The games are coming thick and fast as we approach the busy festive period. The Round 17 of the Barclays Premier League promises to be a cracker, as Arsenal travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger was briefing the team news in the press conference earlier today from where we learn that defender Laurent Koscielny will not be travelling to Merseyside on Sunday.
Wenger also added that Nacho Monreal, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to be assessed on Saturday. Chamberlain hasn’t practiced with the squad, while the club will take a decision on Walcott and Monreal tomorrow.
TEAM NEWS: @_nachomonreal, @theowalcott and @Alex_OxChambo to be assessed tomorrow. Koscielny is out pic.twitter.com/7yaSPWXyEN
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 19, 2014
In absence of Koscielny and probably Monreal, Arsenal will go with the defensive partnership of Chambers and Mertesacker, while Debuchy and Gibbs to continue on right and left flanks.
Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are all injured at the moment, hence, Wenger would likely to continue with Flamini and Santi Cazorla.
Wenger probably will go with a flexible 4-2-3-1 system – where Alexis Sanchez, who turns 26 today, will operate on the #10 role, and assisted by Danny Welbeck on the right and either of Podolski to start Chamberlain from the left.
Olivier Giroud has been in good form since returning from injury and he will retain his place as a lone striker in the side.
Prediction: 1-1; Expect a close encounter (unlike the last time around), and Arsenal will be more than happy to come out of Anfield with a point.
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