Arsenal vs Ludogorets Razgrad: Predicted Starting XI

By Josh Sippie | Oct 19, 2016

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal lifts goalscorer Theo Walcott of Arsenal after he scored his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at Emirates Stadium on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

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Arsenal, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny

It took up until me typing those names to not put Gabriel Paulista and Rob Holding in the mix. That would have been simply too optimistic. While I would love to see the Brazilian and his young English counterpart making a claim to the center back positions, I can’t see Wenger messing around with his XI that much, particularly with it being the one competition he has never own.

That being said, I will never complain to see Kostafi back out in the fray. These two have emerged as the go-to center back pairing in all of England and the longer the play together, the better they will get. Look for that to continue undeterred against lesser opposition.

With domestic competitions on the docket for the middle of next week, we will have that opportunity to see how Gabriel and Holding adjust to the limited action. Methinks they will be just fine. So long as Gabriel can stay healthy, we can invest faith in the man. He has the ability.

Next up, questions abound with the holding midfield duo.

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