Arsenal Champions League Team Selection: Stick Or Twist?

With a busy schedule on the horizon, squad rotation is essential. With that in mind, should Arsenal stick or twist with regards to resting key players against Basel?

Whichever way you look at it, our home draw against PSG was disappointing. Not only did we surrender top spot in group A. We also saw a performance that only added to our poor form at the time. Arsenal have regained some of their verve in recent weeks so maintaining freshness within the squad is crucial in the next month.

The Champions League game against Basel precedes a hectic run on winter fixtures. And it provides us with a real dilemma. Had Arsenal beaten PSG and ensured top spot we could have sent the reserves out. But being level on points but behind on head-to-head (a rule I am not a fan of) to PSG, the issue of team selection becomes very prevalent, one that Arsene Wenger will have to decipher before kick off.

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Initially, it seems tempting to rest the big guns in Sanchez and Ozil. It’s unlikely that PSG will surrender points at home against Ludogorets so why risk it? Second place in the group is beckoning for Arsenal so why not put our eggs in the Premier League basket for now (where we are in a strong position).

The winter period provides Arsenal with a real opportunity. Win most games and we can be cemented as title contenders. Making sure our key players are fit and rested is an essential part of achieving such a goal. As a result, bringing out a second string side against Basel on Tuesday may be the way to go on for many Gooners.

On the flip side, Arsenal could play full strength and continue our recent momentum. We are riding the crest of a wave at the moment. Why not continue surfing on our attacking trident of Sanchez, Ozil and the Ox, a trio that performed so fluidly and dynamically against West Ham on Saturday, instilling further confidence in the side?

A big win in Basel could set us up perfectly for our December run. And that is only likely with our main men on the field. We saw last week how a disjointed reserve side can be punished. Southampton outgunned the Gunners last week and a repeat of that would be unsavoury.

I would not forgive Arsenal if PSG dropped points and we failed to take advantage. While it seems unlikely, Leipzig and Leicester have proved anything is possible in football. Basel are strong at home and will not lie down easy. They have a Europa League spot to fight for and Arsenal will have to be up for it to get a result.

The Basel game could end up being a lose-lose situation for Wenger. Winning at the cost of injuries could see our Premier League challenge falter. But losing may stifle momentum and increase the volume of the recently muted ‘Wenger Out Brigade’.

With 3 games in a week, there will always be some rotation. I fully expect to see Ospina, Gibbs, Ramsey and even Iwobi returning. Yet wholesale changes may affect our fluidity. Does Wenger trust his deputies enough to win what could be a crucial game?

Next: Arsene Wenger's Best Starting XI

I am certainly not envious of the dilemma Wenger is currently facing. But whatever he chooses to do, Le Prof will have to live with the consequences, good or bad.

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