After practically dismantling Manchester United a fortnight ago in the Premier League, Arsenal will now travel to newcomers Watford before their all-important Champions League game against Bayern Munich next week.
Here is the strongest possible Arsenal XI to face Watford this weekend.
Petr Cech
A player whose season started with a couple of blunders against West Ham on the opening day, Petr Cech has regrouped his form really well yet again. From the game against Liverpool at the Emirates where he kept Arsenal in contention for a point, to the last victory against Manchester United, Petr Cech is undoubtedly in top form coming into this game.
Hector Bellerin
While the veteran right back Mathieu Debuchy has overcome the injury that ruled him out for the whole of last Season, the form of the Spaniard should be enough to earn him a spot in the starting XI. However, with Bayern Munich approaching next week, Arsene Wenger might be tempted to replace him with Mathieu Debuchy for this fixture.
Per Mertesacker
Though his lack of pace has come under severe scrutiny over the course of last few seasons, the experienced German centre-back has everything in his locker to deny a minnow Watford side. With no disrespect to Watford, Per Mertesacker could be too much for them to counter.
Gabriel Paulista
While there were many negatives in that defeat at Chelsea where Arsenal had to pay for the naivety of the Brazilian, Paulista might have learned enough to not being carried away by the opposition in the long term. He should retain his position from the winning side that drowned Manchester United a weekend ago.
Nacho Monreal
While he was the weakest link in the Arsenal lineup that defeated Manchester United a fortnight ago, it would not be a better option for Arsene Wenger to temper with the winning starting 11.
Francis Coquelin
As Arsene Wenger has a history of giving chances to French talent in Arsenal, Francis Coquelin might be described as the latest finding of the Arsenal manager. Since last Season’s win against Manchester City at the Etihad, the defensive midfielder hasn’t looked back.
Santi Cazorla
While there were talks that were linking the Spaniard to an exit from Arsenal in the summer, the decision to retain the Spaniard amid interest from Spain has been vindicated in the opening three months of this Season.
Alexis Sanchez
For a player who failed to score in the opening six games of this Season, Alexis Sanchez has come back with a bang by scoring a staggering 6 in the next 3. He would start the match on the left side of the Arsenal attack.
Mesut Ozil
If there was one player who was re-born after that win against Manchester United, it undoubtedly has to be the German World Cup winner. From providing an assist for the first goal of the game to scoring himself the last, Mesut Ozil is starting to show his talent in big games at last.
Alex Oxalade-Chamberlain
Though many Arsenal fans would disagree with this choice – implying Ramsey as the plausible substitute, the pace factor as well as the form of Chamberlain should get him a nod ahead of the Welsh midfielder.
Theo Walcott
For a player whose own position was in danger with the arrival of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in subsequent windows, Arsene Wenger has given Theo Walcott a new life at Arsenal by playing him in a striker role.
