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 Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Alex Iwobi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles

It’s not that I don’t like these guys, it’s just that I am well aware of what Iwobi can do and Ainsley Maitland-Niles still feels like he is behind the likes of Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Gedion Zelalem and Chuba Akpom.

I am excited to see what he can do though, if indeed Wenger moves him back up into an attack position. He did remarkably well as a right back last time out, but, unless Wenger has ulterior motives, it’s unlikely that the young Englishman stays as a defender.

Meanwhile, Iwobi will probably start in the absence of Chuba Akpom, who is missing out on precious time. The Nigerian is going to impress and this match could actually be a big confidence booster for him to get back on track with his goals and assists, which have fallen off a bit since he claimed the Premier League lead in assists not all that long ago.

Finally, let’s get creative with our central two attackers in this formation. Creative as in, Wenger didn’t give us much of an indication.