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Arsenal: Major Changes In Predicted Starting XI To Face Sunderland

By Josh Sippie

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal during the Arsenal Squad photos at London Colney on September 21, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal during the Arsenal Squad photos at London Colney on September 21, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Olivier Giroud
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud

The big man is back. And I cannot wait for him to cast that horrific monkey off his back and open his goal account this season. And, if Wenger does indeed go with my plan and send Giroud out there, I guarantee a goal, lest I suffer public humiliation.

Giroud was a mammoth against Reading, which is to be expected, so let him ride that confidence wave into a match-up with Sunderland that, honestly, shouldn’t be that trying.

And, as I proved in my analysis of Ozil’s assist slump, the German maestro should be first in line to petition Giroud back onto the pitch in the starting XI. Ozil needs that target man for his crosses and Xhaka can utilize that massive forehead for his long passes as well.

The benefits are there. Plus, it’s not like it’s necessarily a risk. We know what this crew is capable of.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Transfers Of Past 30 Years

What do you think Gooners? Is this our starting XI on Saturday or am I so far off base that it isn’t even funny?