Arsenal Predicted Starting XI To Face Reading

By Josh Sippie | Oct 25, 2016

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Lucas Perez celebrates scoring Arsenal's 2nd goal with Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Mohamed Elneny during the match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on September 20, 2016 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Elneny

I’m officially making it three straight Arsenal partnerships on this slideshow that I am excited for. The Ox is going to play and after making it clear (again) that he prefers to play centrally, I think that Wenger gives him the chance he wants and deserves. Let him get his feet underneath him against lesser competition and see if there is a substantial claim to his natural positioning.

I don’t think we will be disappointed. He can take on the pivot role and with his speed and dribbling ability, the results could be pretty spectacular.

This could actually emerge as a very potent partnership. With the Ox as a pivot, Elneny serves as the token defender who can win back the ball and deposit it to the Ox, who then pushes play forward.

The only potential problem that could emerge is if Ox is loose with the ball. Which has always been the concern with him playing a central role with this Gunner’s team.

Finally, a partnership that doesn’t necessarily have me as excited.