Predicted Arsenal XI to play Newcastle United – Time for the Ox to start?

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Match to be played on Monday 28th April 2014 at 20:00. Venue: Emirates Stadium, London.

Arsenal take on Newcastle United in Monday night’s game looking for three points which will aid their push for a top four place and Champions League football next season.

The Gunners have slid off the pace in the Premier League title race but key players are back and there’s no reason why the side can’t finish the season in good form, with the FA Cup final to look forward to.

Here’s the side Arsene Wenger may select for the game.

GK – Wojciech Szczesny

The Pole has responded to recent decisions to leave him out positively. He keeps his place in the side.

RB – Bacary Sagna

The Frenchman should slot in on the right hand side of the defence. He’s an important experienced component of the back four.

CB – Per Mertesacker

The German should continue in the heart of the defence. He offers strength and a real presence which will be important.

CB – Laurent Koscielny

The Frenchman has a great relationship with Mertesacker and the pace to cover, which allows the German to take more risks when Arsenal play a higher defensive line.

LB – Nacho Monreal

Monreal should continue at left-back providing some balance to the back four. He’ll be important in terms of extra width down the left.

RM – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The current Arsenal side is screaming out for pace in wide areas, which is why the Ox has to start on the right, drifting into central areas when he needs to.

DM – Mathieu Flamini

Flamini’s job is to simply sit and protect the defence, taking out any threat which emerges from the Newcastle midfield.

CM – Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey has arguably been Arsenal’s best midfielder this season, which is remarkable considering he’s barely played over the second half of the season.

AM – Mesut Ozil

Ozil only played for an hour against Hull last weekend, but it was an important hour which allowed him to increase his match sharpness and fitness. He keeps his place in the side.

LM – Lukas Podolski

The German should slot in on the left hand side. He’s been in great goalscoring form in recent weeks and will be full of confidence at the moment.

ST – Olivier Giroud

Giroud should lead the attack. He’s got on the score sheet recently and should be looking to add more goals before a summer where Arsene Wenger is being tipped to make attacking signings.