Arsenal: Olivier Giroud, Ideal Starting XI To Face PSG

Arsenal definitely has to make some changes against PSG to take home top spot in the group, so here is the ideal starting XI to make that happen.

Not going to lie, I’m rather tired of trying to predict Arsene Wenger’s starting XI because all I do is psych myself out into thinking that he is capable of making big times changes when necessary. As a lifelong Arsenal supporter, I should know better than that.

Instead, I will now just lay out who I think should be starting and then revel in the mixed emotions when those XI don’t start.

Although, I will say that after Giroud came on against United, the XI that I wanted to see on the pitch was officially out there and, lo and behold, it led to a goal. But enough of that.

PSG is not the big, fearsome bulldozer that they make themselves out to be. Arsenal went into their front door and should have beaten them in Paris, so taking three points from them at the Emirates should be a fairly easy task.

The problem is that in Arsenal’s past two matches, they have looked incredibly sloppy, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and I have no doubts that a large portion of why that’s the case comes down to Wenger’s squad selection.

Starting Elneny and Coquelin together was a baffling mistake. Starting Ramsey out wide was foolish. Sitting Giroud was a laugh. These are things that can easily be repaired upon if Wenger is truly set on taking top spot in the group.

Le Prof can be stubborn, but the writing is there on the wall. It’s time to stop messing around with this once-winning formula, which has now become the just-don’t-lose formula, and start a new winning formula.

Here is the starting XI to do that, starting at the keeper.

David Ospina

I know, I know, I just gave this epic introduction and David Ospina is clearly not part of the new winning formula that I am proposing. That comes later on in this ideal XI.

Still, Ospina is a joy to watch when he is on his game. For whatever reason, it takes getting past a nervy start sometimes to get him into his groove, but once he’s there, he is fantastic. Just think about last time out against PSG if you want a reminder.