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Arsenal Vs Southampton: Predicted starting XI – More Mesut Ozil?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal walks onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal walks onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Sead Kolasinac
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

Unai Emery’s team selection versus Borisov was telling. It was the only the second time that he went with a back four since the start of February, but in doing so, he swapped both of his usual wing-backs out of the team. Nacho Monreal started on the left and Stephan Lichtsteiner started on the right in their stead.

It is clear, I believe, that Emery does not trust Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac in more traditional full-back roles. That said, I also think that Emery would like to try them in the full-back positions between now and the end of the season. And if there is a match to do it, this would be it.

Both Lichtsteiner and Monreal are the wrong side of 30, so expecting them to play three games in a week is a little foolish. Rotation seems natural. Perhaps, then, we could see Maitland-Niles at right-back and Kolasinac at left-back.

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