Arsenal Predicted Starters To Face Tottenham Hotspur

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Gabriel Paulista and Laurent Koscielny

If Koscielny can go, he will play. His presence was clearly missed on Wednesday and his clear communication with either of his two center back partners was missed as well. It was incredibly clear that Gabriel and Mertesacker do not have the same clear communication.

Of course, given just a ‘small chance to play’ does not guarantee that Koscielny will be ready.

Mertesacker has had an on and off season but he was certainly off against Bayern Munich. The match turned into the German’s worst nightmare: an open, end to end match with all counter-attacking. He is going to need a break at some point, lest we suffer another injury.

Gabriel was incredibly misrepresented against Bayern. He looked way out of his element and for how good he has been this season, that match was the anomaly, just like it was for everyone else. I have been dying to see Koscienly and Gabriel back out on the pitch together.

Next up, the defensive mids. Not the most set-in-stone pair like they used to be.

Next: Defensive Midfielders