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With Arsenal heading into a crucial Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in Germany, Jonathan Kaney believes this side must be chosen to start the game.
GK: Petr Cech
Has to start. The big Czech made some fantastic saves at the Emirates in the first match and will be crucial to keeping out the attacking force of Bayern’s stars. Wouldn’t surprise me if it was his performance that played a big part in us getting a result.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Monreal is a no brainer to start and will be looking to keep Bayern’s stars just as quiet as he did at the Emirates. Starting to get the recognition for his assured performances at left back this season.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The imperious Frenchman will be absolutely crucial in this game. He was solid as a rock in the first fixture and without him we are a much weaker defence. Undoubtedly the best centre back taking to the pitch on Wednesday and has to play.
CB: Per Mertesacker
A surprise inclusion for me at the Emirates – I thought Gabriel would have been the better option against the on fire Lewandowski, but the big German proved me wrong. He was excellent on the night and his physicality and height were hugely important. Gooners will hope he picks up where he left off and he gets the nod from me.
RB: Mathieu Debuchy
Comes in for the injured Bellerin who was the talk of football after his cracking performance in the first game. The Spaniard will be huge miss for us and Bayern will be breathing a sigh of relief at his injury.
Debuchy had a poor game against Sheffield Wednesday, but although his form has been poor due to lack of games – he is still an experienced right back. Costa completely attacked Bellerin last time out and will look to the same to Debuchy. Let’s hope the Frenchman is up to the challenge and proves his worth.
DM: Santi Cazorla
Pulls the strings in the centre and in the form of career, Cazorla has to start.
DM: Francis Coquelin
Will be looking to get in the face of the Bayern players and assert his authority on the game early. Showed a lot of maturity in the last fixture and I have plenty of faith that he can cope against Bayern’s midfield stars.
LW: Alexis Sanchez
First name on the team sheet is Alexis Sanchez. He’s the best player out of both squads of super stars and if he plays as well as we know he can, he could be the difference on the night.
RW: Joel Campbell
One goal doesn’t make him a superstar, but his performance and goal against Swansea will do him the world of good and hopefully snap him out of what’s been holding him back playing the way we know he can. Starts by default due to injury, but he seems to like big occasions and could well enhance his reputation on the night.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
Ozil has taken some merciless stick from Bayern fans in the past, but had the last laugh with his sublime performance and goal in the first fixture. In the form of his life with 9 assists already this season, with the game in his home country I would expect Ozil to be extra fired up and a dangerous prospect for Bayern’s defence.
ST: Olivier Giroud
Due to Walcott’s injury the Frenchman has to start, but his physicality and ability to hold up the ball is perhaps more suited to this tough away tie anyway. Comes in to the game in good form and is always dangerous from set pieces and crosses.
