Arsenal Starters To Face Norwich City

View image | gettyimages.com

Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny

I guess this is the pairing now. For some reason Gabriel Paulista is not being used anymore and it is a major question mark. Per Mertesacker has his perks, sure, but not like Gabriel does. The big German has to keep getting started as a matter of respect. Maybe Arsene Wenger does not see anyone that can deliver the same leadership abilities that Mertesacker does.

But at the end of the day, while leadership is nice and all, it is athletic ability on the pitch that matters the most. Per can sit back and absorb pressure, but he can also get caught out. Gabriel Paulista’s athleticism is being missed on the bench.

Laurent Koscielny does not need many words. He is a sentinel at the back. He was even blistering forward against Zagreb. When the Croations left him enough space, the Frenchman turned on the jets and blew through the opposition as if they were not even there. He made some fantastic tackles while tracking back as well. It all serves as a little positive reinforcement that Laurent Koscielny is as world-class as they come and he is all Arsenal’s.

Next up, onto the midfield and the hole left by Francis Coquelin.

Next: Defensive Midfield