to oust Alexis as our main striker and frankly I don’t see it happening but I maintain that he is fantastic striker, absolutely world-class at what he does and immeasurable crucial to our fortunes. There are games that Alexis cannot dominate alone, such as the weekend, and a fit and on form Giroud is the best Plan B in the league. I expect he will start tonight and even fancy Aaron Ramsey to fill in for Mesut Özil ahead of a duo of Elneny and Xhaka. Giroud is hungry for minutes and tonight is the perfect appetiser.

Arsenal has a great chance to essentially qualify tonight and I fully expect them to take it.

Predicted Line-up

Ospina, Jenkinson, Gabriel, Holding, Gibbs, Elneny, Xhaka, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Iwobi.

I expect to see substitute appearances from Alexis, Özil and Akpom.

Match Quote

“I just need to play and play more and, in training, show that I’m in good form. That’s what I tried to bring to the team when I came on against Sunderland. I tried to help the team get back in the game because it was 1-1 and we needed the win, so fortunately I was in the right position to finish.” – Olivier Giroud

Previous Meetings

This is the second time Arsenal and Ludogorets have met. The first match ended in a 6-0 win to The Arsenal.

Form Guide

Arsenal
WWDWW

Ludogorets
WWWLW

Opposition watch

The Bulgarian champions took their frustration at losing to Arsenal in a humiliating 6-0 scoreline by smashing 13 goals in 3 games in domestic competitions. Were it not for David Ospina the scoreline may not have flattered Arsenal so much and our scouts have been telling the club what a big goal threat Ludogorets are. Two players to keep an eye on are Brazilian Jonathan Cafu, a direct pacey forward with a trick or two up his sleeve and a fine art from the dead ball and Marcelinho, also born in Brazil but a naturalised Bulgarian. Marcelinho has been in fine form this season and will give the Arsenal central defenders plenty to think about with his close control, hard running and physical presence up top. Anyone thinking Ludogorets won’t be up for this would be mistaken.

Factfile

• This will be Arsenal’s second ever meeting with a team from Bulgaria in all competitions.
• David Ospina has kept two clean sheets in the Champions League this season.
• The Bulgarian champions have scored 13 goals in 3 matches since losing 6-0 to the Gunners.
• Ludogorets have only failed to score in 2 of their last 9 Champions League ties.

Prediction

3-1 to Arsenal. Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain.

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